- Quick Facts:
- How did you meet?
- Tell us about the proposal.
- Describe your wedding attire. What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?
- Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
- What is your best memory from your wedding?
- What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
- Want more romantic black and white wedding inspiration?
- Vendors
Four years after first connecting via social media, Danielle and Jachovian (Jay) said “yes” to forever in a romantic black and white wedding in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The pair first exchanged messages over Facebook in 2020, when they were both part of a group called “Living Single Nashville.” Though their initial plans to hang out fizzled, the pair reconnected in April of 2021 and eventually shared their first date a few months later.
On their two-year anniversary, Jay planned a romantic date at the Graduate Hotel in downtown Nashville, a hotel Danielle had previously mentioned she’d love to visit.
Though Danielle had her suspicions that a proposal would happen that evening, a rowdy bachelorette party in the hotel’s restaurant threw her–and Jay–for a loop. Eventually, her suspicions were confirmed when Jay got on one knee and popped the question.
In October 2024, the couple tied the knot in a romantic black and white wedding ceremony in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The couple asked the guests to follow a particular dress code, with ladies wearing white and men in all black. Lush white florals added to the color scheme, offering a simple and classic look to their ceremony. Similar floral arrangements adorned their reception space as they celebrated their commitment with all of their loved ones.
Read on for all the details on the couple’s chic black and white wedding!
- Couple: Danielle Dione LeSueur Woods & Jachovian LaTrez Woods
- Occupations: Danielle – Digital Engagement Strategy Manager in the Finance Industry | Jay – Director for the State of Tennessee
- Wedding date: October 4, 2024
- Wedding location: View at Fountains in Murfreesboro, TN
Quick Facts:
- Gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen: I gifted the bridesmaids white satin pajamas trimmed in feathers, white fluffy slippers, wedding day jewelry, and Venus et Fleur eternity roses. Jay gifted the groomsmen initialed cuff links, an engraved metal card with a personalized note, and a tumbler set.
- Gifts for one another: From the bride to the groom – a custom gold lapel pin featuring pictures of him and his late grandfather, as well as an embroidered handkerchief with a personalized love note. | From the groom to the bride – a pear-shaped diamond bracelet to complement her pear-shaped engagement ring and wedding band
- Ceremony entrance song: Groom – “Wedding Vows” by Jamie Foxx | Bride – “Love is a Miracle” by Maverick City
- First dance song: “Hrs & Hrs” by Muni Long
How did you meet?
We met on social media, of course! In 2020, we were both a part of a Facebook group named “Living Single Nashville.” At the time, I still resided in Memphis, TN, but would frequent Nashville once or twice a month to visit my sister and friends. Needless to say, one day I messaged Jay on Facebook to ask if he’d like to hang out when I was back in the city, and, in short, he said yes, but nothing ever came about after those initial messages.
Fast-forward to April 2021, I moved to Nashville and hit him up again to let him know I was now in the city permanently. We still did not hang out right away, but in June 2021, Jay slid into my Instagram DMs asking about the pool at my apartment to strike up conversation, as we never ever actually swam in that pool.
From that interaction, we ended up exchanging numbers. We first texted on June 16, 2021, and had our first date, a movie and wine night, at my apartment on June 22, 2021. The chemistry was there as soon as Jay walked in, arguably love at first sight. We ended up talking all night, with the NBA Finals playing in the background, and the rest is history!
Tell us about the proposal.
Our proposal took place on our two-year anniversary—June 16, 2023. I had an inkling it would happen that day because back in February 2023, I’d asked Jay, who is not an early planner, if he knew our anniversary fell on a Friday that year. He said yes and that he would take over planning our anniversary. I shared my suspicions with my best friend when I went to visit her in Chicago in April 2023. I told her either I had it soooo wrong or was SO right!
Fast forward to our anniversary day, Jay sends an Uber black to pick me up at my apartment to take me to a mystery location, which ended up being the Graduate Hotel in downtown Nashville—a hotel I’d mentioned months earlier I’d like to one day do a staycation at.
He greeted me at the entrance with flowers, then led me upstairs to our room for the evening. Upon entering, Anita Baker’s “You Bring Me Joy” was playing, and the room was decorated with roses, balloons, love notes, and hanging pictures of us throughout the years. I just knew when I turned around he’d be on one knee, but no.
Instead, he handed me a glass of non-alcoholic champagne, as I was very newly pregnant at the time. We soon left for dinner at Sinatra. Upon being escorted to our table on the balcony, a single rose was awaiting my presence at the table. We began ordering, but soon noticed a very loud bachelorette party at the table behind us. I was fine ignoring, but to Jay, who had an impending proposal planned, it was ruining the experience he’d envisioned.
In the midst of all this, I texted my best friend that no proposal had taken place yet, BUT it was an absolutely beautiful anniversary evening.
I also mentioned the bachelorette party. She told me after the fact that she almost called the restaurant to get them removed because she was, in fact, in on the whole proposal, dating back to when I shared my suspicions with her in April 2023. We progressed through dinner, and I noticed Jay prolonging dessert, which he attributed to just wanting to take the evening slow.
After the fact, it was revealed that he’d planned to propose with, “Will You Marry Me” on the dessert plate, but with the loud bachelorette party still present, he was hesitant. Needless to say, we soon ordered dessert, then Jay told me to sit tight; he had to run downstairs for one more surprise. To this, I replied, “Who?! Usher?!?”
When he returned, Usher was not with him, but rather his best friend’s sister, who was also a photographer. Before I knew it, he was on one knee, and the entertainment at the restaurant was singing “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, a song Jay had been singing on and off to me over the last month, but I hadn’t really thought anything of it! Of course, I said yes, and everyone cheered as I held my hand over the balcony to show off my new rock! I was SO right after all those months of wondering, but even more SOOOOO happy for this moment in time.
Describe your wedding attire. What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?
I wore the Pantora Bridal Inez gown, which was honestly the dress of my dreams! I actually first saw the dress on Pantora’s Instagram page in 2022, about nine months prior to getting engaged. Fast forward to June 2023, I was now engaged and newly pregnant. The dilemma was to either try on the dress prior to me beginning to show, OR give birth in December 2023, then try on the dress by the end of February 2024 in order to meet the custom deadline for our October 2024 wedding. I opted for the latter and planned a weekend in Nashville with my bridal party to try on the dress. As soon as I put it on, it was as glorious as I’d imagined. I chose a pearl and rhinestone embellished blushing veil to finish off my bridal look.
After months and months of searching, Jay found the perfect tuxedo jacket through his fraternity brother.
We were able to secure the jacket from a Jos A. Bank in Marietta, GA, then had it shipped to our local Nashville store. He paired the cream, paisley print tuxedo jacket with black tuxedo pants and shoes from Street Tuxedo here in Nashville. It was the perfect pairing and made for a flawless look.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
We did not incorporate any specific aspects of culture into our wedding, but more so wanted to create an aura of love and candlelit romance, as well as ensure the goodness of God was on full display.
What is your best memory from your wedding?
The best memory from our wedding day was our personal wedding vow exchange. Not only were we brought to tears, but there was not a dry eye amongst our audience of guests. It was such an amazing feeling to feel the presence of God through the verbal expression of our love, devotion, admiration, and respect for one another. Our intimate wedding vows can be viewed here:
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
The best advice we would give engaged couples is to one—soak up every moment of your engagement season and do ALL the things, whether that’s taking the engagement photos, going all out for your bach parties, or being sure to attend premarital counseling, to be able to look back on this beautiful moment in time with fond memories of peace, joy, and bliss. Two—on your wedding day, remain present, truly being where your feet are planted. The day honestly seems to fly by, but you want to ensure to feel all the feelings, take each moment one at a time, and enjoy the beautiful day you both deserve.
Want more romantic black and white wedding inspiration?
Click here.
Vendors
- Photographer: Photography by Tyler Jones
- Wedding Dress: Pantora Bridal
- Groom’s Tuxedo: Jos A. Bank
- Bridal Pajamas: Bon Viviann
- Bridesmaid’s Dresses: FashionNova
- Bridesmaid’s Pajamas: Belle’s Design Shop
- Groomsmen Tuxedos: Street Tuxedo
- Venue: The View at Fountains
- Videographer: Carita Cole
- Decor & Coordination: Danielle Rogers
- DJ: DJ Zoom
- Bride’s Hair (Install): Kayla Greene
- Bride’s Hair (Styling): LaRonda Fletcher
- Bridesmaids’ Hair: Dolled By Ri
- Makeup: Shanese Nevels
- Heart Wedding Cake: Baked on 8th
- Two-Tier Wedding Cake: The Cupcake Collection
- Bar (Custom Cocktails): Kamecia Morrow
- Cocktail Hour Charcuterie Cups: Kiaya Carmona
- Photobooth: Mirror Mirror Photo Booth
- Vintage Rolls-Royce: Melvin D. Law
