Elegant Interfaith Wedding in South Carolina

For their elegant interfaith wedding, Christian and Joseph beautifully incorporated Roman Catholic, Jewish, and African American customs.

It was beautiful to see how it was blended into both the wedding ceremony and reception. The unity candle, the huppah, jumping the broom, and dancing the horah.
Shawn Mohammed (Platinum Label Weddings LLC)

Featuring a lovely wisteria, blush, and gold color palette and gorgeous crystal centerpieces, their wedding style was elegant, with just a touch of rustic charm.

Read their charming proposal story and see the beautiful details below!

Couple: Christian & Joseph
Occupations: Christian: Ph.D. candidate at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work, as well as an Administrative Coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy / Joseph: News and Sports Anchor/Reporter for the NBC affiliate in Columbia, SC (WIS News 10)
Wedding Date: May 30th 2021
Location: Cobblestone Park Golf Club in Blythewood, SC

Quick Facts

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Gifts: Bridesmaids – rose gold earing/bracelet set; robes; hair and makeup / Groomsmen – flip flops with their favorite sports team on them; beer mugs
Gifts for one another: We did not give each other gifts because we consider each other the gift.
Ceremony entrance song: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Kina Grannis
First dance song: “Die with You” – Beyonce and “Hold On Forever” – Rob Thomas

Tell us all about the proposal

Everything was perfectly planned for the week of our engagement. The surprise was somewhat spoiled the eve before the proposal. As we went out to dinner ahead of the Rob Thomas concert in Nashville, TN, Christian needed to spit out her chewing gum inside the restaurant. Unfortunately, the beautiful establishment did not believe in paper napkins. So, I graciously reached into my wallet to pulled out an old receipt. What I failed to realize at that exact moment was that I was giving her a partial ring receipt. Yes, as Christian spit out the gum, she noticed it said Barnes Jewelers at the top. By the way, shop at Barnes Jewelers for all your ring needs. Christian never uttered a word about what she saw.

One hour before the proposal, Christian’s brother Chris altered me to the situation. She was on to me and the pending proposal. So, I texted my dad about what I could do to create a surprise moment. He immediately suggested a series of fake-outs, as seen by Jim in the TV show ‘The Office,’ when he proposed to Pam. Right before we took the elevator to head to our romantic dinner, I knelt down very slowly while looking lovingly into Christian’s eyes. I paused, took a deep breath, and said, ‘Christian, I need to tie my shoes.’ She was not thrilled about the prospect of being proposed to on an elevator, despite the fact it was a very clean elevator, the best of all elevators in Nashville.

Moments later, we exited the elevator and through the lobby to our town car that would take us to dinner. The driver flipped a sign over that read, ‘Christian, will you marry me?’ I went down on one knee and uttered those exact words and some other very lovely things. They were the best words ever to be said in an engagement proposal. She said yes to make me the happiest man in the universe.

Wedding Style

The overall theme was elegant with rustic hints. Our colors were wisteria, blush, and gold. The bridesmaids wore floor-length chiffon dresses purchased at David’s Bridal, and the groom and groomsmen wore sterling grey tuxedos from Men’s Warehouse. I wore a shimmering mermaid wedding gown with sheer cutouts designed by Martina Liana (Style #1182). I traveled all the way to Philadelphia (Van Cleve Bridal) to pick up my dress and bring it back to South Carolina because that’s where I got the best deal for it. The cathedral veil, purchased on Etsy, was created by Veils by Rebecca.

Culture

I was raised Catholic and my husband is Jewish, so we implemented customs from both religions into our ceremony. To honor my Catholic upbringing, we lit a unity candle and recited 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. To honor my husband’s faith, we signed a ketubah (Jewish marriage contract), recited Genesis 2:18-24, and my husband broke the glass. Also, to acknowledge my Black heritage (my husband is white), we jumped the broom.