Green is a color that symbolizes growth, peace, and balance, everything that Andrew and Whitley’s love story encompasses. So, it was fitting that this calming yet captivating color was on full display on their wedding day.
For their beautiful fall nuptials, these college sweethearts chose a regal color palette consisting of Ivory, Emerald, and Gold. Their wedding planner, MunaLuchi Coterie member Ashley Merisier of A. Merisier Event Coordination & Design shares, “Beautiful floral blooms were displayed throughout their entire wedding day. As a fan of geometric shapes, Whitley wanted this to be featured via her reception tables which provided a minimal mix of ivory floral, sage greenery and a candlelit tablescape with complementary menus and table numbers to match her wedding invitation suite.”
This sweet couple’s candor and undying devotion to one another are portrayed in their visual love story beautifully captured by MunaLuchi Coterie member Linda McQueen Photography. Read about their love story and all of the details below.
- Couple: Andrew and Whitley
- Wedding Date: 11/09/2019
- Wedding Location: The Hotel at UMD, College Park, MD
Quick Facts
- Bridesmaids Gifts: Custom Robes and Wine Glasses. And one of my bridesmaids gave me the gift of making all of the bridesmaid earrings! So they also received those.
- Groomsmen Gifts: Custom lapel pins, Kinte socks, and dashikis!
- Gifts for one another: Custom Yves Saint Laurent Perfume Bottle and a Braithwait Watch
- Ceremony entrance song: “If I Ain’t Got You” – Alicia Keys Instrumental!
- First dance song: “Point of it All” – Anthony Hamilton
How They Met
We met the summer of 2012 at the University of Maryland working with a program preparing high school students for college. We started dating 2 years later.
The Proposal
The proposal happened on Christmas Day 2018 in front of our immediate families. It was picture perfect- a wrapped gift under the Christmas tree. Of course, Andrew saved the best gift for last :)
Wedding Style
Whitley wore a long-sleeved princess- style gown by Milla Nova for the ceremony. Andrew wore a perfectly- fitted tux (from Black Tux) with a deep green velvet blazer from IndoChino. We definitely dressed appropriately for the cool November weather that day.
We definitely had different shopping experiences. Andrew knew what he wanted pretty quickly and went right for it. Whitley bought 4 different dresses over the course of the 11 months and wore the one she found just 2 months before the wedding to the ceremony. It turned out great for both of them, though!
Incorporation of Culture
We received gifts in alignment with Kenyan culture during the reception and had our moms exchange baskets of gifts from each of our cultures during the ceremony. Our music choices also noted our heritages.
Best Wedding Memory
The ceremony was beautiful and it surprised us both that it was our favorite part of the day. From the live music to Whitley’s walk down the aisle to the perfect message from our friend who married us, we wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Wedding Advice
Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s frustrating when the details of your wedding don’t pan out exactly the way you planned, but your guests won’t even know the difference! Also, don’t lose sight of what’s most important during the wedding planning process. Wedding planning is a test of how you’ll function together as a married couple under a lot of stress- use it as an opportunity to decide who you want to be as a couple. Also, definitely do pre-marital counseling. And hire Ashley Merisier.
Vendors
- Wedding Planner: @amerisierevents
- Venue: @thehotelumd
- Wedding Gown: @millanova
- Bridesmaid Dresses: @birdygrey
- Groom’s Tux: @indochino & @theblacktux
- Brides Hair: @colestevenssalon
- Brides Makeup: @triphina_michelle_mua
- Bridesmaid Makeup: @bridalbeautyassociatesllc
- Photographer: @lindamcqueenphotography
- Videographer: @luxorweddingfilms
- Floral: @bloombohogirl
- DJ: @djbossplayer
Absolutely gorgeous! I love love love the wedding colors and the imagery around the venue (the stone) is so cool!