When they first met, the vibe between Michelle and Kermit was so natural, it was as if they had known each other forever. A mutual friend asked Michelle to show Kermit around NYC. They met up in Brooklyn, walked around Fort Greene and eventually ended up at a bookstore where they hung out the rest of the day. Their chemistry was organic.
Armand proposed at the Lavender Festival in Dahlonega, Georgia. Michelle recalls, “We went with all of our friends, and they did not have a clue that he was going to propose. The whole time Armand kept trying to get me alone away from our friends, but it was impossible because we were taking pictures and chatting it up. Eventually, the two of us made it over to a tree towards the front of the festival and next thing you know, he reached in his pocket for the ring box and proposed. I was shocked and in disbelief. We ended up meeting up with our friends, and they were so excited for us. It was very memorable.”
The couple’s outdoor wedding in NYC was a celebration of their cultures. Michelle was born in Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. Her father is Nigerian (Yoruba) and her mother is Jamaican. So, they had a traditional Yoruba Wedding the day before their American wedding. The fabric for their bridal party’s traditional Nigerian attire was handpicked in Nigeria. During their tented reception, guests dined on mouthwatering Jamaican and Nigerian food from sorrel and jerk chicken, to Nigerian shrimp fried rice and fish cakes. It was an unforgettable day of love full of the vibrant colors, textures and traditions of their heritage.
- Full names of couple: Michelle Adesiyan Tella and Kermit Armand Burns
- Occupations: Speech Language Pathologist (Michelle) & Educator (Kermit)
- Wedding date: June 22, 2019
- Wedding location: Tanglewood Preserve- Rockville Centre, New York
Quick Facts
- Bridesmaid and Groomsmen gifts: The Bridal Party received Monogram Swelled Bottles, Nigerian African Fans, Handcrafted Shea Butter, Soap and Candles made by the Bride. Groomsmen received Brass Nigerian Bracelets, Custom made Bow Ties and Vests
- Favorite item on the menu: We enjoyed the Jamaican and Nigerian food (i.e. Sorrel, Jerk Chicken, Oxtail, Egusi soup, Efo, Pounded Yam/Iyan, Asaro, Macaroni and Cheese, Candied Yams, Puff-Puff, Fish stew, Sautéed Broccoli, Rice and Peas, Nigerian Shrimp Fried Rice, Fish Cakes, Spring rolls, Plantain, Escovietch fish, pepper shrimp, Vegan Cake (i.e. carrot, red velvet, and chocolate), Black Cake etc. )
- First dance song: “Golden Touch” by Shinehead
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
Michelle was born in Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. Her father is Nigerian (Yoruba) and mother is Jamaican. With being Multicultural we wanted to celebrate both worlds and encompass it into our wedding. The day before the American wedding, we held a Traditional Yoruba Wedding with both our families. This gave us a chance for our families to intermingle and be a unit.
Best Wedding Memories
Our best memory was watching our bridal party along with our parents being introduced and having an amazing time. Seeing the joy on each of their faces and becoming extended family.
Wedding Advice for Engaged Couples
We would probably advise engaged couples to seek or incorporate wedding counseling.
Vendors
- Photographer: Sequoayh Daniel Photography
- Wedding Event Coordinator/Planner: Sherae Dow
- Videographer: Ariel Laflin
- Bride’s Ceremony Dress: Go 2 Bella Bridal
- Henna: Ancient Henna Wedding
- Welcome signage, Bride’s Robe: The Artist Plug
- DJ: DJ Shuttle NYC
- Grooms & Groomsmen Tux: The Black Tux
- Handmade Wooden Cake Stand: Wooden Maven
- Jamaican Chef: Chef Elvis Caribbean Cuisine
- Nigerian Chef: Chef Eng
- Bride MUA: Renee B- Retista Beauty
- MUA: Best Face Forward Makeup
- Wedding Cake: Road House Health Foods
- Wedding Venue: Tanglewood Preserve
- Line Dance Choreographer: The Covingtons
- African Dance Troop: Ismael Kouyate
- Graphic designer, wedding program: Ben Domanico
- Bridals Gele Stylist: AvielasTouch
- Bridal African Dress Grooms Vest and Bowtie: Mamouro
- Bridal song: “Lifetime” written, composed and performed by Khadeeja Abdul-Jabbar
- Bride and Grooms Hair: Bride
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