This sweet Alabama wedding with lavender hues has precious moments with family, including the bride & groom’s adorable baby boy, and delectable treats!
Verlisa & Elijah first met on a blind date set up by mutual friends. After their first dinner together, they were inseparable – and have been ever since! The pair officially wed in 2018, but decided to have a second wedding celebration in 2022 at The Steeple in downtown Mobile, Alabama. Their nuptials marked not only the beginning of their lives together, but also celebrated Verlisa’s recent graduation to become a Doctor.
Verlisa also shared an emotional first dance with her father who has severe dementia. Reflecting on their father-daughter dance, she shares: “My moments with my father during our wedding event were the best because I had been losing my father slowly over the years and it was nice to have an exceptional moment and memory with him because I am not sure how much longer I will have with him.” Their shared dance, amongst many other amazing moments, was one of her favorite wedding day memories.
Ultimately, with their beautiful baby, Micah, in their arms, it was truly a beautiful day celebrating love, family, and sweet beginnings! Keep reading below for more precious details!
- Couple: Elijah Jeremiah Ezekiel Franklin & Verlisa Renee Kennedy Franklin
- Occupations: Elijah is a Computer Engineer & Verlisa is a Physician
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: March 26th, 2022
- Wedding location: The Steeple
- What gifts did you give to your bridesmaids and groomsmen: Bridesmaids were give an assortment of self-care gifts and a hand designed glass. Groomsmen received custom designed 3D renditions of themselves (made by the Groom) as different characters in a frame. For example, Elijah made one groomsmen a ninja and one a wizard. He also gave his best men Lego builds, one was the Thanos glove with the infinity stone, and the other was a stormtrooper from Star Wars.
- Gifts for one another: their son, Micah
- Ceremony entrance song: ‘A Thousand years’ (Instrumental) by Christina Perri
- First dance song: Lights down low by Max
The dress…
How they met…
We first met on a blind date.
My roommate/future maid of honor during my first year of medical school was dating this guy who was an MMA trainer. He trained with this girl named Steph who was friends with Elijah. Emily and Steph got to chatting and thought we would be good for each other.
After a casual conversation via text message, we decided to meet for dinner at Montegos. Our first date lasted from 7pm to about 12 am. We went from Montegos to Lucky’s in one night and saw each other almost every day after that.
The proposal…
We had discussed marriage previously and both felt it was the right next step. We went shopping for rings and I almost immediately found one that was custom rose gold that I loved. A few days later, we went back. He bought the ring and ‘proposed’ in the store parking lot.
Their first look…
Wedding style & attire…
I wore an Ivory dress with lavender Chuck Taylors.
For accessories, I wore a gold watch (old) from my mom, pearl earrings (new) from my grandmother, a rose gold ring (borrowed) from my best friend, Kheyla, and ankle jewelry (blue) from Emily.
Wedding shopping experience…
Initially, we went shopping locally in Mobile with a few of my bridesmaids and my mom came along after we went to a second store. This happened in 2018. I still have the dress but as time progressed, I found myself wanting a more traditional ‘say yes to the dress’ moment.
In 2020, right before the height of covid, me, my mother, my maternal grandmother and my great aunt went to Mississippi to shop for a dress. During our visit, I wasn’t sure if I wanted a traditional dress or a dress more along the lines of our wedding colors since at this point, our ceremony would be nontraditional and so could be my dress. I was torn between a gold dress and an ivory one. Ultimately, I went with the ivory dress.
Mr. & Mrs…
Best wedding day memory…
My best memory from the wedding was the moments I had with my father. My husband and I legally got married on 8/25/2018 and my father officiated the wedding and his father spoke some words. Flash forward to 2022, his father has passed away and mine has severe dementia. He was unable to be redirected during the rehearsal dinner so I wasn’t sure if he would be cooperative during the ceremony. However, to my surprise he was able to follow directions with a great attitude.
When we stood at the end of the aisle before walking down, I held onto him. I said ‘Ready?’ he said ‘ Yep!’ I said ‘ Let’s go!’ and he said ‘Ok!’ and walked me down the aisle without issue. The Father-daughter dance took me by surprise as well. Growing up, my father was a devout Christian and I had never seen him dance before. During our dance, he was on beat, happy and spinning me around. My moments with my father during our wedding event were the best because I had been losing my father slowly over the years and it was nice to have an exceptional moment and memory with him because I am not sure how much longer I will have with him.
Their first dance…
Father-daughter dance…
The sweet details…
The cake…
Wedding advice for other engaged couples…
- Communicate daily and listen intently.
- Always say ‘I love you’ and mean it, especially when you part ways, in case something happens, you can find comfort in knowing the last thing you told them was that you loved them.
- If there is an argument or issue, figure out a solution or a compromise. It may not happen immediately, but it will happen.
- Balance selfishness and selflessness. Take care of yourself and take care of them.
- People change. Make the effort to change together.
- Know how important intimacy is for you both (whether daily, weekly, physical, or emotional) and make time for it.
- It’s ok to discuss your marriage complications and complaints with others, as long as others are limited to your therapist and/or your pet.
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Vendors:
- Photographer: Emily Vinson Photography
- Florist & Coordinator: Sheriah Gibson of Posh Occasions by Sheriah
- Baker(s): Megs sweets and Treats (cake) & Victoria Prete (cake pops)
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