It’s Wedding Feature Wednesday at Southern Bride & Groom! Today we’re excited to share India and Jabreel’s wedding at the Embassy Suites in Raleigh, captured by talented wedding photographer F8 Photo Studios.
Jabreel and India met in high school in Greensboro, NC in 2003 where they started out as friends. After finishing their high school requirements within three years, they both enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University and their friendship grew into a more serious relationship. After graduating from college, the pair received job offers at engineering companies and led them to make a move to Maryland, where they currently reside.
In 2013, India planned a very special birthday dinner for Jabreel and their friends. As they rushed to get ready for the party, Jabreel kept asking India where her keys were. Without actually looking down at them she replied, “Right here; now let’s go or else we will be late!” He asked her to look again and she answered him again but with more frustration. Finally, she looked down to make sure her keys were, in fact, there and was completely caught off guard by a shiny, beautiful round-cut diamond ring sitting there! Overwhelmed with joy and excitement, India admits she feels like she “blanked out” for a few seconds while Jabreel was actually saying his proposal! She had been so busy planning the dinner that this major life-changing event came as a true surprise!
It was about two years later when India and Jabreel finally tied the knot, but in the end, it was a perfect evening and well worth the wait!
After finding out that they had lost their original church location due to a change in policy that prohibited non-members from using it for weddings, their wedding planner presented them with the Embassy Suites hotel in Raleigh as a viable alternative for their venue. A major draw was that they could have everything (ceremony, reception, and guest accommodations – especially with alcohol beverages) in one place. While doing a walkthrough during the initial visit, they realized they loved everything the Embassy Suites had to offer!
The wedding colors were bold and beautiful: Red (India’s favorite color) and silver/gray – a color scheme that screamed “romantic elegance,” complete with roses and candlelight adorning the reception. The gray canopy along with big statement flower pieces from Fresh Affairs was breathtaking. Red uplighting warmed the walls, a monogram with the bride and groom’s initials lit up the dance floor, and a spotlight shone on their gorgeous red rose wedding cake (which Cake Couture Boutique created based on a rough sketch India had shared).
Seven bridesmaids and groomsmen, one for each year the couple was together pre-engagement, was a special number for them. One of their favorite moments was the best man’s (Jabreel’s big brother’s) heartfelt and touching speech.
India has some wise advice for brides throughout the planning process: “Remember, while yes, the wedding day is important, the marriage and enhancing your lifelong partnership skills are even more important. The challenge should not be to have a wedding day, it should be to focus more on how to have and keep a resilient marriage.”
Cara of F8 Photo Studios highlights all the best moments of India and Jabreel’s wedding day – from the beautiful canopied outdoor ceremony to the magical ballroom reception, this hotel wedding is one to remember!
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Venue
“I really liked the professionalism and how The Embassy Suites contact, Ashley Cook, paid close attention to what we wanted,” shares India. “The buffet dinner was provided by the hotel’s catering service and they also took great care of our needs.”
Photography
“We LOVE our pictures! A big ‘thank you’ to Cara of F8 Photo Studios for capturing our wedding moments and everything in between!” India exclaims.
Florist
“Lyn of Fresh Affairs is so creative and talented as a florist and décor designer! I love the combination that he created with my red roses and ivory hydrangeas – it was so beautiful – big kudos to him and his staff!” says India.
VENUE & CATERER Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Airport Brier Creek | PHOTOGRAPHER F8 Photo Studios | WEDDING PLANNER Sabrina Seymore Events | REHERSAL DINNER Carolina Ale House Restaurant | MINISTER Bishop Clarence Humphrey | BRIDAL GOWN Adorae by Maggie Sottero at Bridal Boutique in Columbia, MD | SHOES Qupid | JEWELRY David’s Bridal | BRIDESMAIDS David’s Bridal | BRIDESMAID GIFTS Personalized diamond bracelets | MEN’S FORMALWEAR Vera Wang Slim Fit Tuxedo | GROOMSMEN GIFTS Personalize bracelets and cuff links | FLORIST Fresh Affairs | CAKE Cake Couture Boutique | VIDEOGRAPHER F8 in Motion Studios | STATIONER MagnetStreet.com | CEREMONY MUSIC Trevon McIntyre (Soloist – Groom’s Cousin) | DJ Trevor Bethel | CE Rentals | LIGHTING Scott Brown Studios | ACCOMODATIONS Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn Suites | WEDDING FAVORS Assorted fresh cookies
