Real Weddings: Amoya & Phillip

Black African American bride Amoya Black groom Phillip marriage summer wedding ceremony reception color palette modern industrial warehouse white peach rust orange navy blue Dallas Texas

Relationships that are built on laughter and a mutual sense of humor often have a great foundation. Amoya and her husband Phillip were lucky enough to find that with each other. Phillip, a software account manager originally from Oklahoma who attended the University of Tulsa, met Amoya, who is an advertising account supervisor and graduate of the University of North Texas through mutual friends while at an alumni party for her alma mater. Throughout their courtship, Amoya grew accustomed to Phillip’s happy-go-lucky spirit and his penchant for inserting humor in most things – he can even be a prankster at times. So, in typical fashion, when setting his proposal plan into motion, Phillip’s first parts of the plan included playing some tricks on Amoya, which likely helped to throw her off the scent of what was about to happen. It was the day after Christmas in 2019, and it was time for the pair to exchange gifts with one another. His first gift to Amoya was a gag gift, a false gift. The second gift for her? Another gag gift of an empty box of what Amoya had hoped would be some earrings she had on her Christmas list. After the two laughed this off, Amoya was surprised to see Phillip down on one knee suddenly with an engagement ring. After screaming in disbelief, Amoya gave an emphatic yes to his proposal. Phillip’s upbeat energy was exhibited during the wedding when, as the ultimate hype man, he led their 90 attendees to a standing ovation of applause and cheers for his bride as she walked down the aisle alone. Amoya felt the love of her circle, particularly that of her close girlfriends, some of whom used their creative talents to help her plan and execute their modern boho warehouse wedding. And despite the pandemic that was raging in the summer of 2020, something Amoya and Phillip cherish most of their special day was how her 96-year-old grandmother was able to attend.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Dallas, TX

TIME OF YEAR: Summer

WEDDING STYLE: crisp, contemporary, industrial

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Place at Tyler

MENU: Tex-Mex themed menu of elotes and mini flautas for the cocktail hour and a taco station for dinner. Signature drinks were an “Amoyarita” and “Just Sprite,” which was actually just Sprite for Phillip who does not drink alcohol.

DESSERT: Cake of white almond and strawberry cake

FIRST DANCE SONG: “I Feel for You”(Acoustic) by Prince

INSPIRATION: the white, industrial venue and a classy, minimalist elegance

SPECIAL FEATURES: photo booth and sparklers send off; bride walked herself down the aisle and was given a standing ovation while doing so; the couple did the tradition of exchanging gifts before the wedding and doing a unity ceremony at the altar

HONEYMOON: Scottsdale, AZ

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