Real Weddings: Chelsey & Caldwell

Black African American bride Chelsey groom Caldwell marriage married wedding ceremony reception color palette Greensboro North Carolina blush royal blue gray industrial loft vintage old world South Southern

Chelsey’s pastor orchestrated the first meeting between her and Caldwell, the man who would become her husband. Chelsey, a doctor in the education space with a degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, was skeptical when her pastor prodded her to meet a certain church member as she felt she already knew just about everyone who attended their congregation already. But she had not met Caldwell. Incredulous, she said, “you don’t know what I like,” to which her pastor responded, “well I know what you need.” Truer words were never spoken. Caldwell turned out to be exactly what Chelsey needed and wanted. She took one look at him and marveled at his attractiveness. Caldwell reciprocated. The pair exchanged numbers and spent hours on the phone that night chatting and laughing. They went on their first date by the end of that week. And despite Chelsey having just purchased a house in North Carolina, she agreed to a long distance relationship with Caldwell, an alumnus of North Carolina A&T and mechanical engineer, even though he had taken a job in Kansas City, MO. This arrangement carried on for two-and-a-half years. Finally, Caldwell planned a rooftop, moonlit proposal for his love in Charlotte and the couple began planning. Sadly, Chelsey’s step father had passed before the Spring wedding in 2020, but her godfather was able to do the “father-daughter” dance with her in his place. Chelsey’s cousin walked her down the aisle. Due to Covid, the couple had to change their wedding date three different times. The ceremony was performed amidst their 250 guests where they sat in a circular layout style. By the time the electric slide was playing, everyone was out on the floor and celebrating the newlyweds.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Greensboro, NC

TIME OF YEAR: Spring

WEDDING STYLE: vintage, industrial, thoughtful

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Cadillac Service Garage

FIRST DANCE SONG: “Black Love” by Masego

INSPIRATION: “history in the making”

SPECIAL FEATURES: circular seating arrangement for the ceremony; a live 10-player band; a vintage Cadillac car as a send off car; couple used the bride’s mother’s old typewriter for guests to write notes to the couple as their guestbook component; photo booth; groom had marriage date and bible verse sewn into his tuxedo jacket

HONEYMOON: Charleston, SC

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