Real Weddings: Jamila & Noah

Black African American bride Jamila marries married groom Noah fall wedding fur coat bouquet green tuxedo

Jamila and Noah are a fun couple. We know this because they have a dog named Moose. Moose played a part in Noah’s proposal plan, but rewind to how the couple first met. The pair met while attending Winthrop University. The first time Jamila ever saw Noah was during her first week of freshman year; she recalls he was running the sound system for a performance. From across the auditorium, Jamila ogled the man she was instantly attracted to, the man who would one day become her husband. Though neither had spoken to one another at that point. It wasn’t until Jamila joined a student organization that Noah interviewed her to be a part of that she was able to learn his name. Quickly she learned that he wasn’t just handsome on the outside, but he was also funny and sarcastic — she immediately began crushing on him as the two started a friendship. Then at the right time, Noah made Jamila his girl, and after dating for a time, he planned out the way to make her his girl for life. Jamila mentioned she didn’t want a public proposal, so Noah was careful to reign in the proposal plans and do it at home. One day, after Jamila had had a a stressful week and was in need of something uplifting, Noah called her into the kitchen where he handed her a wooden box. With Moose, the dog, by his side he had the courage to get down on one knee before Jamila as she opened the box to reveal an engagement ring. The private, sentimental moment was exactly what she had always hoped for. In 2020 these college sweethearts tied the knot despite the pandemic threatening to meddle in their plans. The couple was especially thankful that Jamila’s mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were able and willing to attend the wedding. Before 45 guests, Jamila was escorted down the rose-petaled aisle at a rustic barn by her father to be given away to her husband. Noah hugged his father-in-law tight as he was overcome with gratitude for raising up the woman who would become his wife.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Ephrata, PA

TIME OF YEAR: Fall

WEDDING STYLE: moody, rustic, glamorous

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Hertzog Homestead

MENU: Hors d’oeuvres began with South African pork sosaties, hummus, crudités and za’atar-topped flatbread, and beef and cheese empanadas. The entrées included mojo chicken with avocado-mango salsa, Puerto Rican yellow rice, fried plantains and Cuban black beans. The signature drink was a “Mila Mojito” made with cranberry and fresh grown mint, in addition was lemonade, and orange blossom and mint water.

DESSERT: A three-tier wedding cake made up of vanilla cake with vanilla mousse, a white velvet cake layer with strawberry filling, and a pink champagne cake layer with pink champagne buttercream frosting

FIRST DANCE SONG: “Beyond” by Leon Bridges

INSPIRATION: Jamila had always wanted to get married in the fall, her favorite season. She loves burgundy and knew I wanted it heavily featured alongside pops of color. She was going for moody décor.

SPECIAL FEATURES: wedding was live streamed; seating chart were found on the back of the programs; they had a fire pit outside; the signature drinks that featured mint sprigs grown by the couple’s friend; the tradition of tying a knot was done during the ceremony; and eight-foot arbor display at the altar; hundreds of rose petals lined the aisle; Tuscan tables sat guests for the dinner;

HONEYMOON: Postponed due to Covid

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