Real Weddings: Javelle & Anthony

Both Javelle and Anthony would agree that being at the right place, at the right time matters; it was the right choice to attend a young professionals happy hour event as that is where they met and began their story. Throughout dating, Anthony knew he had found his person in Javelle, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University. The couple went on a vacation to Turk’s and Caicos, and Anthony knew that would be the perfect time to pop the question. On the final day of their trip, before heading to the airport, Anthony coaxed Javelle up to the rooftop of their hotel for a final glance at the beautiful views. Javelle was busy admiring the landscape, and while attempting to find good lighting for some final photos of the pair, Anthony was already down on one knee. Javelle turned around and began swooning at what Anthony was saying, as he asked for her hand in marriage. When it came to the wedding, Javelle had a very specific and lavish vision and she planned the entire event, just using some coordination on wedding weekend to ensure all her hard work and plans were executed to perfection. At their home, a five-acre property in Florida, Javelle was escorted to the aisle by her best friend and then proceeded down the aisle alone holding a rosary wrapped around my bouquet in memory of her late father. After Anthony and his bride were wed, the reception unfolded. Javelle surprised her husband by serenading him “Still The One” by Shania Twain prior to dinner. In lieu of a father-daughter dance, the couple dedicated a song to Javelle’s late father and released lighted balloons to honor him. After a delicious plated dinner and speeches, 75 guests were invited to boogie to music that included all genres, especially the Caribbean, a nod to the couple’s heritage, and the proposal trip. There was even time for a mini-Carnival and Soca session.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Tampa Bay, FL

TIME OF YEAR: Fall

WEDDING STYLE: classic, upscale, farm-to-table

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: The couple’s five-acre farmhouse property

MENU: Passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour; dinner began with parmesan and green olive house salad and rolls, roasted garlic smashed red potatoes and steamed whole green beans; for the second course, penne pasta tossed in savory princess sauce and seafood paella, and char-seared Cajun chicken breast in a Tuscan béchamel.

DESSERT: wedding cake, chocolate brownies with Bailey’s Irish Crème ganache, carrot cake with whipped cream cheese icing and New York-style cheesecake

FIRST DANCE SONG: “I Am Yours” by Andy Grammar

INSPIRATION: inspired by royalty, specifically the late Princess Diana’s wedding

SPECIAL FEATURES: a harpist played for the ceremony; Anthony’s father officiated the wedding; sparkler send-off; live professional singers for the first dance and during dinner; a mirror photo booth; Javelle sought a specific wedding dress by European brand Millanova, and she traveled to Miami, Melbourne, FL and Fort Lauderdale to find the gown as there’s limited distribution in the United States; Javelle surprised Anthony with a serenade; favors were customized hand sanitizers

HONEYMOON: Whitehouse, Jamaica

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