Real Weddings: Kandis & Ian

Black African American bride Kandis groom Ian marriage married wedding ceremony reception color palette dentist military us navy Birmingham Alabama

Kandis worked hard to accomplish her dream of becoming a dentist. Currently a dentist with the U.S. Navy, she met her future husband Ian through attending a program at Columbia University in New York City where both were exploring a career in the field. However, Ian pivoted and went on to serve in the Peace Corps and was stationed in Ethiopia. While away, Kandis was attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. Birmingham happened to be Ian’s hometown. With Ian back in the States and now working in finance for Morgan Stanley, he reached out to Kandis and from there, the pair became an item. In May of 2020, Kandis achieved her goal, though due to the pandemic, the grand graduation she’d envisioned was shunted and went virtual. She was planning a large graduation party with friends that would not be able to take place. Knowing how important it was to her, Ian planned a socially distanced gathering mostly with family at his house the day prior to her virtual graduation. As Kandis entered, she noticed a beautifully decorated space, catering and even a cake in the shape of a giant tooth. Some friends and classmates were there, but most surprising, her parents and brother were there – all the way from Louisiana. Halfway through, Ian got on the microphone, thanking folks for attending and congratulating Kandis. Ian, being an amazing singer, began serenading Kandis with her favorite song. Knowing what he was about to do, Ian was so nervous he stumbled over some words. But ever persistent, rewound the song and sung it over again just to ensure it was perfect. Then Ian asked his beauty to be his bride, and through tears Kandis nodded yes.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Birmingham, AL

TIME OF YEAR: Winter

WEDDING STYLE: sultry, ornate, romantic

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: The Thomas Jefferson Tower

MENU: Hors d’oeuvres were passed French baguettes with Boursin cheese and candied bacon, polenta and parmesan cakes, gulf coast jumbo lump crab cakes and remoulade. To begin the dinner courses, a Tomato Basil Soup was presented, and next a “winter caprese” salad featuring fresh mozzarella, pear compost, arugula, walnuts, aged balsamic vinaigrette. For the third course guests chose the roasted fresh salmon, pecan-crusted chicken with orange-molasses butter or the filet mignon with Shitake mushrooms and signature steakhouse sauce. All were served with roasted root vegetables, potato succotash and French green beans. There was also house-made focaccia bread and flatbread crisps. Aside from alcoholic beverages, a sparkling lemonade mocktail with blackberries and thyme sprig was passed during cocktail hour.

DESSERT: Wedding cake and a groom’s cake in vanilla and red velvet

FIRST DANCE SONG: “Love Ballard” by Jeffery Osborne

INSPIRATION: the couple wanted to modernize romantic chic and add some glam

SPECIAL FEATURES: vintage Rolls Royce transported the couple; also a trolley for bridal party; Ian’s childhood pastor who married Ian’s parents 30 years prior was the officiant, fire-stamped monogram on lime peels within signature drinks; velvet enveloped custom invitations with monogram; pyrotechnics on the dance floor; New Orleans-style Second Line Band and parasols; confetti canons; gobo of wedding monogram for dance floor

HONEYMOON: Unable due to Covid and being in active duty in the US Navy

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