NIA AND NIGEL'S

SOPHISTICATED WEDDING

(WITH SWAG)

Giving their wedding a sophisticated and authentic feel was important to Nia Emani and Nigel Adams. They achieved this and so much more! In fact a photo from their reception is featured on WorldstarHipHop! (see below)

WEDDING VENUE

Although they met at Howard University, both are from New York State and it was important to them that their celebration take place in the Empire State. However, they now make their home in Southern California and the beach there is very important to them with this in mind, they chose the Surf Club on the Sound and my, did the Surf Club deliver! By the way, this was my first time at the Surf Club since Hurricane Sandy and it never looked better!

The Surf Club on the Sound, Credit: TimeFrozen.com — The Surf Club on the Sound, Credit: TimeFrozen.com

FAMILY & LOVE STORY FOCUSED CEREMONY

Nia and Nigel’s non-religious wedding ceremony is an event to be cherished because of their focus on the loving legacy they have inherited and are extending with their marriage. They enthusiastically took part in the relationship coaching sessions that I include in all of my full ceremony packages. Before my eyes I could see their already strong ability to communicate with each other become even more amplified and venerable. When their official wedding day arrived, there were beyond ready to celebrate their vows with their family and friends.

A SAND CEREMONY WITH SAND FROM BOTH COASTS

The groom was quite dapper in his fitted gold blazer. Escorted by her father, the beautiful bride stood before us. As we began, we honored both sets of parents for the many ways that they have nurtured their highly accomplished children’s happiness and growth.

Tears fell as I shared their love story. It began during their freshman year at Howard, extended through the groom’s service in the Navy and led them both to relocate to San Diego. Aside from their exchanging personalized vows, one of the highlights of the ceremony was the sand ceremony. Here is an excerpt:

Sand an enduring gift of the sea reminds them of their journey to each other and the legacy they are creating as they officially found their family. The sand Nigel is using is from San Diego, the place where they became engaged and where they make their home. The sand Nia is using is from New York, the place where they started their lives separately and where they plan to start a family together.

The couple then signed their marriage certificate, jumped the broom and sealed their marriage with a kiss! Toward the end of their recessional, they each reached out to their parents. The phenomenal Keith Claytor of Time Frozen Photography captured this singular moment!

A DANCE THAT WENT VIRAL!

The newlyweds shared their first few minutes as husband and wife privately while their guests and I headed inside to an upper floor of the Surf Club for the cocktail hour. We enjoyed the beautiful view of the Long Island Sound as we dined and gushed about the gorgeous, palpable depth of Nia and Nigel’s commitment to each other. Later, the reception was filled with the joy of this new chapter in Nia and Nigel’s lives so much so that when their fantastic dj, DJ Anonymous DC, played Back That A** Up Nigel needed some assistance!

Here’s how Nia describes this joyful scene, “So apparently this pic from our wedding reception legit went viral this weekend. we're just glad we could put smiles on some faces, especially during times like these. Back That A** Up was absolutely the song playing and our wedding was definitely as fun as it looks!”

Indeed, this truly was a swagalicious, modern, fairy-tale wedding. I am delighted to have been a part of this authentic celebration of love, marriage, family and fun. The stellar cast of professionals that Nia and Nigel assembled made the entire experience a joy!

CEREMONY REVIEW

INTERVIEW WITH THE COUPLE

Advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Nia: Decide on what's most important to you about the wedding and focus on those items early on. Stay true to what you and your fiancé want because the two of your opinions are the ones that matter most. Lastly, remember that the marriage is more important than the wedding.

Nigel: Do your research so you can be as helpful as possible to your fiancé. Get your groomsmen and bridesmaids on the same page as you and your fiancé and keep a paper trail with your vendors.

Anything you are really glad you did?

Or wish you didn’t?

Nia: I'm really glad we took lots of time after we were engaged to focus on our relationship first. Spending that time on us made it easier to plan the wedding around what was truly important to us and to eliminate elements that weren't necessary. I don't have any regrets :)

Nigel: I'm glad we had no children at the reception because it allowed our guests to enjoy themselves without having to keep up with their kids. No regrets!

From the Photo Booth, Credit: FreckledDragon.com — From the Photo Booth, Credit: FreckledDragon.com

Any stand out vendors from your wedding?

Nia: I was VERY selective about each and every vendor we hired and it definitely paid off. Of course Kim was AMAZING. She set the tone for the rest of the day - focusing on our love for each other, our family, and friends. Our guests are still raving about both her and the DJ. Our day-of coordinator, Victoria was so great. I don't know what I would have done without her and her team that day.

Nigel: Our photographers Keith and Chinenye were PHENOMENAL. Keith really got to know us and we all hit it off instantly. We dubbed him “Cousin Keith.” He had great ideas for unique shots and he stayed with us all day long.

A NOTE FROM KIM

When you are looking for a wedding officiant/Celebrant for your ceremony, families I have worked with will tell you that Kim Kirkley of Our Elegant Ceremony is always the easy choice! An experienced ceremony and communication specialist, declared "The Officiant" by New York magazine, I delight in helping each couple authentically and meaningfully enjoy their walk down the aisle. My goal is to create a singular experience where everyone feels more alive and euphoric than when the ceremony began!