Quick Facts

First dance song: “This is Why I love you”- Major

Venue: Marston Pavilion Camp LeJeune, NC

Please share your engagement story and how you met? Please elaborate 🙂 

The proposal was definitely one for the books. Every year my company does a Christmas party in Winston Salem (where the headquarters are). This is considered a getaway for us since we had an infant son at the time. My mom and sister watched our son while we were away. The funny thing about is that I was mad at him before we left  because he waited until the last minute to figure out what he was going to wear and we were running late! On the night of the party, we got ready and were talking and playing like we always do, now that I think about it, he did want us to match more than normal lol. I had no idea he had something up his sleeve. We walked to the venue arm in arm (which I still can’t believe he had the ring box in his pocket, bc I didn’t feel it). Once we got to the venue and the party started, my CEO was making announcements and giving awards to the staff for the previous year. She called me up there for the “last award” (which I was completely thrown off guard, because I didn’t earn one lol), and Charles quickly appeared with the mic in his hand. (I remember looking at him crazy because he snatched the mic from my CEO- I wanted to ask him what the hell was he doing?!?!), but that quickly became apparent. He professed his love for me and got down on one knee in front of 300 people and asked me to be his wife. Of course I said YES!!! I was sooo excited and surprised. I couldn’t believe he pulled this off. Later I found out that he asked my parents if he could marry me, and that melted my heart. Another reason why I love this man!

Where was your first date? What did you do?

Our first date was at starbucks. We had been talking on the phone and online for about 2 months before we met in person and just wanted to get a feel for each other and talk. We ended up talking all night long and having so much fun! When he left for the night, he asked if he could see me the next day and of course I said Yes!! 

Describe your wedding dress style?

My wedding dress was a ballgown style. It was a strapless dress with very intricate beading on the boddess of the gown.

How about your wedding shoes and jewelry?

My wedding jewelry was silver and blingy. I had teardrop earrings, a bracelet and necklace with teardrop shaped diamonds. My shoes were Mischka Badgley sling backs,they were  an electric blue color with a diamond accent on the toe.

Tell us about your flowers?

My flowers were a mix of pinks, white and greens. I love peonies, so they were all over the place along with roses. I love the softness of the colors paired with the boldness of the navy blue.

Tell us about your bridesmaids? I had 5 bridesmaids, one is my sister and the rest are just like sisters to me.

Charity- maid of honor- she is my sister- we are 22 months apart and are best friends. She is the bossy one but still a crybaby! I knew she was going to cry at the wedding! lol

Sharell- she is my best friend. We have been friends for 20 years. Our parents knew each other and we have been inseparable!

Stacy- we met in 2009, but when we met it was like we have known each other for years! Stacy was my party partner and partner in crime during my wild years Lol! We have a lot of the same interests and love having a good time. We had our kids 11 days apart, so we also share that experience.

Samantha- I met Sam in high school. She was best friends with my sister and we ended up hitting it off! Sam is the quiet but crazy one of the group! She has been like a sister to me and is always there when I need good advice!

Mjyiesha- she is the little sister I never wanted! Lol- she is the youngest one in the group and has to work to keep up lol! We also grew up together; I met her when I was in middle school. We went to church together.

Tell us about his groomsmen?

Lee- best man- this is Charles best friend. He is the wild card, the one that keeps the laughs coming! Charles met Lee in college at Central. They have been best friends ever since.

Kenny- Kenny is Stacy’s boyfriend. Charles and Kenny met through me and Stacy. Once they met a few years ago, they hit it off. They enjoy some of the same things: fishing, football and food! Lol Kenny has been a great friend to Charles. Travis- Travis and Charles are both from Hamlet, NC. They grew up together, went to the same school and played sports together. Travis is the quiet but nice guy in the group.

Rashaud- Rashaud and Charles also grew up together in Hamlet, NC and went to school together. Rashaud is a little shy, but has been a good friend to Charles.

LJ- Charles and LJ grew up in the same church and are from the same town. LJ is  family man and has given Charles a lot of good advice.

Was there any particular theme or style for your wedding?

I just wanted a classic and clean style wedding. I love gold, so I wanted to input gold accents everywhere, which we did.

What was your favorite part of your wedding day?

Walking down the isle to Charles. Charles favorite part was watching me walk down the isle and letting loose at the reception.

 Question for the GROOM: What things do you love the most about her?

Joy is smart, kind and motivating. Joy is someone I can depend on in my time of need; she inspires me to be a better person. She is beautiful and fun to be around.

 Question for the BRIDE: What things do you love the most about him?

Charles is a family man, he loves hard and will give you the shirt off of his back. He takes pride in himself and takes time to spend with his family. He is a great listener and loves me for exactly who I am.

What’s your favorite image from your wedding day, and why?

Our favorite image is the one in front of the water with my veil flying in the wind. It is just so beautiful and captures the venue and our love for each other. It has so much passion and beauty all in one picture.

Tell us about your wedding photography experience with Donnell Perry Photography?

Our experience was wonderful! We could not have asked for a better photographer. Donnell was very flexible, he coached us on what we needed to do. One thing I really appreciated was that he was inconspicuous. We knew he was there, but he blended in so well and didn’t interfere with the wedding proceedings. He was just so easy to work with and was very creative with the shots.  

How / why did you choose your ceremony venue?

I wanted to get married on or in front of a body of water, so that had a lot to do with the selection. The venue we chose was also much cheaper than many of the venues in the Raleigh area. When we went to do the tour, it was March 2016 (one year before our wedding) and the weather was absolutely beautiful! It was the perfect temperature and the water just looked awesome. That made my decision for me. The staff was also so helpful. Whatever we needed, they made it happen for us.

What are your favorite things to do together?

Try new foods, travel (when we have a babysitter), go out on dates. Our plan is to travel to a new place every year together. This year it was Jamaica next year hopefully Greece!

And your beautiful cake?

Our cake was a 4 tier white cake. It was decorated with glittery gold accents and beautiful peonies and roses.

Any funny stories about yourselves?

The only story that comes to mind is the time is snowed really really bad in Raleigh. Charles and I were in that “infatuation” phase, lol and wanted to be with each other. The roads were completely covered in ice and snow. I lived in Raleigh and Charles lived in Durham. He called and said he wanted to see me but his tires were literally iced in. So, I got in my car and drove all the way from North Raleigh to durham. A 25 minute trip took me well over an hour! I was slipping and sliding all over the road! I finally turned into his apartment complex and got stuck on a mound of snow. Charles came out and helped me get off the snow mound along with some other guys. I told him that day he owed me for life and I still use it as leverage! lol

 Do you have everything in common or do you have things that you can’t agree on but poke fun about?

We have a lot of stuff in common, but our choices of TV are very different! Lol- he is obsessed with football and watches it constantly and I am not that much of a football fan. I like reality TV, crime shows and Judge Judy and he cant stand it! Haha!

Any advice for future brides?

ASK FOR HELP! Make choices and move on, don’t keep going back and forth because it makes it harder. Also, more expensive does not always mean better. Take your time and enjoy the process. You only get to do this once!

Any advice for future grooms?

Learn to listen and whatever the bride says- goes! lol

Donnell Perry Photography is an Award Winning Raleigh Wedding Photography company based out of Raleigh, North Carolina. Please view our portfolio to see more of our work. We are available to travel for wedding and portrait photography, please contact us through the contact form on our website for more information.