Anthony and Altrichia Wilcox have a testimony on finding your way back to love. The couple started out as high school sweethearts and became parents to a son at a young age. Though they eventually separated for five years, they decided back together and, eventually, tie the knot.
Anthony popped the question at a friend’s New Year’s Eve party. What she thought was just a gathering with her closest crew turned into the surprise of a lifetime. “Though my eyes were clouded with tears, I saw my son standing at the end of the hallway with a bouquet of a dozen roses,” Altrichia remembers. “The hallway was adorned with single, long-stemmed roses in glass vases. The roses in the hallway and the bouquet that my son was holding represented the 13 years of our existence. After getting down on one knee, he said #WilcoxForever and we high-fived! Of course, I said, ‘yes!'”
As unique as ttheir love story is, so was their wedding. Though white is typically a color reserved for the bride, Altrichia and Anthony went all out with a summer white ceremony. Working closely with vendors, the couple saved money in smart ways.
Take a scroll through the gallery to check out the best photos from Anthony and Altricia’s all-white wedding party.
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“Since We were kids, she has always shown her love to and for me,” Anthony told ESSENCE of his wife. “It was what I needed coming from where I came from. She always encouraged me, she motivated me and she always had big dreams for me – for us!”
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Snap and Pose
The bridesmaids take a cute flick with the flower girl.
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The Bride Tribe Had It Covered
mAltrichia says she truly felt like a queen on her wedding day. “My mom, aunt, matrons, maids and bride tribe did NOT let me lift a finger. I wanted to know what was going on! I was so overtaken by excitement and joy that it was happening that I truly had ‘all the feels!’”
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I Say A Little Prayer…
Altrichia’s mother, aunt and #BrideTribe bowed heads and honor God before the ceremony began.
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All White Everything
“I wanted a unique, timeless dress that would cohesively achieve the overall look of chic-modern,” Altrichia told ESSENCE. “Each dress was custom made by Brides by Nona.”
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Like Father, Life Son
Looking good, fellas!
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Flower Power
Altrichia’s bouquet was draped with Eucalyptus Orchids, Snow White and Ivory Roses inserted with photos of jer late grandmother, aunt, and cousin.
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Here Comes The Bride
“I will never forget my beautiful bride and the moment that I lived in to create a lifetime of memories,” said Anthony.
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A Special Walk
“I walked down to ‘Forever’ by Dave Hollister,” Altrichia said. “My father walked me down and also officiated my ceremony.”
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A Traditional Touch
“Our ceremony was traditional with prayer and the blessing of our union,” said Altrichia. “Because I believe that weddings are all about whatever the bride + groom decide, to me, it was more about achieving what we thought was important.”
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I Now Pronunce You…
“Our wedding was EVERYTHING that I dreamt!,” said Altrichia. “It was like I was on a magical, white cloud that took me thru a day with love, love, memories and joy that I STILL feel!”
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Our Day Of Love
“Our wedding was MORE THAN A DREAM COME TRUE,” Altrichia said. “I am so thankful for choosing our vendors and everyone that played a key role in the #WilcoxForever experience!”
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King and Queen
“I was a real deal King for a day,” Anthony says. “it was the best day of my life, other than the birth of my son and my wife saying yes!”
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The Bride (And Everyone) Wore White
“So many people asked why would you do an all-white wedding?! Though the day was all about me and Anthony, I wanted everyone there to feel exclusive and a part of our wedding experience! “
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About The Dress
The bride showed off her silhouette in this mermaid custom mermaid gown from Brides by Nona.
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Be Your Own Guest
Those many brides and grooms are too busy to eat at their reception, Anthony made it a point to try and actually enjoy the food and drink selection at the reception. “A few other guys who got married, they said ‘you wont eat!’ I made sure that this was not the case for me.”
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Catch!
There’s a clear winner in this bouquet toss!
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Layers On Layers
Altrichia hired her sorority sister, owner of Sweet Indulgence by Dominique, to create her wedding cake. “We had an assorted 5-layer 48-inch cake,” Altrichia says. “The top tier of our cake, that was exclusively for us, was a peanut butter chocolate, a combination of our favorite flavors!”
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Hit The Floor
The bride and her guests quickly got the party started.
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The Guestbook
The bride and groom pose with two of their closest friends.
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Our Day, Our Way
Altrichia found unique ways to save money by hiring vendors she knew personally or through friends. “As influencers and change agents, Anthony and I were so very blessed to partner with our favorite brands for our wedding!,” she said. “It was a unique way to market for top tier companies and save money!”
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Altrichia’s Advice To Brides
“It’s so easy to say this, but PLEASE DO NOT GET STRESSED OUT! “
