Tiffany and Alyssa never thought they’d find love the way they did, with a little help from Instagram. The couple had admired each other from afar before officially being introduced via the social media platform in 2015. “We like to call our journey, from DM to I do,” Alyssa tells ESSENCE jokingly. “Tiffany wrote underneath a photo of me, ‘This seems like a moment of freedom.. did you find that?’ I was instantly intrigued by this magical woman (who came out of nowhere!) and that was the beginning.”
The couple’s bond is so strong, they both proposed a year apart from each other. The couple instantly fell in love with The Atrium in Old Norcross, GA with its charming stone features and lush gardens. Their wedding planners, along with the venue staff, worked together to seamlessly pull off a wedding that truly reflected the purity of their bond.
Scroll through the gallery to check out Tiffany and Alyssa’s big day.
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01
Meet The Prioleaus
Bride: Tiffany Francine Prioleau, Social Worker, 40
Bride: Alyssa Danielle Fortune, Special Education Teacher, 32
Wedding Venue: The Atrium in Old Norcross, GA
Theme: Classic
Photographer: Farran Manuel
Videographer: A Moment Revisited
Makeup: Kristene Bernard
Transportation: Courtyard Marriott
Cake provided by: Douceur de France
Caterer: A Divine Event/Magic Moments
Wedding planner: Jessica White, Mallory Andrews, Jenny Carter, and Kierra Payne (wedding director)
Bridal Shop: Formally Yours
02
Tiffany’s Proposal
“I proposed to Alyssa on January 1, 2016,” Tiffany says. “We had our closest friends come into town, with Alyssa under the impression that they were coming into town to bring in the New Year. I was actually full of anxiety the entire day so my nerves were shot by the time I asked her.”
03
Alyssa’s Proposal
“I proposed in December of 2017, after Tiffany proposed to me in 2016. My reason for proposing was to ensure she felt the same joy I did from that day, New Years of 2016. It was instinctual because I knew deep down she wanted to have that special moment. Tiffany just graduated from Howard University with her Masters in Social Work in November 2017. We finally celebrated her accomplishment over dinner at Matisse, a modern French restaurant in DC. Tiffany’s face lit up and was overcome with emotion as I told her I couldn’t imagine life with anyone else by my side. When I uttered, “Will you marry me?” it was a natural yes!”
04
Making Memories
“When deciding on our bridal dresses, I created a showcase on Weddington Way of 5 choices in order for my girls to put votes on the design they liked most. This was helpful because I wanted to be sure everyone would feel comfortable and beautiful on that day.”
05
Ivory Elegance
“I was so enamoured by the beauty of my dress. From the lace, beaded bodice, to the pleated tulle skirt and sweetheart neckline, everything about this dress made me feel elegant and extraordinary. The feeling that overcame me when I first had it on was indescribable, and I knew right then it was the one.”
06
The Suit Of Her Dreams
“I had my suit almost 1.5 years before our wedding!,” says Tiffany. “Alyssa and I thought I would have a blue suit. But, after thinking about it, I decided to search for an ivory suit, and I found the suit of my dreams on River Island’s website. It fit me perfectly and was even more beautiful in person.”
07
Our Walk, Our Way
“We both wanted our fathers to walk us down the aisle,” says Tiffany. “I walked out to Erykah Badu’s “Orange Moon”. At the beginning of our relationship, Tiffany and I slow danced to this song in a hotel room after eating take-out Chinese food. It instantly connected us. Tiffany walked out to Sade’s ‘By Your Side.’ Our love for music runs deep and if you asked us who our favorite female vocalist was, Sade would be the response every time.”
08
Always Be My Baby
Alyssa and her father share a loving moment before the ceremony begins.
09
Sunset Vows
Tiffany and Alyssa’s chose a formal sunset ceremony. Guests were seated in a garden courtyard with tea lights draped along the greenery. The venue offered a fountain and stone seating that gave guests an opportunity to take pictures and capture moments prior to their vows.
10
A Day To Remember
“Our wedding was an entire mood! It couldn’t have been more perfect, because we both shared the same vision and stuck by our vision and budget.”
11
I’ll Always Love You
“Tiffany and I wanted the ceremony to be the quickest and most meaningful for both of us and our families,” says Alyssa. “My wife and I wrote and recited our own vows and reserved seating for our loved ones who passed the same year of each other, my brother Andrew, and her grandmother, Madeleine.”
12
I Do…Now and Forever
“Saying ‘I do’ was a very natural experience with my wife,” says Alyssa. “I would say those words to her and have our wedding each and every day if I could.”
13
At Peace and In Love
“Believe it or not, I was very relaxed on my wedding day,” says Alyssa. “Prior to arriving at the venue, I was in my hotel room, watching tv and relaxing while guests were out and about. I was so happy and at peace.”
14
Bridal Attire
Alyssa chose a gorgeous slate gray color palette for her bridesmaids.
15
This Is Why I Love You
Tiffany says what she loves most about Alyssa is her caring nature. “Alyssa is my peace. She is always supportive of my goals and dreams. She has a tribe of wonderful, loyal, caring friends who are very protective of her, which says a lot in this world where people can be treated as disposable.”
16
Dance The Night Away
Tiffany and Alyssa look blissfully in love as they share their first dance.
17
We’ll Toast To That
The couples’ maids of honor (Katey and Christina), Alyssa’s father, and Tiffany’s childhood friend Sue all made heartfelt, emotion-evoking speeches and touched every heart in the room.
18
Pose and Snap
Alyssa had an “usie” photo moment with the bridal party. Too cute!
19
Go DJ!
The couple says the DJ showed out, playing tunes like Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” and Drake’s “Nice For What.”
20
Come For The Love, Stay For The Cobbler
“It was a beautiful sight to see with everyone just dancing, happy, and carefree for the night,” says Tiffany. “Nothing but warm, positive energy! Oh, and our peach cobbler was to die for!”
21
Très Magnifique!
In honor of Tiffany’s French heritage, the couple chose to have a croquembouche as their wedding cake. This traditional dessert consists of choux pastry puffs piled into a cone and bound with threads of caramel.
22
Tiffany and Alyssa’s Advice To Brides
“Eliminate other people’s advice/opinions/suggestions as much as you can. It becomes problematic and you’ll then begin to see people’s selfishness. Also, having an RSVP evite email came in VERY handy as we directed any questions to the FAQ section.”
