Queue the Tony! Toni! Toné! because it’s Solange and Alan Ferguson’s first wedding anniversary. A year ago the couple tied the knot in an intimate wedding weekend in New Orleans. When the photos started popping up online the day after fans knew one thing for sure—Solange created a wedding style all her own, and it was absolutely fabulous.
While the Fergusons enjoyed their first year of marital bliss, one-trend-after-another spawned from their big day and ruled 2015. Solange and Alan, we’d like to thank you for:
All-Ivory Weddings
Be honest: How many all-white (or ivory) weddings or events did you attend in 2015? We’ll wait, while you count…Exactly. We rest our case.
Afros At The Altar
Solange certainly wasn’t the first bride to go natural on the big day, but her bold and brilliant afro perfectly complemented her soft wedding hue and inspired lots more of them to pop up at the altar in 2015.
Jumpsuits On Fleek!
Who needs a bulky ball gown when there’s a chic and party-ready romper in your closet? In a nod to casual elegance at its finest, Solange donned three different ivory jumpsuits throughout her wedding weekend. This year they were everywhere, from the wedding aisles to shopping racks.
The ‘Carefree Black Girl’ Bride Movement
Solange defined her own bridal style by taking the bridal rulebook and tossing it out when it came time to plan her big day. From sharing the color “ivory” with all their guests to opting for a movie date with her future husband on the wedding weekend, Mrs. Ferguson truly had her day her way, inspiring more brides to follow suit.
Cape Queens
Who can forget the stunning Humberto Leon for Kenzo caplet gown Solange stood in during her big moment with Ferguson at the altar? Admit it: There’s at least one dress, jumpsuit or top with a cute cap attached hanging in your closet right now.
Highly Stylized Bridal Shoots
Hipster bride Solange and her girls left the bouquets behind and posed for more contemporary, artistic ladies-only bridal party portraits that were loaded with so much girl-power they nearly broke the Internet. (They were a nod to Italian artist Vanessa Beecroft’s work.) They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so Mrs. Ferguson, your cheeks have to still be red from all that blushing because similarly fierce bridesmaids roundups are popping up everywhere! (Wink.)
Brides On Bikes
As Solange now famously rode through the streets of NOLA with her hubby by her side and her ‘fro swaying in the wind, even more brides and brides-to-be began incorporating bikes into their ceremonies, portraits and even some engagement shoots.
The Best Girlfriends Group Halloween Costume Ever
In lieu of matching gowns in forgettable shades, Solange and her bridal party (which included big sister Beyoncé, mom Tina Knowles Lawson, and bestie Janelle Monae) wore fierce couture gowns of their choice, each in ivory to match the bride. This year for Halloween, girlfriends (big and small) reenacted Solange’s fierce group bridal parry portraits to create instant costume magic.
NOLA Destination Weddings
Sorry, Mexico and Jamaica. The Big Easy is the newest hotspot for sizzling fall destination weddings and who’s surprised. Between the newlyweds’ post-wedding second line dance or their pre-wedding romantic bike ride to the church, they showed the city’s wide range of experiences to offer brides and grooms—and it looks like many of them took notes.