Ebone was not looking for love when she found Maurice. After going on a first date with the personal trainer, whom she’d been introduced to through a co-worker, she found herself unable to maintain that poker face. “Despite my efforts, he treated me like a gentleman should,” Ebone told ESSENCE. “We ended up having a great time, with great conversation, and a lot of laughs that haven’t stopped four years later.”
After Maurice’s proposal on a staycation, Ebone decided she was content with them getting married at the Annapolis CourtHouse. However, someone very influential in her life convinced her otherwise. “My mother was not having it since I was the only girl and the youngest,” Ebone says. Thankfully, they reached a compromise: an intimate wedding of no more than 100 guests.
After searching a few venues, Ebone and Maurice decided on Quiet Waters Park, a lush garden venue with brick walkways, iron tables, and wood benches. With Ebone being a wedding florist herself, she wanted to flex her design muscle and give their guests an amazing experience. The florals and reception details gave their elegant and intimate day the ultimate flair at an unbeatable price.
Scroll through the gallery to see more photos from Maurice and Ebone’s elegant, upscale wedding.
Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Send your story and a link to your wedding photos to bridalbliss@essence.com for consideration.
02
How He Proposed
During a staycation, Maurice took Ebone to dinner and brought his portable printer along. “He began placing the photos that we took during dinner in the frame” Ebone told ESSENCE. “He said, ‘I want you to put this on your desk at work. I had it inscribed at the bottom, read what it says.’ He handed me the picture frame and I had to lean towards the light away from him to read it. On the bottom it read, ‘The Day We Got Engaged.’ I read it out loud and then to myself. I turned around and said ‘What??”’ and there he was on one knee with the ring.”
03
How It Felt To Be A Bride
Even though Ebone initially found it hard to shake her wedding day jitters, she soon felt at ease with the process. “That day, the uneasiness faded. I knew I had selected vendors who I trusted and all of a sudden my focus was on my soon to be husband.”
04
She’s The One
“I knew Ebone was the one when we went on a date at the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore,” Maurice said. “She showed no judgment of my mistakes or my past and after that conversation, I knew I had found the one because I knew she had the ability to love me unconditionally.”
05
In Loving Memory
Ebone’s grandmother, who sadly passed away before their ceremony, was a special part of their day. “Before I got to send my grandmother her invitation, she passed away,” Ebone explains. “So to honor her, I had my photographer take a picture of her invitation. I felt the spirit of my grandmother around me all day, and she loved Maurice so I know she was looking down on us with joy.”
06
Wedding Day Glam
Ebone’s hair and makeup session was her favorite part of getting ready. “When the makeup artist, Blush by Makki and my loctician, Jackie Cyrielle showed up to my room, something in me shift and I was ready to be a bride!”
07
Girls Time
Ebone and her bridesmaids share a moment as they get ready for the big day.
08
The Groom and His Men
Looking sharp, fellas!
09
My Song
“I walked down the aisle to ‘My Song’ by H.E.R. My venue did not allow amplified music outdoors so I hired 1440 Project founded by Kevin Smith to book a string guitarist, Ron Thompson, and a vocalist Davonne D’Neil to cover the song live.”
10
Tears Of Joy
Ebone becomes emotional while reciting her vows.
11
Wife For Life
“Ebone puts her family first and she has the ability to bring everyone together, which is pivotal in how we will build our legacy when we have our own children,” Maurice said.
12
The Dress
“To meet my King, I walked down the aisle in a crepe dress with delicate floral details and embellishments from Modern Trousseau,” said Ebone. “Similar to the Royal brides, I clutched a petite bouquet of ranunculus, bovardia and tweedia with gardenia foliage.”
13
All Black Everything
“I wanted my bridesmaids to be in a dress that represented their personality,” Ebone said. “So, they all had different styles of dresses in black. I created the look for the groomsmen to match all black of the bridesmaids.”
14
The Bride’s Vision
As a florist herself, Ebone had a clear vision of what type of greenery she wanted at her reception. “I wanted the abundance of flowers to have a simplistic look as to not overpower the rest of the details. As the saying sometimes goes, less is sometimes more.”
15
Black Is The New Black
Atlanta-based cake designer Kenyah Ferguson created a black cake for the couple’s reception made of vanilla almond sponge cake, swiss meringue buttercream, and covered in black fondant and fresh rose accents.
16
Let’s Dance
Ebone and Maurice look stunning as they share a moment on the dance floor.
17
We’ll Toast To That
One of the bride’s favorite details from the reception is the champagne wall. “This was the ‘Wow’ factor and the boxwood backdrop to the wall offered touches of greenery to create a modern feel,” Ebone said.
18
Simple Yet Elegant
“The greenery floral runners also helped to create the lush luxury design that I was going for at a lower cost than tall centerpieces,” Ebone says. “This design also allowed for the intimate, family-oriented atmosphere we wanted to create.”
19
Ebone’s Advice To Brides
“As I reflect on my wedding day, I wish I would have let go sooner and readily accepted the gift of the wedding that my parents gave me,” Ebone said. “If you are a bride to be, just enjoy the process!
