What do you do when you have three adorable flower girls? You dress them in adorable tulle dresses that match your own–that’s what you do. And that’s exactly what Sheniaka Rodgers and Sekou Johnson did for their stylish January wedding, captured on camera by Memories of Bliss.
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When Sheniaka was visiting her big sister Nakita on campus at Morgan State University during her spring break, Nakita’s life put Sheniaka in the company of some very cute older guys. During Sheniaka’s stay, Nakita was hosting some friends at her campus apartment when in walked Sekou. He was with a group of other guys, but his respectful and polite manner set him apart. Though Nakita warned Sheniaka that Sekou was way too old, that didn’t stop them from going on a first date. Sekou drive to Clinton, Maryland to pick up Sheniaka from her house, meeting her parents for the first time at the front door, before taking her to The Cheesecake Factory.
Eleven years after they’d first met, Sheniaka was preparing to go out for a birthday brunch with Sekou. As she was putting the finishing touches on her hair, Sekou walked into the room and took her hand. He brought up a conversation they’d started the night before about their future, then got down on one knee and asked Sheniaka to be his wife.
For their wedding on January 2, 2016, Sheniaka and Sekou married in the round at Carnegie Institution for Science, their guests surrounding them as they recited their vows. Their winter wedding was accented with navy blue bridesmaid dresses, while the groom sported a stylish blue tuxedo and the three flower girls wore adorable white tulle dresses.
The ceremony site transformed into the dance floor for the reception, giving the new Mr. and Mrs. a place to sway to Charles Bradley’s “Lovin’ You Baby.” Guests ate from a raw bar at the base of an ice sculpture with Sheniaka and Sekou’s names carved into it and sipped from an open bar–all before the bride and groom departed under a sparkler farewell.
VENDORS
Venue: Carnegie Institution for Science | Photographer: Memories of Bliss | Event Coordinator and Florist: Danielle Halsey, Serendipity Events | Bride’s Gown: Sottero and Midgley, Serendipity Bridal and Events | Groom’s Tux: Ralph Lauren Midnight Blue Tuxedo with Black Lapel, Occasions Bridal | Hair Dresser: Shelette Hair Connoisseur, The Ultimate Image | Makeup Artist: Blushen’ by Tiffany Graham | Caterer and Cake: Effies Catering |Transportation: Cedric Baker, RSRVD, Inc. | Videographer: Jimeka and Gene Jones, Sweet Marital Bliss | Music/Entertainment: Jason Thomas, DJCam | Invitations: Carolin McCoy, Big Day Essentials
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Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
