Inspiration

Real Weddings {North Carolina}: Maria & Andregus! – Blackbride.com

Maria and Andregus met their freshman year at Fayetteville State University in 1999. Maria was a cheerleader and Andregus was on the football team. As the year progressed, they became associates and would speak and have casual conversations with each other. However, it took Andregus literally jumping through her window to kick their friendship into high gear.  "One day, I was in my friend's dorm room sitting at the window that was adjacent to a well-populated walkway to the student center. You couldn't see in the room so my friend and I would joke with the people walking by since they couldn't see who they were talking to. Andregus and his friend Shawn (the best man) stopped by the window one day and chatted with us. During the conversation, we dared the guys to jump through the window. We didn't actually think they would be brave enough to sneak into the dorm room but when the coast was clear they jumped in! Everyone got a laugh out of that and that became one of the great memories talked about regarding the early stages of our friendship," recalls Maria. In 2008, the two reconnected via Myspace and filled each other in on life after college. During one of their conversations, Andregus asked if Maria would be attending  their college's homecoming. Maria expressed that she would be in attendance and that she hoped to see him there. The two former college co-eds stayed in touch after that homecoming weekend and officially became a couple in 2009. Check out their chic spring wedding in Charlotte, NC, captured by Ezekiel Best of Best Perspectives Photography.

Bride: Maria Antoinette Holmes, 33, HR Administrative Assistant

Groom: Andregus Jermaine Holmes, 33, Security Police Officer

 Place of residence: Knoxville, TN

Wedding date: 4/12/14

Honeymoon Destination: Laguna Beach, CA

Engagement story {Hist Story}:

Maria was just returning home from work and she was talking to her mom on the phone when she walked upstairs to the bedroom. She saw a gift bag on the bed and asked me what it was. I said "Nothing, it doesn't concern you." So she started talking to her mom again. After she got off the phone she asked me again what was in the bag. I told her I was holding a gift for my fraternity brother because his wife's birthday was coming up and he didn't want it at his house. She seemed to buy that story so I said "okay I'm lying, it's for you." She gets excited because she loves little gag gifts. So she looks in the bag and pulls out a pack of socks, gum, and a California car scent. Maria would always grab my ankle socks to wear to the gym so I got her a pack so that she would stop taking mine. I always leave my gum on the dresser and Maria would eat most of it, so I got her a pack for the week. Lastly, she would always complain about me not getting her a freshener for her car when I got one for mine. By this time we are laughing at these items in the bag and I inform her that there is something else in the bottom of the bag. Maria sees a white box, not small enough to be a ring box, and opens it. Inside was a small ring box! She opened it and immediately the tears started to fall. I tell her there is a note in the bag, read it. She reads the note and it says "Will you be Mrs. Holmes. Check YES, NO, or MAYBE" as she is reading the note, I walk over to the side of the bed, get on one knee and places the ring on her finger. Through tears and a runny nose, she said YES! I told Maria she has to check the “YES” box on the paper to make it official!

From the Groom:

The process of planning the wedding was actually exciting and a bit stressful at times. I was mixed with feelings of enjoyment, anxiety, and relief on the day of the wedding. I was filled with jubilation at the fact that I was about to marry my soul mate, lover and best friend. However, I was naturally nervous, and relieved that the day which we had been planning for a year was finally upon us…April 12, 2014 can be described as a day of mixed emotions but mostly one of HAPPINESS!

From the Bride:

The wedding experience was bitter sweet for me. My mother suddenly passed away a little over a month after we got engaged. The thought of her not being there on our special day was heartbreaking. Andregus was my rock and comforter because he too experienced the sudden loss of his mother in 2007, so he knew exactly what I was going through. Even though I was grieving, I still found peace and enjoyment from planning our wedding because I knew that is what my mother would want. Surprisingly, Andregus was hands-on with every aspect of the planning which made it even more enjoyable! Our wedding planner, Kelly, was awesome and took care of everything. On our wedding day I was calm but excited at the same time. I couldn’t believe this day had finally arrived!

Your best/most memorable moment:

Andregus: Waiting at the altar and watching my bride walk down that aisle looking so flawless and heavenly!

Maria: When the pastor announced, “I present to you Mr. & Mrs. Andregus Holmes” and jumping the broom!

Favorite wedding detail:

Our reception décor. The fuchsia and purple up-lighting and pin spots really made the entire venue and tall centerpieces POP!

What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?

Accomplishing goals together and raising a family.

Sorority & Fraternity Love

Andregus is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. When our organizations sung our hymns we felt a sense of unity and pride. Also the crowd was entertained and enjoyed the “show” the Omegas put on when their song “Atomic Dog” played.

Advice for a Bride/Groom on their wedding day:

Try to get some sleep the night before; the actual wedding day is LONG! Cherish that day and the entire process that comes with it (getting dressed, taking pictures, ceremony, reception, greeting people, etc.). It is one of the most important days of your life.

 

Congratulations to newlyweds Maria and Andregus! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss!

Vendors:

Photographer: Ezekiel Best/Best Perspectives Photography

http://www.bestperspectives.com/

Cinematography: EiPic Studio Productions, LLC.

http://www.theeipic.com/

Ceremony location: The Great Aunt Stella Center

http://greatauntstellacenter.org/

Reception location: [email protected]

http://www.centerstagenoda.com/

Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero-Jalissa/

White Lace & Promises Bridal Boutique

Bridal party attire: Jasmine Bridal-Belsoie/

White Lace & Promises Bridal Boutique

Groom’s tux: Stephen Geoffrey Gray Aspen

The Tuxedo Shoppe

Cake: The Wow Factor Cakes

http://charlotteweddingcakes.com/

Caterer: Perkins Management Services Company

http://www.perkinsusa.com/

Wedding planner: Kelly Martin-Head Over Heels Wedding Events

http://www.headoverheelsnc.com/

Music: DJ Pyro

http://queencityweddings.com/

Hair: Sparkles Hill Studio

http://sparkleshill.com/

Makeup: Joy Randall-Flawless Makeup Art

http://www.joynichellerandall.com/

Flowers: Chelish Moore Flowers

http://www.chelishmoore.com/

Lighting & Photo booth: Charlotte Event Lighting

http://www.charlotteeventlighting.com/

Stationery: Basic Invite

http://www.basicinvite.com/

Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K. is the owner and founder of  Love Ink and Brownstone Bridal. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink

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