Inspiration

“Phelps Phantasy” Alabama Wedding

Adrienne and Roland met on August 30, 2013 at a charity fashion show. The event was being hosted by reality TV star and radio personality, Claudia Jordan. Four months prior, Adrienne had launched a website called TheDatingStruggle.com and was there to get an interview with Claudia. At that same event, Roland who was a friend of a local director in Houston, Texas, was paying a visit. Neither one of them wanted to go out that night. Adrienne was encouraged to go by a business partner who insisted the interview would be a good look for her site. Roland, was also encouraged by his friend to attend, but arrived late. Adrienne was introduced to Roland after she got an interview with his director friend. He initially introduced himself as “Chase” which is what his friends call him. They exchanged numbers for some possible business ventures in the future. The following week, Adrienne hosted a speed dating event where she once again scheduled an interview with Roland’s friend. Roland accompanied him. This time around, the pair spent more time talking and got to know each other. It was this second encounter that Roland decided to ask Adrienne out on a date. They started out as friends, but over time we obviously fell in love. And on the lucky day of July 7, 2017, Adrienne and Roland got hitched at The Harbert Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Check out their special day, captured by Kevin Spencer of KLS Photography.

Bride: Adrienne Camille Donnell-Phelps, 38, Solutions Manager for Verizon Wireless & Dating Blogger

Groom: Roland Boyd Phelps, 43, Logistics Broker

Place of residence: Houston, Texas

Wedding date: July 7, 2017

Wedding location: The Harbert Center in Birmingham, Alabama

Wedding theme: Garden Romance

Honeymoon Destination: Ochos Rios, Jamaica

Engagement story: 

The proposal was nothing fancy. When he got the ring, he was too excited to plan anything grand. I was at home on my day off getting ready to clean the house, it was Election Day 2016 and I’d already been out to vote. He came home and told me he wanted to be with me forever. I jokingly said “Are you asking me to marry you?” That’s when he pulled out the ring and said “Yes.” Simple, but effective.

What makes your love special? 

In commemoration of the day we met, Roland and I celebrate what we call RAD day on the 30th of every month because we met on August 30. We both have it marked in our calendars so that we can remember to wish each other a Happy RAD day when it comes around. We also go on date nights once a week (sometimes twice a week) to take time out and just enjoy each other’s company without getting lost in the hustle and bustle of work and family responsibilities. We want to always make our relationship and growing together our first priority. We are absolutely each other’s best friend and there is never a dull or quiet moment when we are together.

From the bride:

My wedding experience was totally stress-free. My wedding planner had an assistant by my side all day waiting on me hand and foot like I was Beyoncé! My friends and family told me I was the calmest bride they’d ever seen. Any mishaps that were happening behind the scenes, I knew nothing about until after the wedding because my girls did a good job just keeping everything under control. I knew I was marrying my best friend and couldn’t wait to do it. The only thing  I was nervous about was walking down the spiral staircase and hoping I didn’t tumble down! Other than that, the day was absolutely perfect.

From the groom:

My groomsman created the stress levels for me by not following the orders and the time table we had set for the wedding day. None of my groomsmen were from Birmingham and all of us were in different hotels around the city. Plus all eight of us had three cars to depend on. I had three of them on time for the wedding rehearsal and two were on time for the wedding. I almost picked some guys from the audience to fill in. But at the last minute it all came together and when I saw my wife-to-be, I lost my emotions and couldn’t keep it together. When it got to the moment for me to say my vows, it took me what felt like ten minutes to read two minutes of prepared words.

Your most memorable moment: 

Both of our most memorable moments were our self written vows to each other. Watching it still brings tears to my eyes because it was so genuine and heartfelt. They were so powerful in fact that our pastor chose not to read the traditional vows because ours covered everything he was going to say and more. Another memorable moment for me was the reunion of my sorority sisters that I pledged with coming together. My wed
ding brought out the largest number of my line sisters of all our weddings, 14 out of 16 of us were all there and we partied the night away like we were still in college. 

Wedding song: 

Our wedding song was “You” by Jesse Powell for so many reasons. Roland and I were both dealing with our own individual struggles when we met. But the more we got to know each other, the more we realized we were bringing joy into each others lives. We just fit together so perfectly and “You” put all of those emotions and feelings that we felt into song and it just fit perfectly.

Favorite wedding detail: 

The day went by so fast for us that we really couldn’t focus on small details the way we would have liked to. However, one thing that we both give props to is our DJ, B. Brian. He kept the party going and kept people on the dance floor. He was amazing and that’s why we hired him. I’ve known him for years and he did my sisters’ wedding 15 years ago, so I knew what he was capable of. 

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

We are looking forward to building the “Phelps Empire” and growing our family. 

Advice for a bride and groom on their wedding day: 

Stay calm and enjoy the day because it comes and goes so fast. Do not allow stress and small things that may go wrong, keep you from enjoying this very special time in your life. The most important thing is that you and your groom come together to make this lifelong commitment, nothing else.

Please feel free to include any other interesting anecdotes from your big day: 

After my sorority sisters did our beautiful serenade, the DJ played “Back That Thang Up” by Juvenile and the mood went from sweet and classy to loud and “turnt” in 1.5 seconds, and we enjoyed every single minute of it. Ever since my wedding, they are ready to plan our 20 year reunion next year and have put me in charge of the planning! We had an amazing time and they all loved Roland.

Congratulations to the newlyweds! We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage.

Sources

KLS Photography|Brian Collins|ValiaRose Events

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