This week, Mercedez Dunn-Gallier and Jereme’ Gallier share the story of their Tree of Life ceremony, Harambe Marketplace cocktail hour, Asbury Hall A & B reception at the Yacht Club, and EPCOT Eau de France dessert party. Guest experience and food were among their top priorities, and today they share how they added a surprise Kilimanjaro Safaris ride mix-in and worked with a chef at their group menu tasting to ensure these aspects wowed. You’ll also hear how they used outside vendors to incorporate elements of the African diaspora into their ceremony and reception.
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© Captured By Elle
Vendor List
- Bridal party getting ready PJs and slippers, wedding party gifts and giftbags: Bow Couture Customs & Events (IG: bow_coutureandmore) (TikTok: @couturequeen2020)
- Makeup artist: Stenza Beauty (@stenzabeauty)
- Rings: Green Lake Jewelry Works (@greenlakejewelry)
- Bride’s ceremony dress and accessory: Allure Bridals from Curvaceous Couture Bridal (@curvaceouscouturebridal, @allurebridals)
- Bride’s jewelry: Olive & Piper (@oliveandpiper)
- Bride’s fireworks party dress: Eloquii (@eloquii)
- Bride’s fireworks party earrings: Kendra Scott (@kendrascott)
- Groom’s fireworks party blazer: JCPenney (@jcpenney)
- Groom’s fireworks party pants: Asos (@asos)
- Groom’s fireworks party loafers: Donald Pliner (@donaldjpliner)
- Groom’s fireworks party lapel: Etsy-Darvart
- Bridal party and mother of the groom’s dresses: Azazie (@azazieofficial)
- Groom’s tux: Shaw’s Covenant (IG: @shawscovenant)
- Groom’s loctician: Sasha’s Uzuri (@sashasuzuri)
- Groom’s barber: The Chopping Block Barbershop (@thechoppingblock410)
- Whiskey glasses: BEFFE (@beffehippo)
- Groom’s lapel: Etsy-DaysLongGone
- Best men’s lapels: Etsy-JimClift
- Groom’s Tie & Pocket Square: Etsy-BowTieStoreStudio
- Best men’s and man of honor’s socks: emowa_socks (@emowa_socks)
- Best men’s ties and pocket squares: Azazie (@azazieofficial)
- Cufflinks: Etsy-Mouseandmeinc
- Dads of the bride’s tux: Men’s Wearhouse
- Invitations: The Knot (@theknot)
- Vow books: Etsy-SunnyHomeStudio
- Bouquet charm: Etsy-Weddingbouquetcharms
- Jumping broom: Etsy-Africanweddings
- Memorial sign for mother of the bride: Etsy-BlessedBirdyBoutique
- Personal and reception floral: Raining Roses Productions (@raining_roses_productions)
- Reception chair rentals: A Chair Affair (@achairaffair)
- Reception decor rentals (chargers, sweetheart table furniture, mahogany tables, audiobook display rentals, seating chart, baskets, wicker lanterns): Ocean Hawks Rentals (@oceanhawksrentals)
- Uplighting: Elegant Entertainment (@elegantentertainmentorlando)
- Magenta pinwheel napkins and tablecloth: BBJ La Tavola (@bbjlatavola)
- Cake charm: Etsy-BearFoxSea (@bearfoxsea)
- Name place cards: Etsy-ZCreative Gifts Studios (@zcreativegiftsstudio)
- Table Numbers: Etsy-MyWeddingTableDecor
- Ankara fans for guests: Etsy-Afriworks Enterprise
- Menus: The Knot (@theknot)
- Bar Sign: Etsy-Mscriptedstudio
- Audio guestbook rental: Vintage Voicemails (@vintagevoicemails)
- Photography: Captured by Elle (@capturedbyellephoto)
- Videography: Captured by Elle (@capturedbyellevideo)
- Officiant: Rev. Roxy (@marriedbyrevroxy)
- Independent day of coordinator and steaming: Cathryne Martell (@martelleventservices)
- DJ: DJ Jesse