REAL WEDDING:: Kiesha Brown + Eljay Sinceno {IT JUST MAKES SINCENO}

::AS SEEN IN THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Written by: Jessica Burke |  Photos: David Williams Photography

kiesha + eljay’s story

“In 2013 we met while serving in the Louisiana Army National Guard,” shares Kiesha. “In July 2014 we decided to make {the} thing official and started dating. On my 24th birthday we took our official first trip together as a couple and we have been traveling together ever since.”

“On February 27, 2021 Eljay amazed me while taking my graduation pictures,” she shares. “The morning of the pictures I was giving Eljay such a hard time. I asked him repeatedly if he really loved me. Of course he answered ‘Yes’. I told him to prove it by marrying me.”

The couple spent hours taking photos that day and as they headed to the final location, Kiesha looked at Eljay and said “Hmm, you look handsome!”  Eljay responded “You look beautiful!” And Kiesha replied, “Too bad we’re not taking engagement pictures!” 

“Eljay looked at me and laughed,” she says. Eljay began taking photos and then after about 20 minutes asked Kiesha if she was ready. “Ready for what?” she asked. 

Eljay then got on one knee and proposed! “I was shocked and in disbelief but without hesitation, I said ‘YES!!’.”

the wedding attire

Kiesha and Eljay both had their wedding attire custom made. 

“I have never been the woman that likes to try on clothes while shopping, so dress shopping was a nightmare of a thought for me,” Kiesha shares. Fortunately, she was introduced to designer Tabitha Bethune of Wild Life New Orleans. “I knew I wanted a mermaid fit, so that was my only request from her. I gave her free reign to design the rest however she saw fit,” says Kiesha. Bethune proposed using pieces of Kiesha’s mother’s dress to embellish the gown. “The train on my wedding gown had the lace from my mom’s dress around the edges.” Bethune created Kiesha’s gown to transform during the wedding day: with pearl fringe for the ceremony, a sheer lace jacket for the beginning of the reception and a dramatic one-shoulder top for the second line!

Eljay worked with Cortez Jackson of custom suit company, Lavoisier in New Orleans to create a truly personalized tuxedo for the wedding. During their second consultation, Jackson mentioned the ability to add photographs to the jacket lining. Eljay had the perfect photos to use: images from his and Kiesha’s travels around the world! He kept this detail of the tuxedo a surprise for Kiesha that he revealed only during their First Look on the wedding day. 

“Once I revealed the inside of the jacket she started laughing and crying at the same time and that’s when I finally REALLY felt like I made the right decision on the suit,” he shares.  

Kiesha loved the attention to detail. “To see the time and effort he put into the suit jacket was one of the many moments that assured me that he was the man for me!”

the engagement ring

Eljay chose to have a ring custom made for his proposal to Kiesha. “I felt like since she was such a unique woman that I had to get something just as unique to propose with,” he shares. Eljay spent time researching  different types of gemstones and found the perfect stone, Morganite. “I read that Morganite opens wearers to unconditional love and just felt like that was what I wanted to say through the ring,”  he says. 

Eljay contacted Israeli jewelry maker named Shanie Zak, owner of Silly Shiny Diamonds to discuss having her create the ring. Zak created a three ring set. The ring is 18k rose gold with an infinity band of natural diamonds underneath pear shape Morganite stone. The ring sits inside a ring guard enhancer band accented with natural diamonds.

For the wedding, Kiesha found the perfect 14k rose gold ring for Eljay at Aucoin Hart Jewelers. “I saw it and thought it would be the perfect match for my set,” she shares.

the wedding ceremony

Kiesha and Eljay shared their vows in an outdoor ceremony at JE Banquets at the Auditorium in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans. “We had a really intimate ceremony,” shares Kiesha. 

At the end of the ceremony, Kiesha’s siblings surprised the newlyweds with a fireworks display to celebrate their marriage.

the wedding reception

Kiesha and Eljay treated their guests to a beautifully decorated reception and danced the night away.

Eljay and Kiesha shared their first dance with Kiesha’s gown transforming to the second look of the evening.

After the traditional dances, Kiesha shared a special dance with her mother. “I surprised my mom and danced with her to show her my appreciation,” she shares. 

The groom’s cake was a special design just for Eljay. “I grew up playing monopoly with my family,” he shares. “Especially during those hurricane times when lights, tv, and everything was out, it was a good distraction to kill time.” He and most of his groomsmen would also play the game together while they studied at Louisiana Tech. 

“I wanted to make everything as personal as possible so I decided that instead of the spaces being the classic board spaces I wanted them to be spaces like places I’ve lived, the schools I went to, a few favorite spots to eat or common things in New Orleans,” he says. “That is why you see spaces like the Superdome and the streetcar, the Natchez Steamboat, the Sewerage and Water Board, Essence Festival and so on. The name Sincenopoloy is just a mixture of my last name “Sinceno” and Monopoly.”

For the Second Line, Kiesha transformed her gown into it’s final look of the evening, a dramatic, one-shoulder look!

The happy couple danced to the sounds of Young Fellaz Brass Band with the Mardi Gras Indians in attendance!

“Our wedding day was truly a dream come true!”

::CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE

FEATURING KIESHA + ELJAY’S WEDDING::

NOW FEATURED VENDOR

GROOM’S ATTIRE: Lavoisier Suits

ADDITIONAL VENDOR CREDITS:

GETTING READY LOCATION: The Sonder; The Jung Hotel | CEREMONY + RECEPTION LOCATION, DECOR, + CATERING: JE Banquets and Receptions at The Algiers Auditorium | OFFICIANT: Dwight Clay | BRIDE’S GOWN: Tabitha Bethune, Wild Life New Orleans | BRIDESMAIDS’ GOWNS: David’s Bridal | GROOMSMENS’ ATTIRE: The Pink Veil | PHOTOGRAPHY: David Williams Photography | VIDEO: Merix Alexander | WEDDING + GROOM’S CAKE: Jenny’s Cake Creations | BRIDE’S BOUQUET: ByEterea | BRIDESMAIDS’ BOUQUETS: Bloom Bar Floral Design | TREATS: Flavor Creations Cookies, Talented Toya’s Sweet Reality, The Batterina | RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: DJ ArieSpins | TRANSPORTATION: Burton Transit NoLa | HAIR: Braids by Jasmine Wright (braids); Akeisha Tircuit (styling) | MAKEUP: Kelzmania Makeup LLC | WEDDING PLANNER/DESIGNERS: Boswana Sellers and Staci Lewis | JEWELRY: Silly Shiny Diamonds (bride), Aucoin Hart (groom) | HANDKERCHIEFS: Queen of Orleans | INVITATIONS: Shutterfly | SECOND LINE: Mardi Gras Indians + Young Fellaz Brass Band | NAILS: Haus of Glam | LASH EXTENSIONS: Lashes by Chelsea Rojo | RING BOXES: MUUJEE

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