REAL WEDDING:: Shonathan E. Merricks + Desmond A. Borne, Jr. {let’s go to the moon}

::AS SEEN IN THE JUNE 2021 ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Written by: Jessica Burke | Photos: David Williams Photography

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

how they met + the proposal

Desmond and Shonathan met at a family party in 2015 and became friends. Soon their friendship became love and Shonathan saw in Desmond a life partner. One night as they were enjoying a movie together at home, Shonathan got down on one knee and asked his best friend to spend the rest of his life with him. Desmond said “Yes.”

Desmond and Shonathan celebrated their engagement with a luxurious engagement party dinner at Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans.

wedding rings on piano keys — Desmond and Shonathan exchanged wedding bands from The Rockford Collection.

the wedding ceremony

The wedding ceremony took place in the Crescent Ballroom of the DoubleTree New Orleans with stunning views of the city as the backdrop. The couple said their vows and rested assured in “knowing that the two of us were brought together in the eyes of our Savior with cords that cannot be broken.”

wedding ceremony Crescent Ballroom DoubleTree New Orleans Hotel

matching blue Invicta watches — Desmond gifted his soon-to-be husband with an Invicta watch (and wore a matching one himself!). Desmond shares that the love and affection for his partner/husband is timeless, and that they will love each other until the end of time.

custom embroidered initials and wedding date on the shirt cuffs

the wedding party attire

The grooms wore matching royal blue tuxedos by Hattiesburg, Mississippi clothier, Ed & Earl. The groomsmaids wore luxurious off the shoulder black gowns with layered tulle mermaid skirts from Jasz Couture’s Spring 2021 collection and the groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos from John’s Tuxedos.

the wedding party in black and grooms in blue

the color blue

“For us the color blue means freedom for us to love; It also represents loyalty and confidence for us. Being a same sex couple we wanted to include these traits. The room color palette allowed us to have peace, love, tranquility, and calmness within our day.”

-Shonathan + Desmond

the grooms in the penthouse suite at DoubleTree New Orleans hotel

luxury blue and gold wedding decor

The reception, styled by Tenisha Keller of Chocolate Bunnie Events, included luxurious details such as a wrapped dance floor with and opulent gold crest, gold tables and chairs and a blue feather wall as a backdrop.

gold wedding reception table with white floral arrangements

the first dance

Keller created what Shonathan and Desmond call a “whimsical paradise” for their first dance as newlyweds. Fog enveloped the dance floor as Shonathan and Desmond danced to “So High” by John Legend.

the grooms first dance with fog effects and cold spark fountains

the wedding cake

The five-tier fondant-covered wedding cake by Zoe’s Bakery featured gold geometric detailing on every other layer mixed with sections of white and gold geodes.

the grooms cut the cake

the wedding reception

The grooms treated their guests to a lavishly decorated reception dinner and dancing in the New Orleans DoubleTree’s International Ballroom. Stilt walkers entertained guests and the Big 6 Brass Band and Zulu Tramps brought the Second Line vibes.

stilt walker with LED wings at the wedding reception

::CLICK HERE TO SEE THE JUNE 2021 ISSUE

FEATURING SHONATHAN + DESMOND’S WEDDING::

NOW FEATURED VENDORS:

EVENT PLANNER/DESIGNER: Chocolate Bunnie Events

GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE: John’s Tuxedos

ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

WEDDING VENUE: DoubleTree by Hilton New Orleans | OFFICIANT: Rev. Jermaine A. Zanders, Mdiv, MAT, EdS | GROOMSMAIDS GOWNS: Jasz Couture, Chatta Box | GROOMS’ ATTIRE: Ed & Earl | PHOTOGRAPHY: David Williams Photography | FLORIST: Grow With Us Florist | BAKERY: Zoe’s | CEREMONY MUSIC + RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Thriller | HAIR + MAKEUP: Brittani Price, Dontae Amber, Gleaux, Ariel Stieb | DECOR: Memorable Events Decor Rental + Fancy Faces (feathered wall) | CATERER: Keisha Dauphine, The Cooking Therapist NOLA | JEWELER: Rockford Collection | ACRYLIC INVITES + MENUS: Divine Designs by Crystal | STILT WALKERS: Carl Mack | SECOND LINE: Big 6 Brass Band + Zulu Tramps | SPARKLER EFFECTS: CL Lighting & Production