As an event planner, you become seamlessly woven into the lives of your clients, transforming from a service provider into a cherished part of their family. When the Booker Family reached out to me two years ago to plan their second daughter’s wedding—having already planned their eldest daughter’s wedding nine years ago—it was an easy decision to return and create magic once again. There’s something profoundly special about working with families over the years. It’s not just about the event itself; it’s about the relationships built along the way. These clients don’t just book me; they adopt me.

Navigating Challenges with Grace

During the planning process, we were still dealing with the lingering effects of COVID, which forced us to change venue locations several times. Sabrina, the bride, was incredibly patient throughout. When we finally secured a venue that matched her Hollywood enchanted garden theme, it was game on, and the planning kicked into high gear for their Summer 2024 wedding!

Where It All Began

Julian and Sabrina are HBCU college sweethearts from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. They met at a pool party but didn’t connect romantically until weeks later in the college library. They spent about a year as friends before starting a relationship. After achieving multiple college degrees and establishing their professional careers, they decided to take their relationship to the next level and got engaged.

The Wedding Day | The Ceremony

Fast forward to their luxurious wedding day, which was filled with all the elements of a true wedding experience, leaving no stone unturned. Guests arrived in style, dressed in black-tie attire, and were greeted at the ceremony with melodic contemporary tunes from a violinist as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

The room exuded glamour, sophistication, and romance. The crisp white backdrop and modern oversized chandeliers allowed the bold, lush floral décor to create the perfect Hollywood glam. Guests were immediately in awe as they walked into the space, snapping pictures like paparazzi eager to capture the perfect photo of the adorned celebrity couple.

Julian made his entrance with full swagger, embracing a huge smile and moving to the tempo of his entrance song, “Trophies” by Drake, played by the creative violinist, Jen Violin. Julian set the tone and vibe of the ceremony, creating a magical moment for his love, Sabrina, to walk down the aisle.

When Sabrina entered the room, she was the epitome of Hollywood glam and royalty all in one. Her off-the-shoulder, delicate lace wedding dress with elevated sleeves, designed by Martina Liana, was stunning. She gracefully walked down the aisle hand in hand with her father, beaming with a huge smile as she advanced toward Julian, who was at the altar, shedding joyful tears as he watched his love walk towards him.

The ceremony, officiated by Julian’s uncle, was a spiritual and romantic event personalized to the life story of Julian and Sabrina. They incorporated a sand ceremony to symbolize the merging of their families into one solid foundation for their future. As they closed out the ceremony with their “I Do’s” and the pronouncement of their union, they exuberantly recessed down the aisle, ready for the next part of their wedding day. Meanwhile, guests were escorted to the cocktail reception to connect and rejoice in this magical moment, entertained by the band, Common Ground.

The Wedding Day | The Reception

To kick off the party, Julian and Sabrina made their grand entrance to their illustrious dinner party, descending a staircase enveloped in floral décor with electric sparks filling the room as they walked down each step. They landed at the bottom of the stairs in the middle of the ballroom under a gilded chandelier of lights to dance to their love song, “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington, Jr.

Before entering the room, guests were greeted by a well-appointed oversized seating chart featuring engagement pictures of Julian and Sabrina, surrounded by candles. Once guests received their seating assignments, they walked into a room elegantly appointed with a colorful enchanted garden of vibrant florals in purples and magentas at all levels, with different tablescapes of textures and glam.

The party exploded with beats from the DJ, catering to the genre of music that captured the guests’ vibes, keeping the dance floor packed the entire night. The audio-visual team provided the ultimate light show that hovered above the room. Guests danced the night away and created their own paparazzi moments in the Vogue-style glam photo booth. To end the night, guests witnessed the couple leave in style with an outdoor light show and enjoyed sweet treats from the dedicated ice cream truck onsite for guests to partake in at the end of the night.

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(Photography Credit:  Terri Baskin Photography | Real Events by Signature Concepts LLC | Videography:  Luxor Wedding Films)