The Wedding That Proved You Don't Need Flowers

Candlelit and Flowerless: Tiffany and Dakari's Intimate Wedding at Hotel AKA Alexandria

Tiffany and Dakari knew exactly what they wanted. Thirty-eight guests, a black and cream palette carried through every detail, and a reception lit by 1,000 candles without a single flower in sight. They chose Hotel AKA Alexandria in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, becoming the first couple ever married there, and brought in Melissa Williams of B Astonished Events to design and execute the vision. Keila Bottiglieri of Abby Jiu Photography documented the day.

1,000 candles. Not one flower.

The room took two days to install. Guests moved through a draped hallway tunnel and stepped into cream pipe-and-drape floor to ceiling, cream carpet, a white baby grand piano on a platform at the center with two long dinner tables flanking it on either side. White chairs with modern gold details. Cream plates with scalloped edges, gold flatware, and cream velvet bows embroidered with each guest's name. And candles, everywhere, 1,000 of them, the only light source in the room.

But before that, the rooftop. The ceremony leaned soft and organic, white flowers and lush greenery, a broken floral arch at the altar, aisles lined with floral gardens, white boucle chairs for row seating. The contrast with what came later was entirely intentional. Dakari walked down the aisle while DJ Schemes played Kool and the Gang. Tiffany made her solo entrance to Des'ree. They stopped halfway down the aisle to kiss, exchanged personalized vows in front of their 38 people, and recessed to Anthony Hamilton.

A live pianist played through dinner, including selections from Dakari's favorite artist Jill Scott, while every one of their 38 guests gave a small speech. Their first dance was to Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn, played live on the piano. A three-tier wedding cake, cookies and cream, lemon, and vanilla, closed the evening. Then they changed into their denim jackets and Nike sneakers and left for Zanzibar and Dubai.

On the details

Tiffany wore a Netta BenShabu A-line beaded gown with a high slit, a custom Toni Fedirici veil, Christian Louboutin silver crystal sandals, and custom diamond jewelry from a family jeweler. Dakari wore a custom double-breasted Australian merino wool tuxedo by tailor Andre McGlaughlin of Andre Julius, his last name embroidered inside the jacket, his initials in cursive on the shirt sleeves. That morning they exchanged gifts, a custom jean jacket and custom Nike sneakers, both bearing their new shared name and the phrases that thread through their relationship. "Blessings, Wellness and Miracles." "Always Long Forever." "Thursday to Forever." By the end of the night they were both wearing them.

On what made this day work

A flowerless reception is only as good as the vision behind it. Tiffany and Dakari had a clear one from the beginning, and Melissa Williams of B Astonished Events executed it without compromise. The candlelight, the piano, the monochromatic draping, the embroidered bows, every element was deliberate. This is what happens when a couple knows exactly who they are and builds a wedding that reflects it.

This wedding was featured in Brides. Photography by Keila Bottiglieri with Abby Jiu Photography. Planning and design by Melissa Williams of B Astonished Events. Venue: Hotel AKA Alexandria, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

The Wedding That Proved You Don't Need Flowers

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