Romantic Wedding at The FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms | Brooke and Nelson
“Just before the ceremony began, I was given a brand new watch from Brooke with a note that contained the following in part: “What everyone says is this—it goes by so fast. So give yourself a moment to let it catch up to you.” It will be one of my most cherished possessions forever.”
-Nelson
“We knew we wanted to throw a big party, and we also knew we wanted both indoor and outdoor elements. We also loved the simple glass and wood design of the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms, and knew we’d be able to decorate it exactly how we wanted—long farm tables, big dance floor, lots of lush greenery on the tables and hanging from the ceiling.”
“I had imagined what this moment would feel like for years at that point. But nothing in the world could have possibly prepared me for what she actually looked like. It was an amazing juxtaposition—despite the fact that I knew intellectually that all these other people were there, as she walked down the aisle it was like her and I were the only people in the world.”
-Nelson
“I carried my Dad’s mother’s pearls wrapped around my bouquet -- it was really special having her and my dad both with me as I walked down the aisle. She would’ve been 101 this year. “
-Brooke
“Seeing Nelson for the first time felt like a dream. The sun was setting right behind him, and he was awash in golden hour light—he looked too good to be real. I kept trying to look at my dad, to get him to say something goofy that would keep me from crying, but i honestly don’t know if he did or not. I couldn’t hear anything. I couldn’t do anything but look at Nelson.”
-Brooke
“We knew the view of the lake during the ceremony would be beautiful, but I don’t think either of us were prepared for how stunning Shelby farms would look at sunset, with the white chairs, attendants, and small platform lined up in front of the trees and the lake. Both of us had grown up going to Shelby farms with our friends in high school, so it was amazing to see it how far we all had come, and how strong those roots had held.”
“It was really important to Nelson and me that we write our own vows, and it was so special that our closest friend and roommate could officiate the ceremony. I was certain that all 3 of us were going to be weeping all the way through (especially me, with the sunlight hitting Nelson’s face just so), but somehow he steadied me. Multiple people told us afterwards about how important their role in the ceremony was -- that as witnesses to our vows, they were promising to be by our side through our marriage, to not only celebrate with us but to support us and help us when we needed it.”
-Brooke
“When I was younger, my dad always used to repeat a phrase that I never understood at the time—”good things never end.” He would say it when I hadn’t finished my homework but wanted to go play outside. Dad—I would say—I have so much homework tonight that by the time I’m done it will be too dark to play. I didn’t realize until later that what he meant was that outside (and the things outside represented: fun, friends, laughter) would all still be there tomorrow. They would always be there.
So a while after Brooke and I began dating it’s something we began to say to one another: though we might be on opposite sides of the world for now, our love is eternal, we would be patient, and we would always be re-united. When we both looked at the engraving inside our rings on our wedding day, though neither of us had discussed with the other, we had both gotten “good things never end” inscribed on the inside of the other’s forever band.”
-Nelson
“Our first dance was Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are the Best Thing.” The horn riff at the beginning is so sudden, full, powerful, and playful—it feels like it felt to fall in love with Nelson. In the very beginning of our relationship, when we were still on opposite sides of the world, I would just listen to it on repeat and walk around the city grinning uncontrollably.”
“And then, we partied. I was obsessed with the fact that the dance floor was NEVER empty, and usually had people spilling onto the carpet and boogieing in the aisles between tables. Even after the last dance, so many of our friends closed down Raiford’s with us.
It was incredible what this wedding represented. Our two families are different on the surface in many ways, but both are exceedingly loving, funny, open minded, generous, and caring. It was incredible to watch these families join.
So many people experienced something for the first time this weekend, be it wearing a gele, eating Memphis barbecue, “spraying” the wedding couple, or seeing Paula Raiford’s light-up floors. High school friends were reunited after a decade at the same time that new friendships were being formed by people from all over the world and all across our lives. Every single moment felt overflowing with an excitement, an energy, and an openness to love that I’ve never felt before.”
“A small wonderful moment that surprised me was when Nelson and his dad came on the dance floor to Motown Philly. Both of them are incredible dancers, and everybody pretty immediately turned around to watch it. Nelson is often the center of attention, and I love looking at him from afar when he’s in his element. I love seeing the way people watch and listen to him. Both he and his dad were just having so much fun, sharing a moment between just the two of them but also surrounded by their loved ones. it was already such a tender moment, but then i noticed the ring on Nelson’s hand and it hit me all at once that this man who everyone was admiring was my husband, and this amazing family that made him who he is was officially my family now, too.”
-Brooke
“One of my favorite moments of the night was our last dance song: Sir Duke. It’s a song that we listened and danced to after dinner parties in Chinatown when most had taken their leave and the few of us that lived there wanted a bit more party for ourselves. Looking around me at everyone singing and dancing to that song on Saturday—with Brooke radiant in her wedding dress by my side—was amazing. Looking out at our friends dancing and celebrating with us as the horns rang out is something that I want to hold in my heart forever.”
-Nelson
“Saturday was the best day of my life. It was pouring out our hearts for our those closest to us to bear witness, it was natural splendor and elegance and passionate exuberance. It was a joy and dancing too large for the designated boundaries of the dance floor. It was a walk with my siblings along the water raising a toast to always being there for one another. It was getting to hold and dance with the most beautiful woman in the world and remain continually in awe of the newness of the fact that she was my wife. It was everything.”
-Nelson
Brooke and Nelson celebrated with their family and friends all weekend! Click here to see their traditional Nigerian Ceremony at the Memphis Botanic Gardens.
WEDDING VENDORS
Venue: Fedex Event Center at Shelby Farms
Planner: Amy Tyler Weddings
Photographer: The Warmth Around You
Florals: L & Jay Productions
Cake: Kay Bakery
Photobooth: Far-Out Photobooths
DJ: Deep Blu DJs
Hair and Make-Up Artists: Tiffany Vollmer and Kimberly Yasmine
Catering: Simply Delicious
Wedding Dress: Low's Bridal
Invitations: Rose Press
Programs: Alphagraphics
Videography: Josh Diliyok
Officiant: Sanket Karuri
