We are welcoming the Jackson’s beautiful wedding to our blog today! Their summer Carriage House wedding was elegant with pops of vibrant red in the courtyard. Cheers to Lydia and Maurice!
Lydia & Maurice’s Love Story
Where did you and your significant other meet? What were your first impressions of each other?
Maurice and I met on Saturday, January 29, 2011, during an outing with a mutual friend at Matchbox Restaurant in Washington, D.C. At the restaurant, we ended up sitting right next to each other. Talking to him at the restaurant, I thought he was a nice guy but that was it. Maurice thought the same about me, not knowing what God had in store for us. A few months after we first met, he responded to one of my social media posts and we decided to continue our intense conversation over the phone. We began to see a connection grow between us right away. And the rest, as they say, is history.
When and how did the proposal come about?
Maurice proposed on July 29, 2016, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During our vacation, we would send our family videos each day. I thought nothing of it when he was setting up his phone. In fact, I thought we were going to send them a video of us dancing by the beach at sunset. Little did I know he was going to record him asking me to marry him. Seeing him walk towards me with the ring and getting on one knee just melted my heart. I was so honored, blessed, and thankful that he chose me to be his wife. It was so romantic! We ended up sending our family a video of one of the best moments of our lives.
What made you choose The Gramercy as your wedding venue?
I was talking to one of my close friends about our vision for our wedding. We wanted the wedding and reception to be in one place and outdoors. Before I could finish telling her about our dream wedding, she shared with me what she called “the perfect place,” The Gramercy Mansion. When I got home, I visited the website and showed Maurice. We decided to go on a tour of the grounds. The first time we visited was in October 2016. We saw the Mansion area and fell in love but decided to look at more places before making a hasty decision to go with Gramercy.
The second time we visited was the last day of 2016 and we saw the Carriage House. I wasn’t a fan at first but Maurice made me a believer. The swing in the front garden also helped. That day we decided that Gramercy’s Carriage House was the place to get married and set a date. I am so glad we chose The Gramercy!
Where did you get your inspiration for your wedding décor?
Maurice’s only request was that we incorporate red in the wedding décor. I always knew that I wanted gold or champagne as a color for my wedding so it tied perfectly together. Our wedding theme was 2 Love Birds, inspired by our song “2 Love Birds” by Robin Thicke. We incorporated anything we could with birds and birdcages. I chose baby’s breath for the Bridesmaid and Maid of Honor bouquets in loving memory of my grandmother. It was her favorite flower. For the sweetheart table, I wanted something that stood out, so I decided on a backdrop that said “The Jacksons.” We were on a budget and could not afford a wedding planner, but with the help of all of my cousins, the décor for the reception came out beautiful.
Who designed your dress and what made you decide on that style?
Mary’s Designer Bridal Boutique in Annapolis, Maryland, designed my wedding dress. I always knew I wanted a ball gown type of wedding dress with a sweetheart top. I guess it is the inner Disney princess in me.
What was your favorite detail from your wedding day?
We can’t pick just one detail. Every part of our day was our favorite. I will say, walking towards my husband watching him smile from ear to ear at me was so reassuring. Watching him let me know that this was God’s desire and blessing. I am so grateful to God that he chose us for one another and that we were able to profess our love and commitment to each other in front of all of our family and friends.
Where did you travel for your honeymoon?
We traveled to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We stayed at Chic All Exclusive Resort and the hospitality was fantastic. The fact that it is an adults only resort was perfect for us honeymooners.
Any tips for newly engaged couples who are planning their wedding?
Communicate with each other about the vision for your wedding. Do your research and reach out to friends and family who have been through the process to help and answer any questions you have. Support and love each other through this journey. Most of all, enjoy and be excited to start the next phase of your lives together!
Best Wishes!
We hope you enjoy these stunning photos taken by Charlie P. Windsor, https://www.charliepwindsor.com/. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. An album of their picture-perfect wedding is below.
The staff at Gramercy Mansion wishes Lydia & Maurice a lifetime of love, happiness and adventure!
