Brides Full Name Ayana Powell
Grooms Full Name Yonathan Habtemariam
Tell us how you met and all about the proposal.
We were introduced by a nurse at the hospital where I worked. Yonathan was in his last year of residency and I was a dietitian. Thanksgiving 2015 – He tricked me into thinking we were going to pick my sister up in Philly before heading to NJ to spend Thanksgiving with my grandfather. When I got there, I went upstairs and came back down and my niece, nephew, and sister had on shirts that had a picture of me and Yoni on the back of there shirts. They each turned around one by one and it said Will you marry me (Yoni was the me). Then he got down on one knee. I cried and almost fell.
WEDDING DETAILS
Wedding Style: Describe your wedding dress. What was wedding shopping like for you?
It was easy. I wanted a ball gown but saw my dress during my very first dress shopping trip. I knew I was going to get it before even trying it on.
Culture: Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? If yes, tell us more.
Yonathan is Ethiopian and I am an American born descendent of Africans brought here as slaves (I’m black).
Memories: What is your best memory from your wedding?
I loved doing our first dance and hearing my mom sing as I was walking down the aisle. Her voice calmed all of my nerves. I also loved seeing Yonathan for the first time. Finally, I loved when my dad saw me in my dress for the first time.
Advice: What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Get an end of month planner or a final week planner. It doesn’t matter how detail oriented you are, after doing everything by yourself you will be beat. My venue planners were amazing and did not fall into that group of venue planners who only have the venue in their best interest (everyone warns you about that); however, I realized during the week leading up to my wedding that I required more help than anticipated with things that weren’t related to the venue. I’m very detailed oriented and hands on but wish I would have had a week of planner.
QUICK FACTS
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts:
Cute sandals to dance in, Silk pink/lace robes, Clutch, Earrings
Favorite item on the menu:
Cake
First dance song:
Something just like this – Coldplay
CAST & CREW
Photography: Megan Keller Photography
Cinematography : Yamean Studios Films
Bridesmaids dresses : Dahnistry Couture
Wedding Dress : Lazarro
Cake : Termini Brothers
Decor/Florals : Pretty Posh Design
Venue : National Constitution Center
Catering : Brulee
Make-Up : Joelle Phillips
Stationary : Minted
Quartet : Philadelphia String Quartet
Selfie mirror : DJ Lou Dimarco
