Aisha and Jordan

PHOTOGRAPHED BY YNOT IMAGES Hair: Monica Jordan | Makeup: Cendy Leway

Aisha Jordan &

In April 2015, while he was filming an event, Jordan met Aisha. They both felt a mutual attraction, and with the help of a friend, they were introduced. Aisha and Jordan later connected on Snapchat where they exchanged messages and phone numbers. That summer, the two began dating and six months later in December 2015, Jordan officially asked Aisha to be his girlfriend! Six years later, the lovely couple became husband and wife in a timeless wedding ceremony captured by YNOT iMages.

BRIEFLY TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AND HOW THE BOTH OF YOU FELT ON YOUR BIG DAY.

We had so much fun planning and experienced a limited amount of stress from beginning to end. We silenced unwanted opinions and truly did what worked for us. While our wedding was impacted by COVID-19 forcing us to decrease our guest count, it did not take away from the love we felt and the fun we had. It was the best party ever, and we wish we could do it over and over again! Our most memorable moment was when I was walking down the aisle. In that moment, everything we worked for and overcame was worth it. A close second would be the speeches by our parents, matron/maid of honor and best men.

WEDDING SONG, EXPLAIN CHOICE FOR SONG:

“The Line” by DVSN was our wedding song. It is the song that was playing in the background the first time that we said “I love you” to each other. DVSN has provided us with music that has been a part of our relationship from the beginning!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AS A MARRIED COUPLE?

We are looking forward to continuing to build our legacy, traveling the world, and starting a family!

Do what will make you both happy the day of and in the long run. You will receive so many opinions and ideas that it can easily become overwhelming and stressful. This day is about the two of you joining together as one, and your marriage will go far beyond this one day. Our other top 3 pieces of advice are: 1) Have fun and soak it all in! It will be over so quickly. 2) Take a minute before the reception to eat ALONE. 3) Bring a pair of comfortable shoes to party in!

Bride:

Aisha Ward, 28, College Counselor

Groom:

Jordan Ward, 33, Photographer/ Videographer

Place of Residence:

Birmingham, AL

Wedding Date: May 22, 2021

Wedding Location:

Kress BHM Rooftop, Birmingham, AL

Wedding Theme:

Classic, timeless black and white

Honeymoon Destination:

St. Lucia

Ceremony + Reception Location:

Kress BHM Rooftop kressbhm.com/rooftop IG: @kressbhm

Wedding Planner:

Sherita Brown SweetBrides by Mrs. B sweetbridesbymrsb.com IG: @sweetbridesbymrsb

Photographer:

Tony and Haley Minifield ynotimages.com IG: @ynot_images

Bridal Gown:

Martina Liana Bridal Designs essensedesigns.com/martina-liana IG: @martinalianabridal

Groom’s Tux:

Crown of Wealth crownofwealth.com IG: @crownofwealthcollection

Bridal Party Attire: Azazie, azazie.com IG: @azazieofficial

Videographers:

Jordan Ward FWD Digital Productions gofwddigital.com IG: @fwdproductions

Khalil Johnson RDK Productions reeldealkhalil.com IG: @rdk_productions

Isaac Nunn suburbcreative.com IG: @sub.urbancreative

Cake:

Daughter’s Baking daughtersbaking.com IG: @daughtersbaking

Caterer :

Everything Iz everythingiz.com IG: @Izcafeandcatering

Music:

DJ PapaRooster cluckup.com/the-dj-booth IG: @djpaparooster

Bartender:

Marcus & Olivia Barnes barnestending.com IG: @barnestending

Hair:

Monica Jordan monicajordanhair.com IG: @monicajordanhair

Makeup:

Cendy Leway cendyandco.com IG: @cendy_leway

Flowers:

Rita Weller Daffinson RD Designs of Alabama rddesignsalabama.com IG: @rddesignsalabama

Stationery:

Jordan Ward FWD Digital Productions gofwddigital.com IG: @fwdproductions

Photo Booth:

PixlBar thepixlbar.com IG: @pixlbar

Live Stream:

Torien Pippens Director TPipp Facebook.com/DirectorTpipp-615026512322963

OUR COVER STYLE Inspiration

Ibelieve a Bride’s wedding look should be a reflection of who she is and her life experiences. With Mame Adjei being such an esteemed high fashion model and disruptor within the fashion industry , It was important to select garments that were not only bridal, but embodied an essence of elevated style.

We sourced gowns from all over the world that would stand apart from what we usually expect from bridal fashion. Just as Mame has made an effort to stand apart from what we’ve learned to expect from fashion models.

I think intentionality is the perfect word for weddings. I love to see couples who have been intentional with their love take the step towards marriage and to be intentional with their wedding planning and design. Wedding fashion should also be a part of that thought. I hope by seeing this dynamic range of bridal fashion in the fashion issue inspires brides to be intentional with their wedding looks as well.

Dara Adams

Bridal Stylist

Mame Adjei Kwabana Seth Oduro &

A LOVE MET WITH PURPOSEFUL INTENTION

WRITTEN BY CANDICE DAVIE

Leading in life and love with intention, while also surrendering the details to divine intervention, is an art. Choosing to put down the sword, and instead trust the unseen force that holds together this thing called life can prove to be a tug of war but immensely rewarding in the end.

For fashion model, actress, and activist Mame Adjei there was no mistaking that divine order was at play when she met entrepreneur Kwabana-Seth OduroBuadu. After spending years navigating their respective careers and learning the ebbs and flows of misaligned love, their paths crossed. It was like a new world opened up where they were both finally seen, loved, and appreciated in ways they had never experienced before. Listening to the whisper of God’s voice has led them to create the making of a love story for the ages.

We sat down with Mame and Kwabana to chat about the power of being intentional, establishing a true foundation for marriage, and how they’re envisioning their next chapters of their careers and as husband and wife.

Candice: How did the two of you first meet?

Mame: We met at church. It was a funny story actually. His version is that he had a download from God telling him to look behind him because he had been praying to God to find a woman who he could grow with. He hears something telling him to look behind him in church. When he did, God told him, “She’s the one.” We kept bumping into each other at church, and then a mutual friend of ours invited him to my acting class. He came to the class, and I ended up sitting right next to him.

Kwabana: In 2018, I did a vision board and wrote down everything I wanted to happen for 2019. I was dating someone but I knew it wasn’t going to work out, so I decided to focus on my money and the growth that I wanted. One day at church, as the pastor’s talking, I felt this presence telling me to turn around. My eyes cut

Gown: La Premiere x J’Aton Couture Earrings: Hushed Commotion Grooms Suit: Miguel Wilson

through the crowd of people and landed on Mame. I didn’t feel any sparks, but I heard a voice say, “That’s her.” The fourth time I saw her, I was walking to my car after the service was over. I tried to figure out what to say without sounding weird, so I complimented her on her outfit and as we talked some more we realized that we were both Ghanaian. The conversation was a bit awkward because there was just silence after that. One day I told my uncle, “You see that girl. She is going to be my wife one day.” Then my friend tells me about this acting class and when I went, here comes this girl walking in late, and sits right next to me. I said to myself, “Look at God!”

Candice: Wow! Such a cute story. At what point did you start dating?

Mame: After meeting at the acting class, we exchanged emails to see if we could work together on some projects that he was working on. We emailed back and forth for some weeks while I was in New York for a few months. When I got back to L.A., we finally met up for dinner to talk about the projects and became really good friends and hung out. Then, we decided to start dating.

Candice: How long have you been together now?

Mame: All together two years. He officially asked me to be his girlfriend in February 2020, and he asked me to be his wife in February 2021.

Candice: At that time, were you looking for a relationship?

Mame: I was definitely working on myself. If you asked me what my five year plan was back then, it was always about what I would be working on career wise. But, I realized as I got older the beauty of marriage and the sanctity of it. Once I said, “Okay, I would like to be with a man I could marry and not just date,” that’s when he showed up.

Gown: Nikeen Asar via Dress Hunt Earrings: Hushed Commotion

Gown: Helen O’connor Earrings: Hushed Commotion

Candice: For your first date, where did you go?

Mame: This soul food place called Yard Bird in West Hollywood — a little restaurant date off the clock, so we could get to know each other more. Candice: When did you realize that you had found the one?

Mame: When we went through our tumultuous times and decided to break up, I was a wreck. I really was not the type to care about these men wasting my time, so for me to be broken up over him, I knew that it was serious. His actions proved that he loved me, and I had never had that before. There were many moments where I said, “This must be what it feels like to find ‘the one’.”

Candice: Tell me about the engagement. Mame, were you surprised?

Mame: Yes! We went to Ghana in February 2021 to visit our family because we had not seen them in over a year because of the pandemic. I had no clue that this man plotted to propose to me because every time we talked about the future he would always say, “Yeah, yeah, eventually...It’s coming, let’s not rush.” We were only a year in, so I was not looking for it to happen right now.

Kwabana: When I met her I was seeking a relationship, family, and marriage. I told God I would date this woman for a year, and if everything goes okay then I’m going to propose. It was November 2020, and I was reflecting on everything God had done for me that year when a voice said, “Remember that thing you said you were going to do?” The next day or that same week, I started thinking about how to find a ring. I learned so much about rings in that season. When we first started dating, there was a ring she used to wear and she said, “If you ever propose, this is the type of ring I would like.” I remembered that ring which made my life easier. Around the time that we went to Ghana, people were still there celebrating the New Year.

Gown: Ituwa Earrings: Hushed Commotion Veil: Hushed Commotion Suit: Linea Uomo Bowtie: D’Cree Clothier

Mame: Ghana around the New Year is a big deal. So, it was even more momentous for us that he did it when he did.

Kwabana: I had a grand scheme that her parents would be there, and everyone would hide somewhere and surprise her — but it didn’t work out that way. Before this, I was nervous and second guessing myself. The fear was there, but I kept going forward. Ghana can be a headache, especially when you’re trying to do Western traditional things. Getting engaged is not a thing out there — it’s not a part of the culture.

Mame: Yes, my parents care more about our tradition of him coming with his family to my father’s family and asking for my hand in marriage. Then my parents will ask for dowry, which is what he can exchange me for like a bride price. Back in the day, it might be a cow, goat, etc. Now, it might be suitcases or a bunch of presents.

Kwabana: I was thinking of proposing at my brother’s house, and my goal was to get her mom and dad over there too — but that didn’t work out. A driver picked us up, and I told him to take the road less traveled to make sure the photographer and saxophonist were there. We ended up getting lost. When we got inside, she didn’t notice the decorations and sign that said, “Mame, will you marry me?” Everything I planned before that left my mind, so I had to freestyle my speech. It was still very romantic and picturesque.

Mame: I see now why women cry during proposals. I used to think it was corny, but now I see why.

Kwabana: You feel the shift happen once you make that commitment. It took me finding other positive examples of marriage to say, “Okay I’m ready.” I’m happy that God aligned us and my intentional thoughts.

Gown: Ituwa Earrings: Hushed Commotion

Dress: 5th and Welshire Earrings: Hushed Commotion

Candice: Do you have a wedding date set?

Mame: We wanted to do it on my mom’s birthday in February, but we have been focused on working on us, so we pushed it back. That was my dream date, but I didn’t want to rush it. Candice: Do you plan on getting married here or in Ghana?

Kwabana: Well, both. We are thinking of having the white dress wedding in L.A. and the traditional wedding ceremony in Ghana. We’re still working on the details.

Candice: In what ways do you feel like you’re alike?

Kwabana: Our humor, love for people, our resilience, and our competitive nature. Mame: Yes, our heart.

Candice: In what ways do you feel like you’re different?

Kwabana: I’m very impatient, very timely, I’m loud. Well, she can be loud too and very talkative. Mame: I’m definitely not the one who talks more or is the loudest. I’m very patient and laid back.

Candice: What goals have you set for your marriage?

Kwabana: We’re actually in the process of doing that right now — aligning our personal goals with what we want for our marriage. I’m realizing that there’s no real instructions for marriage. When we first met, a lot of our plans aligned, but that was when we were boyfriend and girlfriend. Those same plans intensify when you talk about being married.

Mame: We started couple’s therapy and our therapist said that back in the day that’s how engagements were. You took the time to see if you could actually have a lasting marriage and not just a wedding. I’m glad we’re doing it this way and making sure our marriage is strong.

Candice: What’s next for you career wise? Mame: I’m praying to God that I will be on movie screens and on T.V. shows. I’ll have a skincare/beauty line and a child or two with my beautiful, handsome husband with a beautiful home in L.A.

Kwabana: In the next 5 years, my production company and media agency will have a physical location either in L.A. or Atlanta, and I would have at least $3-5 million in revenue. Also, working on our second child.

Candice: That brings me to my next question, do you see yourself with a big family?

Kwabana: Three children with a surprise fourth later on.

Mame: I think that might be okay. I want at least 2 for sure, and I would love to adopt. Maybe a family member from Ghana, but I would love to do that for someone. I was adopted by my best friend’s mom at 16, so I know how that can really change someone’s life. We’re grateful to Mame and Kwabana for opening their hearts to give us a peek inside their journey to find love. We look forward to seeing more from this lovely power couple as they continue to make an impact worldwide.

Kwabana’s Looks Salmon Suit: Miguel Wilson @miguelwilsoncollection Remaining suits: Linea Uomo Shoes: Christian Louboutin Accessories: Dcree Clothier by Christopher Day IG: @dcreeclothier