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real wedding
Maia Jones & Don Tremayne Aikens SEPTEMBER 6, 2019
“A FLORAL FANTASY” WRITTEN BY: Jessica Burke | PHOTOGRAPHER: Carl Lynch, Image 1 Photography
DON AND MAIA DATED FOR 7 YEARS BEFORE DON PROPOSED TO Maia at her parents’ home on Christmas Day, 2017. “Within that last year we started talking about marriage a lot more and looking at rings,” she shares, “so I knew eventually it would happen but not when.” While Maia was wrapped up in conversation with her family, Don walked up behind her and got down on one knee. “When I turned around, that’s where he was!! I hollered and laughed! And of course, I SAID YES!!!” Maia started planning right away, but didn’t rush the process. “I gave myself a year and 7 months to plan,” she shares. “This wedding was both our first wedding and I knew I would never do it again, so I wanted to make it count and get the things I wanted.” “Must haves” included her Stephen Yearick gown, the elaborate florals and reception decor, the towering wedding cake and luxury invitations. Maia and Don said their vows in a Catholic ceremony at St. James Catholic
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Church. Afterwards they hosted a lavishly-decorated reception for 450 guests. Florals cascaded from the guest and cake tables and candlelight set a romantic tone for the evening. “I was in total awe and overwhelmed in how gorgeous my venue looked,” says Maia. “My decor team, Memorable Events, my wedding planner, Tenishia Keller of Chocolate Bunnie The Event Planner, and my best friend Ursula Stewart took my vision and pictures and executed beautifully! I wouldn’t change a thing! Every detail exceeded my expectations.” Artist Stephanie Torregrossa painted the elaborate reception as guests danced the night away. As a special treat, the Zulu Tramps led Maia and Don’s Second Line. In the end, Maia says that she loved everything about the day but “the most important part was our closest family and friends witnessing our love.”
