Royal Wedding Reimagined

By Kaylee Layman / Photography by Brett Seay Photography

styled wedding that embraces modern luxury and showcases Black event professionals took place at Carolina Grove in Hillsborough in June 2021.

Natelege Bryant, owner and executive chef of Durham-based catering business Virginia & Co., collaborated with several women- and minority-owned vendors from the Triangle to create what she described as “magic.”

Her goal was to flip the traditional concept of “royal weddings” on its head. She says she intentionally selected models – including her friends, husband-and-wife duo Olufemi Adeniyi and Jamecia Adeniyi – who represent the diverse spectrum of beautiful Black skin that she sees in her daily life. 

Heart of NC Weddings Vendors Planner Virginia & Co. | Venue Carolina Grove | Rentals CE Rental and American Party Rentals / Cake Sugar Euphoria

Husband-and-wife duo Jamecia Adeniyi and Olufemi Adeniyi model at wedding and event venue Carolina Grove in Hillsborough.

In honor of Olufemi’s Nigerian heritage, Chef Natelege Bryant’s catering menu from Virginia & Co. included classic Nigerian dishes like crab and yam pepper soup, and jollof rice.

In honor of Olufemi’s Nigerian heritage, Chef Natelege’s menu included some classic Nigerian dishes such as jollof rice, and crab and yam pepper soup. She elevated the soup by presenting it in a squash bowl with a crab leg for garnish.

Sugar Euphoria owner Randi Smith designed a multitiered cake with different shapes, patterns and hues of green to represent the diversity and lushness of Africa, Chef Natelege says. Small layers of edible 24-karat gold were the icing on top of this regal cake (literally), which was displayed on an emerald velvet linen with black taper candles, tropical flowers and palm branches.

Floral designer Shannon Hill of Élan House used tropical greenery of varying heights to add to the luxurious theme. Leaves from monsteras, a popular house plant, served as charger plates while palm fronds and banana leaves crowned peacock chairs as a symbol of Black culture and royalty, Chef Natelege says. Fresh basil, mint and rosemary were woven into the floral arrangements, which added to the food-centric story of this styled wedding. 

This was Chef Natelege’s first time working at Carolina Grove. She says that venue owner Melissa O’Hara was amazing to work with and that she understood the vision for the styled wedding.

“One of the venue team members, Aya Cuenca, worked with us for the two days we were at Carolina Grove,” says Chef Natelege. “She was so hands-on and was cheering us on from the sidelines! It’s a gorgeous venue, but I think the true reason it is a gem is because of the owner and team members.”

All three bride models wore dazzling black gowns – an eyecatching, modern look. Black elbow-length gloves added to the royal-chic wardrobe theme. The groom wore a green jewel-toned suit. Stylist Sia Gattis of Sia DeKarle Style & Design found fabric with an African print to drape around him, which added a regal touch. Instead of a boutonniere, they used a jeweled brooch.

“I believe that representation matters, and I know that readers everywhere are people of color and will love seeing this beautiful Black couple and see themselves in them,” Chef Natelege says.

Additional Vendors Brett Seay Photography, Élan House, BooHoo, Sia DeKarle Style & Design, Robyn Mitch Hair Studio, Amber Lynne Beauty, JM Creative Designs, Amber Majette, B-Bar Farm & Tack Shop and Greenhouse Picker Sisters

“I believe that representation matters, and I know that readers everywhere are people of color and will love seeing this beautiful Black couple and see themselves in them,” Chef Natelege says.