9-2-17 - Nikki and Dee

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

WEDDING

SHELTON

NIKKI & DEE

Inside: OUR LOVE STORY THE BIG DAY MEET THE WEDDING PARTY

OUR LOVE STORY It all began in middle school, 8th grade to be exact. Nikki and Dee both ran track for school. It was in May of 1990, when both Dee & Nikki officially met at a track meet. At the track meet they were both attracted to one another, but neither one said anything. It wasn’t until months later when they reconnected and a friendship begun.

Through the years there was distance and accomplishments; but through it all they remained friends. Their friendship was distant, so they didn’t speak on a regular basis. However, they would check on each other ever so often. When Dee would visit Racine he made sure to see Nikki; whether it was a quick drive around town, enjoy each other’s company by sitting outside talking for hours, or a quick “hey just wanted to see you before I left.” The friendship was just that...

FRIENDS. How many of us have them, FRIENDS...the ones you can depend on.

July 2007, Dee was a truck driver, living in Tennessee.

One day while out on a run he called Nikki. They had not communicated in over a year; that day when he called...it changed the dynamic of their friendship. What used to be quick 5 to 10 minute conversations turned into 3 hours; with neither of them wanting it to end. The conversations became frequent for the two. They talked all day everyday from sun up to sundown.

They learned so much about one another, things that most people wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing, and there was never judgement. It wasn’t until 4 years into their friendship they started planning trips together and frequent visits to see one another. In May 2011, what was once a casual friendship became a romantic relationship; and a year later, an engagement.

THE BIG DAY Wedding Ceremony 4 p.m.

Passed hors d’oeuvres 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Live Band: Chicken Grease 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Guests Seated for Dinner 6 p.m.

Introduction of the Bridal Party 6:15 p.m.

Cake Cutting Ceremony 6:25 p.m.

Toasts 6:30 p.m.

Prayer Buffet 7 p.m.

Reception Party Begins with DJ L. Boogie 8 p.m.

MEET THE

BRIDESMAIDS ALICIA Crazy circumstances brought us together but can’t nothing pull us apart. Alicia is more than a friend she IS my sista. Over the last 20 years she has become family, she’s the older sister I’ve never had. We’ve grown together, laughed together, cried together, did dirt together, pranked together, and just had some of our best times together & will continue to take over the world together. We’ve definitely got some stories to tell and as we always say to one another... You & me us never part!

SHAYLA Has been in my life for the last 23 yrs and though she always was my little sister.... we’ve had our bad times, but the good times outweighs the bad. We definitely have plenty memories from “rides to skate town” to the late night phone calls *insider. Through these years she’s not only been a great aunt to my children but has stepped in and been a great sista to me through some of my toughest times. She’s become one of my closest friends whom I consider more as a sister.

SHALONDA My longest friend, my twin growing up, my kids God mother, the kit to my kat, my sister and my best friend.... just sums up our friendship of 30 years. From playing double-dutch, hide & seek, making up dance routines, being Southside Strutters, to having our 1st born children one month apart... we have been together the entire way. She’s ALWAYS been there more than I can list and we’ve literally grown up together from 4th grade and nothing has ever come between us.

CIERRA My 1st love, my mini-me, my homegirl, my friend, my pain in the butt.... my daughter! Being a young mom we literally grew up together..... she’s watched me grow into the woman I am and now soon to be wife while standing by my side and having my back the entire way. I couldn’t have this day without having my favorite girl standing by my side.

CHLOE I feel as if I’ve been in her life since she’s been born. I’ve literally watched her grow from getting announcement of her birth and pictures of her when she was a baby. All the stories, the pictures, and memories shared with me made it easy for me once we formally met... we have always hit it off from day one and she fits perfectly into our lil family and I love her as my own.

CELEAH & MARIAH FLOWER GIRLS Two of Nikki’s lil diva cousin’s whom are more like my nieces.

CHYANNE, RYAN & SYDNEY FLOWER GIRLS Dee is honored to have his 3 great nieces be a part of this day

MEET THE

GROOMSMEN

GROOMSMEN

MARK BROTHER-IN-LAW Who has helped me become the man I am today. I have always watched and admired him. Mark has been a positive role model showing me how to treat a woman by how he treats my sister and taking care of his family by any means.

TONY My childhood friend who became family. He has always been around and right on time, whether I needed him for cutting hair, fixing cars, playing kickball; he’s always been there.

RASHAD “POLO” My potna from way back. We go back to my 1st yr in Atlanta, Senior year of highschool. Sharing many memories from sporting events to traveling together and watched one another grow as men.

DEIONTA “LILMAN” My lil potna. Watched this lil fella grow from a lil dude to a young man. I’ve grown to accept him as my son and love him as one of my own.

AMARE JUNIOR GROOM Amare’ Nikki’s nephew whom has a special place in her heart. On her special day she would not have it any other way than to have her deceased brother only son stand up in honor of his father.

RECEPTION COCKTAILS @ 5:00 P.M.

LOCATION The Coast 931 E. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI DINNER MENU Buffet: Seared Chicken, Boneless Braised Beef Short Ribs, Garlic Green Beans, Mac & Cheese, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Italian Salad, Strawberry Salad DIRECTIONS Downtown Milwaukee (Lakefront)

DINNER @ 7:00 P.M.

OUR THANKS First, we would like to thank God, who brought us together and has blessed us in so many ways. We would also like to thank our mother’s who have loved, supported, and inspired us our entire lives. Finally, we would like to thank all of you, our friends and family who mean so much to us and were gracious enough to be here on this special day.

We would also like to remember our loved ones who have passed on. We know they are looking down on us today.

How cool is this? Share your photos: @TheAlbumFactory TheAlbumFactory.com

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO: Hair Steven Chatman (Upscale Studio) Makeup Shalisa Smith Dresses Kelvin Haydon Men’s Attire Nikavonni’s Cake Gigi’s Planner Tye James (Amazing Moments) Wedding Photographer Willie Lampkin Officiant Pastor Melvin Hargrove Centerpieces Dashawn McGrone Reception Decor Debra Stephens Band Chicken Grease DJ L.Boogie Venue Zilli Hospitality Group