Volume II VII MMXVI
VAN & CORT
La Vie en
BLANC aVanCortLife ®
CONTENTS
8 10 13 14
Meet the Newlyweds
Interview with the Bride & Groom
47
Ceremony Information
An Enchanted Encounter
The Proposal
Meet the Wedding Party
4
Ceremony Information
G N I D WED NY O M E R CE of
Cortavia Shavon Mullins to
Matthew VanBuren Freeman II•VII•MMXVI
Order of Ceremony PRELUDE PROCESSIONAL ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDE WELCOME AND INVOCATION
Reverend Taft Quincy Heatley MESSAGE OF LOVE
Dr. Kim D. Singleton SOLO
Simone Paulwell Anthony Walker TRIBUTE CEREMONY SERMON
Reverend Taft Quincy Heatley EXCHANGE OF VOWS EXCHANGE OF RINGS BLESSING
Reverend Taft Quincy Heatley PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
Reverend Taft Quincy Heatley RECESSIONAL
#avancortlife
Officiant
Master of Ceremony
Wedding Party
Ambassadors
Reverend Taft Quincy Heatley
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
Brenda Jefferson
MOTHER OF THE GROOM
Donnie Gardner
Clarence Fluker Micheal Santiago Yvesner Zamar
Tanya Freeman
SISTERS OF BRIDE
Marvelous Denise Mullins Antamikia Latasha Mullins Clara Adrianna Jefferson SISTER OF GROOM
Musical Performance SONGSTRESS
Simone Paulwell ORGANIST
Chayla Monique Freeman
Anthony Walker
BROTHER OF GROOM
VIOLINIST
MAID OF HONOR
GUITARIST
Micheal Chadwick Freeman Alteasha L. Ervin MATRON OF HONOR
Courtney L. Ebo
JUNIOR BRIDESMAID
Antaniya J. Poole BEST MAN
DaWud J. Crooms BEST MAN
Justin T. Murry RING BEARER
Chris Felder
Erika Fye
Curtis Fye
Vendors PLANNER
Christina Cue oncuemg.com PHOTOGRAPHER
Keith Bonds envisionjourney.com VIDEOGRAPHERS
NPhase Productions nphaseproductions.com
We are especially thankful to our family and friends for their love and support throughout our relationship and during our wedding planning process. We are humbled by your presence and blessed to have you serve as witnesses to our love. On this day of celebration, our thoughts are also with our dear Grandmother Clara Mae Grayson and beloved Fathers Mark Roger Jefferson and Micheal Charles Freeman, as well as other loved ones who have passed away. May their presence grace our hearts today, and every day of our marriage. Immediately following the ceremony, please join us on the portico for our official wedding portrait. Upon completion of the portrait, take a moment to relax, retrieve your phones, and enjoy the cocktail reception. Dinner and dancing will immediately follow, concluding the evening with a sparkler send-off!
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6
Meet the Newlyweds
#avancortlife
S D E W Y L NEW CORTAVIA SHAVON MATTHEW MULLINS 'VAN'BUREN FREEMAN BIRTHDAY:
October 31, 1983 HOMETOWN:
Miami, FL
EDUCATION:
The Florida State University CURRENT OCCUPATION:
Pharmaceutical Business Development FAVORITE MOVIE:
The Diary of Malcolm X FAVORITE MUSICIAN:
Michael Jackson
CELEBRITY CRUSH:
Denzel Washington DREAM CAR:
1957 Mercedes Benz 190SL Convertible DREAM VACATION:
Fiji Islands
BIRTHDAY:
February 9, 1982 HOMETOWN:
Shreveport, LA EDUCATION:
Morehouse College and Southern University Law Center CURRENT OCCUPATION:
Senior Advisor at the Department of Commerce FAVORITE MOVIE:
Star Wars
FAVORITE ARTIST:
Vincent Van Gogh
CELEBRITY CRUSH:
Selma Hayek DREAM CAR:
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS DREAM VACATION:
Fiji Islands
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8
An Enchanted Encounter
D E T N A H C N E
an
encounter
In our Nation’s Capital, where titles and the time, they did not realize that the positions of power reign supreme, two shared experience of losing a loved one loving souls found each other in the most would lead to the exponential growth of casual environment. Cortavia and Van their bond. Shortly after their first date, met for the first time on January 6, 2013 Van’s father, Michael, passed away. while watching football with friends at a Cortavia had experienced the loss of local bar. That night, subtle glances and her father, Mark, two years prior and a modest exchange of social understood the raw emotion media handles generated a Van would experience. The The two grew spark that would lay dormant two grew closer and formed for a year. that neither closer and formed ahadpartnership experienced before, Nearly a year after their filled with effortless love and a partnership initial meeting, Cortavia’s unrivaled loyalty. Twitter account was hacked that neither had In the following months, Van and spam messages were sent to her contacts. Van experienced before. launched a full-out campaign to captivate Cortavia’s heart. was in Louisiana at the time The courtship was filled and received a message with concerts, comedy shows, movies, from Cortavia. They hadn’t connected and museums. From Christmas parties since the football game and it was to tours of the White House—even the obvious that she had unintentionally most elaborately planned dates ended contacted him. Van messaged Cortavia in conversations where the couple to inform her that her account had been revealed their souls to one another compromised. The conversation led to while sitting on the steps of the Lincoln the exchange of telephone numbers Memorial. The memorial brought them and plans for a future date. serenity and served as a place of refuge When Van returned to DC, they had their and deep dialogue. It later became the first date at Taylor’s Steak and Ice on H perfect backdrop for their engagement. Street. The night was filled with effortless, Van learned the art of Cort’s love and free flowing conversation. While they painted a masterpiece to win her heart. found a number of commonalities, at
Van & Cort
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10
Interview with the Bride & Groom
W E I V R INTE CORT & N A V with
“I knew Cortavia was “the one” the moment I realized I could never live without her.”
#avancortlife WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION?
Bride: From our initial very informal meeting, I thought that Van was very attractive, but quiet. I was rather perplexed that Van was from Louisiana and did not drink. Groom: I thought Cort was smart and very attractive. WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR FIRST DATE?
Bride: We went to a local restaurant in my neighborhood called Taylor Steak and Ice, followed by a stroll along H Street where we continued our discussion.
Groom: I met Cort at a local DC restaurant called Taylor Steak and Ice, then we proceeded to a lounge on H Street. WHO INITIATED THE FIRST KISS?
Bride: Van definitely initiated our first kiss. Groom: I did. I thought we had chemistry. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES TOGETHER?
Bride: When we were sitting on a dock and I realized that I could spend the rest of my life with him, while in Mexico. Groom: The White House Spring Garden tour. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT ONE ANOTHER?
Bride: I love Van’s smile. Groom: The freckles on her rosy cheeks. WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING OR SURPRISING THING YOU’VE LEARNED ABOUT ONE ANOTHER?
Bride: I was shocked that Van was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, despite his demeanor. Also, Van loves movies and pushes me out of my comfort zone. Groom: Cort can be brutally honest about her feelings. WHO WAS THE FIRST TO SAY “I LOVE YOU”?
Bride: I was the first to say “I love you”, although I knew the feeling was mutual. Groom: She did. She loved me when I had nothing and I love her because she became my everything. WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU’D MET “THE ONE”?
Bride: Almost immediately. Groom: When I realized I couldn’t live without her. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU TWO?
Bride: Kids and whatever God blesses us with. Groom: New jobs and kids.
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Interview with the Bride & Groom
#avancortlife
L A S O PROP
the
of a lifetime
Van and Cortavia describe August 1, 2015 as a beautiful Saturday morning. Van’s mother, Tanya, was visiting and he told Cortavia that they were going to the National Mall to sightsee and take pictures at the Lincoln Memorial.
surprise, Van convinced Cortavia that she was mistaken. They continued to walk until John Legend’s “All of me” began playing from a speaker. Cortavia describes a feeling of shock through her body. Paralyzed in the moment, her tears flowed as a crowd enclosed the Cortavia had no idea that Van had been couple. At Van’s direction, Clarence, planning the proposal for months and Stephanie, and Christina enlisted the assistance of had skillfully coordinated some of her closest friends. a flash mob that included Paralyzed in Leading up to the day, Van friends from each fraction of had discreetly organized the moment, her Cortavia’s life. conference calls, assigned tears flowed as a In that moment, Cortavia team captains, developed a minute-by-minute event surrounded by over 40 crowd enclosed the was itinerary, coordinated travel of her closest hometown, arrangements, and secured college, and local friends. couple. the perfect proposal location. With one surprise left Van was resolved to propose before Van dropped to one at the Lincoln Memorial because the knee, Cortavia’s mother and sister location was so significant to their unexpectedly walked down the Lincoln relationship. Determined to give Cortavia Memorial stairs. Overwhelmed with the proposal of her dreams and leaving emotion, Cortavia’s mother whispered no detail to chance, Van requisitioned something softly in her ear and brought the use of the Lincoln Memorial from the a calmness to her daughter that only a National Parks Service. mother’s voice could. Van then got to one knee and made Cortavia the happiest That morning, Cortavia, Van, and Ms. woman in the world. On Saturday, August Tanya walked through the National 1, 2015, surrounded by family, friends, Mall, stopping to take a few pictures. and on-lookers, the future Freemans When Van and Cortavia approached the affirmed God’s design and HIS perfect steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Cortavia plan for their love. Cheers as Pharrell’s thought she recognized her childhood “Happy” began to play. friend, Janet. Not ready to reveal the
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Meet the Wedding Party
G N I V LO
our
support
DAWUD CROOMS best man
JUSTIN MURRY best man
In DaWud, I have a fraternity brother and a friend. The countless memories we have created, serve as the underpinning of our brotherhood. I distinctly remember meeting DaWud on the first floor of Graves Hall at Morehouse. Together we learned the depths of commitment and strength of our will. We came to rely on each other for advice and insight during our collegiate years and into adulthood. DaWud shaped my current perspective on fatherhood, marriage, and career achievement. With the start of his family and the growth of his tribe, he has evolved into an incredible husband to Katherine, father of four, business man, and advisor. I’m thankful that he’ll stand beside me as one of my Best Men.
Justin is a college friend that evolved into a brother. We were both born in Louisiana but we didn’t meet until Morehouse College. Early on, Justin and I recognized the need to support and encourage each other in balancing the obligations of academic demands and campus involvement. That support continued after college, he often stood in the gap during turbulent times. Through the years, he has been a great motivator, advisor, and confidant. Justin has demonstrated the true measure of a man, he is a great husband to Kimberly, father of two, brother, son, and friend. I am incredibly honored to have Justin as one of my Best Men.
DONNIE GARDNER master of ceremony
CLARENCE FLUKER ambassador
MICHAEL SANTIAGO ambassador
YVESNER ZAMAR ambassador
#avancortlife
ALTEASHA ERVIN maid of honor
COURTNEY LEIGH EBO matron of honor
Lovingly known by me as “Alt”, for more than a decade, she has been my voice of reason. We’ve seen each other through many life experiences. She has been more than a friend to me; she is my sister. I believe that God makes no mistakes and he precisely knew the friend that I needed when he blessed me with Alt. I am grateful and often left speechless at how remarkable Alt is as a friend. Our effortless friendship is both refreshing and uplifting, a relationship I honor and value. She epitomizes loyalty, strength, unconditional love, and support. Without stipulation, I can always depend on my Alt to be there when I need her and I’m beyond thankful to her for accepting my invitation to serve as my Maid of Honor.
For many years, Courtney has been a pillar of love, loyalty, and counsel. Standing with me throughout my life, I know I can always count on her loyalty. Courtney’s friendship taught me, “If you believe in your friend, you will accept their opinion as an optimistic way to improve yourself.” She has mastered the art of advising me and acts as a sounding board for every major decision in my life—including my relocation to Washington, DC. Courtney, that advice ten years ago led me to the love of my life. She is a phenomenal wife to Brandon, a spectacular mother to Caleb, and a renaissance woman. Asking her to serve as my Matron of Honor is the best decision I have ever made without her advisement.
ANTANIYA POOLE junior bridesmaid My life changed forever when my sister Antamikia birthed a beautiful baby girl, Antaniya. She captivated my heart and motivated me, even more, to lead by example. Not only does Antaniya excel in school, she is kindhearted with a beautiful spirit. One Christmas, Antaniya astonished the family when she decided to give her toys from previous years to children who did not have toys. Beaming with pride and admiration, we ensured her wishes were carried out. Antaniya is a true jewel and I am delighted to have our niece serve as the junior bridesmaid.
CHRIS FELDER ring bearer Chris is the son of our close personal friends, Janet and Chaz Felder. He is a dapper young man with personality and intellect beyond his years. Chris captivates our hearts with his sunny disposition and endless energy. We are delighted to have him as our ring bearer and we are certain he’ll steal your hearts, just as he stolen ours.
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Photography by Keith Bonds, Envision Journey Magazine Design by Unlike Juliet