Wedding Party

Arshé Tensley

Maid of Honor

Arshé came into my life in such a special and unexpected way. I first met her through her mom when she trusted me to do her hair, and what started as a client relationship quickly turned into something so much deeper. Over time, she became like a little sister to me, someone I cherish, protect, and love dearly. She is truly a lifesaver in every sense of the word. Arshé is my confidant, my go-to, and the person I can always count on. On top of that, she is hands-down the best photographer, always capturing the most meaningful moments while somehow being fully present in them too. Watching Arshé grow into the amazing woman and mother she is today has been one of my greatest joys. She is loving, caring, selfless, and strong, and I am beyond honored to have her standing by my side as my Maid of Honor. Our bond means the world to me, and I wouldn’t want to take this journey without her.

Bernard Fowler

Best Man

Who would’ve thought that going outside to throw a football with the kid across the street would turn into a lifelong brotherhood? What started as childhood pickup games quickly grew into an unhealthy (but necessary) obsession with Washington football. We even had a season where we watched every single game together—same seats, same outfits, no exceptions—because superstition is real. Over the years, BJ became more than a friend; he became my brother. He’s the guy who shows up without being asked, no questions needed. I was honored to drive him to the hospital and even more honored to become Shelby’s godfather—one of my proudest moments. BJ is one of the most loyal, dependable people I know. If I ever need anything, his answer is always the same: “I’m ready for whatever.” That’s exactly the kind of person you want standing beside you on the biggest day of your life.

Cherelle Ampeh

Bridesmaid

Cherelle came into my life as a client, but little did I know she would become so much more, and play such a meaningful role in my story. It was through doing her hair that I met the love of my life and my future husband, Donnell, since she just so happens to be his sister. Because of that alone, Cherelle will always hold a special place in my heart. She is an amazing mom and pours so much love into her son, Adonis—aka Handsome—who has completely stolen my heart. I’m so grateful that she shares him with me and allows me the joy of being his aunt. Watching her motherhood journey has been inspiring and beautiful. Cherelle is my selfie partner, and we even planned to dress alike for Easter, which made the day even more special. She is fun, loving, and someone I truly enjoy spending time with. I’m so blessed to have her not only as a sister-in-law, but as family.

Ernest Hughes

Best Man

Ernest is truly like a big brother to me. We both attended the best college in the United States—Virginia Commonwealth University, even though our paths never crossed while we were there. It wasn’t until we met through The C.O.R.E., the Young Adult Ministry at First Mount Zion Baptist Church, that we discovered just how much we had in common. Ernest has a big heart and naturally becomes a mentor and big brother to everyone he meets. He’s the first person to check in on you, offering kindness, honesty, and truth—whether it’s what you want to hear or what you need to hear. Our shared love for the Lord brought us even closer, and we were blessed to become Deacons together. Ernest leads by example, even when he doesn’t realize it. Watching the way he loves his wife, raises his sons, and strives to share God’s love with everyone he meets has been a constant inspiration. Thoughtful, inquisitive, and unafraid to ask the right questions, Ernest is someone I admire deeply and am proud to have standing beside me.

Karen Eaton

Bridesmaid

Karen came into my life without either of us realizing just how close we would eventually become. What started as a simple connection grew into a genuine friendship that I truly treasure. Over time, she has become someone I trust deeply and value in my life. She gives the best advice and is an incredible listener. Karen is someone I can confide in fully, share my goals with openly, and depend on without hesitation. Her support, honesty, and consistency have been such a blessing in my life. On top of all that, Karen is my laughing buddy. She is absolutely hilarious and always knows how to lift my spirits and bring joy into any moment. I’m so grateful for her friendship, her wisdom, and her laughter, and I’m honored to have her standing by my side on this special day.

Dan Adu-Gyamfi

Groomsman

Dan and I have been friends since high school, and from the start, our bond was built on a shared love of sports. I never thought I’d meet someone who loved the game as much as I did—until Dan. From going to Wizards games when it felt like we were the only ones in the arena, to debating the most obscure, little-known facts that only true fans would care about, our connection was sealed early on. Beyond sports, Dan is my go-to source for all things hip-hop. What I value most about our friendship is that the things we’re passionate about—especially the ones most people might not fully understand—Dan truly gets. There’s comfort in being seen and understood without having to explain yourself. Dan is, without question, one of the coolest people I know. The laughs we share are timeless, effortless, and always genuine. I’m grateful for a friendship that has stood the test of time and even more grateful to have him standing beside me on this day.

Natasha Davis

Bridesmaid

Natasha is my big cousin, but in every meaningful way, she has always felt more like a sister to me. From an early age, she has been someone I’ve looked up to and leaned on, and our bond has only grown stronger over the years. Having her stand beside me on such an important day means more than words can fully express. She is intelligent, compassionate, and a true nurturer at heart. As a loving mother, Natasha brings warmth, patience, and care into everything she does. She has a natural way of making people feel seen, supported, and at ease, and her presence is both grounding and uplifting. Some of my favorite moments with Natasha are our lunch dates, those simple, meaningful times filled with conversation, laughter, and connection. I truly enjoy spending time with her, and I’m incredibly grateful to have her by my side as I begin this next chapter. Having Natasha as a bridesmaid is a blessing and an honor.

Adrian Ampeh

Groomsman

Adrian is my brother-in-love and the little brother I always wanted. He’s one of the kindest and most genuine people I know—a truly selfless man of God who would do anything for anyone. His faith shows in how he lives, loves, and serves the people around him. Where we bond most is in my role as an unapologetically over-protective big brother—a job I’ve taken seriously since I was four years old. Adrian loves and protects my sister in a way that gives me complete peace, and that trust has built a real brotherhood between us. Adrian, along with Cherelle, has given me one of the greatest gifts I could ever imagine: my nephew Adonis, one of my favorite people on the planet. They made me Uncle Don Don, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. I also love how we teach each other—I teach him about football, while he teaches me about soccer and all things Marvel, where he’s clearly the expert. And of course, we have the dopest handshake in the world, and I couldn’t be more honored to have Adrian standing beside me on this day.

Chrissetta Hughes

Bridesmaid

Chrissetta first came into my life through Donnell’s church family, and I’m truly blessed to say she has become family to me as well. From the very beginning, her presence stood out, and our connection grew naturally through shared faith, fellowship, and genuine care for one another. She is a leader with a strong spirit and an even stronger heart for people. Chrissetta is incredibly gifted, and I deeply admire the way she uses her voice and talent in spoken word to inspire, uplift, and speak truth. Watching her share her gift with the world is both powerful and humbling. Above all, Chrissetta is a woman of God and a great friend. Her faith, authenticity, and encouragement make her a constant source of light, and I am so grateful to have her standing beside me on this special day. Having Chrissetta as a bridesmaid is truly an honor.

Brandon Crawford

Groomsman

Brandon is my future brother-in-love, and from the very beginning, he has made me feel genuinely welcomed as part of his family. That openness and acceptance have meant more to me than he probably knows. He’s an intelligent, thoughtful person with a fun-loving spirit, bringing both insight and positive energy into every space he’s in. Brandon leads with kindness and authenticity. I’m looking forward to our relationship continuing to grow as we step into this next chapter together, not just as family, but as brothers. I’m grateful to have Brandon standing beside me on such an important day.

Lauren Manley

Bridesmaid

Lauren is my younger cousin, and it has truly been a blessing watching her grow into the beautiful young woman of God she is today. Seeing her mature with grace, faith, and confidence has been one of the joys of our relationship, and I’m so proud of the woman she continues to become. I cherish the time we spend texting and talking about family, life, and everything in between. Those conversations mean more to me than she probably realizes, and they reflect the strong bond we share. Lauren brings honesty and warmth into every interaction. She is real, genuine, and has a great head on her shoulders. Lauren’s wisdom, authenticity, and kind spirit make her such a special presence in my life. I’m so grateful to have her standing by my side as I celebrate this next chapter.

Bryan Crawford

Groomsman

Bryan is my other future brother-in-love, and he’s one of the most intelligent people I know. He truly knows a little something about everything—whether it’s basketball, politics, or cars (#Q50Gang, by the way). If there’s a topic on the table, I can always count on Bryan to have insight or knowledge to share. I can also count on him for perfectly timed laughs. Without fail, Bryan will send me an old-school WWE clip on Instagram that ends up having me laughing for hours. It’s one of the many ways he brings joy and humor into the people around him. Bryan is a fun-loving, hardworking man and a great father. I truly cherish the time we spend together and look forward to making many more memories as our bond continues to grow. I’m grateful to have Bryan standing beside me on this special day.

Jasmin Shelton

Bridesmaid

Jasmin started out as Donnell’s friend, but I ended up stealing her, and I’m so glad I did. She has a bubbly personality that instantly lights up a room, yet she’s also dependable and knows exactly when it’s time to get down to business. That balance is one of the many things I admire about her. She is incredibly driven and always has my back, even in the most awkward situations. Jasmin somehow balances a schedule like I have never seen, between raising her twins, working, serving at church, leading a ministry, and so much more. Her ability to juggle it all with grace and determination is truly inspiring. Jasmin is a trusted sounding board and someone I can always turn to. She stands up for me, for Donnell, and for our relationship collectively, which means the world to me. Having her by my side on this day is both a comfort and a blessing.

Howard Ferguson

Groomsman

Howard is Mr. Reliability. He’s trustworthy, dependable, and the person I know I can always count on—no questions asked. That’s exactly why he’s my spades partner and why he’s always there whenever I need him for anything. No matter the situation, Howard’s response is always the same: “Say less… it’s done.” I’ve known Howard since high school, and meeting him was a lot like looking in a mirror. We shared the same interests, the same military-brat background, and came from similar families, which made our connection instant and genuine. The only pace we differ are our Commanders vs Ravens and DC vs Baltimore debates (#HTTC #DCorNothing by the way) On top of all that, we share an obsession with sneakers—because some things just matter. I’m grateful for a friendship built on trust, loyalty, and consistency, and I’m proud to have Howard standing beside me on this day.

Typhani Short

Bridesmaid

Typhani started off as my neighbor across the hall, but she quickly became so much more. She is friendly, intelligent, and someone I truly cherish spending time with. Our connection grew naturally, and I’m grateful for the bond we’ve built over the years. She has a bubbly personality and a loving spirit, and she loves very hard. Typhani is a great mom and so much fun to be around, her joyful spirit and vibrant energy make every moment spent with her brighter. Being in her presence is easy, uplifting, and full of laughter. I deeply admire how much Typhani has grown since I’ve known her. She’s a true go-getter who constantly encourages me to push forward and accomplish big things. And no matter the moment, I can always depend on her to start some song lyrics, so I can finish them. I’m so thankful to have her by my side on this special day.

Mike Shuler

Groomsman

Mike has been my friend since high school. What started as after-school hangouts for Ms. Hall’s chemistry class and roast sessions on the school bus turned into a real brotherhood that I truly cherish. Mike is competitive to his core, and I’ll always remember those late nights playing Madden—usually lasting until he could finally get a win (few and far between, lol). He’s intelligent (even though he chose that other school in Virginia), skillful, resourceful, and an all-around great person. It was an honor to stand as your groomsman, and now you get to return the favor. Watching Mike grow into a great husband and dad has been nothing short of a blessing, and I’m proud to have him standing beside me on this special day.

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Curtis Washington

Groomsman

Curtis is my big cousin, but in reality, he has always been my big brother. I’ve looked up to him for as long as I can remember, and as a kid, I wanted to do everything he did. He set the example early, and I’ve carried that admiration with me ever since. Curtis is the life of the party and truly lights up every room he enters. He’s a man of God with a hilarious, outgoing, and genuine spirit that draws people in naturally. Watching him grow into the man he is today has been a blessing. Curtis has become an amazing husband and a devoted father to Bailey—roles he carries with love and purpose, and ones I truly admire. I know that Dranma and Nance are smiling down proudly on Curtis, Cherelle, and me in all that we’ve become. I’m honored to have him standing beside me on this special day.