Real Weddings {Virginia}: Iris & Dametrius! - Blackbride.com

Iris and Dametrius, who met in 2008, found love at a hospital in Maryland where they both work. Four years later, the couple celebrated their union in front of family and friends in grand style. The modern chic ceremony sprinkled with cultural touches that showcased Iris's Nigerian heritage, was captured by Porter Watkins of Porter Watkins Photography. We loved all the personalized details that Iris and Dametrius included on their special day. Enjoy!

Bride’s full name: Iris I. Nwokolo, 30, Radiological Technologist

Groom’s full name: Dametrius L. Mannings, 32, United States Navy

Wedding Location: Falls Church, VA

Wedding Date: 6/2/12

Honey Moon Destination: Playa Mujeres, Mexico

Engagement story:

"Dametrius and I have talked about getting married for a while before he proposed. He had just gotten back from a deployment when we decided to take a cruise to the Bahamas. I was excited because I had never been on a cruise before so I was looking forward to the trip. After the last port stop before heading back to the states, we were up on the top deck getting ready for the send off when unbeknownst to me, Dametrius talked to the DJ about his plans to propose. The DJ handed him a mic and announced to the audience that there was a special announcement. At this point, I'm noticing people looking at me and bringing out their cell phones and as I turned, I see Dametrius is on his knees asking me to marry him. I was so shocked and surprised and just completely caught off guard but of course I said YES!!! It was the perfect end to our Bahamas trip. The next day we celebrated our engagement in Miami."

From the Groom:

"Seeing my bride for the first time. She looked amazing. The sun was just beginning to set and she literally looked like a ray of sunshine walking towards me. The combination of the harp playing, her smile and just the thought that wow, 'Iris is about to be my wife,' it was enough for me to shed a tear."

From the Bride:

"The best part [of the wedding] was seeing my husband as I walked down the aisle. It’s funny I didn’t get a chance to see the ceremony space before my wedding so I figured as I walked down the aisle that would be my opportunity too. That was not the case. I could not take my eyes off of Dametrius. It was the first time I ever saw him cry. It was the best day to date. I have always dreamed that I would get married. However, I never thought it would actually happen to me. It wasn’t because I thought I didn’t deserve it, I just thought that I wasn’t lucky enough to have someone love me the way Dametrius does. I am truly a lucky woman!

The perfect day:

"There were so many great moments. We truly wanted to have a small intimate wedding. I just love how you could just truly feel the love in the room. Everybody went through a world of emotions. You laughed, smiles, and so many happy tears were shed. You really felt warm and cozy inside. It was perfect. "- Iris

"It was an out of body experience for me. I was completely overwhelmed with the amount of love that day. Words truly can’t describe."- Dametrius

Love Tunes:

"We had two wedding songs. Love on Top by Beyonce’ and Spend my life with you by Eric Benet and Tamia. We wanted something fun and music that expressed how we felt about each other. These songs did it for us."

Cultural Touches from the Bride:

"I am Nigerian, so it was also very important to my family and I that we incorporated some traditional Nigerian elements to our wedding such as “the blessing of the kola nut”. We also made it a point to change into traditional Nigerian attire before dancing the night away with family and friends."