With this Ring: Burks-Payton

Arielle Burks and Edward Payton III first met in 2019 through mutual friends, and they got to know one another as friends. During the beginning months of the pandemic, both Edward and Arielle used that solitude to reflect on themselves and what they wanted in a future partner. This period of reflection led them to their first date in the fall of 2020, and their alignment was undeniable.

A year and a half later, Edward planned a truly memorable proposal. After a day doing many of their favorite things, they went home for a quick nap and ended up oversleeping! They frantically got ready and rushed to Eddie V’s for their dinner reservation. At the end of dinner, Edward suggested taking a picture inside the wine cellar. Unbeknownst to Arielle, Edward had secretly asked the waitress to take a few pictures and switch to video as he was going to propose. After a few photos, Edward got on one knee. Through her excitement and tears, Arielle said YES!

The couple began planning their wedding in New Orleans, where they met and fell in love. They created a Royal Romance theme and envisioned their friends and family in outfits that complemented the theme. To help bring their vision to life, the invitation included a style guide with pictures and color choices for attire.

On November 11, 2023, guests decked out in mauve, gold, burgundy, forest green and navy gathered at City of Love Church, where Arielle’s family regularly attends services. As she walked down the aisle, the bride carried a bouquet containing a locket with pictures of her grandfathers.

After Bishop Lester Love pronounced the couple husband and wife, the festivities continued at The Capital on Baronne. The grand entryway with tall marble pillars and a beautiful, intricately-designed ceiling created an atmosphere with the elegance and flare Arielle and Edward had imagined for their Royal Romance.

Not only did The Capital on Baronne provide the perfect ambiance for the occasion, it also created a spectacular menu. During the seated dinner, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a feast that included butternut squash soup with jumbo lump crabmeat, and short rib and gulf fish with shrimp. The couple had also chosen classic specialty cocktails; Edward’s was a French 75, and Arielle’s was an Old Fashioned.

The joy in the room was amplified as Edward and Arielle danced to “Why I Love You” by Major. The lyrics—which include the lines “It’s like our hearts have intertwined / Into the perfect harmony”—embody the way they feel about one another and about their new life together.

The couple continued to enjoy the beginning of their era as a married couple during their honeymoon in Bali. During the weeklong trip, they visited Ubud and Canggu to experience both the country’s inland culture and a more popular seaside city. They then returned to Nashville, where Edward works as Associate Director for VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and Arielle is Project Manager for RYCARS Construction.

Rehearsal Brunch Location: Arnaud’s Restaurant
Coordinator: Wink Design & Events
Wedding Gown: Galia Lahav (New York City Soho Flagship Store)
Groom’s Attire:  Hideoki Bespoke
Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux
Groom’s Wedding Band: David Yurman
Invitation: Upscales Custom Collection
Caterer: The Capital on Baronne
Wedding Cake & Groom’s Cake: Chasing Wang
Photographer: Shagari Gerard Photography
Videographer: B Bryant Films
Hair: Tousled Salon
Makeup: Arjia Thomas
Music: T-Ray the Violinist, DJ Bandcamp

 

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