This Unique Hip Hop Wedding Didnt Hold Back

The picturesque setting for this offbeat wedding celebration was provided by the scenic backdrop of Peekskill, New York on August 15th, 2021. The talented lensmen behind the camera, Jully and Alex Photography, captured the joyous moments as Shayla and Isaac exchanged their vows.

Our unique hip hop wedding at a glance:

We began our wedding planning process by crafting a unique vision for our special day, one that would showcase the essence of our love story and vibrant personalities. This vision was rooted in traditional elements, yet remained unbound by convention. Music, particularly hip hop, played a central role, as did cake and the bold color purple.

As we navigated wedding planning during the pandemic, we prioritized guest safety and encouraged mask-wearing by incorporating our ‘hip hop names’ – Flysaac and Slayla – onto custom masks. To further amplify the theme, we created a ‘Track List’ within our ceremony program, featuring a curated selection of hip hop and R&B tracks that corresponded to pivotal moments throughout the day. This subtle yet meaningful integration of music wove together the various elements of our celebration.

In lieu of a traditional guest book, we had guests sign postcards, three of which were reproductions of Isaac’s striking cassette tape-inspired art series. This touchstone echoed back to our romantic proposal story, which was first discovered on Postsecret. com – a ritual we’d grown accustomed to sharing every Sunday. The fateful May 31st, 2020 edition held a special surprise in store for me, marking the perfect starting point for our wedding planning journey.

As the cocktail hour got underway, we offered bespoke drinks named after iconic hip hop tracks: ‘Hey Lover’ – a raspberry mule, and ‘It Takes Two’ – a refreshing Southern tea mocktail.

Tell us about the unique hip hop wedding ceremony:

We set the tone for our wedding celebration by incorporating hip hop elements throughout. To start, we chose meaningful songs for each processional. Our parents walked in to ‘Everyday Love’ by Homeboy Sandman, Isaac and his best man to ‘Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)’ by UGK featuring Outkast, and the wedding party to ‘Prototype’ by Outkast. Kita P, a talented vocalist and songwriter, performed an acoustic version of ‘Best Part’ by H. E. R as my dad and I walked down the aisle together.

For our wedding party, we kept it intimate with only our closest friends and family involved. We honored guests included Homeboy Sandman, my three oldest friends from middle school, who were free to choose their own attire, process down the aisle, and sit behind my parents. My two college best friends served as maid of honor and best man, while Isaac’s brother and friend served as his groomsman. Their gray attire complemented my purple dress and Isaac’s blue suit nicely.

Isaac’s nephew played the role of ring bearer, carrying in the rings on a portable CD player that I created as a nod to 90s listening devices. My best friend’s daughters served as flower girls, carrying bouquets of flowers instead of throwing them. As we began the ceremony, we opted for a unique approach, asking the officiant to ask our guests ‘Who supports Shayla and Isaac today as they become one?’ The response was unanimous: ‘We do!

‘We exchanged heartfelt vows written in vow books that Isaac had decorated. We each expressed what the other meant to us, but it was a particularly memorable moment when Isaac playfully started his vows with a fist bump and said I was cool. He even took a bow and declared, ‘The end.’Following our vows, my mother read from scripture (Colossians 3:12-15 NRSV) and Isaac’s other nephew shared an excerpt from Common’s ‘The Light.

‘ Our officiant, Reverend Donna Owusu-Ansah, delivered a thoughtful homily titled ‘Matching Where it Counts,’ drawing inspiration from the scripture and reading. She also introduced a unique unity ritual – the ‘Purpling’ – where we combined blue butterfly pea flower tea and red hibiscus tea to create a purple tea symbolizing creativity, wisdom, peace, mystery, independence, and magic. This resonated deeply with us, as we’re both avid tea enthusiasts.

We exchanged rings and made promises for richer lives ahead. We sealed our union with a kiss, and as a surprise to our guests, Isaac beatboxed as Kita P sang her original song ‘Happy.’ We processed out to ‘It Rains Love’ by Lee Fields & The Expressions.

Tell us about the unique hip hop wedding reception:

As we celebrated our special day, we incorporated elements that reflected our love for hip hop culture. The tables were named after influential albums, accompanied by a copy of each CD. To keep our young guests entertained, I created a mini-activity book filled with fun facts, games, and coloring pages to make the experience enjoyable for them. Before being introduced as husband and wife, Isaac and his groomsmen changed into fresh sneakers.

Isaac’s hand-painted purple kicks stood out, while the men wore white Nike Air Force 1 shoes with cork soles. Our first dance was a medley of hits from Big Pun, Mary J. Blige, and Common. The party then transitioned to a lively dance floor featuring both modern and classic hip hop tracks, including line dances like the ‘Electric Slide’ and ‘The Wobble.

‘We had not one but two cakes – a surprise groom’s cake that paid tribute to the four elements of hip hop culture, and our wedding cake, a stunning tiered buttercream masterpiece with an ‘Forever-ever’ topper, a nod to Outkast’s ‘Miss Jackson.’ The guest favors included photo booth prints, a Spotify download of our playlist, and chocolates reminiscent of our second date.

As the night drew to a close, I slipped into a short white dress and my mother’s veil, which she wore on her wedding day 42 years prior. I shared a special moment with my best friend as we danced to Beyonce’s remake of ‘Before I Let Go.’ Finally, Isaac and I bid farewell to our guests as they held sparklers, marking the end of an unforgettable celebration.

What was the most important lesson you learned from your unique hip hop wedding?

Before the wedding day arrives, I strongly recommend that couples take time to have an open conversation about their vision for the special occasion. Take a moment to put thoughts into words – write them down, type them out, or even create a collaborative document with both partners’ input. This shared understanding will serve as a guiding principle when dealing with meddling parents, overzealous friends, or vendors eager to impose their ideas on your celebration.

By having this crucial conversation, you’ll be better equipped to stay true to yourselves and ensure that the wedding is a genuine reflection of your love and personalities.

Unique hip hop wedding vendors

The photographer for the special day was Alex and Jully Photography, while the stunning sendoff dress was designed by BHLDN. The groom’s wedding band and bride’s engagement ring were crafted by Anu Rock & Metal. Makeup artist MJ Essence worked her magic to enhance the beauty of the couple. Luxury Event Collective took care of the day-of coordination, with the ceremony taking place at The Factoria. The lovely florals were provided by Flowers by April.

Sweet treats came in the form of a wedding cake from The Cakery and a groom’s cake from Lulu’s. A talented soloist, Kita P, set the mood with her music. The couple danced the night away to tunes spun by @likwuid, and their guests enjoyed a photo booth courtesy of @kcphotogtaphy03. As a sweet memento, favors were provided by @lilacchocolates.

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