Featured in MunaLuchi Bride Magazine, Issue 28, the summer nuptials of Channing and Herbert Tatum in Cary, North Carolina had family and friends toasting the newlyweds as they were treated to a timeless black and white wedding with a bit of Southern flare thrown into the mix.
The couple, who initially met at a high school party, got to know one another after Channing’s inquisitiveness caused her to reach out to Herbert on social media. While remaining friends throughout their college years, the couple’s romance blossomed and in 2020, Herbert popped the question at Channing’s birthday party surrounded by friends who brought the most hype proposal day energy!
For the wedding, the bride wore designer Ese Azenabor’s show-stopping strapless deep v-neck mermaid gown with a figure-hugging beaded bodice and detachable train accompanied by her bridal party whose gowns were by Dazzle Couture and The Jessica Angel Collection. Herbert’s wedding day attire featured a classic black and white tuxedo from The Suit Brother and his groomsmen were styled in looks from Amazon.
The couple’s guests arrived at the black and white themed evening ceremony and reception which featured a confetti cannon, bottle girls, and the super thoughtful late-night to-go boxes of Bojangles that were given to their reception guests as a sweet nod to their Southern ceremony.
More details from their modern black and white ceremony are waiting below!
- Couple: Channing & Herbert
- Wedding date: May 29, 2022
Quick Facts:
- Wedding flowers: Demetris Faison with De’Veilope Events.
- Wedding theme: Black and White Elegance with a southern flair.
- Favorite item on the menu: The signature co*cktails were a hit along with our late snacks which we decided to add a little southern flare and gift everyone with a Bojangles box as they exited to enjoy on the way home.
- Bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts: Cigars and a flask for the groomsmen; champagne glasses, robes, and customized handkerchiefs for the bridesmaids.
- First dance song: “Sure Thing” by Miguel.
- Advice for brides: Breath, this is your moment. Live in it.
How we met…
Herbert and I met on February 5, 2011, while at a high school party. I was so intrigued by Herbert that when I came home that night, I found him on Facebook, and boldly messaged him asking if he saw me at the party and if he had a girlfriend. Herbert replied “no,” but we simply decided at the time to remain friends. Little did we know that our friendship would flourish into becoming what it is today, a beautiful union!
Our proposal story…
Over the years Herbert and I spent countless hours on the phone laughing and talking and our relationship naturally grew. We knew early on that we could always count on one another which is also something that we hold near and dear in our marriage as well. On my quick trips home from college (Hampton University) we would be attached at the hip listening to music, talking about cars, and eating at our favorite fast-food places, Chipotle and Cookout!
Our schedules kept us busy and life kept us from being in a serious relationship together, but nine years later, in June of 2020, I was living in Washington DC, working as a travel nurse when Herbert called to check on me and at that moment I was crying as the stresses of working as an ICU nurse in the middle of a pandemic constantly made me emotional. Herbert immediately said, “I’m on my way”. Herbert drove four hours from NC to DC to see me that night. (He literally “pulled up on me”). After his visit, our friendship slowly turned into what it was destined to be all along, a love story.
On July 7, 2020, at the National Harbor in Maryland, Herbert asked me to be his girlfriend and soon after in November 2020, I made the decision to move back to Durham, NC to be with Herbert. On January 16, 2021, while surrounded by family and friends, Herbert proposed to me! It was my 28th birthday dinner and I could not have imagined spending that day doing anything else than celebrating and saying “YES” to my best friend.
Choosing you…
Herbert: I knew Channing was the one when she showed me unconditional love from day one. She was truly my lover and best friend.
Channing: I knew Herbert was the one when he continued to remain persistent in loving me the way that I DESERVED to be loved over all of these years.
Bridal style…
My wedding dress was everything I wanted and more, with a detachable train and beaded detail on the bodice.
Our wedding style…
A clean black and white modern yet elegant look that would be timeless. We wanted our guests to share this experience with us and look the part, so we landed on a black tie evening Wedding in May.
Our guests walked into a ceremony draped in white and re-entered the room for the reception with a luxe all-black atmosphere that created a dark and moody moment with thousands of white flowers to keep it light and airy at our guest tables.
Celebrating our culture…
We incorporated the Greek Life Culture as I had my Line Sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. there to support me.
Our best memory was…
Our first dance.
Take it from us…
Embrace every moment in the wedding planning process and include each other in every decision. Don’t lose sight of the big picture. That being marriage.
The finishing touches…
We decided to offer Bojangles as a late-night snack to our guests which was the perfect wedding favor after a night of dancing.
Herbert and I work hard so we enjoy playing hard as well. We spent some downtime together out on the town and incorporated the nightlife scene into our reception with a live band, confetti canon, and bottle girls to set the tone for our reception.
Are you still dreaming of your black & white wedding?
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Vendors:
- Event design: De’Veilope Events
- Event planner: Classiq Company Events
- Photography: JAO Photography
- Videographer: It’s the Digital Age
- Entertainment: Ceekay Soundz
- Bride’s dress : Ese Azenabor
- Veil: Carolina Bridal Boutique
- Brides’ ring: Raleigh Diamond
- Bride’s reception dress: Matopeda
- Bridal salon: Aquilla Butler
- Bridal stylist: Styled by Angela – Angela Tucker-Young
- Bridal robe: Lessandras Beauty
- Bride’s shoes: Christian Louboutin
- Bridesmaids dresses: Jessica Angel Collection
- Cakes/desserts: Cake Couture
- Venue| Catering: The Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle
- Groom’s attire: The Suit Brother| Giuseppe
- Grooms ring: David Yurman
- Grooms barber: Granted Cuts
- Groomsmen attire: Amazon
- Specialty chairs: 24K Event Rentals
- Linens & ghost chairs: Curated Events
- Draping: Capital Productions
- Live band: CJ Baker Band
- Bridesmaids MUA: Kay Ariel Beats | Crystal Beaute
- Brides MUA: The Royal T Collection
- Confetti Canon: Ultra Mix Events
- Seating chart & floor Wrap: Certified Graphics
- Dance Floor: Carey Sound
- Lighting: Jet Lyfe Entertainment
