Aishah and Curry’s first date took a turn for the worse before it even began.

Over the course of a month, the two had gotten to know each other as coworkers at a residential property management office. “Her ‘presence’ was what caught my eye,” Curry reveals. “Just being able to see her in the office every day made me smile.” Fortunately for him, Aishah found his smile radiant. Curry finally worked up the courage to ask her out on a date. “I was so happy she agreed,” he recalls.

Having invited her to dinner at his house, Curry went grocery shopping that Saturday afternoon. On his way home, a downpour began and he was in a car accident. Lying in the hospital bed, Curry was troubled by the thought of Aishah unknowingly waiting for him.

Indeed, Aishah was irate at being stood up. While driving back home, she saw the aftermath of the wreck and recognized Curry’s truck in the middle of the street. Aishah jumped out of her car in the pouring rain and asked the police officer where the driver was and headed straight to the hospital. The next thing Curry knew, she was walking through the door. Aishah stayed by his side until he fully recovered. “I knew from that point on, it was meant to be, and she was my guardian angel,” says the groom. Five months later, the couple became engaged.

Though she had dreamed of getting married at an iconic Atlanta location since she was a little girl, Aishah kept an open mind and vetted other venues. Nevertheless, “The Biltmore [Ballrooms] still took my breath away,” she admits. For their special day, she concluded that a white palette, accented with touches of gold and silver, suited the elegant setting. “I basically gave Eliana [my wedding consultant] my color scheme and she took it to the next level,” affirms the bride. “She was like my very own fairy godmother.”

On the big day, soft sunlight filled the Georgian Ballroom, which showcased exquisite handcrafted plaster relief ceilings and crystal chandeliers. Celadon-hued walls with gilt touches added to the serene atmosphere. Clouds of ivory roses, hydrangeas, stargazer lilies, and orchids, dappled with a hint of foliage in glass vases were placed atop mirrored stands that blended seamlessly into the scene. Curved clusters of vanilla flower petals edged the aisle leading to an ethereal canopy crowned with creamy blossoms.

Escorted by her father and stepfather down the aisle, the beaming bride donned a strapless silk-satin gown featuring crystal beading along the bust and a pick-up skirt. A dazzling headpiece complemented her classic updo. Aishah carried a bouquet of white roses, peonies, hydrangeas, and calla lilies. Bridesmaids were clad in silver and gold floor-length dresses lovingly crafted by the mother of the bride.

The vows were the most important part of the service for the groom, whose black bow tie and pocket square provided points of contrast to his ivory tuxedo jacket. “I wanted to pour my heart out and let everybody know how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful woman in my life,” Curry effuses. “I still don’t think words can fully express my love for her.”

The ceremony space was gracefully transformed for the reception. A magnificent frame of white roses and hydrangeas with the slightest hint of pink surrounded the seating display. Two floral designs adorned round tables draped in opulent silver linens: a petite arrangement of pearl blooms or one of the beautiful tall bouquets used during the vow exchange. An array of candles, some in frosted candleholders with a damask pattern, highlighted each centerpiece. The wedding cake was another decorative element in and of itself. Encapsulating the celebration’s clean, chic theme, five square tiers were embellished with silver details and included two acrylic stands.

Three food stations – a pasta bar, Cajun martini bar, and Southern comforts bar – offered dishes with regional flavors such as green beans amandine, an andouille sausage and shrimp medley, barbecue hen skewers, and fried mac ‘n’ cheese balls. Each place setting consisted of sophisticated clear chargers with golden rims and satin napkins, as well as a personalized wedding favor for each guest. “We had Jones (Soda Co.®) cream sodas with our photo on them,” describes the groom. “Since our last name is Jones, they fit the occasion quite nicely.”

The newlyweds sat at a sweetheart table swathed in a sequined bullion tablecloth fronted by a floral screen of vanilla hydrangeas and buttercream and pale pink roses. The bride fondly remembers the speeches from friends and family. “They were funny, yet unforgettable,” she says with a smile.

“I never really understood why Aishah put so much time into finding a planner and searching for ideas on the internet and in magazines, until our wedding day,” says Curry with full appreciation of the orchestration involved. “I don’t think anyone could have done a better job than Eliana.” The beautiful celebration provided a well-deserved, joyous ending to a relationship that got off to a bumpy start.