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The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023

For weddings in the post-COVID era, whether people had hundreds of guests or a handful, Black love was celebrated in big, bold and beautiful ways.
The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
REEM Photography
By Victoria Uwumarogie · Updated December 22, 2023

Black love went around the world and back in magical ways this year. Portugal. The Caribbean. Houston. It wasn’t just one day in some cases. There was a celebration that was a week long. And no longer are people just having a wedding and reception. After the party is the after-party! (And you know that calls for an outfit change or two — or three!) Black love is being celebrated differently, and in a post-COVID world, it’s a bigger fête than before, whether there are over 600 guests or just the bride, groom and a couple of friends and it’s huge in spirit. We covered nuptials of all kinds this year and they were all special. Check out some of the photos from those weddings that still stick with us, the best of Bridal Bliss coverage for the year 2023. Here’s to more love, more life and more celebrations in 2024!

01
01 Rayna and Jessie

The couple’s theme was “Black excellence,” and they leaned on the actual color to bring that to life, including during their gorgeous ceremony.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
“Black excellence. I told my wedding team [Elle Audrey Events], ‘I can’t necessarily tell you how I want it to look, but I can tell you how I want it to feel.’ I wanted it to feel romantic, thoughtful, and luxurious. I wanted our guests to feel cared for and taken care of.”
02
02 Darnesha and Jabare

Nothing celebrates Black love more than honoring the tradition of jumping the broom. These two were captured catching air hand in hand.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
@rtwphotography_
03
03 Ashley and JR

The kiss was sweet enough between Ashley and JR, but sharing it in front of this colorful backdrop made it even sweeter.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Wanderlust Creatives
04
04 Kelley and Moreno

This kiss between the journalist and her new hubby reminded of us a stunning magazine spread because it was just so regal.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Mood Photo & Video
05
05 Cindy and Keith

This beautiful couple may have had the smallest wedding of all the ones we covered this year, but they brought big personality to their wedding portraits, with nature as their backdrop.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Phylicia Willis
06
06 Lori and Che

Because a kiss at the altar is never enough, Lori and Che set off fireworks in the daytime as they headed back down the aisle as husband and wife.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
REEM Photography
07
07 Aiesha and Stalley

You can see the adoration in the eyes of the rapper and his longtime love, who are photographed after their Nikah ceremony.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Shamell Mason
08
08 Brittany and Daniel

We can’t get enough of a fun introduction. What better way to present yourself as Mr. and Mrs. than with a dip?

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Wanderlust Creatives
09
09 Makki and Yonatan

Talk about the backdrop to end all backdrops. This couple’s celebration in Greece was the ultimate destination wedding.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Stanlo Photography
10
10 Jean and Randall

While partying in Portugal after a beautiful day of becoming husband and wife, the actor and his bride shared a sweet moment on the dance floor.

Bridal Bliss: 'Insecure,' 'Send Help' And 'Rap Sh!t' Star Jean Elie And Randall Bailey Celebrated Their Love With A Party In Portugal
Monhand Mathurin
11
11 Debbie and Chris

In the calm before a fabulous storm, this couple was photographed as they prepared to blow each other away with their first look.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Stanlo Photography
12
12 Sevetri and Aulston

There were too many lovely images from this couple’s wedding in New Orleans, but we love a good weeping willow tree, which screams NOLA, and a gorgeous couple, like Sevetri and Aulston.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Iris Mannings
13
13 Simone and Denzel

No one trains harder than an Olympic gold medalist. As Simone Manuel proved at her reception, no one parties harder, too!

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Pharris Photos
14
14 Chiney and Raphael

There were too many fabulous outfits to keep up with as part of WNBA star and ESPN basketball analyst Chiney Ogwumike’s wedding week. One of our absolute favorite looks is this traditional ensemble, accessorized with bright smiles (and a fan with their names on it!).

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Stanlo Photography
15
15 Tomika and Michael

Nature can be the best wedding decor. This was proven at the nuptials for this couple, who took their official portraits in front of a beautiful setting sun.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Ricardo Walker
16
16 Vanessa and Kevin

The couple share a beautiful moment inside an equally beautiful setting, a cove, after saying “I do” in Mexico.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Pixan Photography
17
17 Charity and DeShaun

A floral dream! That’s what the photos looked like from the nuptials of this beautiful influencer and her former NFL baller beau.

Bridal Bliss: Influencer Charity Washington And Former NFL Star DeShaun Foster Wed In A Top-Secret Ceremony In Calabasas
Stanlo Photography
18
18 Mary Ann and Ofuje

Everything about this image from this couple’s special day is beautiful. The kiss on the hand. The decor. The dress. The light on their gorgeous skin. We stan!

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Tunji Studio
19
19 Pinky and Derrick

The uber successful entrepreneurs brought all of the who’s who of Atlanta out for their very pink, very beautiful nuptials. But this moment with just the two of them showing love to one another stands out the most.

The Best Of Bridal Bliss: Our Favorite Images Of Black Love In 2023
Stanlo Photography

TOPICS:  Bridal Bliss
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