Sara Dickinson has been writing in the wedding world for six years. She started freelancing in 2016 at Brides.
When Niesha Gibbs and Melvin Rowden met in September of 2012 as college neighbors, there was an immediate connection, but both admit they were too shy to act on it. "We lived less than 200 feet apart," Niesha notes, "but nerves kept us from taking the first step." But when you're meant to be with someone, fate always seems to find a way to bring you together. Years later, despite the fact that they were then living on opposite sides of the country, a mutual friend insisted they meet. The rest, as they say, was history -- and many, many cross-country flights. "Distance was no match for Mel's determination," Niesha explains, adding that he made sure to plan regular visits.
In April of 2023, Melvin popped the question aboard a private yacht in Sarasota, Florida, at sunset. "The magic didn't end there," Niesha adds. "He had secretly flown in both of our families, bringing together the people we love most to share in this intimate and joyous occasion."
Just as fate had brought them together, it played an integral part in the couple's wedding-planning process. As they started touring venues, one stood out: Dover Hall in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, an elegant garden and estate with hilly views, lush landscaping, and an abundance of natural light inside. Choosing the space for their September 7, 2024, wedding, the bride says, was "an easy decision, one that felt almost serendipitous."
On the big day, 180 guests joined Niesha and Melvin for a deeply personal wedding that melded modern décor with the venue's signature timeless style. Read on to see how photographer Terri Baskin captured their day, from the lush floral-lined ceremony to the ethereal reception in the venue's stunning Glass Hall.
Niesha and Melvin chose a color palette right away: They wanted to decorate the party in classic black and white tones. They asked Kelsey Malie Design to create black and white invitations with subtle debossed floral designs and floral lined envelopes to give guests a taste of the event to come.
To make the RSVP process easy for loved ones, they included a that would allow loved ones to inform the couple if they were able to join the festivities via an online form.
Niesha traveled to New York City to find her dream wedding dress. "One of the most memorable moments was when I first tried on my dress," Niesha recalls. "It was a magical feeling, and I knew right away it was the one." The Pnina Tornai ball gown featured a V-neckline embellished with floral appliqués and long lace sleeves. "The deep V-neckline and the unique combination of puffed yet structured shoulders resonated with my personal style," the bride says.
She paired her wedding dress with a matching veil from the same designer and styled her hair into an elegant updo. "Collaborating with my phenomenal hairstylist, Dommie Cole, we crafted a unique look that perfectly complemented the dress without drawing attention away from it," Niesha explains.
Niesha asked her younger sister to stand by her side as her maid of honor, and Melvin asked his cousin and close friend to share the role of best man. In keeping with the black and white theme the couple chose for celebration's décor, Niesha's bridesmaids donned black gowns; her sister wore a black maxi dress from Solace London with an asymmetrical one-shoulder design, her mother wore a black A-line off-the-shoulder gown with a train, and the rest of the bridal party wore black gowns from Bella Bridesmaids.
The bride held a softly rounded hand-tied bouquet of white orchids while her bridesmaids held petite bouquets of white roses.
Melvin wore an off-white tuxedo paired with a tonal white shirt, black bow tie, and personalized black pocket square featuring the couple's wedding date and proposal date. "I also wore a two-tone Rolex Datejust with a mother-of-pearl face, complemented by mother-of-pearl cufflinks for a cohesive and refined look," he says.
The groomsmen and ring bearers wore classic black tuxedos with black bow ties from Men's Wearhouse.
The ceremony took place in the estate's gardens, where featuring the couple's led to an elevated stage at the altar. The aisle was lined with grounded floral arrangements filled with white blooms like roses, hydrangeas, ranunculus, and more; two urns held a similar mix of flowers at the top of the aisle.
In place of a traditional altar, the couple and the bride's father, Ray, who officiated the ceremony, stood on an acrylic podium surrounded by tall garden-style arrangements. Guests were seated in a U-shape around the couple to make the vows all the more intimate, and everyone found custom programs and fans at their seats.
Niesha made a perfectly timed entrance to "Godspeed" by Frank Ocean as she walked down the aisle with her dad. "The most unforgettable moment was watching my bride, Niesha, walk down the aisle," Melvin remembers. "Just as everyone says, time seemed to stand still -- I saw only her, and everything else faded away."
The pair that reflected their relationship. "Each of us shared special memories of the small, thoughtful acts of service that became the foundation of our love," Niesha says. "We also wove in phrases -- once simple inside jokes -- that grew to symbolize the deeper truths and enduring strength of our bond."
The bride and groom chose not to have a first look, so they took advantage of the property's stunning grounds for post-ceremony photos. The newlyweds and their photographer explored various areas of the estate, snapping shots both inside and outside the venue, before returning to cocktail hour.
The couple worked with Blissful Design & Décor to create welcome signs featuring their monogram and black and white photos of them. Guests found their table assignments at a seating chart lit with elegant sconces.
The newlyweds invites guests to join them for dinner and dancing in Dover Hall's stunning Glass Hall, where floor-to-ceiling windows offered panoramic views of the estate's gardens. "The abundance of natural light filled the room, creating a bright, airy atmosphere," the bride says. were embellished with hanging greenery and cascading white wisteria. The space was filled with with white linens paired with black chairs and long modern black tables paired with white chairs. A modern black bar, which was personalized with the couple's custom monogram, created a focal point within the space.
The reception tables were topped with white dishware, chargers with scalloped edges, sleek black napkins and all-white centerpieces, which included tulips, and roses, and dahlias. "Smoky glassware and minimalist black chairs lend a modern edge to the refined palette," the bride says.
The couple sat at a sweetheart table, which featured crystal candle holders and a trailing arrangement of white dahlias, orchids, roses and more.
Niesha and Melvin shared their first dance to "Sunrise" by Jaz Karis. The bride shared a special dance with her dad to "I'm So Proud" by The Impressions nefore Melvin danced with his mom to Stevie Wonder's "As."
The couple asked their closest family members to share speeches during the reception. "The emotional pinnacle of the evening came through the heartfelt speeches from our loved ones, who shared not only their thoughts on our relationship but also on who we are as individuals," the bride says.
Niesha also used the reception as an opportunity to change into a second look; she traded her dramatic wedding dress for a form-fitting sequined gown, then let her hair fall into loose waves.
Food was a priority for the couple, and Niesha and Melvin served some of their absolute favorites during cocktail hour and dinner. "My husband and I are big foodies, so we wanted our menu to reflect our love for culinary experiences and offer something truly memorable for our guests," Niesha says. They chose creole crab cakes as a nod to the first meal their families shared together and lamb chops, which was the first dish Mel prepared for Niesha when they were dating.
For dessert, the newlyweds cut into a simple wedding cake embellished with orchids, a meaningful choice for the duo. "For us, orchids symbolize love, strength, and beauty, all qualities we cherish and hope to nurture in our marriage," Niesha says. "Every choice we made was a reflection of us -- our story, our values, and the people we love."
The couple served two signature cocktails during the reception -- a French 75 and a Brown Sugar Old Fashioned -- which fueled guests on the dance floor. To further ensure everyone's energy remained up, they also treated guests to late-night snacks.
At the end of the evening, guests surrounded the happy couple with glowing sparklers before they climbed into their antique getaway car. Niesha and Melvin blended a relaxing trip with city adventures on their honeymoon, pairing a stay in the Maldives with the bustling city of London after.