THE HAPPY COUPLE
BRIDE NAME: Riva Precil
GROOM NAME: Monvelyno Alexis
THE BIG DAY: Thursday, November 16th 2017 (our four year anniversary date)
WEDDING LOCATION? Dumbo Loft in Brooklyn New York
WEDDING THEME? Haitian Gede
WEDDING COLOR? Black, Purple, White and some Gold/Yellow accents
WHY YOU CHOOSE YOUR THEME AND DIDN’T HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT NEGATIVE COMMENTS?
We chose to do what felt right to us. We both love Gede and celebrate it every year, this year we decided to have a bigger celebration than usual. We knew it would be confusing for some people and expected negative comments but we are glad that this wedding has initiated a very important conversation regarding Vodou.
SOMETHING ABOUT HIM ( FROM THE BRIDE)
I’ve never met anyone as wise, patient, and loving as him. My ancestors have truly blessed me with the gift that is him.
SOMETHING ABOUT HER ( FROM THE GROOM)
Se li ki De je nan tet mwen.
YES TO THE DRESS EXPERIENCE
My dress was created by Prajje Oscar, an amazing Haitian designer who specializes in Haute Couture with a Haitian flare. He has an Erzulie collection that I love and I knew the moment I got engaged that he was the one who would be perfect for this task. We chose the fabric together, discussed all the details, and he brought my vision to life beautifully. The inspiration behind the dress is Gede Zarenyen and Manman Brigitte, both associated with the Gede spirits.
OUR HAITIAN CULTURE PLAY A BIG ROLE IN YOUR WEDDING AND SOME PEOPLE THINK YOUR WEDDING THEME IS WEIRD OR SCARY OR CREEPY HOWEVER THEY SAY IT IS LOL ANY RESPONSE FOR THEM?
I’ve seen Halloween weddings in America, no one says anything about it, I’ve seen Dia De Los Muertos weddings, no one says anything about it, I’ve even seen black wedding gowns, and it was considered chic. The moment we do anything affiliated with Vodou people immediately associate it with something negative, but why can’t Vodou be viewed in a positive light? There is such a huge misconception of what Vodou entails. There are so many beautiful dynamics to it that are so often ignored. We only want to focus on the evil imagery that Hollywood has ingrained in our minds. I refuse to be confused or disillusioned, I know my roots and I embrace them with all my heart. The idea behind this concept is to embrace and celebrate Haitian culture. The reason why we chose Gede is because it celebrate both life and death and we are going to be together until death.
YOUR WEDDING DAY BEST MEMORIES?
Dancing with the RARA!!
WE SAW USHER AT WEDDING DID HE PERFORMANCE? WORD OF MOUTH SAID YOUR SISTER MARRIED TO USHER TRUE OR FALSE?
Yes, he’s married to my eldest sister Grace.
WEDDING DECORATIONS DETAILS?
I handmade most of the decor myself. I painted veve’s on skull head bottles that we used for flower vases. Monvelyno made a Bawon Samdi painting and I made a Manman Brigit painting which we placed behind our seats at the table. The table was one big U shaped table so everyone sat together, no assigned seating, we let everyone sit where their heart desired. We had vines and flowers hanging from the ceilings with candles. We also had lots of candles in the ceremony altar area.
WEDDING MENU DETAILS?
Our menu was all traditional Haitian food served family style. For the cocktail hour we served Fritay (griot, acra, marinad, bannann) and for our main dishes we served chicken, kabrit, poisson gros sel, baked macaroni, diri djon djon, white rice with black bean sauce and sos pwa frans, and legume.There was pikliz on all the tables (of course)! We had a specialty cocktail made of hibiscus (choublak), ginger, cinnamon, anise star and barbancourt rum. Boukman rum was served during our cocktail hour. And guests were greeted with a welcome shot (tranpe).
ANY ADVICE FOR ENGAGED COUPLE
Don’t listen to anyone but each other. That’s what is most important. Be sure to enjoy each other and cherish every moment, it will be go by fast.
ANY QUESTION YOU WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER FOR OUR READERS?
This was not a vodou ceremony but a Gede themed wedding. We had an officiant marry us and not a vodou priest. We did not marry any spirits that day, we only married each other.
