Patrice & Elijah
march 25, 2011
Photography by Ahmet Ze
ahmetze.com

Patrice met Elijah in July 2008 when she joined his band as a backup singer. After three months of what they thought would just be an awesome friendship, Elijah took Patrice on their first date. "I took her to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Times Square," he says. "We had a great time being silly and taking pictures with all the wax celebrities, followed by lunch at the most expensive McDonald's in the country." In 2010, Patrice was playing the lead role in Broadway's national tour of Dreamgirls. When the tour made a stop in Los Angeles, Elijah joined her, and they enjoyed a romantic, fire-lit dinner at Ma'kai Restaurant & Lounge in Santa Monica, Calif. He brought up marriage a few times during the meal. "She was completely unaware of what was about to happen," Elijah says, "so much so that she kept changing the subject, which ruined my proposal segue several times." And then the moment arrived. He dropped to one knee, pulled out the ring and popped the question. "It was the most beautiful proposal I could ever imagine," Patrice says. "I smiled so hard that my cheeks were sore for days!"

Hometowns
     Bride Chesapeake, Va.
     Groom Hackensack
Currently reside in Bayonne
Ceremony and Reception Liberty House, Jersey City
Music Fusion Productions, Union City
Florist Boum Savvy, New York, N.Y.
Cake Carlo's Bakery, Hoboken
Photographer Ahmet Ze, Matawan
Dress Alfred Angelo, Beverly Hills, Calif.
Bridesmaid and flower girl dresses Belsoie from Bijou Bridal, Paramus
Groom's tuxedo Barry's Formalwear, Passaic
Invitations and wedding day stationery Alpine Creative Group, Englewood and soulviewstudios.com
Wedding planner All Events Perfect, Hasbrouck Heights
Favors donation to The Grammy Foundation and MusiCares Foundation
Videographer Fanion Media Group, Atlanta, Ga.
Transportation Silver Star Limo, Yonkers, N.Y.
Hair and Makeup Natalie Young, Brooklyn, N.Y. and Erin D. Bush, Newark
Wedding rings Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Paramus
Linen rentals clothconnection.com
Aisle runner customizedweddingcreations.com