The Tamesis
When looking for his own wedding style, Ermias turned to his favorite business and fashion icon, Pharrell. “I was inspired by the dress Pharrell wore for the Vatican History show, and Bri and I both agreed That “That’s the look,” he shared. “I contacted a friend of mine, Ini Ikpe, who is a stylist to athletes and celebrities, for advice on how to create this look. He generously surprised me by styling me for my wedding for free,” he added. “What a guy!” Ikpe asked Ermias to create the outfit with Ayodeji of King & Maker Tailor. “A few weeks later, my skater P-style gown was delivered and the rest…well, see for yourself!”
Since the couple will be hosting a large wedding party featuring their closest circle, they also need to find outfits that will fit them into the festivities. Both sides kept it chic in black and white. The bridesmaids chose a black and white dress from Because of Alice and a black suit jacket from Naked Wardrobe, while the groomsmen wore a pointed collar tuxedo from The Black Tux. “Simple, elegant and timeless,” says Ermias.
Since the wedding was on a Sunday, the entire weekend was filled with pre-ceremony activities. The couple had an intimate rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, welcome party, and even pre-wedding yoga amid beautiful mountain views. The wedding day arrived and the couple was delighted to see that it was a beautiful 75 degree day. “Before I walked down the aisle, I was nervous, but just before they opened the door, I saw a butterfly and felt a sense of peace,” Brianna recalled. The bride and groom each walked down the aisle with music by their friend, harpist Madison Calley. “The friends and family in the audience cheered and clapped and really set the tone,” Brianna said. Hermias remembers that as she began walking down the aisle, “the sunlight streaming in through the doors created a heavenly path down the center aisle for her to walk down.” Jennifer Effah, the bride’s aunt, officiated at the ceremony, and the couple exchanged personal vows they had written earlier in the day. “Luckily, my best man secretly slipped my handkerchief into my tuxedo pocket because I cry” said Hermias as she recited the vows. After the ceremony, the couple was ready to have fun. “I was giddy, excited and ready to rock out,” the bride said.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds signed their marriage license and posed for photos with photographer Liz Ruderman. “Wedding attendees enjoyed cocktail hour and everyone walked into the desert area to take photos next to the venue and the beautiful cactus that was near the background of our photos,” Brianna said. Then, when it came time for the reception, the couple entrusted Hermias’ cousin Menelik to host the reception. “But we probably underestimated his officiating ability because he was better than we expected,” Brianna said. “Before we even entered the reception building, we heard laughter and cheers, like we were watching an SNL shoot.”
The couple enters the wedding party as night falls. “Our goal with the reception was to be able to maximize the length of the party, so we did that,” says the bride. Guests enjoyed Ghanaian and Ethiopian dishes, and speeches were given by the three groomsmen and bridesmaids. The bride and groom then danced with their mother for their first dance, “She” sung by Majid Jordan and choreographed for the wedding party. The floor was open to all guests for the remainder of the evening as DJ Yonas Michael played the perfect party soundtrack.
The celebrations didn’t stop until long after the wedding. “I think it was 3 o’clock in the morning and we were coming back from the club and some people wanted to do something else,” Ermias recalled. “My answer is: I can’t ask for more from God from this day forward. It’s going to be gluttonous. It’s just a perfect day.” Brianna added, “Literally, it’s best A day in our life. “
