DeShonna Sharice Holland, of Suffolk, and Leonard Lee Brown Jr., Esq., of Chesapeake, were married in an elegant afternoon ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 at Laurel Hill United Church of Christ in Suffolk, Va. DeShonna is the daughter of Curtis and Rosalind Holland, of Suffolk. Leonard is the son of Leonard and Mary Brown (both deceased), of Lynchburg, Va.

Ms. Holland chose an ivory with platinum accented Bonny French taffeta gown. This halter gown features a fitted bodice covered with embroidered lace and beading. The full skirt and semi-cathedral length train is tucked and gathered with lace accents. She chose a full veil trimmed in crystals and pearls. DeShonna carried a cascading bouquet featuring white calla lilies, white cymbidium orchids, stephanotis, sprengeri fern and beargrass embellished with sparkling crystals.

The Rev. Joseph J. Ferguson officiated the traditional wedding ceremony. Curtis Holland escorted his daughter to “Doe Eyes” by Clint Eastwood, played by a quartet of violins. Mr. Holland wore a black tuxedo with an ivory rose boutonnière. The church pews were draped with ivory chiffon fabric with ivory bows and sprengeri fern attached. A string quartet provided music prior to the ceremony.

Prior to the bridal party entrance, Glenna Wright, cousin of the groom, and Rosalind, mother of the bride, lit the outer candles of the unity candle trio. Glenna wore a silver and black three-piece dress and Rosalind wore a spaghetti-strap, sable-colored floor length gown with a chiffon wrap.

The sister of the bride, Daedre Y. Holland, was the maid of honor. Friends of the bride were her attendants: matron of honor, Letitia L. Creery; bridesmaids, Angelia V. Arrington, Dolores S. Hines and Kimberly M. Dixon. The attendants wore full-length espresso convertible twist wrap dresses constructed of luxurious, hand washable matte jersey. Each of the attendants carried a clutch bouquet composed of white hydrangeas, dark orange mini calla lilies, hypericum berries and burgundy pom pom, with the handle wrapped in chocolate ribbon and adorned with crystals.

Mason Creery carried the bride’s train. She wore an ivory full-length dress with pearl accessories. Lavony Russell, godchild of the bride, served as flower girl. She wore an ivory full-length dress with a chocolate satin basket holding the chocolate, ivory and blue rose petals. The hostesses were Levonya Boone, Kia Davis, Arleathia Peck, Monica Stokes and Terina Stokes. Felicia A. Copeland, of Suffolk, cousin of the bride, read a spiritual reading.

The groom wore an ivory tuxedo with a boutonnière of a stephanotis bloom. Sidward Boyce served as best man. Groomsmen were James C. Bowser, Alan Hines, Reginald Russell Sr. and Larry W. Shelton. The best man wore an ivory tuxedo with a chocolate vest and chocolate euro tie. The groomsmen wore ivory tuxedos with chocolate vests and bowties with dark orange mini calla lilies. Ushers were Rolland Russell, James Holland and Bryan Royal.

Aiden Creery was the ring bearer. He wore an ivory tuxedo and carried a pillow designed by the aunt of the bride, Ellen Mitchell. The pillow was ivory with Tiffany blue flowing ribbon.

A dinner reception followed at the Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Development Center. After the ceremony, guests were offered hors d’oeuvres and drinks prior to the reception.

The tables in the reception hall were decorated in the colors of the wedding, chocolate and Tiffany blue. Each guest table had a centerpiece in a reversible trumpet vase with white hydrangea and curly willow, and votive candles encased the vase. The table linen was ivory table cloths with a satin chocolate overlay. The chairs were draped with ivory satin chair covers with a satin Tiffany blue sash to finish the look.

The dance floor had a custom-made balloon arch with four pillars in all ivory balloons. The sweetheart table linen was a chocolate tablecloth with a Tiffany blue satin overlay and an ivory embroidered organza overlay. The centerpieces were vases filled with dendrobium orchids and floating candles. The main centerpiece featured white roses with magnolias and baby breaths, with candles surrounding the base of the table. Balloon columns with uplighting were used to finish the stage.

A true highlight of the reception was the wedding cake. The cake was displayed on a four-foot-long Cinderella carriage. The carriage was embellished with a rose and stephanotis garland. The table was accented with votive candles and rose petals surrounding the carriage. The cake was enhanced with blue uplighting.

The couple’s first dance was to “This is My Promise” by The Temptations. DeShonna danced with her father to “Be Ever Wonderful” by Earth, Wind and Fire.

Prior to the wedding, the couple was honored at several events hosted by Mr. and Mrs. M. Andy Creery Jr., Mrs. Dolores Hines and Ms. Jan Proctor. The bride had two showers in her honor hosted by Daedre Holland, sister of the bride, Charlene Christopher, aunt of the bride, Rosalind Holland, mother of the bride, and bridesmaids Kimberly Dixon and Dolores Hines. The groomsmen went to Virginia Beach for an overnight trip. The night before the wedding, the groom hosted the rehearsal dinner in the fellowship hall at the church.

The newly-married Mr. and Mrs. Brown spent their wedding night in Newport News. The couple flew out of Newport News the next morning for their honeymoon in the Bahamas. The couple now resides in Chesapeake, Va.