Towanda Hickman and Solomon Darden were married Nov. 29, 2014, at the Hampton Convention Center, with the Rev. Marcus Martin, pastor of New Bridge Baptist Church, officiating.

The bride’s pastor, Overseer Marvin Brown of Christ Worship Center, offered the scripture reading and prayer.

The bride is the daughter of Burnice and Barbara Butler of the Northern Neck. She is the CEO and executive director of Empowering Youth for Positive Change.

The groom is the son of Solomon and Jean Darden of Suffolk. He is a supervisor in a communications center.

A 53-member bridal party consisted of matrons of honor, a maid of honor, best men, bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids, groomsmen, junior groomsmen, a junior bride, a junior groom, a ring-bearer, flower princesses and a bride caller.

Matrons of honor were LaToya Deslandes and Algeree Simon. Andrea Quarles served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Carla Butler, Kim Campbell, Barbara Carter, Marie Conway, Tiffany Darden, Tonya Darden, Dorothy Green, Millie Hopkins, Tiwanna Jenkins, Ivori Locke, Nynda Reynolds, Tamika Shelton, Rhonda Spady, Inez Tune, Kristi Walker, Shalonda Waller, Sherik Waller and Lorraine Wright.

Junior bridesmaids were TroyNeisha Scott, Amiah McCoy Darden, Mariah Hopkins and Kasia Hickman. The junior bride was the bride’s daughter, Elise Shelton. Kadenze Carter, Kylee Carter and Baylee Lambert served as the flower princesses. Kennedie Simon, ringing a crystal-monogrammed bell, was the bride caller.

The best man was Lemarr Davis. Groomsmen Michael Braxton, Jamie Cary, Melvin Conway, Lamonte Davis, Leron Davis, Martin Gonzalez, David Green, Corey Hickman, Terrain Locke, Tyreese Seldon, Brian Singleton, Alwakco Sumler, Sean Tune, Jimmy Walker, Semaj White, Jordan Williams, Wayne Wright and Tyrell Yerby.
Junior groomsmen were Hasan Woodson and Troy Scott. Darius Hutchinson was the junior groom. Solomon Nehemiah Darden, the bride and groom’s son, was ring bearer and best man. He walked hand-in-hand with the bride caller down the aisle with pillow in tow.

Ushers were Ronnie Butler, Daltwan Cockrell, Romel Colman and AJ Sutton. Hostesses were Dymond Harris, Dakeita Johnson, Taylor Lee and Kurtshel Stroman. Makyah and MaKaylah Quarles were program angels.

The reception, also held at the convention center, was lit in blue and accented with an ice sculpture, candy table and photo booth.

A live band and then a DJ provided entertainment.

After concluding their honeymoon in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the couple will reside in a suburb outside of Atlanta.