The Story Behind A Groom's Emotional Reaction to His Bride Has The Whole Internet In The Feels
A wedding is one of the only opportunities a couple may have to show off their personal style. Whether the wedding party is performing "Uptown Funk" flash mob style in hot pink Converse sneakers or the couple's wedding vows have more punchlines than a Kevin Hart comedy, each wedding has something unique that guests will remember for years to come.
But even for the best wedding planners, there's one thing that most people are never prepared for: The emotions that hit you when you're standing at the altar. And for one couple, those emotions recently brought the world to tears right along with the happy couple on their wedding day.
De Rienzo films captured happy couple Annabella and Gabriel Deku's special day and has had millions of people in the feels since posting it last Wednesday. In the video of the London ceremony, Annabella is escorted down the aisle by her mother when groom Gabriel nearly breaks down at the altar, Morris Chestnut in The Best Man style upon seeing his beautiful bride-to-be make her way to him.
Gabriel can barely look his very beautiful, but seemingly nervous bride in her eyes after being overwhelmed with emotion. Meanwhile, his very own “Taye Diggs” best man, can be heard saying, "Stand up. This is your moment, man. You look at your wife, now," as he holds Gabriel up. Between the 300 wedding guests cheering them on and the bridal party dabbing their eyes to keep the mascara from running everywhere, this wedding was nothing short of a happy ending to a rom com.
When asked what exactly was going through his head and heart at the moment, Gabriel revealed that at one point he wasn't sure this day would ever happen:
"I was thinking 'My goodness.' I was in total disbelief that this day had finally come," the groom told Buzzfeed.
“At the time we met, I had given up hope on this whole love thing. I thought this idea of having a life partner who would love and respect me unconditionally was only a story only told in movies. But, I was wrong! True love does exist."
And if you are wondering how this love story began:
Tolu Ige (the best man) actually introduced the pair who started off as study buddies at Portsmouth University. Annabelle, 24, was studying politics and sociology. 25-year-old Gabriel was a finance major. Their love started off in the library and landed them as inspiration behind warm, fuzzy feelings everywhere.
I remember telling my husband jokingly that he “just better man up” on our wedding day. As a couple we don’t take most things seriously and bond over our dark humor and sarcasm, so in many ways it was refreshing for me to see a man overcome with emotion on his wedding day. It totally flips the cliché that woman are Bridezilla-like emotional messes when it comes to walking down the aisle. Gabriel revealed to Buzzfeed that it was probably the first time Annabella had ever witnessed him cry like that and it may have been a shock to her since she’s usually the emotional one:
“Anna has never seen me cry like that before. I’ve never seen me cry like that before!”
The couple also shared with Huffington Post how their views changed on love and commitment after meeting each other. Gabriel shares:
“Regardless of whether I am being an ass and acting up, she still chooses to respect me.”“I thought relationships were about this 50/50, giving expecting to return. But together we have discovered it’s about giving 100 and expecting nothing.”
Annabella is convinced the best is yet to come when it comes to spending her life with her new husband:
“I love that Gabriel is a visionary, always dreaming big and never settles for less than excellent.”“He pushes me to be the best that I can be and never allows me to feel as though I have ‘arrived.’ There is always room for more growth, more development, more love.”
You just better come through, Annabella!
[Tweet "True love should make you always feel like you've arrived and growing into your greatness"]
Whether you’re walking down the aisle in a lace-trimmed wedding gown as a beautiful bride or walking to your husband’s work truck when he picks you up after a long day at the office. The way a man looks at you on your wedding day should never go away.
Check out the viral video of the Deku’s beautiful moment below:
Writer, sexual health superhero, and #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoy curator regularly featured on @Madamenoire. Toya can usually be found in between her earbuds, listening to trap music and refreshing her browser for concert tickets. Tweet her @thetruetsharee.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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