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
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:
With a multi-layered approach to her artistry, just as she did on that winter day in December 2013 with the infamous digital drop of her self-titled album, she changed the game again on February 1, 2023, when she announced her world tour in support of Renaissance, her seventh studio album. Her cultural impact set the internet ablaze, with everyone trying to gather their coins, barter for presale codes, and figure out which cities to attend. The group chats were lit, and the Beyhive was stressed trying to get their hands on tickets.
Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in L.A.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
Unfortunately, I was in that number. As the concert dates passed by and the one in my city drawing near all roads led to disappointment. With time ticking on the day of the Miami show and less than two hours to spare, my wallet bit the bullet, and I purchased three last-minute tickets, costing roughly $700.00 a piece (including fees) for me, my 9-year-old and 16-year-old nieces in Section 121 at the Hard Rock Stadium. With 10 minutes before showtime, we eagerly awaited the Queen to take the stage. A sea of metallic fringes, cowboy hats, disco fans, and western boots were in full effect and filled the entire stadium.
Dontaira with her nieces at Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in Miami.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
As the lights dimmed, a flood of emotions instantly overtook my body. It continued with each note she belted, along with nearly 50,000 roaring fans. The reverberating sound of the music through the stadium transported me from one era of my life to the next. As a teen girl in her bedroom daydreaming about her first love to blossoming into an unapologetic Black woman who is still on a road of self-discovery while learning to lean into the power anthem of "You won't break my soul." For over two hours, and with each set, I felt joy, love, peace, and a commanderie with fellow concertgoers. It was therapeutic as I danced like no one was watching and sang as if I were alone in my bathroom mirror.
There were no bars held, and I realized at that moment, "Nobody can judge me but me." The "Renaissance World Tour" proved to be so vast, and my Black girl joy was re-invigorated. It was magnetic and liberating, and I had to attend again, but this time, I needed to be up close and personal; I needed to be on the floor. In the days that passed, I watched more social media clips in different cities and asked myself if I would really splurge again to attend another Renaissance show.
Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in Miami.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
After all, this would be my thirteenth time (maybe more because I lost count) seeing Beyoncé live, whether she was on tour with Destiny's Child, as a solo artist, or doing a live appearance. I contemplated for a while, but it worked itself out on its own. I was gifted two tickets and the next thing I knew, I was off to LA to attend another Renaissance show with floor seats at SoFi Stadium during Beyonce's 42nd birthday weekend! This time, things were different: no kids were allowed. It was adults only this go round.
Although the energy at the Miami and Los Angeles shows was empowering, infectious, and a celebration of life, happiness, and identity, they each provided their own unique experience. However, both concerts were what I needed for my well-being, leaving me with sore feet from dancing the night away, on vocal rest for the next few days from screaming at the top of my lungs, and on an indefinite high on life.
My introduction and love for Beyoncé began in 1996, while my older sister lived in Houston, TX, right before Bey hit the scene in 1998 with "No, No, No" as a budding R&B member. Her evolution twenty-seven years later as an international superstar and into womanhood has been an incredible journey to witness. As Mrs. Carter reminds each of us in the audience every night before the curtain closes, "I want you to remember this moment, where you're standing, who you came with, and take it with you. I hope you feel inspired."
I truly felt inspired, so thank you, Queen Bey. You awakened my inner child, and I will definitely remember these moments and take them with me.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
