A Simple Elegant Wedding At Bel Air Event in Kokomo, Indiana

On July 3, 2013, William Clay and Katrena Oglesby were introduced through Katrena’s cousin, Mark. William and Mark were on a flight together, both traveling for basketball, when Mark said he had a beautiful cousin in New Jersey who William should meet. He showed William a picture of Katrena, and the rest is history.

Katrena and William immediately hit it off, spending a 4^th of July weekend together in Houston, Texas – all, organized by Mark and his wife Michelle. Instinctually, both Katrena and William knew they were meant to be together after that first encounter. In December of 2014, William flew from Texas to New Jersey, surprising his then-girlfriend with an unplanned visit. When Katrena opened the door, he got on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage.

With the help of Sabrina Patrick, owner of Chic Soiree Events, the planning process culminated with a destination wedding in Indiana. Before the ceremony started, the bride recalls looking out over her balcony and feeling perfectly ready to marry the man she loves. Her favorite memory was walking down the aisle, looking into William’s eyes as he smiled and teared up. Even though he had already seen her during their pre-wedding photo shoot, he still had tears of joy when she made her entrance.

The wedding décor included soft blush roses, and a color palette of rose gold and black. Guests enjoyed a live saxophonist during the cocktail hour, as well as some special wedding entertainment for the night – the bride and groom’s grandmother performing a traditional Japanese dance during the reception.

As a fireworks show closed out the wedding celebration, the newlyweds were whisked away to the JW Marriott, where they stayed for the 4^th of July before heading off to their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic.