Weddings 2023

Cover Contest Winner

Jonathan & Keyosha Stallworth

From a DM to a lifetime of love—that’s how our story began.

Jonathan and I met on a dating app called Hinge in 2021, and the connection we developed was instantaneous. He wasted zero time asking me out on our first date, and from our first time meeting in person, we both knew that God had opened the doors for a magical, beautiful future with each other. After seven months of dating, Jonathan popped the question! We were in Chattanooga, TN for my 31st birthday trip. I was completely caught off guard because he assured me that the engagement would not be occurring that weekend. However, after it was all said and done, he revealed to me that God spoke to him and he acted upon it in obedience. Jonathan had set up a photo shoot for us in Coolidge Park to commemorate our trip, and it was on this evening that he asked me to be his wife. It was a cool, overcast evening, as it was supposed to rain that entire weekend, but God saw fit to hold off the rain. We were married on September 9, 2022, at 5Eleven in downtown Pensacola. The number nine represents completion—the fulfillment of one cycle, which leads to the beginning of something new. We chose a classic, timeless theme for our wedding with shades of nude, blush pink, champagne, and ivory. Our floral arrangements and bouquets consisted of roses, hydrangeas, spray roses, lisianthus and Italian ruscus greenery created by Sunshine Designs. The windows overlooking Palafox Place were beautifully draped, up-lighting was installed by Wedding Walls and our decor and candle centerpieces were arranged and provided by Events Styled by LUXE. Culinary Productions provided the catering. Tempest Knox of Bombshell Beats was our makeup artist.

Our day was nothing short of perfect, and none of it would have been possible without our amazing wedding planning team, Lauren and Savannah of J-Soiree. Not a single detail was missed and everything was fulfilled above our expectations. It was a day filled with love, laughter and countless memories. On the morning of our big day (in true Florida fashion) a major thunderstorm had made its way to the area. I thought the day would be a total washout. Both Jonathan and Lauren kept me calm and reassured me that regardless of how the weather was, it would still be the most beautiful day. Our vendors set up our plan B for rain inside the venue and the show rolled on. But once again, in a similar fashion to our engagement day, God allowed the rain clouds to brush away and revealed blue skies and sun. All of this occurred within enough time to go back to our original plan of having our ceremony outside in the courtyard! Afterward, we both remember looking up and seeing a rainbow painted across the sky. It was nothing short of a wedding day miracle, and God’s promise to us that He’s with us, no matter how the situation appears.

We spent our honeymoon in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, which is hands down one of the most breathtaking places that the two of us have visited. Sand, sun, great food and entertainment— it was the ideal lover’s paradise.

To all of our newly engaged couples, our advice to you is to remember that the two of you are a team, and nothing should come between the two of you. Communicate your desires for your day to each other, and support each other through it all. There will be things that may not work out exactly how you want, and you may have to return to the drawing board once, twice, or even three times; but when it’s all said and done, it will exceed your wildest dreams and the two of you will be wed in marital bliss.