winter weddings 2016

Real Wedding Album: A Sit-down Brooklyn Barbecue

Aysha Wallace and Marcus Ellington, August 30, 2014
Aysha Wallace and Marcus Ellington, August 30, 2014 Photo: Cellise Michael Photography

Though Aysha Wallace and Marcus Ellington, both 31, attended the same school growing up just outside Philadelphia, they never ran in the same crowd. But during Thanksgiving break their junior year of college, they ended up hanging out, and Marcus, now in digital advertising, asked Aysha out for pizza. “I had a great time, but I forgot to say thank you. I called him later, and he said, ‘I’m glad you called, because that could have been a deal breaker,’” Aysha, who works in costumes for film and TV, recalls. “Please and thank you are very important to Marcus.” Last August, the pair wed in front of 150 guests at 501 Union. The ceremony and reception were kept short to allow ample time for friends and family to dance to a mix of hip-hop, house, and R&B by DJ Mother Brother. “If our wedding had a mission statement,” says Aysha, “the rule was: Just come and be.”

The Details
Dress: Amanda Garrett
Suit: Hugo Boss
Catering: Dinosaur BBQ
Makeup: Sheena She
Hair: Dailey from H2 Salon
Photographs: Chellise Michael Photography

*This article appears in the Winter 2016 issue of New York Weddings.

Photo: Cellise Michael Photography
Photo: Cellise Michael Photography
Photo: Cellise Michael Photography

“We asked my cousin Reginald to dance the rings to us.” 

Photo: Cellise Michael Photography

“We ended up getting my dress and his suit last. I’m in the fashion industry, and didn’t want to make a big to-do.”

Photo: Cellise Michael Photography

“We hired caterers to dish out the barbecue and serve it. People just want you to put the plate in front of them.”

Real Wedding Album: A Sit-down Brooklyn Barbecue