There are love stories that unfold effortlessly. The kind where two people lock eyes and the world seems to slow down. Kennisha and Shakir’s journey is exactly that. Their glamorous celebration at the InterContinental Hotel at The Wharf was filled with romance, luxe details, joyful surprises, and a powerful sense of family and faith. As their InterContinental Wharf Wedding Photographer, we had the honor of documenting every moment from their engagement session to their beautiful wedding day.
This unforgettable celebration was also featured in Munaluchi Bride Magazine, a perfect home for such an elegant, love-filled event.
Before the Wedding: Engagement Session & Bridal Shower
We first photographed Kennisha and Shakir during their beautiful
Navy Yard Engagement Session a stylish, waterfront inspired shoot that reflected their chemistry and shared love for Washington, D.C.
Later, we joined Kennisha again for her elevated and joy-filled
D.C. Bridal Shower, where friends and family gathered to celebrate the bride-to-be in true luxe fashion.
These pre wedding moments made stepping into their InterContinental Wharf wedding day feel like reuniting with old friends.
Their Love Story
One night at a birthday party, Shakir spotted Kennisha from across the room. He saw a glow around her a presence he couldn’t ignore. With help from a mutual friend, they were introduced and shared an easy, memorable conversation.
Two months later they went on their first date and the spark ignited instantly.
They saw each other again within days, met each other’s families by week three, and began building a relationship grounded in trust, communication, and their shared faith in God. Even when the world shut down during the pandemic, their bond only strengthened.
The Proposal: A Sunset Moment in Montego Bay
On New Year’s Day in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Shakir planned a beautiful and emotional proposal. As they walked toward the beach at sunset, Kennisha realized they were surrounded by close family and friends. Rose petals marked the path, and the ocean created the perfect glow.
When she saw Shakir’s mother, tears streamed down her face. Shakir gathered her into his arms, walked her onto a decorated stage, and professed his love before asking her to become his wife. It was heartfelt, intentional, and unforgettable. A perfect reflection of their journey.
Wedding Day at the InterContinental Wharf
Design & Style
Their wedding featured a soft, romantic palette of pink and ivory, paired with gold accents and luxurious details throughout the venue. Every corner felt elevated yet warm — a perfect match for the couple’s personality and vision.
As their InterContinental Wharf Wedding Photographer, our goal was to highlight the beauty of the décor, the waterfront ambiance, and the emotional moments that gave this celebration its soul.
Wedding Fashion
- Shakir wore a custom tuxedo with personalized details and gold accents.
- Kennisha stunned in a glamorous princess ball gown. Her very first dress picked during a fun, memory filled shopping experience.
Cultural Touches
Because Shakir is originally from Kingston, Jamaica, the reception featured island tunes curated by a Jamaican DJ, adding warmth, rhythm, and a hint of home to the evening.
Ceremony Moments
Their ceremony entrance song “After All Is Said and Done” by Beyoncé and Marc Nelson set the tone for a heartfelt, emotional exchange. The InterContinental Wharf’s elegant indoor setting paired perfectly with their romantic aesthetic.
As their InterContinental Wharf Wedding Photographer, we documented the quiet moments between them, the tears, the nervous excitement, and the joy radiating from family and friends.
Reception Highlights
From personalized details to energetic entrances, their reception was filled with unforgettable memories:
- Reception Entrance: “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need” – Method Man & Mary J. Blige
- First Dance: “For You” – Kenny Lattimore
- Surprise Moment: Kennisha performed a surprise dance for Shakir — an incredible highlight of the night and a moment guests still talk about.
As the night went on, the room filled with laughter, dancing, and the kind of celebration you never want to end.
Best Advice from the Couple
Kennisha and Shakir share this wisdom with future newlyweds:
“Enjoy the engagement season and take time to reflect on yourself while you two grow into becoming one. Pray together every day and keep God first—everything else will sort itself out.”
Vendor Team
A dream wedding deserves a dream team:
- Photography: JB Elliott Photography
- Planner: Lavish Creations by Tiffany
- Florist: Davinci Florist
- Video: Nathaniel Thomas Media
- DJ: Ricky Platinum
- Dress: Elegance By Roya
- Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids
- Tux: Brian Alexander Bespoke
- Groomsmen: Generation Tux
- Cake: Vivienne’s Cakes
- Photo Booth: Tia Ellis Photography
- Venue: InterContinental Hotel – The Wharf, Washington, D.C.
Planning a Wedding at The Wharf?
If you’re searching for an InterContinental Wharf Wedding Photographer, we would love to capture your celebration with the same care, artistry, and storytelling we brought to Kennisha and Shakir’s day.
Get in touch here
We can’t wait to hear your story.
This wedding shows how elegant and versatile the InterContinental Wharf venue can be. The photos truly bring the experience to life.
Beautiful work — I love how your photos of the wedding at The Wharf capture the waterfront elegance and emotion of the day so well.
Absolutely love the ceremony and reception details at The Wharf. This is great inspiration for couples planning a luxury DC wedding.
This love story is absolutely heart melting. Every moment feels so genuine, joyful, and has been beautifully captured. The mix of family, faith, and romance makes their celebration truly unforgettable. You can really feel the emotion and connection in every detail..
The surprise dance and waterfront portraits were unforgettable moments. Such a beautiful InterContinental Wharf wedding from start to finish.
Kennisha and Shakir’s love story is incredible. The InterContinental DC Wharf is such a gorgeous venue, and the photography really highlights how elegant it is.
The engagement session and bridal shower references really add depth to the story. It’s amazing to see the full journey leading up to the wedding day.
This is a perfect example of why couples love the InterContinental Wharf for weddings. The venue, decor and photography all came together beautifully.
The InterContinental DC Wharf is such a gorgeous venue, and the photography really highlights how elegant it is.
Beautiful photos! I love how you were able to capture all the emotions on this very special day. They are lucky to have you as their wedding photographer.