Stop In The Name of Black Love

June 18, 2021
Words by Denise Lillie Engagements
Photos courtesy of My Touch Weddings

Denise Lillie O’Neal of Denise Lillie Engagements, in collaboration with Lorri Lewis of The DirectHer Weddings and Brandi Peart of B Posh Events, hosted a Motown-themed photoshoot titled “STOP in the Name of Black Love” on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at Hitsville, USA the birthplace of Motown Records, now Motown Museum.

“We are celebrating ‘Black Love’ in this styled shoot, while also highlighting the rich history of Motown and rising stars from Detroit that continue to exude Black creativity and excellence”, says O’Neal. Named for the origin of the American Car Industry, Motor City Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records. Established in 1959, it is the first prominent black-owned music record label in America. Motown shaped popular music worldwide with such legendary acts as Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and The Jackson 5. Today, the Motown Museum welcomes Motown fans from around the world to see and experience the space where history was made.

O’Neal is a world-renowned wedding planner and designer who specializes in South Asian and Fusion weddings. She was named one of the “Best Wedding Planners in America” by Brides Magazine. Additionally, her work has been featured in Grace Ormonde, Pefete, The Knot, and PopSugar for her Wakanda Wedding Styled Shoot. On February 4, 2020, she founded Fusion Nclusion a collective of wedding professionals that specializes in luxury, cultural weddings, which strives to inspire, educate, and celebrate each other while promoting diversity within the wedding industry.

Collective Members and Motor City Planners Lorri Lewis is a wedding day Logistical Expert, “The DirectHer” in the metro Detroit area; She’s been a featured contributor in several publications: The Jewish News, Detroit Wedding Day Magazine, Munaluchi Bride, and the Michigan Chronicle. She hosts a weekly wedding planning podcast “Before the Big Day” and just published her first book “The 7 Must Do’s Before I Do: Making Wedding Planning Memorable and Easy.”

Brandi Peart is the owner and lead planner of B Posh Events that specializes in producing elevated weddings and events. She has been awarded The WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Award 5 years in a row. She has also been featured in Munaluchi Bride. Her company is one of the most sought out wedding planning establishments in Metro Detroit and has been featured on WDIV Channel 4.

The intention of this shoot is not only to showcase wedding inspiration but also to represent an authentic sense of community in celebration of Black Love. The wedding party and guest models are made up of local elected officials, business owners, and non-profit community leaders with ties to Metro Detroit. The bride and groom are a real couple who intend to get married later this year. At the conclusion of the photoshoot, all were invited to help organize the flowers to be used as donations to Living Arts Detroit and Golden Connection Senior Services. Living Arts Detroit is an organization that ignites creativity in the lives of Detroit youth through performing, visual, and media arts. The donation of the flowers will be shared with their talented Teaching Artists and graduating Seniors. Golden Connection Senior Services provides customized fun experiences with older adults utilizing their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Their motivating activities replace loneliness and boredom with joy and purpose.