We had prayer warriors around us. We made sure to pray with one another even when times were rough and we did not see eye to eye. We are very different in taste, style, and what we deem as necessary. LOL But planning the wedding really taught us that without prayer and putting our faith in God, all else would fail. Find a supportive couple and/or friend that would pray with you and support you through the process.

2. Organization is key!

It is best to know when things are happening, what is happening, where they are happening, with whom they are happening with! Pay attention to details.

3. Make a Budget and Theme and stick to it!

With weddings, you can see that it is essentially a task made for you to have multiple options! If you cannot find a venue that you’re looking for with a specific price, look into other places or take away from another aspect of the wedding such as food or decorations. Stay disciplined. Sometimes for date night with the fiancé you have to tell them dinner will be cooked and served at home. Also, a theme helps with it all. Ours was Love Jones themed of course. So we were thinking of music, The Black Arts Movement, wine, Black Love, Chicago <3, etc. and it surely came together and helped us stay focused.

4. Ask for support!

You have a village. Use them. Even if it is as little as asking about their knowledge of other resources. Somebody knows somebody who knows someone else who has a service that you are requesting. We asked our bridesmaids (ladies of honor) and groomsmen for support when planning and requesting services. It’s okay to ask for help. No one makes it out here alone. And if you are a couple that automatically receives help (even financially) from others, take it all as a blessing because not every one is afforded that opportunity.

5. Remember to focus on your Marriage!

The wedding should be an appetizer to the main course (Your Marriage) and every anniversaries within seems like desserts or flavor added to the main course. We have heard many stories of people taking out loans and spending thousands or even hundreds of thousands on their wedding. That is such a blessing. And at the same time, that is not everyone else’s experience. Remember that your wedding is your own. You still have to live after that one day. Do not try to impress others just so that you are struggling afterwards

Yes it’s a HUGE task to take on. But with the right partner, staying focused on the main reason of the marriage, and support from your partner will make everything work out! We told ourselves we wanted a big party and having that in mind, we were able to plan accordingly.

If we can do it, you can too. Some folx might have thought our wedding was okay and average, others might have thought it was beautiful! At the end of the day, we thought it was an amazing appetizer as we use our main course to serve God, share His light with others, and continue to live out our purpose with one another.

Some of the Black Owned businesses we supported:

Photography: Kendra Lynece Photography

Videography: OJ (Exclusive Visions LLC)

Catering: Joyce Delights

Photo Booth: Itchy Photo Booth Rental

Cake: Terri’s Cakes

Libations: Brandon Washington

Bridal Shower Venue: Pareik Gallery

Decorations (Hoop bouquets, boutonnieres, center pieces, ): Just Jones, LLC + family

Venue: The Whittier

Hair: The Ladies of Honor (we did it ourselves)

Make-Up: Ashley Tolliver + Ayanna Taylor

July 16, 2020

DeLonte Jones

Daddy-Daughter Time

July 16, 2020

DeLonte Jones

Daddy-Daughter time is so important!

Many might assume that the daughter should be with the mother at ALL times, learning how to be a woman, and exerting energy towards embracing her femininity. And that’s amazing!

AND Daddy-Daughter time adds to our lovely daughters development as well.

For the Jones Daddy-Daughter time, we:

1- Read

2- Play games

3- Sing songs

4- Run around (tag is the best)

5- Dance

6- Laugh together

7- Pray (we’re working on closing our eyes)

8- Listen to Music (DJ & mix sometimes)

9- Talk (she has things to say)

10- Nap! (Nothing like the Jones nap!)

Dads don’t babysit. Dads nurture and care for our children as well. Being emotionally available is just as important as providing physical necessities. It’s so good to sit back and enjoy moments with the little one and say “isn’t she lovely?” We have to teach our daughters that they are more than just beautiful. They are intelligent, unique, and strong! Building that Daddy-Daughter bond is key! 💜💙

Dads, ask yourselves this question: how do you spend time with your lovely daughters? And if you have not, how would you like to spend time with them?

May 16, 2020

DeLonte Jones

Love

All Summer 2016

May 16, 2020

DeLonte Jones

Love

Wow…Summer 2016 was magical. This is because we were new. Our relationship was new, and as DeLonte courted me, I fell more and more in love with him AND the man I saw him destined to be. I remember wanting to be near him every day. I wanted to know his scent down to the t. I wanted to know what he was thinking, why he was thinking it, and what made him not want to think any more.

Yes, it sounds silly. I know. And I also know that love can feel like a drug. It can make you want to catch the first high you had when you first met that person. That’s what I always want with him. I search fro that daily and I know he does the same. Before we officially became a couple, I remember the days we would stay on the phone until 3 a.m. I remember talking about music, questioning his knowledge about artists, and us sharing both masterpieces of pain and laughter.

I had found what India Arie talked about in “I am Ready for love”. I fell in love with a man who loves music. This Brotha love him some art. I am so thankful he respects the spirit world and surely thinks with his heart. At times, I wish I had the power he possesses with words that could move mountains or even shift shadows to form light. He has a gift. And then I remember I am a reflection of him. We create.

Love.

November 16, 2019

DeLonte Jones

Love, Marriage

Marriage

November 16, 2019

DeLonte Jones

Love, Marriage

Her

Marriage is a challenge. It is not easy at all and those who say it is, God bless them. We have been untangling all of each other’s knots that have developed over twenty plus years. Some of the knots are healthy, others aren’t. Some shouldn’t have been untied, others are still being found.

Yet, marriage is rewarding. Every day I choose to love my partner with all my heart as we not only lean on one another but lean on God. He is everything. I love him. And at the end of the day, I wouldn’t want to do life with anyone else but him. They want to see us fail. They don’t want us to be successful, but we’re gonna continue to make this last forever. Our Black love, Black marriage, and the fact that we will continue raising our Black children is a revolutionary act.

Him

How has marriage been thus far?

In simple terms marriage is “work.” Many times we think of marriage as our dream relationship, held in the same light of a dream job. Ask some about their ideal relationship and they give you a list of esoteric qualities that usually unevenly benefit their interest. Secondly, rarely does a person detail the work to turn said dream into a reality. I had an idea of what marriage looked like for me and I’ve honestly had that reality flipped on its axis.

Everyday you have to wake up and make a continued commitment and conscious effort to “love and honour” thine partner. Over the last few months I’ve grown fonder of the title partner. Comprise. Empathy. Understanding. Communication. Loyalty. All those ingredients needed for a healthy partnership.

Us

I love you. I want you. I need you. I miss you.