A Super-Glamorous and Modern Black-and-White Wedding at Location 215

Ra’Chell Richards and Darryl Washington’s black-and-white wedding offered a modern twist on the style. Photography by Films by Diallo

We can’t resist the design combination of black and white — particularly when it makes an appearance in Big Day decor. It’s a throwback classic (like this celebration), but it also can boast a contemporary twist. Take this black-and-white wedding. Held at Race Street Pier and Location 215, the celebration offered a modern interpretation of the color pairing, with a black cake, smoke “clouds,” black glass plates and other touches. Films by Diallo captured all the details to inspire your own spin. (And if you need more takes, check out this soiree, too.)

When Norristown native Darryl Washington signed up for a speech class at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, he didn’t expect to meet future wife Ra’Chell Richards (a.k.a. Rocky). He wanted to fulfill elective credits for his degree: “All I could think of was getting through it, graduating, and getting back home,” he says. Fate had another idea. Darryl noticed Rocky right away, but they didn’t speak till the final week, after he nervously recited a passage from The Pursuit of Happyness.

“You did great. You know your lines; just slow down,” she told him afterward. “She left a lasting impression,” says Darryl, a construction inside-sales associate. So did he: “I was intrigued and curious,” says Rocky, a digital content creator from St. Louis. They were together for 10 months before he proposed — on her graduation day. 

Three years later, on September 1, 2019, the Manayunk couple said “I do” alfresco at Race Street Pier, with 80 guests on hand to celebrate. (The invitations featured a custom illustration of the couple by women-owned MissDesignBerry.) Rocky’s gown was a custom design by Shan Keith, a Project Runway: Under the Gunn alum from St. Louis, the bride’s hometown. Keith also created the black gowns worn by the bridesmaids (their makeup was done by Domunique Beauty), which added high drama to the waterfront ceremony.

A highlight for the bride was having her mother walk her down the aisle. The duo had worked with a designer to create a custom blush two-piece suit for her mom to wear for the occasion: “It’s a special memory that will truly never be replaced.” And the groom appreciated the ceremony’s ambience: “It felt like it was just me and Rocky.”

As for the reception? That took place at Location 215, a blank-canvas space that the pair imbued with their modern, chic black-and-white theme. The bride created hydrangea centerpieces to accent the clean tablescapes, with their black glass plates and knotted white napkins. Clara’s Groovy Deliciousness’s all-black chai spice cake was layered with rum buttercream, salted butterscotch caramel and butter toffee bits.

And for the first dance? The couple floated on smoke “clouds” as they swayed to “Never Gonna Let You Go,” by Faith Evans. Says the bride: “It absolutely felt and looked like a dream.” 

THE DETAILS
Photographer: Films by Diallo | Venues: Race Street Pier & Location 215 | Day-of Coordinator: KMT Event Group | Florals: The bride | Catering: The Butler Catering | Bride’s & Bridesmaids’ Gowns: Custom by Shan Keith | Bride’s Veil & Headpiece: Veronica Couture; NuEye | Hair: Michelle-Nichole The Hair Artist | Makeup: Makeup by Gorpu | Groom’s Attire: Tony Laguda Formal Wear | Entertainment, Lighting, Photo Booth & Smoke Clouds: Total Excitement Entertainment | Cake: Clara’s Groovy Deliciousness | Paper Goods: MissDesignBerry | Calligraphy: Kwēn Arts | Transportation: Ali Baba Limo | Chair Rentals: Vision Furniture Event Rentals

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