January 3, 2012

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CLB Photography.

On a random Wednesday evening in 2003, Adhari Fullman of Roselle intended to spend the night at home, but was dragged to a club by her girlfriends. Little did she know that her life was about to change. Maverick Edwards of Somerset spotted her on the dance floor, took her hand and that was that. “I thought she was really cute, and she could really dance!” he recalls. After dating for six years, Maverick surprised Adhari by popping the question on New Year’s Eve. “He had to work in a nightclub that evening, so I was there with him. As soon as the ball dropped, the deejay told me that Maverick had something to ask me—in front of 700 people,” Adhari says.

It Started With a Dance

On July 22, 2011, their wedding and reception were hosted at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange. Adhari, a professional wedding planner with Pampered Bride Weddings in Berkeley Heights, organized all the details herself. “People presume that it’s easier for a bridal professional to plan her own wedding, but it’s actually harder because when you’re aware of all the wonderful possibilities out there—you want it all,” Adhari says. The reception was resplendent in coral and gold, with touches of turquoise and navy blue. Adhari’s mix of high candelabras with drop crystals and low pillar candles added a wow factor to the room.

But even when the bride is a wedding planner, unexpected logistical challenges can still happen. “It was July and 115 degrees outside, when the entire street suddenly lost power. Our air conditioners, lights and music went off,” says the bride. “I had a five-second panic attack until our well-prepared deejay used his back-up generator to get the party up and running again. Our guests were great—they just kept dancing and didn’t let the hot room deter them. It was an amazing reception.” Adhari’s friend and boss, Jenny Orsini, owner of Pampered Bride Weddings, says, “Adhari is a wedding diva—she planned a beautiful day that was truly fit for a princess.” Following a honeymoon at Hola Grand Faro resort in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, Adhari and Maverick are at home in Kearny.

Resources:

Photographer: CLB Photography, Red Bank, 732-670-1258; clbphoto.com

RECEPTION: The Wilshire Grand, West Orange, 973-731-7007; thewilshiregrandhotel.com

WEDDING PLANNER: Pampered Bride Weddings, Berkeley Heights, 973-868-9431; pamperedbrideweddings.com

FLOWERS & LIGHTING: A Touch of Elegance, Randolph, 973-584-8300; njweddingflorist

BRIDE’S GOWN: Maggie Sottero from Kleinfeld, Manhattan, 646-633-4300; kleinfeldbridal.com

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Bari Jay; barijay.com

HAIR: Hair by Shedelle, 347-869-7742

MAKEUP: Evelyn Abanto, 201-887-7381

GROOM’S ATTIRE: Menswearhouse.com

RINGS: Kay Jewelers; kay.com

BRIDAL JEWELRY: Bridal Styles, Brooklyn, 718-339-3222; bridalstylesboutique.com