Samilia and William planned a Park Chateau wedding that was overflowing with pink, purple and red florals. Gold and green accents along with candles and glowing chandeliers added warmth and complemented the jewel tones.

Samilia & William’s Story

The way to a woman’s heart? Make her laugh and share your food with her. That’s how William Carter, now 38, left an impression on Samilia Beckley, now 37. They first met in 2009 at a party. Afterward, they ran into each other while picking up food at a nearby restaurant. “He offered me some wings while we waited for my food to be prepared,” explains Sam. “That softened me up a bit.” Will was impressed that Sam wasn’t afraid to be herself. “Not only did I eat his wings, I also ate my food that I ordered,” says Sam.

They exchanged numbers and dated for a few months but then went their separate ways for several years. “In that time, I used to always think about his kindness and unique ability to keep me laughing,” says Sam. When they reconnected in 2017, “it was effortless,” she says. “It was like we picked up where we left off. I was certain that he was my life partner.”

The Proposal

Will and Sam got engaged in February 2020 while she was home on a break from a travel nursing job. “He simply presented me with my ring,” she says. “Very low-key and I was fine with that because I knew that the wedding would be on the opposite end of the spectrum.”

Their Park Chateau Wedding

For their spring wedding, their planner suggested Park Château Estate & Gardens in East Brunswick for its beautiful gardens. “When Will and I saw the venue, we both fell in love,” says Sam.

On April 17, 2023, Sam’s brother, Terrence, walked her down the aisle in the venue’s on-site chapel. Will looked dapper in a deep purple tux. There were reserved seats at the ceremony for Will and Sam’s late fathers and Sam’s late uncle. The reception was overflowing with pink, purple and red florals. “I wanted my wedding to be decked out in flowers,” says Sam. Gold and green accents along with candles and glowing chandeliers added warmth and complemented the jewel tones.

Bridal Style

Sam chose a beautiful lilac gown with ivory flower details for the ceremony. At the reception, she changed into a traditional Kente dress to honor her heritage. “My maternal grandmother’s family migrated to Ghana and lived there for many years,” says Sam. “In order to acknowledge and incorporate her into our celebration, we decided to go this route at my mother’s request. Kente colors also have meaning: pink means love and happiness; blue is for peace, harmony and love; green means harvest, growth and spiritual renewal; gold represents royalty and wealth; purple stands for healing and femininity.”

Special Moment

“The most important detail of the day was the fact that my mom was able to attend in the midst of her battle with metastatic leiomyosarcoma,” says Sam. “I am who I am because of her. My mother brought me to this country from Sierra Leone, West Africa, and worked hard to provide her family with the opportunities that she never had. She had been waiting a very long time to celebrate my marriage.” A few months after their wedding, Sam’s mother, Emma, passed away. “I’m so blessed and thankful to God that she was there to witness our very special day,” says Sam.

Advice

“There are so many details that go into weddings that I strongly advise utilizing the services of a professional wedding planner,” says Sam.

Honeymoon

Will and Sam spent their honeymoon in Santorini, Greece. The couple splits their time between North Plainfield and the Riverdale section of the Bronx.

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