April & Terence: An Ancient Egyptian-Style Wedding

For their big day, the couple wanted to celebrate Khamitik (ancient Egyptian) culture. To get ideas, April visited the ancient Egyptian collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and rented plenty of period movies, including the 1954 classic "The Egyptian."

THE BRIDE April Deneen Whelchel, 36, lawyer
THE GROOM Terence Reddick, 32, lawyer
THE DATE June 10
THE SCENE Ceremony: McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, Maryland; Reception: The Club at Franklin Square, Washington, D.C.

THE PLANNING While hunting for the perfect location, April found the McCrillis Gardens. "When I entered the garden, the first words that came to mind were 'peace' and 'tranquility'," she recalls. With two wooden gazebos, a mansion, winding paths, fragrant flowers and herbs, it was exactly what she was seeking.

THE INVITATIONS The couple used blank folded cards embossed with hieroglyphics and decorated with a golden scarab beetle, the Egyptian symbol of rebirth and transformation. The text was printed with gold ink on parchment paper that was placed inside the folded card and tied with metallic gold cord. For each wedding program, a lotus flower was handpainted on vellum and stitched over a circular cutout on the cover. Inside there were extensive explanations of the traditions and history in the couple's Khamitik wedding ceremony.

THE BRIDE WORE With the help of a seamstress, April created a white pleated gown, long chiffon cape, and gold rope belt trimmed with Austrian crystal teardrops. The regal look was completed with gold Vera Wang sandals, a double strand of rhinestones in April's upswept hair, and a custom-made beaded collar based on neckpieces worn by Ancient Egyptian royalty. She held a cluster of orchids and Italian ruscus tied with gold and white ribbon. Designing the clothing for herself and for the rest of the wedding party was so inspiring that April started her own fashion design company, The Lady of the House, after her big day.

THE BRIDESMAIDS WORE For her maids, April designed white dupioni silk sleeveless dresses with gold organza sashes that draped across the shoulders. They each wore custom-made beaded necklaces with brass ankhs and matching earrings. In addition to the bridesmaids, April chose six women to be ceremonial priestesses. They also wore outfits created by the bride: lime-green sleeveless midriff tops with gold beaded hems, long fitted skirts, and chiffon wraps.

THE GROOM AND GUYS WORE Terence looked like a pharaoh in a gold-trimmed white robe, ankle-length skirt, and dupioni silk headpiece -- all designed by April. He wore a thick gold sash draped with a long white apron embroidered in hieroglyphics with his Egyptian name, Amen Khum Ra, and the characters for life, health, and strength. The groomsmen, or priests in this case, wore white gauzy robes with gold rope belts.

THE PROCESSION A harpist and flutist played while the couple's mothers, followed by the groom and his groomsmen, walked down a white organza walkway painted with golden ankhs. Next came the priestesses carrying burning sage, candles, brass incense burners, and frankincense oil. They each placed their ceremonial object on the altar and picked up a large white feather plume to hold throughout the service. Then four sacred women, dressed in white, performed a graceful dance, scattering rose petals along the aisle. Finally, the bride appeared with her father, surrounded by the four bridesmaids holding large feather plumes. Once April reached Terence's side, Queen Afua, the couple's friend and spiritual guide, performed a "Dance of Grace" to bestow beauty and sanctity upon the wedding.

THE CEREMONY Inside the gazebo, an altar table was draped with white and gold fabric, and set with colorful pillows, a unity candle, floating lotus candles, and roses. The Khamitic ceremony was led by Baba Heru, Chief Priest of the Smai Tawi Center in New York City -- the man who originally introduced the couple. He began with opening blessings and a libation prayer over wine, then two of the priestesses performed an "Opening of the Way" ritual dance with two large brass ankhs. The bride's father, Baptist minister Dr. Love Whelchel, offered a Christian prayer before the couple recited vows they wrote themselves. Through an African ritual, April and Terence demonstrated their ability to survive life's ups and downs by symbolically tasting the four elements: sour, bitter, sweet, and hot.

THE RECEPTION After the ceremony, guests celebrated with the newlyweds in a private club filled with green palm trees and decorated with white flowers and golden linens.

THE WEDDING CAKE The three-tiered confection in the shape of a step pyramid was covered with white icing and topped with fragrant pink and white lilies.

THE FAVORS For each of their guests, April made gold and purple organza sachets filled with loose lavender and tied with satin ribbon and silver bands.

-- Robin Beth Schaer
Photography © Jackie Hicks


For the ingredients that make up this wedding, see the right-hand column of this page.