How They Met
How much more idyllic could Andrae and Jason’s first meeting have been than in front of a Godiva Chocolatier at Lennox Mall? As Andrae was biting into one of his recently purchased chocolate-covered strawberries on the last Sunday in October of 2018, their eyes connected and would not let go! Smiling and grinning from ear to ear, they recognized each other from social media. As pleasurable conversation made the time fly by, they exchanged numbers expecting to hear from one another rather soon. But, as hours turned into days, and days into “A Week,” no one picked up the phone.
That is until Andrae decided to make the first move! He sent a text to Jason that Saturday night, asking how his day—more like his week—went. Andrae was new to the Atlanta area: a recent transplant from D.C., who wanted to expand his social circle. So Jason replied, ‘I’m down at Sivas; come join me!’ A hookah lounge and Mediterranean restaurant, the Sivas is located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. Andrae was going to decline and stay in for the night. But, according to him, “It was God that got me out of bed.” So he texted Jason back, ‘I’m on my way!’
Jason greeted Andrae at the door, hugging him upon his arrival. The conversation, the smiles, and the laughter that passed between the two were natural and organic.
The ease of interaction and the chemistry that existed between them was undeniable. With passions flying high, evening easily blended into the night. When they walked to their cars at the end of the night, they kissed each other goodnight and, from then on, became known as Andrae and Jason or “Drae-J.”
The Proposal
A year and a few weeks into their relationship, it was time to take things to the next level. Drae-J spent Thanksgiving of 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska, at Andrae’s family’s house, with Jason’s son, Little Jason, present. A little ruse was underfoot for Jason to propose to Andrae. To divert him for a brief time, Andrae’s mother sent him to the basement to retrieve a particular pan for her cornbread. When Andrae returned; Jason was standing in front of Andrae’s family and Little Jason, stretching out his hand toward Andrae, asking him to come to him. Andrae was caught off guard, confused even. Standing in front of Andrae, Jason looked him in his eyes and said, “I love you.”
Still confused, almost suspicious of what was happening, Andrae replied, “I love you, too!” Jason then proceeded to get down on one knee. Andrae exclaimed, “Jason, what are you doing?”
Jason then proclaimed, in front of his son and his favorite person’s family, “I want to ask you: Will you spend the rest of your life with me?” Andrae’s eyes widened, and he put his hand over his mouth. Jason continued, “I never thought I would feel this way about someone. So, in front of our family and friends on the phone,” a group of their friends was on Facetime witnessing this beautiful moment, “Will you marry me?” “Yes!!!” Andrae answered. Jason put the ring on Andrae’s finger, punctuating the moment with a passionate kiss and a loving embrace.
But the moment didn’t end there, SURPRISE!
Andrae knew a month prior Jason was going to propose. What he didn’t know was the when or the where. So Andrae, in anticipation of Jason’s proposal, purchased an engagement ring in October to offer Jason a counterproposal.
Andrae believed that when two men are in a relationship and plan to make the life-altering decision to marry each other, it shouldn’t be just one person proposing. So he carried the ring everywhere he went waiting for the moment Jason proposed.
Andrae looked Jason in the eyes and said, “I love you so much, and in return, I would like to ask you to marry me as well.” He took the ring out of his pocket, got down on one knee, and asked Jason, “Will you marry me?”
It was Jason’s turn to be surprised and caught off guard. Once the shock wore off, Jason responded, “Yes!”
The Wedding
Their engagement lasted for nearly a year and a half. During this time, Cimani Robbins of Cimani Robbins Events, an Atlanta wedding coordinator, began planning one of the most elaborate weddings this side of the “Mason-Dixon.”.
The Georgian Terrace was the perfect venue for both the ceremony and reception. They woke up in the luxury hotel on the morning of April 3rd, 2021, turned to each other, kissed, and said, “It’s our wedding day!” As the mothers and groomswomen were getting dolled up by the make-up artist around 10, the barber came and gave Drae-J a fresh cut for the day. Afterward, they threw back a shot, hoping to take a little edge off the mixture of excitement and nervousness. Then, Andrae joined his groomsmen and Jason, his groomsmen, to get suited up for their big day. The grooms’ friends helped them get dressed, adjusting their coats and such to make sure the grooms looked right and tight in their wine, white, and black tuxedos. Andrae’s signature scent was Byredo’s Mojave Ghost, and Jason; Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent. They both wore matching patent leather Dandelion Tassel Christian Louboutins to boot.
Music, singing, laughter, dancing, and champagne drinking filled both wedding party suites. “It was such a happy time!” recounted Andrae. “Jason and I truly embraced every second of our day.” One photographer per suite captured candid and stylized moments of each groom and wedding party. Then, before they knew it, it was time to walk down the aisle.
The wedding parties entered the Mitchell Ballroom to “Consider Me” by Allen Stone. Then, Andrae and Jason walked down the aisle to “I Choose You” by Kiana Ledé with their radiant mothers fastened to their arms.
The two exchanged heartfelt vows, and guests remained fully engaged as “Drae-J” shared their professions of love sprinkled with comedic moments. To the question, “Will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” each man answered, “I do.” They exchanged rings and shared their first kiss as husbands.
The Reception
The Piedmont Ballroom is where the dancin’ and celebratin’ went down. The wedding parties entered the ballroom to the song “Level Up” by Ciara, while the newlyweds entered with “CeeLo Green’s Funky Performance of a Medley of Hits” from the 2020 Soul Train Awards. With no practice or coordination or pre-planned choreography, as soon the grooms hit the dance floor, they took off! Their energies fed off each other, and, as connected souls usually do, they danced in perfect synchronization.
The grooms shared a dance with their mothers. Avis Lashawn sang her heart out. Then, joy and celebration carried them into the night.
Andrae’s Best Man and Jason’s Best Woman gave heartwarming speeches.
Then, to the surprise of the grooms and guests, Little Jason rendered a speech honoring his father’s new union with Andrae, leaving everyone with happy tears.
The dance floor was never empty as the DJ played hit after hit.
The night ended with the grooms walking down a long spiral staircase and onto a marble runway as their guests held sparklers on both sides. A magical beginning to the grooms’ new lives together as Mr. and Mr. Andrae and Jason Glover aka “Drae-J.” Congratulations from BGWE!
The Couple’s Favorite Moments
The couple’s favorite moments were: “Our vows to each other. Our entrance into the reception. Our first dance together. Our mother/son dances. The speeches from our Best Man, Best Woman, and our son. The Soul Train line. The live performance by Avis LaShawn. The food was impeccable! We both had the salmon, which is our favorite food. And finally, our sparkler ending with all our wedding guests.” – Andrae & Jason, Congratulations from Black Gay Weddings.
Andrae & Jason’s Wedding Highlights
Full BGW Gallery
Andrae & Jason’s Cover Session Video at the Irby
Vendor List
BGW Vetted “LGBTQ-Friendly” LGBTQBizList Vendors
Non-LGBTQBizList Vendors
Editorial Cover Session
Photography/Videography: LaJoy Photography LLC
Photographer: LaJoy Lewis
Videographer: Teko Lewis
Creative Director: Russell Wendell Events
Makeup Artist: ByLingaLooks
Host Venue: The Irby Apartments
Photographer: Itan Images Photography
Wedding Coordinator: Cimani Robbins
Videographer: Wedding Film Pros
Officiant: Anthony Tony Hunter
Wedding Venue: The Georgian Terrace Hotel
Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Wedding Cakes
Florist: Edge Design Group
DJ: DJ HYT
Makeup Artist: Chanel Truly
EnGAYgement Photographer: Brian Dean Photography
