It happened at Blake’s on the Park in the summer of 2011. Former Army Captain Kelvin Knuckles walked into the Midtown hotspot with a group of friends. An IT Project Manager in his day-to-day life, Knuckles saw a “drop-dead gorgeous guy” standing next to the bar. Knuckles had started life in Shreveport. Earl Adams, the gentleman at the bar, didn’t know that. Here’s what Adams did know: Brooklyn, entrepreneurship, photography, restaurants and real estate. Adams admired Knuckles’ gumption. A phone number passed between them.
Knuckles suggested supper in Buckhead. The main dish at dinner turned out to be how much both men disliked the restaurant. They had other things in common, too. Atlanta Pride 2011 saw them begin their casual courtship.
It was a propitious holiday for love: when Knuckles and Adams got married six years later, it was during Atlanta Pride 2017 — Oct. 14, to be specific, at the Founder’s Hall in Roswell.
The historic landmark on Canton Street was built in the 1870s by the town’s first veterinarian, and is a highly-desired location for every kind of celebration. The Knuckles-Adams ceremony was officiated by Minister Steven Sawyer. The couple wore charcoal suits with white roses in their lapels. They said their vows under the sky, in front of the trim gazebo in the Hall’s private courtyard.
The couple, who reside in Smyrna, joked for years about getting married. As their love bloomed, the topic turned serious.
“Before Obergefell v. Hodges,” Knuckles said, “we thought about moving away from Georgia.”
When the Supreme Court declared marriage equality in all states, the deal was sealed. Georgia it was.
“After we announced our engagement, we were overwhelmed with love and support from family, friends and co-workers,” he said.
The wedding weekend was chock-full of activities. The groomsmen meet-and-greet came first (the couple informed Georgia Voice that “Kelvin was late”). After the groomsmen rendezvoused, the rehearsal followed (“Kelvin was late again”). Then the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, reception and post-reception.
The matrimonial adventure was topped off by Pride. According to Knuckles, “We had to take a day or two to recover.”
Vendors
Attire: Savvi Formal Wear
Cake: Sweet Caroline’s Cakes
Catering: Talk of the Town
DJ: DJ Reese
Florist: Stylish Stems
Photographer: Johnnie Ray Kornegay III
Wedding Planner: Fallon Carter
Venue: Roswell Founder’s Hall
