Congratulations to the lovely duo!!! To Whom it May Concern: Understand that at this moment, in this place, we are acknowledging the beauty of a union that is both unique and rare. Understand that these unions are rare because brown skinned, nappy haired, African featured women are routinely NOT sought after for relationships while those who are lighter or multiracial looking ARE sought after. Understand that these same nappy haired, African featured women are the ones who were the "Hottentot and Mammy" who couldn't come close to "passing" and were therefore always at the BOTTOM of the socioeconomic and political ladder. Understand this is also a well-designed pattern in other countries where there is a range of skin colors(e.g. India, Rwanda, Australia) from darker to more European looking. Understand, Love is not as blind as it may seem and not nearly as random as we may hope. PS-Asian men have a similar issue. 75% of "random" love matches are Asian women with other races.

Real black love is too "real" beautiful people in love, "not the sterotype "white, light, mixed" woman with wealthy "chocolate man". We don't get to see Black women who don't fit into that "white, light, mixed sterotype" marrying brotha's nowadays. It's a breath freah air to see too people who look more like myself and family getting together. I think in black families we got use to our brotha's marring other's that when a brotha marry's a brown skinned or richer toned black women it's grounds for a celebration. Congradtulations to the BEAUTIFUL COUPLE!!!!!

YOU...GUYS ARE SPIRITUAL SOULS...I LOVE YOU BOTH!

Can we please stop categorizing "Real Black" with dark skin? We are a people that have all shades of people in our families and with the same parents. Its a distribution of melanin, not race! "Real Black" consists of mentality. Clarence Thomas and some others are "real black" looking and their thought process is questionable. Let's be reflective on what we say, not judgemental.

WOW!!! This is great!!!! I like this!!! THIS IS WHAT ESSENCE IS ALL ABOUT (BLACK LOVE) BLACK PEOPLE STILL LOVE EACH OTHER REGARDLESS OF WHAT OTHERS MAY SAY STAY STRONG! MAY GOD BLESS THEM AND KEEP THEM IN HIS PERFECT PEACE!!! CONGRADS!!!!

L, first I don't thk u r African American (AM). And if you are not, you surely do not have any reason to comment on what we are saying in our comments about the couple, because our words are coded, we all (AM woment) understand each other including the fact when someone says, "its about time a brother marries a sista wth color, we all understand what that means. Also, If you make $95,000 a year, and looking at the intelligence of your comment, either you are not AM, playing around-very young and in-experienced, booshee, or your parents own the company you work for. If you are not AM.. please don't comment on what we say to each other as sistas, we understand each other and you are on the outside looking in, a spectator. My comments for the Hornsby's, beautiful chocolate sister, beasutiful wedding photos, may God bless you always on your journey together. And may the combination of Gods love and your love be the adhesiveness that will always keep you together.

Chance & Diva, Both of you are not looking at the big picture!! I DO NOT LIKE it when women continue to complain about some of you do not have control over. When you see two people (whether black, white, yellow, red) in love why is it up to black women to talk 'negative' talk? Who are we to talk about these people. Negative comments come from many black women who DO sound hateful...read the comments b4 you decide to make comments on what I have to say. We obviously have different points of views. Being a black women that makes more than $95,000 a year, I DO SEE SUCCESSFUL BLACK WOMEN WHO DO NOT ACT LIKE THIS....Please don't judge me about what I read and make a comment on it....if you don't like get off the website.

Wonderful, Wonderful - Congratulations to the 2 of u. To L - 2 wrongs do not make a right. It seems like u went on a rampage as a solution. It may not make a whole lot of sense 2 u what is being said in these comments - but when u r on the receiving end of things u might reconsider or not. It is wonderful to c a black man choose a dark-skinned woman. Since 4 the most part dark-skinned woman have not been view in an a negative light due to much stereotyping ( just like u did - black woman r haterful, many are single b/c, or just Baby mama's & complain all the time). Now check yourself- whose being hateful & ignorant. Happily being a dark-skinned woman married 27 years, highly educated a Baby mama's and grandma and still going strong - Keep it real 'BLACK LOVE"

L, you need a real eye opener. I'm a black woman and I’m far for being a hater, maybe the women that you selected in your life wasn’t compatible with you, but don't disrespect or stereotype all black women because of your personal experience or other people views or comments. All women complain and fuss at times! Others races are single mothers and some are single. I'm not fussing or belittling you, I just feel sorry for you when I read your comment. If you want to see or read about ignorance, look in the mirror and reread your distasteful comment. I wish I could meet you, so I could show you successful black women that are tend setter, hard workers, supporter of the community, successful, has successful marriages, independent, happy with an positive outlook on life, which we comes in different shades of skin color. These black women are not in the lime light, just ordinary women doing their best to make there mark on the world. Love is love, so show us a little.

To all the ones who responded to L....Oh please ladies, first it doesn't bother me to see what you call "Black Love" but you only call it that when it's two people w/the audience approval of the color of their skin. You are so shallow to only judge them by that...but I guess if you are uneducated I wouldn't expect more! For the one who said to go on Cosmo, sweetie I might see more black men there, seeing you women think black men go to other races or white women..don't be stupid w/that comment. I know ALOT OF SISTAS who would marry a FOOTBALL player, don't kid yourselves!! Oh but it would've been ok if she was a 'true black women' right? Black Women do not kid yourselves, a lot of what you say on these blogs is mainly jealousy!! And it comes out in your comments, I am so ashamed to call myself a black woman when I read some of the things you ladies write!! But I quess we all can't be happy, misery loves company and you prove that clique EVERYDAY!

Love is Beautiful!!!! May God continue to bless them both.

Russel and Denise look happy and seem like a real couple in love. They're wedding was simple and elegant. Now L, as for Wilcox's wedding, It seemed a little over the top. A sista would've married him in a simple chruch or back yard not a football statium. And his wife looked like he picked up from a luther campbell video shoot or cheap strip club. He probably only known her for two seconds. She's the typical cheap trophy,gold digger type. I give the marriage a year depending on if he keeps his football contract. Brotha's need to learn that everything that "glitter's isn't gold" A sista's love will hold you when your at your highest and lowest point. In conclusion L, Don't hate us for loving REAL BLACK LOVE.

I am happy to see two beautiful people in love. To:L, why are you on essence.com?? this is a site that celebrate's women of color. or do you not understand what site your on? Try cosmo next time sweetie..

Now this is what I enjoy seeing in ESSENCE magazine. Real Black couples!!! YEAAA!!! They seem very happy and in love. They make a great couple. Denise look Beautiful. Congrats!

Wow, I dont even see real Black couples anymore....how rare! Im so use to see Black men running after whit women or mixed race Sisters. Nice looking couple.