Welcome to #swipeleft !  2018 was definitely a compelling year of love and romance for our event planning team.  We kicked off the year with a modern luxury wedding, where the union of their love all began by the infamous hashtag of #swipeleft on the dating website, Tinder.  Follow along as we engage you in the love of our couple, Tolu & Emerald, whose wedding was featured with Modern Luxury Weddings Washington DC (Winter/Spring 2019 edition) and Washingtonian Weddings.

Setting the Stage:

  • Wedding Date:  March 31, 2018
  • Location:  Ronald Reagan International Trade Center
  • Bride’s Hometown:  Houston, Texas
  • Groom’s Hometown:  Matawan, New Jersey
  • Currently Reside:  Washington, DC

How Did They Meet:

Tolu and Emerald, two ambitious young professionals living and enjoying the city life in Washington, DC, “matched” on Tinder, a popular dating app. Tolu says he was looking for love (hmmm!), and Emerald…well she was mainly in search of a nice guy that could offer good company and great conversation. (A fun trip to the Caribbean would be a nice bonus, but she wasn’t holding her breath.)

After messaging back and forth for a couple of days, Tolu invited Emerald on a dinner date. He was curious to see if this woman, who seemed to have great conversation and great looks, would be just as beautiful in person. And that is where our love story begins…

First Date:

From sushi to selfies…Their first date started at a small sushi restaurant in DC’s busy 14th Street corridor. They talked about their families, their professions, and their mutual love for food and travel. As Tolu talked, Emerald tried to pretend as though she hadn’t already thoroughly Googled much about this guy she found so fascinating, and Tolu later admitted to doing the same. From his online search, he’d already known that Emerald used to be a Washington Redskins Cheerleader, but he faked a great amount of shock and admiration when she talked about it on the date.  From Date #1 to Date #101, they continued to make unforgettable memories together.

Although the fun social moments made their mark, it was the small moments in between that made their friendship more meaningful.

The Engagement:

On February 18, 2017, Tolu got down on one knee and fulfilled his promise to Emerald. That winter evening, with oddly warm but perfect weather, he surprised Emerald with a beautiful proposal surrounded by close family and friends. He even flew her parents in from Texas without her knowing so that they could be there in support of their love.

Favorite Wedding Detail:

(EMERALD) The best moment of the wedding for me was our grand entrance into the reception. Our guests were expecting us to come from a different direction so to hear their reactions of cheer and surprise as we danced down 30+ stair steps onto the main dance floor was amazing! We felt like Beyonce’ & Jay-Z performing at the Grammy’s.  (TOLU) The best moment of the wedding was Emerald’s dance tribute with her former Washington Redskins cheerleader teammates.  Tolu met Emerald after her time as a cheerleader, so the wedding was the first time Tolu got to see her perform with pom-poms and friends.

First Dance Song:

Mix compilation of “Latch” and “Disclosure” by Sam Smith.

Wedding Hasthtag:

#TolullyEmLove

Professional Team:  the stellar vendors that partnered with Perfect Planning Events for Tolu & Emerald’s special day:

Location – Ronald Reagan International Trade Center • Photography – Joshua Dwain Photography • Florals – BCG Events • Videography – The Media Experience Film House • Deejay – DJ Donx • Ceremony Musician – Chelsey Green • Stationery – Taylor & Hov • Linens – BBJ Linens • LOVE Letters – Brightly EverAfter • Draping – Fabrication Events • Lighting, Dance Floor – The Light Source Company • Officiant – Reverend Dr. Williams • Hair Stylist – Tress Art Hair • Make-Up Artist – Irie Jade Beauty • Transportation – Reston Limousine • Rehearsal Dinner – Old Ebbitt Grill •

(all photography credit:  Joshua Dwain Photography ) • (blog authored by Bride, Emerald Stewart Adeyemi)