Nicole and Tomiwa wanted funky and fabulous for their big day, and they got it at the W Hotel in downtown San Diego.
The couple, who met during a singles event at their church, saw their vision for a cool, wedding in a sleek, urban ceremony atop the W Hotel, but the proposal took place in a much more natural setting in Balboa Park. “Our favorite date—where Tomiwa says he fell in love with me—was at Balboa Park,” Nicole says. “We went back to Balboa, and he was insistent on taking selfies all over the park. He proposed on the bridge by the pond where we took our first selfie over a year before that.” And their friends were hiding nearby in the bushes to capture the moment, which included a rose gold and morganite custom ring ring that Tomiwa co-designed with Nicole’s childhood friend.
The night before the wedding they paid homage to Tomiwa’s Nigerian heritage with a Nigerian tradition, in which the families meet and get to know one another. Think traditional outfits, dancing, and delicious Nigerian food!
Since Nicole is an event designer herself, she knew setting the tone was important for their wedding day. That included a live group renewal of the vows performed by their pastor, live-streaming the wedding for guests who couldn’t be there, and even organizing a flash mob, in which guests joined Nicole and Tomiwa during their first dance. “It was awesome, people freaked out when the music turned fast, and then everyone ran onto the floor!” she says. “Epic.”
Take a look at their sparkling downtown day, as captured by Jack & Hannah Film & Photography:
GET THIS REAL WEDDING STYLE:
Photography: Jack & Hannah Photography
Venue: W Hotel (contact: Ashley Woodworth)
Catering: W Hotel and Top Chef Carlos Gaytan of Chicago’s Mexique
Cake: Sweet Lydia’s
Dress: Bridals by Sustani
Flowers: Design by Tammy Jean
Hair & makeup: “I Do’s” by Nicolette Justine (nicolettejk@gmail.com)
DJ: Taylor Folstad (“DJ Spazz”)
Calligraphy (on printed vows): Paperweight
Jeweler: Pierre’s Jewelers
Wedding app: AppyCouple
