Family takes center stage at Jordan & Darren’s elegant and sophisticated wedding.
After postponing their original wedding in 2020 and then having their first venue cancel on them 5 months before their wedding date, they finally said “I do” on October 9, 2021 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.
The couple’s family focused nuptials were filled with so many special moments, including Darren’s Uncle Officiating the wedding, one of Jordan’s brothers reciting a poem at their ceremony, and her other brother singing their first dance song at the reception.
The pair also personalized their wedding with several DIY elements. For instance, Jordan created every wedding sign using Cricut. They also made their own Trinidadian inspired wedding favors and even had their wedding announced in the New York Times mini crossword! For fun, the crossword was printed on their wedding programs for guests to attempt with the clues: “‘Shoe brand with the Jumpman logo’ and ‘Aronofsky who directed ‘Black Swan’.”
For more on their love story and extra details from their elegant and sophisticated wedding day, keep reading below!
- Couple: Jordan Jobs & Darren McCleary
- Occupations: Jordan works at Google and Darren works at Colossal (biotech startup)
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: October 9, 2021
- Wedding location: Philadelphia, PA
- Venue: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA)
- Officiant: Darren’s Uncle
- Ceremony performances: Original poem by the bride’s brother.
- First dance song: Their first dance song was “Best Part” by Daniel Caeser and was performed live by the bride’s other brother. The pair related to the song’s lyrics and it’s “emphasis on being the highlight of each other’s lives, whether it’s being the sunshine in the rain, coffee in the morning, or if life is a movie – [their] partner is the best part.”
- DIY wedding favors: Bottled Sorrel, a Trinidadian spiced drink made from Hibiscus petals.
- Color story: Cabernet, Blush, Gold and Ivory.
- Wedding bouquet: Dahlias and pampas grass.
How they met…
Although Darren and Jordan both went to Drexel University, were both upperclassman, and ironically lived only two blocks from each other, they never crossed paths until matching on Tinder in February of 2015!
Jordan recalls, “We got together at an Irish bar crawl and what seemed like a fling quickly grew serious. After sorority formals, a friend’s wedding, the celebrations quickly unfurled into a supportive and fun-loving romance…”.
After Darren graduated and landed his first job at the New York Times, the pair were long distance for a year; however, the distance couldn’t stop these two! And Jordan soon joined him in New York the Summer of 2016 after she graduated.
Dress reveal…
The groom…
Groomsmen…
First look…
The proposal…
After four years of dating, Darren planned a surprise proposal at Domino Park in Williamsburg.
The day of, Jordan recalls, “He completely surprised me by getting one of my good friends to take me out to brunch and get my nails done and the plan was to do a picnic with our girlfriends.”
However, little did she know, Darren had something special planned.When she arrived to the park expecting her girlfriends to arrive, instead Darren appeared!
“He proposed on the most beautiful Spring day,” she says. “He even had one of our friends who is a photographer there to capture the beautiful photos.”
Following the proposal, Darren secretly planned a night of celebrations, first with friends at a rented out bar and then finally ending the day with Barbeque at their apartment rooftop!
The dress…
The bouquet…
Wedding party…
Cultural elements…
To honor Jordan and her parents’ Trinidadian background, the couple incorporated several cultural elements into their wedding.
For one, they held their rehearsal dinner at a Trinidadian restaurant called Flambo.
“It was the perfect setup because we didn’t think a catering company could truly give Trini food the justice it deserved, so it was great to share the food with my in-laws and bridal party while also making sure my family was pleased, too.”
At their ceremony and cocktail hour, the couple also had a steel pan band play and later a DJ played Soca music. The couple also made a bottle of Sorrel for each guest which is a “hibiscus-based spiced Christmas drink.”
An extra fun detail was having a live Fashion Artists, Denise Fike, sketch portraits of their guests!
Floral details…
The ceremony…
Mr. & Mrs….
Reception space & décor…
The reception…
Wedding style…
Jordan chose her dress for its elegant back details!
“I tried on so many dresses that looked good on me, but Martin Thornburg’s “Odette” made me tear up. even strangers at the boutique were giving me compliments.”
The stunning dress ultimately aligned with her wedding vision for an “elegant and sophisticated city wedding.” And when her bridesmaids called the dress “Sophista-sexy,” she knew she had to get it!
Looking for more elegant & sophisticated wedding inspiration?
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Vendors:
- Florals: Pocket Full of Posies
- Dress Designer: Martin Thornburg @martinthornburg
- Bridal Salon: Adrienne’s Bridal @adriennesbridal
- Tux: Indochino @indochino
- Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Azazie
- Band: Trinidelphia @trinidelphiamusic
- DJ: Pulse Sounds @pulsesounds
- Caterer: 12th Street Catering @12stcatering
- Jewelry: Verstolo @verstolo
- Jewelry: Hitched @tryhitched
- Photography: Geraldine Pritchard of Mobile Video Photography
- Hair: Hair by Rae @hairbyrae
- Makeup: Bella Angels @bellaangelbrides
- Coordinator: Details Made Simple @detailsmadesimple
- Hotel: Block W Hotel @wphiladelphia
- Rehearsal Dinner: Flambo
- Dance Lessons: Wedding Day Dance
- Live Fashion Art: Denise Fike
- Lashes, Facials, Microblading: True Beauty Brooklyn @truebeautybrooklyn
- Dermatologist: Schweiger Dermatology Group @kendrajdermpa @schweigerderm
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