For Kemi and Martin love didn’t come easy. Not having any luck finding “the one” by traditional means they both turned to a professional match-making service. In 2015 they finally found everything they were looking for and more. Despite Kemi arriving late for their first date Martin was instantly captivated by her beautiful smile and immediately forgave her.
Read all about Kemi and Martin’s romance as well as their breathtakingly beautiful wedding in St. Barths.
Bride & Groom: Kemi and Martin
Occupations: IVF Doctor & Director of Operations
Wedding date: May 27, 2017
Wedding location: St. Barths, F.W.I.
Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. We were looking for love and were surprised when we found it in 2015 using a professional match-making service, It’s Just Lunch (IJL). In 2013 Martin moved to Houston from DC while I was returning after completing my in-vitro fertilization fellowship at Columbia in New York. I went to the wrong restaurant and was late for our first date. I ran in apologizing and saw this handsome man waiting patiently for me. We stayed late after dinner just talking. I remember after the date thinking that I hadn’t felt this excited about anyone in a long time.
After successfully completing my reproductive endocrinology and infertility board certification exam, I was ready to commit and Martin and I began discussing our future together. On April 3, 2016, we were lounging by the pool enjoying the sunset after a full day of sightseeing in St. Barths. A waiter came by with a bottle of champagne, and I tried to send him away. Martin quickly stopped him and explained that the champagne was for us. Martin began talking about the progression of our relationship, how much I mean to him, and how he couldn’t imagine his life without me. I suddenly started hyperventilating when he brought out the ring. I immediately yelled yes and couldn’t stop giggling! It was a beautiful and very special moment.
How did you know they were “the one”? After our first date, we both knew that there was something cosmic that brought us together besides the professional match making service that we used. He was about to quit the service and I was just starting out. We connected on too many levels to ignore.
What was wedding shopping like for you? It was a fun experience discovering how many different ways I could go with my look for the wedding and receptions. Soon after the proposal, my mother traveled to Lagos, Nigeria to shop for the fabrics and jewelry for their Traditional Nigerian ceremony. But my first thoughts were returning to St. Barths for a south of France inspired Catholic ceremony at Lorient Church and an oceanfront reception filled with fine cuisine and partying the night away! I flew to New York to explore various gowns at Ateliers before returning home and falling in love with two gowns. The first was a luxurious silk tulle and organza gown with soft petal pink underlay and a dramatic illusion back. It was designed by Ines DiSanto Barcelona for their 2015 collection and was perfect for the ceremony at the historic French carribbean pink Lorient Catholic Church. The second was a fun translucent tiered lace Rivini gown with tulle overlay skirt for the reception. Both were worn with rose gold leather Sophia Webster embellished bow sandals. Martin’s custom purple tux paired wonderfully
with my gowns.
Wedding Party gifts: All guests received gold sequin trimmed burlap bags filled with fouta towel, mini rum cake, and various other beach necessities. The Maid of Honor’s bag included a pair of earrings and the Best Man’s included a bow tie.
Favorite item on the menu: Giant Champagne Cake covered in hand-painted pink macarons and our two signature cocktails, prickly pear cactus
mojito and lavender collins
First dance song: “Sara Smile” by Hall and Oates
What is your best memory from your wedding? My best memory is jumping in the pool with my husband at the end of the reception and our guests joining in the mayhem!
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Don’t get too bogged down with the details. Make sure that your event reflects both of you and is FUN!
Vendors:
Photography by – Collins Metu
Ceremony – Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Lorient, St. Barths
Reception – Hotel Christopher
Wedding Coordinator & Designer – Exquisitely Dunn by Kayla Marie
Event Designer & Florist – Emilio Olabarrieta Event Atelier
Stationery – Ceci New York
DJ – DJ Parler
Hair – Chase Arrington Salon
Makeup – Kim Clark Artistry
Wedding dress designers – Ines DiSanto & Rivini by Rita Vinieris
Bridal Salon – Ivory Bridal Atelier
Bride’s Shoes – Sophia Webster Maya
Maid of Honor’s Dress – Badgley Mischka Collection
Groom’s Attire – Established Bespoke
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