Martina and Leslie’s Love at First Flight Themed Wedding in Ohio

Martina and Leslie’s love has taken them all over the world. As if by fate, they first met on an airplane traveling to Kenya. They spent the duration of the flight getting to know each other and the sparks between them were undeniable. Throughout their relationship, they’ve spent time traveling the world together and creating once in a lifetime memories.

Read all about Martina and Leslie’s whirlwind romance as well as their “Love at First Flight” themed wedding in Ohio featuring a custom wedding dress designed by MunaLuchi coterie member Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah.

Bride & Groom: Martina & Leslie
Occupations: Tech Sales and Consulting & Digital Advertising
Wedding date: October 15, 2017
Wedding location: Columbus, Ohio

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. Leslie and Martina met on an airplane headed to Nairobi, Kenya. They talked for hours on the flight and realized that they only lived 10 minutes away from one another back in NJ and NYC. Shortly, after returning to the USA, they went on a date and have been inseparable ever since. They dated for 20 months and travelled extensively throughout that time. They explored the Ancient Pyramids of Giza and had dinner on the Nile, picnicked by the Eiffel Tower, ziplined in Costa Rica, island hoped in Greece, hiked the Mount Monserrate in Colombia, walked the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and relived their childhoods at both Disneyland and Disney World. Leslie proposed in London. They were standing by the London Bridge when strangers started walking up to Martina with roses. Each rose had a note attached to the stem and the notes said, “Will”, “You”, “Marry”, Me”. Leslie then dropped down to one knee and Martina said, YES!

How did you know they were “the one”? Leslie knew Martina was “the one” when she spent the night with him at the hospital. Leslie was almost exactly what Martina prayed for so it was clear that he was the one.

What was wedding shopping like for you?  Shopping for Leslie was easy! He wore a classic black tuxedo. Martina was incredibly picky and had a much more challenging time finding a dress. She tried on at least 35 dresses at shops in 3 states before deciding to go custom. Her custom dress was made by Yemi Osunkoya. She wanted long sleeves, lots of bling on the top and a ball gown bottom. She says, “Yemi created my dream dress!” Their wedding style was timeless elegance and the dress perfectly fit that theme.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? Leslie is Nigerian so they had a Traditional Nigerian Engagement Party the night before the wedding. It was so much fun! They also wore traditional clothing for a portion of their wedding reception.

Wedding Party gifts: Leslie, a technology geek, gave the groomsmen the Amazon Echo Dot. Martina gave the bridesmaids gold bracelets engraved with the coordinates of the city that she met them in. She also gifted the bridesmaids their traditional Nigerian dresses that they wore during the engagement party.

Favorite item on the menu: Ginger-crusted salmon

First dance song: “Ribbon In the Sky (Remix)” by Intro

What’s your best memory from your wedding? Leslie’s best memory is during the reception when he to referred to Martina as his wife to the guests for the first time. Martina’s best memory is dancing to “God Will Work It Out” as they entered the reception.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Martina and Leslie say, “People will have so many opinions about what you should do for your wedding. Be sure to do what makes you happy! It’s your day! Also, don’t be bullied into allowing plus ones or increasing your guest list especially if you are paying for your own wedding!”

Follow Martina & Leslie: @thatcouplewhotravels

Vendors:
Wedding Dress Designer – Yemi Osunkoya
Photography – Holly Ann Photography
Videography – Corey Easley
Bridesmaids Dresses – Vow to be Chic
Bride’s Wedding Band – Shauna Neely 
Hair – Brooke Johnson of Salon Lofts in Columbus, Ohio
Bride’s Makeup – Cherry Cordova
Bridesmaids’ Makeup – Nathania English
Ceremony and Reception Location – The Pinnacle Golf Club 
Wedding Coordinator – Fathia Hardy, FLH & Company Event Design, Planning and Management
Florist for the Reception – She Floral Design Co. 
Ceremony Flowers and Bridal Bouquets – Bride’s mother and grandmother, retired florist and flower enthusiasts
Cake – Projects Cakes
Stationery – A Payne Designs
Officiant – Brian M. Williams, Hope City House of Prayer
Ceremony Music – Marcus Sanborn
DJ – DJ Bandcamp