Regal and Rosy: Heartfelt Wedding in Houston, Texas

Who knew love could blossom so grand and beautiful especially when it’s more than expected? For Coty and Ola, their chance for a future together came exactly when they knew there were ready. Between time spent at school and traveling, the pair finally decided to place their roots. Choosing to wed in Houston had meaning and would ultimately bring the couple and their large families together as they happily imagined over the years. At this point in their journey of love, there’s no wilting for them.

Swoon over the passionate couples’ romantic proposal story and their mesmerizing ceremony in Houston, Texas, planned by Coterie Member, Events With Darrell, and featuring stationery by Munaluchi Coterie member Oda Creative.

How did you meet? We were set up on a blind date by mutual friends who both felt we needed to get out of the house and take a break from studying. We were not taking advantage of all the Windy City had to offer but that all changed after our first date.

Tell us about the proposal story. Coty- It is crazy because I knew it was coming and somehow he still got me. We were living in separate cities at the time and I was in Houston to visit family and take family photos. Unbeknownst to me, the family photo thing was a rouse. My mom, brother and I went to this beautiful botanical garden and as we were taking pictures he walked up and my heart dropped! When I finally put it all together there was a violinist playing my favorite artist, Beyoncé. He also got my favorite wedding planner to help him plan along with a photographer! One of the best moments in my life, I cried like a baby.
Ola- Houston was one of our meetup spots while we were living in different cities for residency. I knew Coty had plans to visit her family and I thought it would be a perfect time because we had discussed marriage so much, she wouldn’t see it coming. We had also discussed in the past having the wedding in Houston because it was close to her family and had an international airport for my family. I asked for the help of one of her favorite wedding planners from Instagram, Darrell Colone- Events With Darrell as well as a photographer and violinist. I was late due to Houston traffic and almost gave it away but it turned out to be a special moment we will never forget.

How did you know they were the one?
Coty- I knew Ola was the one after we encountered some career-related obstacles and as a team, we were able to overcome. At that point, I knew I had a keeper and all of his other amazing qualities were icing on the cake.

Ola- I knew Coty was the one when I witnessed her dedication to her friends and family then how effortlessly she extended it to me as well. She has a giant heart!

Describe your wedding attire. Coty- It was my dream to wear a Berta gown because I always admired the beautiful shapes of their gowns, the trains as well as the lace. I found a Berta dress that encompassed all those things. It was important to me that it looked romantic.

Ola- I knew I wanted a tuxedo jacket with a cool fabric and Darrell assisted me in finding that. We also searched high and low for a cool brooch and shoes that would make a statement.

How has wedding planning been so far? Events with Darrell is all we will say! We could not have pulled off a wedding of that magnitude while we were in two different cities and in residencies. There were stressful moments but without the help of all the vendors and Darrell, it would have been more difficult.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
Incorporating culture was very important to us as it defines who we both are. I am a Louisiana girl with Creole and Cajun roots so we paid homage to my culture by having a second line processional. Ola is Nigerian and we paid homage to his culture through our music. It was very important that Nigerian music be a focal point of the wedding. We also had a traditional wedding ceremony in Nigeria.

Were there any wedding party gifts?
We gave monogrammed robes for the bridesmaids as well as gifted their accessories and makeup. For the groomsmen, we gave them cigars.
First dance and first song. Our first dance was to “As” by Marsha Ambrosius and Anthony Hamilton.

What is the best memory of your wedding?
Our wedding vows we laughed and cried it was just a perfect moment. The second favorite was dancing the night away. Our DJ was lit!

Any wedding advice to engaged couples?

1. Take time to enjoy the planning process with your friends and family who’ve supported you all. It’s a great way to make memories that last forever.
2. Make sure to plan in special little moments throughout your wedding day that reflect who you are together, whether it be a song you both go crazy for or food you both love.
3. Set aside some time to have a wedding hiatus each month it will improve your mental health!