We love a couple that isn’t afraid to be modern and different. Jordan Davis and Folasope (Fola) Aiyesimoju stood out from the crowd of fluffy white dresses and garden roses with Jordan’s glittery gold dress and simple bouquet of white calla lilies–as did their modern reception decor with florals suspended over the tables. All the beautiful green accents in this wedding at Potomac View Terrace were caught on camera by Wani Olatunde Photography.
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The city: Johannesburg. The setting: a boarding-school fundraising ball. Fola, a private-equity executive from Nigeria, was instantly captivated that night by Jordan, then a newly recruited English teacher from America. Under the guise of arranging English lessons for himself, Fola walked over, introduced himself, and asked for her number. “I thought he was handsome and charming, even if he was a bit misguided in his pickup strategy,” Jordan says.
A first date at a South African steakhouse led to a four-and-a-half-year relationship, which culminated in a Christmas Eve proposal at Jordan’s family home in Virginia. With the help of her parents, Fola recreated that introductory meal a world away, and popped the question using jumbo Scrabble tiles. (Jordan is a fan of the word game.)
Rain threatened on the day of the outdoor ceremony, so a last-minute decision was made to move the nuptials into the covered—but smaller—reception area. “It turned out to be an absolute blessing,” Jordan says. “We exchanged vows against a stunning backdrop of Washington, and the tighter space made it feel amazingly intimate.”
Following their September 13, 2014 wedding, Jordan and Fola honeymooned in Thailand, before relocating to London to continue their international lives together.
VENDORS
Venue: Potomac View Terrace | Photographer: Wani Olatunde Photography | Event Planner: Tabitha Roberts of Roberts & Co. Events | Flowers: Amaryllis Floral & Event Design | Bride’s Gown: Badgley Mischka, Bloomingdale’s | Hair and Makeup: Ky Washington of Richie Makeup | Groom’s Attire: King & Allen | Caterer: Occasions Caterers | Cake: Fluffy Thoughts Cakes | Music: Washington Virtuosi and DJ D-Mac & Associates | Invitations: Minted | Calligraphy: Six Cent Stamp and Meant To Be Calligraphy |Transportation: KV Limo | Rentals: Select Event Group | Honeymoon: Thailand | Where They Currently Live: London
Looking for the perfect, non-conventional wedding gown? Try these gown stores around the DC area.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
