Featured in Munaluchi Bridal Magazine, Issue No. 27, Tiffani & Terrance’s “Electric Love” was on full display at their colorful and eclectic wedding in Baltimore.
After connecting online on Match.com in 2017, they met in person one week later for their first date at the Gazuza lounge in Washington, D.C. Tiffani was actually an hour late because of a fender bendor, but Terrance was unphased and patiently awaited his future bride-to-be’s arrival. When she ascended the steps of the lounge, he knew instantly the wait was worth it! “The phone conversations leading up, our chemistry, and the fun we had on our first date was like no other experience. Everything felt so natural and easy for us.”
Three years later, Terrance planned a surprise proposal around Tiffani’s business venture photo shoot at the Hotel at Arundel Preserves in Maryland. Working in secret with Tiffani’s stylists, they arranged all the details and invited their parents, friends, and extended family to join in on the proposal. With a signal from Tiffani’s stylist, Terrance snuck up behind her and took a knee. When Tiffani turned around, happiness and love overwhelmed her. She said yes and the rest is history!
Their beautiful springtime wedding is a testament to their electric love. Full of color and culture, their bright color palette represents their eclectic styles and love for each other. Highlights include Tiffany’s bouquet and Terrance’s boutonniere having unique yellow and teal feathers, Terrance donning a teal tux by Different Regard, and Tiffani’s gorgeous off-the-shoulder gown by Elite Secrets Bridal Boutique. Disco balls were another key feature and helped set the mood for their fun-filled reception!
More sweet details from their eclectic wedding below.
- Couple: Tiffani Willis-Olanrewaju & Terrance Olanrewaju
- Occupations: EEOD Instructor + Political Science
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: May 14, 2022
- Wedding location: The Winslow, Baltimore MD
- Bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts: Bridesmaids received personalized jewelry, slippers, engraved robes, and wine glasses. Groomsmen were gifted personalized whiskey glasses.
- Gifts for one another: Handwritten notes to one another.
- Ceremony entrance song: Honey, Erykah Badu
- First dance song: Jazmine Sullivan – Let it Burn
- Wedding flowers: My wedding flowers consisted of dried and fresh flowers. The dried flowers were spray painted vibrant shades of yellow, mustard, rusty orange, bubble gum pink, neon lilac, turquoise, bright green, and deep raspberry arranged with minimal greenery for a pungent high-impact visual affair. My florals consisted of pink and yellow roses, carnations, anthuriums mixed with textural dried elements and large palm fronds.
- Favorite item on the menu: Our dinner crabcake and one of our signature cocktails called The B’More Margarita. This margarita was mixed with Baltimore smoked apple brandy, blood orange, agave cardamom syrup, and lime roasted cardamom sugar salt.
- Advice for brides: Be prepared for something out of your control that may happen on your wedding day. Try not to stress and stay in the moment! Somebody on your team will take care of whatever is not going as planned. Also, take in every minute because the wedding day flies by!
How they met…
Terrance and I met online via Match in November 2017. According to Terrance, he scrolled past my picture a few times before he sent me a message because he thought I was too pretty and there was some sort of catch! We talked on the phone for a week before deciding to meet in person. There was a lot of chemistry from the very first phone conversation so we were excited to meet each other in person.
Their first date…
Our first date took place at Gazuza lounge in Washington, D.C. Terrance was on time but I was an hour late due to getting into a fender bender on the way. I immediately thought Terrance was going to think I was standing him up so I called and let him know what happened and that I was still coming to Gazuza. It was a small fender bender that didn’t call for canceling our date. Terrance was very calm about it and waited for me. I finally arrived and nervously climbed the stairs of Gazuza lounge and here we are!
How they knew they found “the one”…
We knew we were “the one” for each other after our first date at Gazuza. The phone conversations leading up, our chemistry, and the fun we had on our first date was like no other experience. Everything felt so natural and easy for us. Nothing ever felt forced or weird. After our first date, we both knew we wanted to schedule a second date right away!
Their first look…
The proposal…
On September 25, 2020, I had a scheduled branding shoot with my photographer Kellie for my business venture. Prior to the shoot, I was preparing with my stylist Fabienne Ami and Kellie on the types of looks and aesthetics I was going for.
Unbeknownst to me, the day after I booked, Terrance contacted Kellie and Fabi about surprising me with a marriage proposal at the end of my shoot. They both loved the idea and were excited to help. For the next month, Kellie, Fabi, and Terrance met around my branding shoot sessions to lock down details for the proposal hoping I did not catch on to the plan. After a few close calls, the big day had arrived.
My shoot was held at the Hotel at Arundel Preserves in Maryland. Terrance invited both of our parents, friends, and extended family and they waited patiently in the hotel lobby. I was already in the area and Terrance was in constant contact with Kellie as she gave play-by-plays of our whereabouts. A couple of anxious minutes later, Kellie brought me out into the courtyard and gave Terrance the signal. Terrance took a deep breath and walked out of the lobby. He made his way carefully behind me with everyone close behind. He took a knee, I turned around and the rest is history!
Wedding style & attire…
Colorful modern boho! Lots of colors, Bridesmaids were in Blush and Magenta, the Groomsmen work black while Terrance wore a Teal Tux, and I was in a princess off-the-shoulder gown by Elite Secrets Bridal.
I purchased my wedding gown from Elite Secrets Bridal. It was an ivory princess off-the-shoulder gown with beautiful appliques, a button-down back design, and beading all over. I also had a custom-made cathedral veil with appliques and beading from Khemistry LLC.
My favorite wedding accessory was my floral bouquet. It was the prettiest creation I had ever seen and it pulled all of my wedding colors together so perfectly. When my wedding planner brought my flowers into my hotel suite I cried, almost ruining my makeup because I was so amazed and happy with how it turned out. My husband wore a custom-made teal tux jacket and vest that was designed in one week by Different Regard.
Wedding shopping experience…
I had my share of ups and downs, especially with all the colors, but all in all, it came together nicely.
Cultural elements…
We actually had two celebrations! My father-in-law helped to plan our Nigerian engagement which took place on April 9, 2022, in Richmond, VA. Our colors consisted of us in orange and our families in powder & royal blue. At our May wedding, we included the adapted Yoruba wedding tradition of the ‘Tasting the Four Elements.’ It consists of tasting a slice of lemon, a sip of vinegar, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and a spoonful of honey. The sourness, bitterness, spiciness, and sweetness, respectively, denote the trials and tribulations our union may experience, as well as our promise to experience it all together. It is a symbolic demonstration to stay committed in the face of any challenges.
Portraits…
Our bride and groom portraits didn’t actually happen on our wedding day! They happened four days after our wedding day. Our “getting ready” timeline and the weather got the best of us as it was raining on our wedding day. Our plans had shifted, leading to Terrance and I being unable to take our most intimate pictures as everything was moving so fast on the day.
One can imagine how a bride must feel when important moments are not going as planned right before her eyes! I contacted Kellie immediately after our wedding and asked to do a re-shoot and she happily obliged as she knew we missed such an important part of our day. The day of our re-shoot was a beautiful sunny day and our pictures turned out perfect! We are so happy to have these memories to cherish forever.
Reception space & decor…
The sweet details…
Advice for other engaged couples…
Plan your wedding your way! It’s your special day enjoy it! Know your budget and make every detail your own. Include your own traditions. You don’t have to do every traditional element such as a bouquet toss or garter toss if you don’t want to. We did neither!
Favorite wedding day memories…
My favorite memory from my wedding was surprising my husband with a “Beyonce Slay” dance performance. I performed with two of my bridesmaids who are dancers. I hired a friend who is a choreographer to help us with this performance. We had three practices to make the routine “show” ready for Terrance and our guests. He was so surprised! I enjoyed seeing his face light up during the performance and seeing our guests enjoy it as well.
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Vendors:
- Photographer: KFinch Photography
- 2nd Photographer: 3lindvision
- Videographer: Rivion Wedding Films
- Event Decor Design & Planner: Betty Lou Events
- Bridal Salon: House of Bombshell
- Dress: Elite Secret Bridal
- Custom Veil: Khemistry The LLC
- Jewelry/headpiece: Ai & Eva
- Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
- Maids of Honor Dresses: Revolve
- Bridesmaids: Birdy Grey
- Tux: Different Regard
- Groomsmen attire: The Black Tux
- Hair: House of Bombshell
- Bride’s Makeup: Shantel The MUA
- Bridesmaid’s Makeup: LaTonya Taylor
- Stationery: Stephanie Gould Calligraphy
- Florals: Rocking Bird Flower Co.
- Linens: BBJ La Tavola
- Food: Copper Kitchen
- Rentals: Something Vintage Rentals
- Lighting: 27 Studios
- Entertainment: DJ Donx
- Officiant: Ceremony Officiants
- Bride’s headpiece and/or veil: Ai and Eva
- Cakes/desserts: Copper Kitchen
- Catering: Copper Kitchen & The Otherside Creatives
- Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Winslow
Thank you! The bridesmaid dresses are beautiful!
Beach Weddings