Beverley and Mark's Stylish Green, Gold & Jazz Wedding -Munaluchi Bride

It was during a party hosted by mutual friends where Beverley and Mark made their initial introduction. Mark was “was having a long-winded intellectual debate in the corner.” Beverley felt “hopelessly” drawn into this conversation, her interests thoroughly peaked. A connection soon formed between, both realizing that conversation was only the beginning of what would continue to bring them together…

Read all about Beverley & Mark’s love story, proposal, and experiences in their stylish green, gold and jazz wedding.

Bride & Groom: Beverley & Mark
Occupations: Lawyer & PhD Student
Wedding date: September 1st, 2018
Wedding location: Dorsey Chapel & Oxon Hill Manor

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. We met at a party hosted by mutual friends. Mark was having a long-winded intellectual debate in the corner, and Beverley was hopelessly drawn in.
For the proposal…Mark plays guitar for local band Leftist, and told Beverley his band was having a show at now closed Bayou, one of the couple’s favorite restaurants. Beverley’s family was already in town from Nigeria “on vacation,” and mutual friends were present at the concert because “Mark’s band was playing,” all very reasonable excuses. Except halfway through the concert Mark sent his bandmates off stage, called Beverley up, and sang an original song on bended knee before proposing. After Beverley was assured she wouldn’t have to sing, off key, on stage, she eagerly said yes. Mark, his band, and a number of talented friends proceeded to play some of the couple’s favorite songs during the rest of the night, including a few Nigerian classics. It was epic.

Describe your wedding attire. Beverley wore an illusion neckline lace dress layered with silk applique flowers from Pronovias along with custom velvet green shoes. Mark wore a custom dark green velvet dinner jacket over black suit pants.
What was the wedding shopping experience like for you? It started early and was over quickly. Beverley and her mother turned dress shopping into a girl’s trip and flew to Paris (equidistant between where they both lived) to look at dresses. Beverley chose her dress during that week long trip, and went back a year later for final fitting.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? We had a traditional ceremony in Nigeria several months before, so that covered one side of our cultural background! For this wedding we focused on African-American culture, incorporating everything from New Orleans big band music and jazz to soul food classics at both the rehearsal dinner and reception spread. We also had a crab-boil in place of a sit down dinner, to honor Mark’s fierce love of his home state Maryland.

Wedding party gifts: a monogrammed, see-through clutch for the ladies and personalized cufflinks for the men.
Gifts for each other: a handwritten note for Mark; a song played on guitar during the ceremony for Beverley
Ceremony entrance songs: Mark and Julian (nephew) entered to “Imperial March” from Star Wars. Wedding Party entered to “Diamonds and Pearls” by Prince.
Bev and Dad entered to “By Your Side” by Sade
First dance song: Rebirth Brass Band “Just the Two of Us” played by Dupont Brass Band

What is your best memory from your wedding? Our ceremony! We got married in a 50 person chapel that Mark’s great-great great grandfather had helped to build. We agonized for months about not being able to have all of our friends in attendance due to the chapel’s size. On the day of the wedding, it rained all the way to the chapel. We kid you not, a rainbow showed up as the rain stopped shortly before the ceremony began. Mark had penned another original song, and managed to sneak a guitar into the chapel. We all cried a lot!

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Stay true to yourself as an individual and as a couple. Authenticity is what will make your day amazing, not the latest Pinterest trend. When you do that not only will you both enjoy your day, but your guests will too.