Morgan and Jeff’s luxe black-tie wedding at a baroque style venue boasts romance and royal elegance!
Jeff and Morgan first met in 2020 through the internet. Morgan had moved to Philadelphia in 2019 for her post-doctoral fellowship. A few months before moving back to the DMV area, she met Jeff but didn’t think the timing was right.
I told him that I wasn’t interested in dating because I wanted to move back to the DMV area and he simply said “Okay.”. It wasn’t until later that I realized that his “Okay” didn’t mean that he respected my decision, but he saw it as a challenge.
– Morgan (the bride)
After three years of dating, Jeff surprised Morgan with a grand and romantic proposal. To ensure Morgan was photo-ready, Jeff told her he needed new headshots and booked a photo studio. Morgan’s best friend told her to dress nicely as well so they could also take photos together. It was the perfect excuse, as Morgan didn’t suspect any plans were underway. After taking photos, Jeff took Morgan on a romantic helicopter ride over the city. When they landed, he immediately dropped to one knee and proposed.
It was so romantic!…We finally went to dinner and we reminisced over the last few years and started to plan the next 50. We laughed, we cried, we cuddled. It was really the best night of my life.
– Morgan (the bride)
Morgan and Jeff held their Black-tie wedding at the Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington Delaware. The baroque style of the venue created a regal and romantic atmosphere, turning their elegant black-tie celebration into a modern fairytale.
See the elegant details of their black-tie wedding below!
- Couple: Morgan & Jeff
- Occupations: Pharmacist | Therapist
- Wedding date: September 15, 2023
- Wedding location: Hotel Du Pont, Wilmington, Delaware
Quick Facts:
- Honeymoon destination: Zanzibar
- Ceremony entrance song: “You and I” by Stevie Wonder
- First dance song: “Love Ballad” by L.T.D.
How did you meet?
Jeff and I met through the power of the internet in February 2020. I had just moved to Philadelphia for my post-doctoral fellowship in 2019 and had planned to only be there for a year. I met Jeff a few months before that year was up, but I told him that I wasn’t interested in dating because I wanted to move back to the DMV area and he simply said “Okay.”. It wasn’t until later that I realized that his “Okay.” didn’t mean that he respected my decision, but he saw it as a challenge. Almost three years after we met, on November 26, 2022, Jeff proposed.
Tell us about the proposal.
To set his plan into motion, Jeff said he needed new professional headshots and our photographer friend rented the studio space. My best friend suggested I also dress nicely so I could take photos with him. That was the perfect way to make sure that I was photo-ready!
After the photo shoot, he said he had a surprise. We drove to an industrial area where we were escorted to a helicopter. It was so romantic! When we landed he dropped down on one knee, and I of course said yes. He always knew that I wanted an intimate proposal without friends and family and it was perfect.
We finally went to dinner and reminisced over the last few years and started to plan the next 50. We laughed, we cried, we cuddled. It was really the best night of my life. About two hours into dinner, I’m ready to go home and I sense that he’s stalling. He finally shares that we have one more stop to make before the night is over. We went to another venue where I was surprised by all of our family and friends! People traveled from five states to celebrate with us. We partied all night long.
Wedding Style:
Jeff worked with Brian Alexander to create his wedding style. He had a custom tux with a beautiful white quilted jacket and signature “J” lapel pin. I had two wedding looks. I worked with a boutique wedding dress shop, Irini’s Originals, for my first dress. The base of the dress was from Demetrios Bride but the custom sleeves, overskirt, and veil were all designed by Niki. The highlight of my gown was the long train that draped over the winding staircase at the venue. My reception dress was created by an international dressmaker based in Lagos, Nigeria, called Pearls Bridal.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. My sorors and I sang and strolled all night.
What is your best memory from your wedding?
Our best memory from our wedding is the exchanging of vows. We decided to write our own vows and they were true to who we are as a couple. The deep feeling of bonding is something that neither of us has experienced before and will carry us throughout our marriage.
What is the best advice you can give to engaged couples?
Do what makes you happy! Everyone will have an opinion about your wedding. Unfortunately, these opinions often come at the expense of your happiness. You don’t have to invite a distant relative that you haven’t spoken to since you were 6 years old, you don’t have to include children if you don’t want to. The day is ONLY about you and your partner.
Looking for more inspiration like this romantic baroque style venue wedding?
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Vendors
- Wedding Planner, decor, design: Lillie’ann Events & Designs
- Photographer: Trene Forbes Photography
- Second Photographer: JR Gordon Photography
- Venue: Hotel Dupont
- MUA: @pinkcrush_mua
- Hair: @tressarthair
- DJ: @djb_eazy
- Floor wrap and seating chart: @djmaxpowers
Great advice from the couple – your wedding, your choices, your happiness! Couldn’t have said it better myself. I see way too many couples trying to please everyone at their wedding.
Awesome wedding pictures