Real Weddings: Yodit & Jonathan

Black African American bride Yodit groom Jonathan ceremony reception wedding marriage married tie the knot color palette monochromatic white cream ivory blush glamour grandiose extravagant babys breath custom couture gown

Yes, you can find love in the club. It happened this way for Yodit and Jonathan. He mustered up an air of confidence mixed with swag, and went out on a limb to ask then 22-year-old Yodit to dance one night out in San Diego. Yodit, who works as a paralegal, could sense the undeniable magnetism that was attracting her to Jonathan, a product analyst. That night each exchanged phone numbers with one another and have been together since that very night. Jonathan cleverly devised a proposal plan for his dream girl. The graduate of San Diego State University alerted Yodit that he would like her to attend a formal happy hour with him. Jonathan then brought Yodit to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Yodit, who is an alumna of Virginia Commonwealth University and is from the Maryland-Virginia metroplex, appreciated going to the Memorial. Suddenly, though, she could sense that something was different, as there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers on the ground. Moments later, Jonathan was down on one knee, asking her to marry him. The two celebrated with a romantic dinner for two, and then drove to Yodit’s sister’s house to share the news with family and friends afterwards. In May of 2022, the pair were united in marriage with 250 guests in attendance. Yodit, who is Eritrean, had a traditional Eritrean reception entrance. Her father walked her down the aisle, and as she made her way towards Jonathan. “I was nervous, tearful, and so happy!” Yodit shared.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Washington, DC

TIME OF YEAR: Spring

WEDDING STYLE: glam, sweet, dreamy

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: The Schuyler

MENU: food offerings consisted of smoked chicken tacos, truffle mac n’ cheese cups, peach preserves with brie quesadillas, and little Philly cheesesteaks. Entrée options included whiskey-braised short ribs as well as a Mandarin teriyaki braised short rib, a roasted rosemary chicken or a garden vegetable penne pasta bake as the vegetarian/vegan choice; each entrée presented with a strawberry spinach salad, grilled asparagus, whipped Yukon gold potatoes. Additionally there was traditional cuisine from the country of Eritrea in honor of Yodit’s heritage.

DESSERT: Wedding cake

FIRST DANCE SONG: “So High” by John Legend

INSPIRATION: the couple were hoping to create a feeling of timelessness but in a chic yet grandiose way with some touches of modern by keeping the color scheme neutral and only one or two colors

SPECIAL FEATURES: live band played; various Eritrean traditions and odes were woven into the wedding as Yodit is Eritrean in background; the bride DIY’d her wedding stationery; pyrotechnic fireworks around the dance floor; bride wore a custom wedding gown and groom wore a custom suit

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