Photos

On our first date, at Sushi Bomb

Love John’s taste in flowers!

Christmas 2020 was cozy and wonderful

We live by this!

What I first saw when John proposed

Engaged in six months and six days

These six butterflies make my day every day

I just love it.

Engaged a few days before this pic of us on our shared February birthday

Crazy pic, but hilarious moment worth sharing

Our peach melba-raspberry birthday cake on our birthday

My favorite roses and our birthday candle

Valentine’s Day dinner at Il Pizzaiolo

Double-date night with friends

Mourning doves (rain doves) have followed us everywhere—from a happy couple in a nest on John’s front porch to a sweet couple visiting my bedroom window.

John’s beloved parents

Tara’s precious Mom & Dad (grandparents who raised me)

My devoted mother let nothing deter her from finding my gown!

Victory lap after saying YES to that dress!

Our bridal shopping day was unforgettable. I’m so glad she made me go out (instead of shopping online!).

C.J.—aka Cannoli Jones—a Black Mouth Cur (Southern hunting dog)

Our sweet Lalit

And Baban (mommy’s little wonton)

Sunday dinner at Mom’s house! She literally could not love him more.

John is a GREAT storyteller. Super funny!

He makes the best French toast in all the land! Breakfasts, in general.

And he says I make the best pasta!

On one of our many essential long strolls

We chose the 8th as our wedding date as it represents the eternity symbol.

Custom wedding invitations by Margo and Bees

Designed by Margo and Bees

Wedding programs printed on linen, designed by 100 x Gifts™

Groom, Mother of the Bride, Bride and the Honorable Mrs. Rosemary Altman (nana’s best friend)

Groom’s boutonnière made with white sola wood flower, white stobe and dried avena oats

Silk bouquet made of ivory and cream roses with sparkly gold berries, nude eucalyptus leaves, white reed and pampas grass by Ling’s Moment

Ivory ball gown with beaded floral appliqué and chapel train designed by Oleg Cassini

John said when he saw me all the way at the end of the aisle in our evening ceremony, I looked like an apparition of Blessed Virgin Mary 🤣

Married!

Bridal hairstylist: Carmen, of Pure Hair Salon | coral tiara and earrings handmade in Nigeria by Tohceen’s Treasures on Etsy

Bridal Portrait | makeup artist: Chaqua, of Glammed by Qua™

Coral tiara and earrings handmade by Tosin of Tohceen’s Treasures in Lagos, Nigeria

Happily us! 🥂

Guests have inquired about the bubbly served for our wedding toast. Our personal favorite, La Marca® prosecco, was poured. 🍾

Reflecting on the magnitude of the day

Chatting with my lifelong friend and my mother before walking down the aisle!

Event and tables designed by Tara | VALLARI Decor™ 28” illuminated ostrich feather centerpiece and Sumind® 36” gold chrome jumbo latex balloons

Hand-painted gold and crystal wedding server set designed and imported by Wedding3000A boutique in Ukraine

Unity candle set hand-painted and imported from Wedding 3000A boutique in Ukraine

Menus printed on linen, designed by Phrosné Ras

LOOYAR sandstone lion sculpture and vintage Syroco wood artichokes

Our reception venue overlooking Pittsburgh, Le Mont (Mt. Washington)

Place card designed by Zizzago Invitations

Place card designed by YellowFeb PAPERIE

Place card designed by Zizzago Invitations

Place card designed by YellowFeb PAPERIE

Le Mont salad (organic mesclun, cherry tomatoes, red onions, croutons and creamy peppercorn dressing)

Napkin rings made from natural water hyacinth, the principal aquatic weed in Africa

Crab and lobster cakes with Creole Rémoulade

Ostrich and peacock feather fan handmade by Tosin of Tohceen’s Treasures in Lagos, Nigeria | Diptyque® fig (Figuier) and vanilla luxury candles

Our Africanesque sweetheart table

Seats for Mr. & Mrs. Jones

Iced elephant butter cookie favors by Baked™ (Etsy) | Semi-sparkling rosé with notes of strawberry, rose petal and rhubarb by Usual® Wines | Nush Nush® Luxury Shine Collection gift bags

Customized gold cake topper featuring John, Tara and our beloved babies!

Truly a keepsake

Le Mont’s iconic gilded staircase

White and beige fall wedding corsage by Ling’s Moment

Awaiting my King

Fancy cream carnations from Blooms by the Box™

Ruffled soft peach carnations from Blooms by the Box™

Our fresh altar flowers were perfect!

These made our room smell heavenly

Cake-cutting with finesse

Triple-tiered, four-layer vanilla cake with edible gold icing and mango curd & cream cheese swirl filling by Tasty Bakery

Four layers of deliciousness

So yummy!

Lillian Rose guestbook pen

Our lovely Lillian Rose guestbook

The moment when Mom and I said YES! to this ivory hand-beaded lace Oleg Cassini dress

Looking sharp in his tuxedo designed by Joseph Abboud

Ivory mantilla designed by Oleg Cassini

From our “How We Met” segment in our must-see wedding video!

My talented aunt Debbie made us a couple of these beauties for the event tables

Bridal fragrance: Amarige extrait de parfum by Givenchy The name is an anagram of the French word 'mariage.' It evokes a strong feeling that’s as unforgettable as a moment of happy marriage. :)