Christiana and Dotun have pretty much known each other all their lives. Not only did they know each other since they were small children, but they also attended the same college. However, their first real encounter started the summer of 2003 during an Eko Club Atlanta conference. Christiana was 15 and going into the 10th grade and was on crutches from an injury she acquired while running track. "I was dreading the fact that I had to be there… Then I saw this guy with a big shiny forehead walking towards me with his blue jean outfit on and flashing all 32's. He came to me and sat next to me as if I had extended an invitation. He started making small talk and out of no where, he asked me if he could have my number and I replied, wide eyed “Ha! Nooooo my father will kill me- boys can’t call my house!” But being his clever self, which is one of the things I still love about him today, he replied to me “Well what if I just call your house and let the phone ring one time and hang up, you will know it’s me and you can call me back," recalled Christiana. Just like that he convinced her with his charm and that’s how their system and ultimately their love story began. Check out their glam themed nuptials captured by Fotos by Fola!
Bride: Christiana Oyindamola Ola, 26, Nurse
Groom: Dotun Daniel Ola, 27, Executive at ADP
Place of residence: Atlanta, GA
Wedding date: 03/01/14
Honeymoon Destination: Barcelona, Spain
Engagement story:
First let me just say Dotun knows me very well. He knows that I am analytical and I can sense when something is up. Therefore, he didn’t dare try to orchestrate something big with my friends and family because I would have simply ruined it with my inquisitive nature. Shame on me huh?? Anyway, so on a regular Friday he casually called me to meet him for lunch at the St. Regis hotel. We ate lunch and had a few drinks. Since we drove separate cars, we trailed each other as we talked and flirted on the phone on the way back to his place. Upon arrival at his home, we were having a conversation across the apartment, as I was in the kitchen and he was in his room. My back was turned. When he came into the kitchen, I simultaneously turned around to carry on our conversation and found him descending to his knees. Then I saw this NICE rock in his trembling hands as his eyes seemed to be piercing so deeply through me that I almost descended to my knees to keep from falling. But instead, I ran away jumping and screaming in excitement around the apartment! So to say the least, the proposal was highly unexpected, exceptionally spontaneous and blissfully private and I loved every moment of it.
From the Groom:
The day was perfect. Perfect weather, my wife looked perfect, everything was just perfect! We had a blast.
From the Bride:
The whole wedding experience was great. It was just the way we imagined our day to be. Our wedding planner was amazing! She took care of everything for us so we literally had no concerns so we danced the night away with no problems.
What makes your love special? (Dotun):
I have known Oyin [Christiana] for a very long time. She has consistently been in my life through the good and the bad. She is the one person besides my family that truly knows me and I have opened up to her beyond my own belief. She had little qualities that I admire, for example she prays for the person in the ambulance or an accident when we are on the road. She feels for people. I love that. So I guess I should have realized it sooner, but the realization hit me during a conversation with my best friend, Kirkland. I was expressing to him how I wasn’t interested in going out and partying anymore. I came to realize clubbing and meeting random “people” wasn’t fun for me anymore. When I would go out, I would be bored and actually call her to keep me company so I just stopped going out like that and I found more satisfaction in spending my time with her versus just living a regular bachelor life. She gets me. A man just knows when its time. It was definitely time.
What makes your love special? (Christiana):
I have always known that Dotun was the one. Even through our college breakups and dating other people, there wasn’t really any doubt that we would eventually get married. Throughout my dating experience, he’s the only one that makes me feel complete and truly understands me. Nothing matters to a girl more than a man who deeply understands her. Nothing was ever forced in the way we dealt with one another. We’ve always gone with the flow of things and our flow has always worked for us. I just love our love. It feels good and it’s very natural.
What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?
Everything…just knowing we have each others backs is great!
Favorite wedding detail:
The Cake! (white chocolate cake)
Wedding song:
Spend My Life with You, by Tamia and Eric Benet
Your best/most memorable moment:
Our first dance… just having the two of us on the dance floor by ourselves, in our own zone was great
Check out more pics from their fun filled reception below:
Congratulations to newlyweds Christiana and Dotun! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss!
Vendors:
Photographer: Fotos by Fola
Church: Perimeter Church
Reception: Forsyth Conference Center
http://www.forsythconferencecenter.com
Wedding Planner- Mide Events
mideevents.com
Bridal Gown- Sweet Elegance
www.sweetelegancebridal.com
Cake- Sweet N' Sinful
sweetnsinful.com
Caterer- Taste of Africa
Bouquet and Event Decorator
Mide Events mideevents.com
Hair and Make-Up- Nneka
Videographer: Cinematographer by Ola
DJ: DJ Ecool- (Jacob-Booking Manager)
djecool.com
Invitations:
bweddinginvitations.com
Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K. is the owner and founder of Love Ink and Brownstone Bridal. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink
