Washington, D.C

A Vibrant Tropical Wedding at The Hotel at The University of Maryland

GET READY TO FALL IN LOVE! This tropical-inspired wedding at the Hotel at the University of Maryland was so fun and fresh and we can’t wait to share it here on the blog today. We brought in gorgeous pops of fuchsia flowers, large leaves in lieu of the more classic greenery, and unique tropical details. We also included ginger accents as an ode to Nigeria – where Chioma is from. Chioma and Calvin were such an incredible couple to work with, and I loved how we combined vibrant colorful details with traditional wedding elements that are often overlooked in 2022.

Gorgeous tropical wedding ceremony at the Hotel at the University of Maryland

Getting Ready Photos & A First Look at the Hotel at the University of Maryland

Before I swoon over all of the luxurious rich details and textures that made up their wedding day, let me first just take a minute to tell you how grateful I am to be doing this work. This year especially, I have felt a huge shift in Jayne Heir, where I feel so excited and confident in my ability to put together the most unique and gorgeous wedding days. We have been in business for TEN years now, and this job still feels like a fairytale. It’s hard to believe that the best is yet to come! If you are looking for a DC wedding planner, you can learn more about working with the team at JHWE here. We are so excited about the designs we are bringing to life lately and we aren’t slowing down anytime soon.

Now, back to Chioma and Calvin. I absolutely love looking back on their getting ready photos and their first look because it truly speaks the the brilliance and joy of the day. They were excited to remain present in every moment (that’s part of why they hired us!) and they just stayed in a state of total enjoyment in every minute with one another.

diamond wedding rings on black background

tropical colorful wedding invitation flatlay

groom getting ready with best man at the Hotel at the University of Maryland

first look at Hotel at the University of Maryland

bride and groom first look at Hotel at the University of Maryland

bride and groom photos on the rooftop of Hotel at the University of Maryland

groom in burgundy suit and yellow floral boutonnière

bride and groom stand with bridesmaids and groomsmen

groom pose with groomsmen at Hotel at the University of Maryland

An Emotional Wedding Ceremony

There was not ONE dry eye in the entire chapel during their emotional wedding ceremony. Seriously. Yes, we are obsessing over the organic tropical floral arrangement that was her bouquet, but we are also obsessing over how much the two of them love each other. Even though they had a first look prior to the wedding ceremony, Calvin’s face watching Chioma walk down that aisle gave us chills. Their family and friends couldn’t peel their eyes away from their personalized vows to one another. Everything came together so flawlessly and then, they were MARRIED. Everyone gathered outside the church to blow bubbles and cheer celebrating the newlyweds!

bride and groom stand at the top of the aisle

bride looks at groom during the ceremony

bride and groom celebrate after wedding ceremony

bride and groom exit the church with bubbles

Tropical Spring Wedding Reception at the Hotel UMD

We brought the tropical vibes indoors at the Hotel UMD and I will never stop loving how this all came together. The wedding reception decor was bright and colorful with lots of tropical touches. The gold accents of the chargers and chairs added such a richness and luxurious feel to the guest experience. Instead of a formal sweetheart table, we opted for a regal wine-colored velvet couch and a lower table to connect the couple with their guests. It was PERFECT. Their room reveal was one of my favorites ever, as I guided them into the center of their reception with their eyes closed. When they opened their eyes, it felt like pure joy. As a wedding designer, this right here is the most rewarding feeling ever.

tropical wedding reception at Hotel at the University of Maryland

tropical wedding decor at Hotel at the University of Maryland

tall tropical leaves wedding centerpieces

gold chairs and tropical leaves, candles, and bright florals

aerial view of luxury wedding reception at Hotel at the University of Maryland

Hotel at the University of Maryland wedding reception with luxury tropical decor

bride and groom close eyes before wedding reception

luxury DC wedding planner stands with bride and groom

bride and groom see their wedding reception decor and smile

bride and groom pose at wedding reception sweetheart table

bride and groom smile in front of luxury tropical wedding decor

Gorgeous Wedding Decor… but make it fun.

As a DC wedding planner, it’s my job to make your wedding day gorgeous. Truthfully though – I also want your wedding day to be a lot of fun. Chioma and Calvin didn’t need any help in that department! Their wedding party and guests were all smiles, all night long. We also included traditional wedding reception elements into the timeline (like the money dance, bouquet toss, garter toss and cake cutting – to name a few) and I have to say, even though sometimes it feels like everyone is looking for “untraditional” it was so nice to see these classic elements come together and contribute to a wonderful evening celebrating the newlyweds.

Keep scrolling to see their wedding outfit change. We were obsessed with the glamour.

bridesmaid and groomsmen dance into wedding reception

bride and groom enter wedding reception at the Hotel at the University of Maryland

bride and groom first dance with smoke bomb

bride and groom dance at wedding at the Hotel UMD

traditional Nigeria wedding at the Hotel UMD

traditional wedding reception at the Hotel UMD

wedding party table watching bride and groom

bride hugs bridesmaid that caught bouquet

A Beautiful Wedding at The Hotel at The University of Maryland

These two beautiful people made my job as an event planner that much more rewarding, and I couldn’t be more grateful they chose me to make their tropical wedding vision a reality. Let me just say, in 2022 (and beyond!), we are here for the rich color palettes and luxuious details. If you melt over custom touches and elevated experiences, we would love to learn more about your wedding day. Browse our lookbook for inspiration, or connect with our team at JHWE here. We are standing by (likely with champagne!).