A Bright, Floral-Forward Wedding With Jamaican Infusions at Martin's West in Baltimore, Maryland
Over two decades ago, two people had a chance encounter that would act as a jumping-off point for true love to grow. Latoya Francis-Williams recalls, “We met when I walked into the best Jamaican restaurant in town.” Donovan Cunningham, the charismatic owner, “took pride in getting to know every person who came to eat.” Their connection grew organically, with each delicious meal deepening their bond. “After 20 years of eating great food and cultivating a strong friendship,” Latoya reflects, “we would fall in love and become husband and wife.” The proposal was a heartfelt tribute to family and tradition. “He proposed on Mother’s Day in honor of his dearly departed mother,” Latoya shares, adding a poignant layer to their enduring love story.
When it came to planning their wedding, Latoya and Donovan knew they wanted their Caribbean roots to be front and center. Their vision was clear: vibrant colors, reggae music and an atmosphere that exuded warmth and joy. “The desire to express the beauty and love we share for each other was the inspiration behind our wedding day,” Latoya poignantly explains. They loved and were energized by good food and a positive vibe, so their style and color palette included vibrant colors that represented their personalities and culture. Their planner was excited by their desire to display their Caribbean heritage and immediately started brainstorming. “Lots of color” and “be BOLD” became the guiding principles for the design process.
The bride and groom’s fashion choices for the wedding day were as thoughtful as their theme. Wanting to stand out against the backdrop of bright colors, they chose outfits that complemented their florals. Latoya’s ceremony look was a sleek, strapless, mermaid-style gown with an ample ruffled train. The gown was comfortable and flowed nicely with Donovan’s crisp ivory tuxedo. For the reception, Latoya changed into a delicately beaded mermaid-style gown in red with a fishtail train and an American bustle, continuing the theme of elegance and boldness.
The wedding decor was intended to bring the warmth of Jamaica to Maryland. Beautiful florals and berry-inspired colors filled the space, creating an immersive experience “from the garden to the reception hall,” the bride beams. The ceremony was a true reflection of their love and heritage. “From jumping the broom at our ceremony to feasting on traditional Jamaican cuisine, we incorporated our culture and traditions in every aspect of our perfect day.”
After the ceremony, guests adjourned to the celebration portion of the evening, enjoying minging and reggae music. The floral arrangements, which had played a significant role in the ceremony, continued to add to the warm vibes throughout the evening. “The florals in our wedding, cocktail hour, and reception were key to the warm vibes. From the bridal bouquets, arrangements lining our glass aisle and ceremony backdrop to the cascading arrangements at our reception, our florals were lush, grand and absolutely perfect.”
The reception was a celebration of love, life, and culture. One of the most memorable moments was when one of their favorite reggae artists serenaded them with “One Hundred Ways” during their first dance. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated the essence of their relationship and the joy they wanted to share with their guests. As the evening progressed, the atmosphere remained lively and joyous, with guests dancing and enjoying the traditional Jamaican cuisine that Donovan had perfected over the years.
The newlyweds’ advice to other couples planning their big day is simple yet profound. “To the couples planning for their big day and the years to come, we pray you never lose sight of the reasons you chose your significant other. Life can be challenging, and people change. However, being blessed to find someone that respects, honors, loves and works to bring you joy each day means you already have what it takes to live happily ever after; so, never lose sight of the reasons you chose that person.”