Mayowa and Samuel’s black and gold wedding was a stunning celebration of love, elegance, and intentional design. Held on March 22, 2025, at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn in London, Ontario, their 180-guest event perfectly balanced timeless romance with modern sophistication. The couple chose the Lamplighter for its spacious Crystal Ballroom and the serene atrium. Which together created the ideal backdrop for their early spring nuptials. With a refined palette of white, black, and gold, their wedding day radiated both warmth and luxury. From the white floral ceremony arch to the gold-accented reception tables. Captured beautifully by AJV Studios, every detail reflected Mayowa and Samuel’s vision for a day that was as meaningful as it was unforgettable.

COUPLE: Mayowa & Samuel

DATE: March 22, 2025

GUEST #: 180

CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION: Best Western Lamplighter Inn, London, ON. “We toured several venues in London, but the Lamplighter stood out as the perfect choice for our larger wedding. The elegant Crystal Ballroom provided a stunning backdrop for our reception. While the atrium—used for our ceremony—offered a charming indoor-outdoor ambiance that was ideal for our early spring celebration. Having an on-site coordinator significantly eased the planning process, offering guidance and support when needed. Overall, organizing the wedding independently felt surprisingly smooth and manageable. Thanks in large part to the venue’s thoughtful design and attentive staff.” – M

PHOTOGRAPHER: AJV Studios “We had admired Paul’s work on Instagram for a while, so we were thrilled to have him take our engagement photos. We were even more so to have him capture our wedding day. AJ and his team were attentive to the vision Sam and I had for the big moments, and they truly delivered. Grateful to have had such a talented and thoughtful team documenting such special memories. He was the perfect choice to capture our black and gold wedding.” – M

COLOUR PALETTE: “Our theme was a white, black, and gold wedding. For the ceremony, we created a romantic and timeless atmosphere. By using a white floral arch as the backdrop at the altar, complemented by white florals lining the aisle. In the reception space, we chose a classic black-and-white palette with black linens, white chair covers, and black sashes for a clean, sophisticated look. To add a touch of warmth and elegance, we incorporated gold accents through our choice of gold charger plates, which subtly peeked through and tied the whole design together beautifully.” – M

TELL US YOUR STORY!: “Sam and I met just a few days before my birthday. As I was heading out of town to celebrate with my mom and sister in Montreal. Our first encounter was brief, but there was something effortlessly comfortable about talking to him. Even in that short time, he made an impression—he was kind, easy to talk to, and genuinely present. Before we parted ways, he asked for my name. That small moment turned into something much bigger than I could’ve imagined.

A few days later, I noticed a follow request on Instagram—and it was him. Sam had remembered my name, found my profile, and reached out with a thoughtful message. From there, we began talking regularly, and a natural friendship began to grow. There was no pressure, just honest conversation and an ease between us that felt rare. Over time, we built trust, shared dreams, talked about our values, and laughed—a lot.

That friendship laid the foundation for everything that followed. We supported each other through busy seasons, celebrated little milestones, and simply enjoyed getting to know each other for who we were. It was clear early on that there was something special about our connection. Things moved at a pace that felt right—genuine and steady.

Looking back, I never would have guessed that a quick interaction before a birthday trip would lead me to the love of my life. But that’s the beauty of life—you never know when the most meaningful chapters will begin.

Now, every year around my birthday, I not only celebrate another year of life but also the serendipitous beginning of our story. Sam truly was the unexpected gift I didn’t know I needed—and I’m forever grateful for that moment.” – M

CAKE: Tia Bakery

DECOR: Crystalak Decor

FLORAL: Springhill Florals

BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Lavender Bridal

BRIDESMAIDS ATTIRE: David’s Bridal

DJ: DJ JOZE

HAIR: MK Roots

MAKE-UP: Dee Beauty Artistry

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “I planned my wedding myself, and a key factor in that decision was knowing we had a dedicated on-site coordinator to support us along the way. Although it was challenging—especially since I had never planned such a large event before, let alone my own wedding—I found it manageable by drawing on my project management skills. Clear communication from the start and delegating tasks to trusted friends and family made a significant difference. These strategies helped turn what could have been an overwhelming process into an organized and enjoyable experience.” – M

BEST MEMORY: “One of the most unforgettable moments of the day was when Sam and I were officially pronounced married, and our officiant invited us to turn and face our family and friends. It was incredibly moving to pause and take in the moment—to see all the people we love, beautifully dressed, gathered in one stunning space to celebrate with us. That brief pause, surrounded by joy, love, and support, is a memory I’ll carry with me forever.” – M

ADVICE FROM ONE COUPLE TO ANOTHER: “It’s absolutely possible to stay within your budget and still create the wedding you’ve envisioned. My biggest piece of advice is to lean into the strengths of the people around you. I was intentional about recognizing and utilizing the unique talents of my friends and family for different aspects of the wedding. Whether it was decor, coordination, or logistics, their contributions made a meaningful difference. Just be sure to clearly communicate everyone’s roles and responsibilities ahead of time—both before and during the big day—to keep things running smoothly.” – M

See this black and gold wedding and other’s on The Wedding Ring

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BEST WESTERN LAMPLIGHTER INN | To speak with Best Western Lamplighter Inn about your wedding options, you can reach them using the form below.