• Celebrity
    • OTE – Meagan Good
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Meagan Good
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun Won With This Stylish Golf Course Wedding

Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
By Jasmine Grant · Updated December 6, 2020

Dorian and Oludotun (aka Odee) first met at a mutual friend’s birthday weekend in Washington D.C., which kicked off with a day of volunteering to help feed the homeless. Odee caught Dorian’s eye as she was cutting onions. “As I walked past him to wash my hands, his cologne caught my sensory,” she says. “I told him he smelled nice and kept it moving.” Throughout the weekend, Dorian and Odee were like magnets, constantly finding their way back to each other. They exchanged numbers, and Odee even saw Dorian off at the airport with a kiss and a prayer for safe travels. “As I took off back to New York, I could not stop thinking about this man who was grounded in faith,” says Dorian.

After just over a year of dating, Odee planned the most romantic proposal to Dorian on her birthday. Though they originally planned on a City Hall wedding, the coronavirus soon thwarted their plans, and they suddenly had just three weeks to plan an intimate and socially distanced wedding for their 25 closest family and friends. “We quickly pivoted to Maryland/D.C. as the destination,” says Dorian. “Odee has a friend who owns the National Golf Club, a beautiful course in Fort Washington, MD, and said we could use it however we wish. We both did several walk-thrus and fell in love with the open outdoor space.”

The green and spacious golf course was not only easy on the eyes but also offered ample space to maintain social distancing and keep their guests safe. Scroll through the gallery to see the most beautiful moments from Dorian and Oludotun’s modern and intimate ceremony.

Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Send your story and a link to your wedding photos to bridalbliss@essence.com for consideration.

01
Meet The Dawodus
Bride: Dorian Thompson, National Sales Manager Groom: Oludotun Dawodu, Head of Commercial Real Estate Venue: National Golf Club, Fort Washington, MD Reception: La Vie, DC Theme: Intimate Modern Photographer: Trene Forbes with additional photo edits made by Denyce Lawton of Flawless Fotography Bride’s top: Amur Bride’s Skirt: Jaye Bailey Bride’s shoes: Bottega Veneta Veil: Gigi Buress Millinery Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein Groom’s shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo Rings: David Yurman and Cartier Decor (chairs, flower wall): BLUX Rentals Flowers: Lee’s Flower and Card Shop Cake: Cake Courtesan Favors: Artist by Kelly Palma
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
02
The Proposal
Dorian decided to celebrate her birthday by attending the Oprah 2020 Vision Tour in Brooklyn with her girlfriends, then ending the evening with an intimate dinner with Oludotun. As she turns the key into their home, she discovered there was much more than dinner waiting. “As I walked further into the house I noticed that there were rose petals leading up the staircase so I shouted up the stairs ‘Oooooweee!’ I walk up the stairs and there he is at the top waiting. He then asked, ‘how much do you love me?’ I said, ‘like a fat kid loves cake.’ Odee replies, ‘I am going to need you to love me more than that!’ I laughed and as I turned, he was on his knees as if he was going to pray. It seemed all a blur amidst him asking ‘will you marry me?’ as he opened a blue box with an illuminating light on this amazingly beautiful and most perfect ring! I said ‘yes’ in my UGLIEST cry face ever!”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
03
A Key To Shopping Savvy: Don’t Always Go For What’s “Hot Right Now”
“When you’re shopping, look for those things that are going to be transitional and things that will still be in style next year, versus something that’s just hot right now.” -Jeremy
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
04
Butterflies
“I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve,” said the bride. “I was anxious, practicing my vows so I wouldn’t cry, but that of course was a fail!”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
05
One Stylish Bride
Since the couple was originally set to marry at the Justice Of The Peace, Dorian initially chose a backless white maxi dress by Khaite for her wedding day look. After their wedding plans changed, so did her inspiration. “I had already envisioned a two-piece look and had purchased an AMURI top from Saks Fifth Avenue. I enlisted black-owned designer Jaye Bailey to make me a custom skirt and the whole look came to life.”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
06
True Beauty
Dorian’s peachy, subtle glam was achieved using the black-owned makeup brand Honey Cosmetics.
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
07
Dressed To Slay
“I tried everything on two nights before the wedding with my shoes and immediately began to have second thoughts like this could be THE look,” says the gorgeous bride. “So I turned to my girls and without a doubt, I received a unanimous ‘YES GIRl!’ With that veil, it was an emphatic ‘heck yes!!'”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
08
Dapper Gentleman
Oludotun arrived at the altar in this sharp Calvin Klein suit. Excellent choice!
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
09
Love All Over
“It felt amazing being a bride and being handpicked by God to be a significant part of someone else’s life,” says Dorian
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
10
Forever Daddy’s Girl
Dorian was walked down the aisle by her father to “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder. “It was a proud moment for us both!,” says Dorian. “I know he never thought this day would come, but he was ecstatic knowing that Odee was a man of faith and his beliefs aligned with that of our family.”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
11
Words From The Heart
“One of my favorite wedding memories was reading my personal vows and sharing my love journey with those around me,” says Dorian. “My words were intimate, yet meaningful. Even those who may have never met Odee felt like they had a better understanding of why they were all there.”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
12
When Two Become One
“Experiencing the transition into being a married man was better than I thought it would be,” says Odee. “That moment felt better than it did in my dream.”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
13
Clean And Simple
The Dawodus kept their ceremony unique and special by letting the golf course greenery set the stage for their aesthetic. “We added a flower wall and chanel lucite chairs for a clean vibe,” says the bride.
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
14
Ask And You Shall Receive
“I was specific in my prayers for my wife,” says Oludotun. “I got my prayers and wishes granted when I met Dorian.”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
15
Just Married
How cute is this custom golf cart?
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
16
Generations Of Love
The couples were blessed with some words of wisdom on marriage from Dorian’s parents who have been married 45 years.
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
17
Always And Forever
Oludotun says he knew Dorian was the one immediately after their first date. “I was on the phone with her literally until we met up the next day and we were inseparable from that day on,” he says. “I told her ‘we go together.'”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
18
The Day Of Her Dreams
“I never wanted a wedding and preferred a backyard fete,” says the low-key bride. “I kind of got the backyard part on the golf course, but it was an amazing feeling knowing I married my best friend and life partner in love and in faith.”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
19
Safety First
The bride took every precaution to keep friends and family safe, which included wearing these custom face masks.
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
20
The After Party
“Our reception luncheon started at 2pm and ended around 5pm,” the couple told ESSENCE. “We asked guests that they remain seated throughout to avoid much contact due to CDC guidelines, and we also arranged most seating with immediate family in mind.”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
21
Set The Scene
Guests dined in the venue’s swanky Chandelier Room for the reception. “I am a fashion girl,” says Dorian, ” so I wanted our colors to be muted in nudes, rose blushes, soft greys with hints of blue. It worked!”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
22
Flower Power
The table centerpieces included simple and elegant arrangements of peonies, hydrangeas, and white roses.
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
23
One Of A Kind
The couple’s two-tier banilla bean custom map cake blew us away!
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
24
Let’s Do Brunch!
The mouthwatering brunch menu included shrimp and grits, lemon ricotta pancakes, steak and buttermilk biscuits. As a personalized touch, name settings in mirror acrylic were custom made for every guest.
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
25
Tokens Of Appreciation
The newlyweds provided their guests with thoughtful gift boxes including n95 masks, hand sanitizers and custom golf balls fitting for the venue.
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
26
God’s Timing
“I love how my husband loves, protects, and prays for me,” says Dorian. “God knew exactly what He was doing, and this life was worth the wait!”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
27
Time Stood Still
“My greatest moment happened on July 25, 2020 but I know GOD has so many more memories and amazing moments ahead of us,” says Dorian.
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
28
Dorian’s Advice To Brides
“A lesson I learned during the wedding planning process is to try and relax by finding a few minutes to yourself,” says Dorian. “Whatever your spiritual journey is, find peace in the process. Mine was an evening prayer before bed and one when I woke up.”
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
29
Just The Two Of Us
The Dawodus didn’t go on a honeymoon due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, they ended the night with a relaxing stay at the Intercontinental Hotel. There were oysters, champagne, and quality time – everything the newlyweds wanted!
Bridal Bliss: Dorian And Oludotun’s Golf Course Wedding
TOPICS:  behind bridal bliss Black Love black love weddings bridal Bridal Bliss love social distancing weddings
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now