James, senior director of DEI at General Motors, and Kelly, director of digital-marketing strategies at Fuel Medical Group, met on Tinder. Less than two years after their first date at a Japanese restaurant in Portland, Oregon—where they live—James proposed there, “back where it all started,” he says, over sushi.
The pair envisioned a wedding ambience that felt warm and friendly, like the tropics, and a party reminiscent of disco music’s peak. The result was a “tropical disco” theme in shades of burgundy, orange, and forest green, with colorful flowers and a showstopping tropical-leaf/disco-ball installation above the dance floor—Kelly’s favorite element of the day. From the moment guests entered, the dance floor was packed thanks to DJ Tryfe, who made it hard for guests to leave it, even for dinner, says James. Fun signs included one at the bar with pictures of the couple’s dogs, Jameson and TJ, that teased: drinks are on us, but the hangover is on you.
The Details
Photography: Jessica Hunt Photography
Planning and design: Favored by Yodit Events & Design
Florist: Sophie Felts Floral Design
Invitations: Oblation Papers & Press
Cake: Jisoo Cake Design
Attire: Custom tuxedos by Todd Snyder
Music: Jordan Kitt’s Music (piano rental); Adam McDonald Music (pianist); Tryfe (DJ)
Groom’s attire: Something Vintage
Lighting and seating chart: The LightSource Company
Calligraphy: Lady Fern Graphics
Audiovisual: DJ Teck
This wedding originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of Washingtonian.
Amy leads Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Prior to joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was the editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that, editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.
