Taylor and Bilal’s intimate micro wedding was one of the best things to happen in 2020. Not only did it give me something fun and positive to look forward to, it was an absolute dream. They booked with us one month into a pandemic that we didn’t think would last beyond Spring but as the pandemic held on so did Taylor and Bilal. They were determined to get married in August 2020 and would find a way for their family and friends to attend safely.

Taylor and I spent countless late-night hours emailing back and forth, mostly between 11 pm and 1 am. Ultimately, they formulated a plan with their family to book a gorgeous place in Gig Harbor and quarantine together for the entire stay leading up to their special day. No detail was spared but more importantly, Taylor and Bilal paid incredible attention to the details that would ensure everyone’s comfort — including ours! It was so fun working with them to create a bright and cheery day.

They booked a stunning home on Gig Harbor that was almost completely surrounded by water, which meant everything had to be brought in. By everything I mean every little thing. It was a beast to move all of the chairs, glassware, forks, florals, candles, and so on, but we did it and it was so worth it. My husband joined me for the weekend and I put him to work. We strung lighting, set up the decor, and even assisted in getting the food picked up and staged for them before we left them to dine solo (thanks, COVID). It rained off and on the day of their wedding, but in true J29 Events fashion, the skies cleared and the sun came out just in time. We scurried to put everything back out and cruised along like it was nothing. Sure it was different, but this wedding screamed beauty and love. So much love. They had 15 guests in attendance with at least 70 more logged in from across the world to attend via Zoom (thank goodness for technology).

In a year when life threw us a ton of lemons, Taylor and Bilal fell from the sky and graced us with their love. Despite it all, they prevailed. Two ethnicities, two religions, family members who flew internationally in the midst a global pandemic and political unrest. They did it and we couldn’t feel more honored to have witnessed their special day.

With all of the difficult things we have endured over the past year and a half, it is so nice to look back and see the light that shone through the darkness. Taylor and Bilal’s wedding was certainly one of those bright spots… despite the rain.

How did you two meet?

We met in college at Central Washington University, which is where Bilal's parents also met. Bilal was president of the break club, and Taylor went with some friends, the rest is history! In our time at CWU, we started an activism club together, graduated with honors, and organized protests on campus in support of Ferguson.

Tell us about your first date.

Well, while it might not be a "date" one of our first deep connections was when Bilal was helping me move out of a bad roommate situation. It was late, we were stressed, and l picked up a box of honey nut cheerios upside down and they spilled everywhere. I was already kneeling and packing, and Bilal just put his hands on my shoulders and said "we've got this". Bilal remembers our first date with us going through all the CDs in his car and bonding over how much we love music. :)

Tell us your engagement story!

On the day of the proposal we went kayaking, Bilal proposed on the water, and we had a picnic with my family. He proposed with the fake ring from Amazon we had ordered when trying on different styles at home as our version of ring shopping during a pandemic. But, really, we were engaged over a month prior. We spent the last year after going to Nigeria for his sister's wedding intentionally working on our relationship to make damn sure we wanted to be married. After we felt sure, we also wanted to be in a place where we were feeling close to make the steps of engagement and wedding stuff.

When COVID hit we spent SO much time just the two of us at home, and we feel a little guilty about this, but we had the time of our lives. It was ridiculously fun and happy for us to just be holed up together. Then, the truth settled in that a large wedding wouldn't be possible for potentially two years, and that was just too long to wait. SO we realized that getting married this summer fit what we wanted, and now here we are two months out even though we never imagined having a small wedding or getting married so quickly, but we are loving it

Tell us about you two as a couple.

We really value family, we are interfaith so Christian and Muslim, we are lowkey but love to have a good time. Basically, we will dance the night away with you, but are just as happy snuggled up watching a movie with either of our families. We value authenticity, kindness, playfulness, learning. and community.

Hobbies?

We like going on low-key outdoor adventures like playing games in the park, cooking together, spending time with our loved ones, dancing of course, and travel when we can. We both are heavily academically oriented, so Taylor graduated with her master’s then Bilal started his.