Black Tie, Two Cultures & a Dance Floor That Never Stopped at Crystal Plaza in Livingston

Melissa Foy and TJ Osunkoya met on Tinder in 2015, but it was a mix-up at Starbucks that convinced them it was fate—both had ordered the same caramel latte, TJ grabbed the wrong one, and the two West New York natives realized they had more in common than they’d imagined. Nearly a decade later, photographed by BeCool Studios, they celebrated their November 30, 2025 wedding at Crystal Plaza in Livingston—a stunning glass-ceilinged venue that gave Melissa exactly the modern, airy, light-filled atmosphere she’d envisioned. With a classic black, white, and gold palette, towering floral arches of white roses and hydrangeas, and a pop of burnt orange in the bridesmaids’ gowns, the celebration was as elegant as it was joyful—complete with music honoring both TJ’s Nigerian and Melissa’s Jamaican heritage, a first dance floor straight out of a fairy tale, and the bride’s custom beaded reception gown by a Nigerian designer.

Their Story

Tinder brought Melissa Foy and Tijesunimi Osunkoya together in March 2015, but coffee sealed the deal. After dating for about a month, they ran into each other at a Starbucks and discovered they had ordered the same caramel latte. Tijesunimi, who goes by TJ, accidentally picked up Melissa’s drink, and the pair, both from West New York, realized they had each other’s coffee.

“It was definitely a sign that it was meant to be,” Melissa says. “We have the same taste, the same morals, the same upbringing and the same goals.” They said, “I love you,” just two months later. “I love that he’s very caring, he always puts my needs first, he’s very patient, and he’s very ambitious,” says Melissa.

The Proposal

With the help of Melissa’s two older sisters, TJ pulled off a surprise proposal on January 27, 2024. Melissa got dressed up for what she believed was a family photo shoot, only to have TJ propose in front of their family and friends. There was a slideshow playing of photos taken throughout their relationship and a flower wall with the question, “Will you marry me?” in illuminated letters. When she realized what was happening, Melissa skipped to TJ. “I had no idea he had planned such an elaborate celebration,” she says.

Details of the Day

Melissa and TJ tied the knot in a black-tie wedding on November 30, 2025, at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston. Melissa loved the venue for its modern, airy feel, perfect lighting and glass ceiling that let natural light into the ceremony area. With a black, white and gold color scheme, “I was going for a classic, elegant vibe,” says Melissa. The flowers were a timeless mix of white roses, white hydrangeas and baby’s breath. Huge floral arches served as a backdrop to their ceremony and sweetheart table, which also had cascading floral garland.

Melissa added a pop of color with burnt orange, her favorite color and a shout-out to the fall season, for the bridesmaids’ gowns and the groomsmen’s ties and pocket squares. The couple and their 140 guests danced to all kinds of music, including nods to TJ’s Nigerian and Melissa’s Jamaican roots, and enjoyed delicious food. “It was definitely a great day,” she says. “Everything came to fruition—the visuals, our connection and everybody there to see our love.”

Wedding Day Attire

Melissa wore a form-fitting, off-the-shoulder dress with beading and embroidery and a long train by Allure Bridals. “I felt like a doll,” she says. During the reception, she changed into a second dress, a custom beaded gown by a Nigerian designer.

First Dance

The couple’s first dance was to Monica’s “Why I Love You So Much.” “I loved the smoke and fog on the floor and the sparkler lights,” says Melissa. “That made my fairy tale, dream wedding come true.”

Favorite Moment

The speeches, from Melissa’s father, sisters and maid of honor, and TJ’s best man and mother, “were really touching,” she says.

Detail They Couldn’t Live Without

Melissa loved “The Newlywed Times” program she created.

Honeymoon

The couple went to St. Barts and is back home in West New York.