From Hinge to Hitched! Fadilat & Shinaola Met Online During The Pandemic and Found Love

BNW January 30, 20260 Comments

At a time when the world slowed down because of COVID-19, dating apps did not. In fact, they thrived, working overtime to bring love to so many hearts, including Fadilat and Shinaola’s.

Their love story started on Hinge. The first impressions lingered, and it all led them to a magical first date on a rooftop in NYC. Everything about that day aligned effortlessly, even down to their outfits, and their connection continued to deepen as time passed. Now, it has blossomed into something so beautiful that the lovely duo are saying yes to forever! We are so honoured to be sharing in their joy. Their pre-wedding photos are as stunning as the couple themselves. Donning a red, regal Yoruba look and an earthy-neutral themed look, they get to celebrate their beautiful future to come. Love looks amazing on them, and we are just as excited as they are for this beautiful phase of their lives. 😍

Enjoy their pre-wedding photos and love story below:

Their love story as told by the groom, Shinaola:

We met in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic—a chaotic time globally, but a divinely timed moment for us. We found each other on Hinge, where Fadilat was instantly drawn to my quirky personality and my suave suit-and-tie photo. I can’t pinpoint exactly what drew me in, but from the very first conversation, I felt an ease I had never experienced before. Our first date was on a rooftop in NYC. We didn’t plan it, but we showed up unintentionally matching—red, denim, white, and black. Looking back, it feels like a quiet sign of what was coming: alignment, partnership, and peace. The rest is history, and now we’re writing the next chapter together.