Yetunde + Oladapo | Colorful Nigerian Wedding Tradition

Something a little different and colorful for you today from Don't FRETT Photography. Lots of busy-ness going on around here at DLA, so we have had a little hiatus but we are back with the beautiful  wedding ceremony of Yetunde and Oladapo. This lovely couple is Nigerian, and both come from different tribes in with different customs, which they incorporated into their beautiful, vibrant and colorful Traditional Wedding Ceremony. I just had to share the amazing festiveness, intricate embroidery and design, and grand display of their traditional wedding attire. I'd like to see this kind of color more often!

Most Nigerian couples have a traditional ceremony and perform the traditional customs specific to their tribe, then a "white" wedding the following day. Traditional Ceremonies are very sacred and are important parts of the wedding festivities for both families. It was the way their forefathers were wed. 

Some customs include, prayers over the couple by both sides of the family, cutting of the cake, exchanging rings, Bride finding and seeking counsel from the Bible. The Bride's family and friends ushering her into the Hall to meet her Groom's family and friends, a declaration being read from the Groom's family on how he will take good care of his wife. It's usually a fun filled and very colorful event which takes place the day or two before the Church wedding.

Congratulations to Yetunde and Oladapo, and thanks for sharing this special part of your wedding celebration! We love couples who embrace cultural as part of their I do's and uphold family heritage. Thanks also to Don't FRETT Photography for introducing us to Nigeria wedding celebrations in all their gorgeous, colorful glory!

What do you think about the bride's gorgeous jewelry and accessories? Leave us a message below and then pop over to FACEBOOK and join the conversation.

Have a great week! Make it colorful.

{Real Wedding} A Sophisticated, Multicultural Affair - Ife & Jamal

Very simply, elegant sophistication and culture rule this wedding. From the vivid color palette, exquisite venue, and stunning gown to the rich cultural elements, traditional wedding attire, and of course, jumping the broom, this celebration is a modern cultural wedding done right. Sent to us by Kesha Lambert Photography/ Lash to Lens Studio, this well branded wedding, beginning with the invitations all the way to the joyous happy couple ending, is all about family, tradition, and details, details, details.

Meet Ife and Jamal, who had not one but two weddings in a single memorable weekend!  On Friday, in the beginning of June, the couple held a traditional Yoruba engagament/wedding to honor Ife's Nigeria heritage, complete with traditional food and music. They celebrated a traditional Western wedding ceremony at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott the next day. Truly, a multicultural wedding celebration! With a super modern color palette of dark purple, silver, and hints of hot pink, the couple dubbed their theme "modern, city chic with a touch of bling."

Ife was blingtastic in her sleek and sophisticated Allure Bridal wedding gown, with its beautiful fitted silhouette, strapless bodice, and Swarovski crytals accenting the empire waist. Her simple bouquet of calla lilies was wrapped with silk ribbon and embellished with pictures of her parents and grandparents on their wedding days. The rich purple bridesmaids dresses were from Dessy.

The tradition of jumping the broom, part of wedding culture since at least the 1700's, is found in   cultures throughout the world, including Africa, Scotland, Hungary, and in the Gypsy community. Although some say it originated in West Africa, there is no written record to back up the claim. Jumping over the broom symbolizes different things for different cultures, from determining who runs the household or makes the marriage decisions to a wife's commitment to keeping a home and a couple crossing a new threshold in life together.

 

The reception hall was bathed in color with purple uplighting, a custom monogram on the wall.  Chiavari chairs, satin lilac table linens, silver plate chargers, and even a custom ice sculpture all helped create the chic modern feel Ife and Jamal wanted. The centerpieces were a gorgeous combination of pink, white and purple roses, hydrangeas and calla lilies tying in with the bouquets of the bridesmaids.

Photos submitted throught Two Bright Lights.

VENDORS

Photographer: Kesha Lambert Photography, Lash to Lens Studio

Cake: Brendenbecks
Florist: Rings of Roses

Videographer: Family Treausres 

Lighting: East Coast Event Group 

Wedding Planner: The Detail Diva/Love Lee events

Invitations: The Event Boutique LLC
Dress Designer: Allure Bridal 

Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy

Escort cards/Menu/Program/Paper Items: La Rue Louise Designs 

Shoes: My Glass Slipper

Ife and Jamal's most cherished moment? Saying our wedding vows and seeing our families unite as one and bringing two different cultures and backgrounds together. And that is exactly how it should be, a perfect multicultural wedding in my book. This is surely a weekend Ife, Jamal, and their families will not soon forget! We wish you health, happiness, and an abundance of love.

Many thanks for to the seriously talented Kesha Lambert Photography.  Kesha is located in New Rochelle, NY and had just teamed up with About Face Makeup to create Lash to Lens Studio, a fab make-up and photography duo catering to anything from modern luxury weddings to intimate affair and large corporate gatherings.  Check out their Facebook Fanpage!

AND check out our FACEBOOK FANPAGE too for more great photos and wedding inspiration!

Have a beautiful day,