"Maybe the answer you're looking for is right next to you"...
Morenike and Seun's sister, Funmi, were friends and co-workers in a law firm.
They were introduced when Seun visited his sister in the office during one of his trips back home from his postgraduate studies in the States. And so the chance meeting brought about a friendship which blossomed into a beautiful romance.
He proposed to her on Valentine's Day, two years later, and they got married at a beautiful evening ceremony with a "Midsummer's Night Dream" theme.
Vendor List
Wedding Planner:
The bride's mother (Mrs Modupe Olagbaju) and the bride planned and executed the ceremonies themselves
Cake:
Upper Crust (Wedding & Engagement)
Venue: Muson Centre (Wedding Reception) & Yoruba Tennis Club (Engagement)
Decorator:
En Vogue creations
Dresses:
Valerie Davids - Chief bridesmaids and Bride's post-reception dress
Remay Couture - Bridesmaids
Make-up:
Banke Meshida-Lawal @ BM PRO
Catering:
Yin Yang and the Ice Cream Factory (Wedding)
DJ:
DJ Atte (Wedding)
Band:
Shuga Band
Photographer:
Kehinde Songonuga at Duduguy Photography
Five Minutes with the Bride
What was your wedding inspiration?
If I had my way I would have had an evening garden wedding so I wanted to replicate that intimate atmosphere indoors in the best way I could, hence the black and gold (with a touch of green) theme. Inspiration came from movies like ‘Stardust' and ‘Ever After', plays like a Midsummer Night's Dream. I described this to my decorator Alex of En Vogue Creations and he was able to actualise it within the confines of my budget and beyond. I have to give a big-up to Alex Efeyini & the En Vogue creations team, they did an amazing job, everyone was wowed by his work and he had the most pleasant attitude. I knew exactly what I wanted for my wedding, but he added to my ideas and made the decor even more special. My advice for anyone getting married for whom decor is a big part of their wedding is to shop around and be willing to give up and coming decorators a try (make sure you see their work and materials before engaging them though). Alex was the greatest find from my wedding, the pictures speak for themselves.
Anything else you'll like to share (tips for future brides....etc.)?
Have a time keeper who is not part of the bridal party. You'll be surprised at how time flies while prepping up. You want to be ready at least an hour before your estimated time of departure (for your wedding venue), we were 15 minutes late to church even though we started early and the church was a five minute walk away.
Another thing, I would advise brides to do is be thorough and specific in choosing and engaging vendors. Of course, no matter how prepared you are there will always be surprises, but to the extent that you can avoid them try. Case in point is my wedding for which music was a big part as there was we planned an after party (immediately after the reception). I hired a DJ based on someone's recommendation but had never heard him DJ or been to any of his gig. More importantly, I didn't know of his competence as a wedding DJ as that's a completely different skill set. I had compiled a detailed playlist and gave him most of the music. He even charged me a premium to use my playlist. However, on the wedding day, he came late - his assistant who knew nothing of our discussions, messed up the music for our dance in. When the DJ finally arrived, he disregarded our playlist, didn't play the all important 1st dance songs and just ruined the music for the reception. The lesson I learnt from this and which I'd like to share with other brides is always do your research when it comes to vendors - be it decorators, planners, DJs, live bands, etc. to be sure they can actualize your concept. The DJ I chose is probably a good party/night club DJ but a terrible wedding DJ and was my biggest regret.
Last but most important piece of advice for future brides, is be determined that no matter what happens or doesn't to have the best time of your life as once it's gone you'll never get that day again.
What would you do differently if you could do it again?
So many things - first l wish I'd tied up all the loose ends before the D-Day. For example, I went to the trouble and expenses of arranging this elaborate procession with music by a live quartet to accompany me and the bridal train as we walked into church but forgot to inform my pastor. Of course, on the wedding day, not knowing about my plans, my pastor stuck with convention and I didn't have my dream entrance.
Congratulations Morenike and Seun!