Three Days of Wedding Bliss: A Nigerian Fusion Wedding

In The Beginning

Ben and Tomni’s love story began back at university where God brought their paths together, and they fell head over heels for each other. After a few years of sharing one another’s love and company, they decided to take the next step and got engaged.

For their engagement photo shoot, they returned to the very spot where their love story began – none other than Five Guys! This location and its history in their relationship perfectly encapsulated their boundless love, joy, and excitement for the journey ahead.

And now it was time for their wedding celebrations, which lasted a whopping three days!

Day 1: Nigerian Engagement Ceremony

The celebrations began with the Nigerian engagement ceremony, where Ben and Tomni adorned traditional attire. It was a beautiful blend of two cultures – a true testament to their relationship! The Hunton Park Hotel, with its exquisite landscape, served as the perfect venue for this event, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a grand wedding celebration.

Unique Customs

For some background information, the purpose of this day is for the groom to openly express his commitment to marrying Tomni. When asking for the blessing, the custom is to kneel so far down that he is literally led flat on the floor with his face at the bride’s parent’s feet. For the greeting to be complete, his chest must touch the ground! I don’t think it gets more respectful than that! Both sets of parents were overjoyed.

The day was led by two boisterous and charismatic MCs: Alaga Iduro and Ijoko and Alaga from Abytos Engagement, who effortlessly captivated the audience throughout the day.

Nigerian Dress Code

While the Alagas charmed the crowds, the groom and groomsmen completed the ceremony looking dapper in their traditional Nigerian attire. Every woman in the family adorned themselves with exquisite traditional Nigerian head ties, skillfully crafted by Iyalaje Makeup & Gele. And the bridal party showcased their elegance in outfits meticulously fashioned from the finest fabrics by De Root of Aso-Oke.

The Hunton Park Hotel yard was a perfect backdrop to the events, with its picturesque gardens and grand architecture on the horizon.

Day 2: The White Wedding

After the benediction, it was time for the traditional White Wedding, where the couple said their vows and exchanged rings. Ben and Tomni looked into each other’s eyes and said their sacred promises to one another. A wave of emotion swept through the room, transforming the atmosphere of the entire ceremony. The couple and their loved ones will forever cherish this precious moment.

A Hunton Park Hotel Celebration

Hunton Park Hotel was a gorgeous setting for the newlyweds to have their couple’s photoshoot. The stunning shrubs, towering trees, and intricate stonework were enchanting as we walked through the gardens capturing shot after shot.

At the reception, heartfelt speeches filled the night as everyone delighted with their food and danced to Nigerian music. The reception hall at Hunton Park Hotel proved to be the ideal venue for commemorating their love.

Capturing the beauty and emotions of the day to ensure that the memories stayed alive forever barely felt like work amid all the laughing, dancing, and fun of this Nigerian wedding. Other weddings I photograph tend to be similar, as I love what I do – take a look at some of my previous work here! 

Day 3: The Thanksgiving Service

Finally, on the third day, the couple had a wedding Thanksgiving service at church. They invited all their friends and family to join them in another celebration, honoring the boundless grace of God and thanking Him for a successful wedding. People worshiped, clapped, and raised their hands, showing God the glory for all that had happened. Prayers went up like a sweet-smelling savor before God.

God at the Heart of the Union

The Bible says God is love, and these three days were full of exactly that  – it was a blessing for their families to know that God blessed and sanctified this marriage. From this day, their marriage would forever have Jesus Christ leading and directing its pathways. He who finds a wife finds favor with God, and Ben certainly found favor on this day. There is much to thank God for at a time like this, and I most certainly thank Him for my participation on this beautiful day. If you think I can be your wedding photographer too, contact me here!

From Here to Eternity

At the end of it all, Ben and Tomni were beyond blessed to have the support of their families and friends and even more to have the Lord’s hand over these events and their marriage. The couple will look back on these three days fondly, thankful for the love and God’s grace throughout.

Hallelujah! Congratulations to Ben and Tomni!