In all wedding related news this year, Nigeria has been leading the charts with the record breaking big budget weddings. And, by big budgets, we mean jaw dropping sums that buy lavish experiences that (until now), would have seemed beyond reasonable. Think brand new cars and iPhones as souvenir gifts. Think illusionists flown in from Spain and real gold engraved in the floor.
According to market research group, TNS Global, “getting married in Nigeria is big business and said to be worth millions of dollars, with costs up to $9,460-$13,515 with guest lists matching the super-sized budgets.” In an interview with CNN, ace Nigerian wedding planner and former DWP speaker said that, “you can have five million Naira ($13,869.65) at one end of the spectrum, 20 million Naira ($55,478.60) in the middle and it can even get as high as 100 million Naira ($277,393).”
In light of the new studies surrounding the news worthy weddings, here is our run down of the most ostentatiously glam Nigerian weddings of the year…
Folarin Alakija and Nazanin Ghaissarifa wedding
Location: Blenheim Palace, England
Wedding Planner: Sade Awe, The Bridal Circle
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVMtNE0jsvK/?taken-by=shaninamshaik
This summer, Folarin Alakija, the son of Nigerian oil billionaire Folorunso Alakija, married Iranian model Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar, at the Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, in an extremely oppulent ceremony estimated to be worth over $6m. Alakija’s mother is listed as one of the richest African women in the world, with an estimated fortune of $1.68 billion, according to Forbes.
The incredibly lavish affair, planned by Sade Awe of The Bridal Circle, has been one of the most talked about events of the year, because of the incredible spectacle that it was, set in the historic Blenheim palace in Oxfordshire, England. Celebrity florist Jeff Leatham curated one million white roses to adorn the interiors to replicate an ethereal haven, while luxury Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium created a 12-foot tall wedding cake that was covered in white roses to match the decorations. Celebrity guests including supermodel Shanina Shaik and fashion blogger Temi Otedola boogied the night away to Robin Thicke’s live performance, on a marble floor engraved with real gold!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVU3XjSgOdi/?taken-by=jeffleatham
Agbani Darego and Ishaya Danjuma wedding
Location: Amanjena Luxury Resort, Marrakech, Morocco
Wedding Planner: Elizabeth Elohor of Prive Luxury Events
Former beauty queen and the first ever native African pageant winner, Agbani Darego, married Ishaya Danjuma, son of former defense minister, Theophilus Danjuma in April 2017. The ceremony was a private affair with only 35 of the closest guests who only revealed the news after the wedding. Due to discretion on the celebrity couple’s end, not many details have been revealed about the wedding but elite planner and former Planners Xtraordinaire speaker and DWP delegate shared glimpses of the lavish affair via social media.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSspUzdBci3/?hl=en&taken-by=priveluxuryevents
Ehizogie Ogbebor and Kenneth Bramor wedding
Location: Esteem Event Center, Benin, Nigeria
Wedding Planner: 2706 Events
The hashtag #EhiKen2017 on Instagram reveals more than thousands of stunning wedding goals from the extravagant nuptials of Ehi Ogbebor, CEO of Sayaveth Interiors in Lagos and Kenneth Bramor, an oil and gas billionaire businessman. The bride shared with her 112k followers the happenings of her big day, where reportedly top government officials were in attendance and iPhone 7s were given out as souvenirs along with two brand new Toyota Camry cars were given to lucky winners after a raffle draw.
The royal gold interiors were custom created by Nwandos Signature Events, and the astonishing cake in the form of stacked Persian pillows was painstakingly created by Doodles Cakes in Lagos. Commenting on the gorgeous dessert, the bride captioned, “The last tier was heavier than a bag of rice.”
Banky W and Adesua Etomi wedding
Location: South Africa
Wedding Planner: DeeDee George, The Urban Marketplace (TUM) Socials & Showcases, Washington DC
Celebrity Couple, Banky W and Adesuwa Etomi took the final leg of their wedding to Cape Town, South Africa after they shut down Lagos with the festivities of their traditional marriage. The couple jetted out with their close friends and family to the scenic hills facing The Westin, to celebrate the most-awaited African wedding of the year.
Wedding Planner Dee Dee George shared on instagram, “Im still amazed at the miracle of this production. 6am calls on the morning of. The westin cringing at alllll the candles @bcgevents – you are a super star. @westincpt – thank you for giving us the flexibility to bring this dream wedding to life. All the adjustments for our 5-course dinner. Your team is absolutely amazing, an all-star cast. Niall, Leigh-Ann, Jo-Ann, Grant, Janine, Missy and the entire Westin Cape Town Operation, I cant say thank you enough. Cant wait to come back.”
BCG Events Luxury Floral Decor shared snippets from the wedding showcasing their pristine white blossoms with hints of pink and orange pastels across the venue at Westin, Cape Town.
Esan bride Adesua wore four outfits by Toju Foyeh for her big day, from her Edo attire to transforming into a Yoruba bride. Banky W looked equally dapper in two Agbada looks, one navy blue and the second one black – both by Deco, complementing Adesua’s looks with each outfit change.
Busayo Makinwa and Stian Fossengen wedding, July 2017
Younger sister to multi-award winning media personality Toke Makinwa got married traditionally to her Norwegian fiancé Stian Fossengen at The Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event which was planned by Marcus Smith events saw a star studded guest list of Nigerian celebrities for the traditional wedding. Another white wedding was held later in the groom’s native, Norway.
The winter wonderland theme designed by Yvent Kouture Events showcasing dreamy hints of blue and purple.
