Marriage

5 Wedding Music Videos That Had Us In Our Feelings

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Music always has a way of getting to you in different ways depending on how you feel at a particular time.

Friedrich Nietzsche once said, ‘Without music, life would be a mistake’. When it comes to love and romance, where words fail, music just does it. Over time both local and foreign musicians have used wedding-themed music videos to express their art.

These are a few wedding-themed music videos that totally had us in our feelings.

1. Matrimony – Wale feat Usher

 

This song was released by American born Nigerian artiste, Wale on March 2, 2015. ‘Matrimony’ was the second single from his fourth studio album, ‘The Album About Nothing’. He featured one guest appearance, Usher Raymond.

2. No One Like You – P-Square

 

‘No one like you’ was released as one of the singles on the ‘Game Over’ album. According to Forbes’ 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa article, the song has been viewed over 10 million times on YouTube.

3. Beauty Marks – Ciara

 

4. Best Thing I Never Had – Beyonce

 

This song was recorded by Beyonce for her fourth studio album and was released as the third single from the album on June 1, 2011.

5. We Belong Together – Mariah Carey

 

‘We belong together’ is from her tenth studio album, ‘The Emancipation Of Mimi’ which was released in 2005.

Wedding Themed music videos are beautiful and heart-warming and make us understand and appreciate love for what it is.

Photo Credit: Vevo

Planning

These 5 Tips Will Help You Look Picture Perfect On Your Big Day

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Everyone wants to look back at their wedding picture with a certain mix of nostalgia and excitement.

Typically, your wedding day should be one of your best picture days. You don’t want a grumpy look, a pout gone wrong, or a your face looking quite the opposite when you stare at your wedding photos.

Here are a few tips to help you look just good enough or even more on your wedding day.

1. Light Make-Up

For brides, do it well to keep it simple.

You don’t want to turn out looking queer because you had more than the right amount of colour needed on your face. You certainly do not want to look like a totally different person on that day.

2. Fall In Love With Your Photographer

First off, do not pick a photographer you dislike or one who irritates you for whatever reason. Your photographer should be one you are pretty comfortable with. Posing for photos will be seamless.

3. Your Attire Must Be Pretty Comfortable

Whatever you and your spouse choose to rock on your wedding day. It must be comfortable. You don’t want a dress that makes you fidget in such a way that your discomfort is obvious in photos.

4. Leave Your Worries At Home

Yeah, yeah the adult life is full of worries we all know that but on your big day you should be as cheerful as you can. No iota of gloom is allowed really.

Think of your best days and all the amazing things you could think of your spouse.

5. Keep Your Guest List As Thin As Possible

Flamboyant weddings are a thing especially in Nigeria but it does not kill to have your guest list short, completely made up of close friends and family friends you love and who love you right back.

Choose happiness everyday, be it on your big day or not. Everyday you are alive is a kodak moment.

Photo Credit: Vision & Style Photography

Planning

6 Ways To Effortlessly Overcome Stage Fright On Your Big Day

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Stage fright is commonly defined as nervousness before or during an appearance in front of an audience.

This can happen to the best of us. Even the most bubbly person in the room has a high chance of getting nervous when asked to be on stage. Some people get cold feet before their wedding because they can’t imagine standing before an audience even on their big day.

If you are the shy type or for some reason have phobia for a large crowd, here are a few tips that can help you overcome stage fright on your wedding day.

1. Do Away With Flamboyant Entry

You don’t have to do all the drama that comes with entering the venue. You can cut out the music and replace it with a simple announcement about your arrival and be clapped for. It will feel even better if you are ushered in with your bridal train, family or friends.

2. Slash Your Guest List

The entire universe doesn’t have to celebrate this special day with you. Strictly invite your family, friends and people whom you are super close with.

3. Cut The Chase With Your Vows

Make your vows simple and straight to the point especially if you are writing yourself. No need to go all the way. Short yet precise will work for you.

4. Don’t Restrict Yourself

Having a special seat for just you and your spouse will definitely make you the center of attention. Seat at a table with friends and family. This will make it a lot more comfortable for you.

5. Simple First Dance

Your first dance does not mean you must have killer moves. Trying out anything major will only add to your stress. Do something simple with your spouse.

6. Unanimous Appreciation

Ensure that you and your spouse thank your guests together. Doing it while holding hands would be even better.

Your spouse is the most important person to you both on your big day and forever. Let your spouse know before hand that you have cold feet as regards crowd on your big day so together you can plan how to make the day as seamless as possible.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

News

All You Probably Missed From Lagos Bridal Fashion Week 2018

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Better late than never right? We bring you in grand style all you may have probably missed from The Lagos Bridal Fashion Week 2018.

This past weekend Call Her Classic presented LBFW,  a three-day showcase of all things bridal in Nigeria. From excellent masterclasses with top bridal designers such as Hudayya, Yemi Kosibah, Mai Atafo and more, to bridal consultations, LBFW was just the place to be. There were also bridal consultation rooms, where brides-to-be could speak to the designers. How cool!

The crowning stroke was obviously the runway showcase, which encased some of the best wedding designs we’ve ever seen from all over Africa.

Lagos Bridal Fashion Week succeeded in exhibiting the astounding talent in Nigeria.

Here are a couple of designs that left us breathless:

Toju Foyeh

Toju Foyeh displayed this collection, giving us a dose of her diversity and range as a designer. Without straying away from her signature designs, she added an entirely different feel to this collection — mixing aso oke with different fabrics to make jaw-dropping bridal outfits.

Kosibah

Even after 24 years in the bridal business, Yemi Kosibah still brings his A-game on.

Ese Azenabo

MunaLuchi Coterie member and elite fashion designer Ese Azenabor has been in the fashion industry for over five years. With a background in accounting this self-taught fashion-savvy entrepreneur brings an educated business sense to her intricate, culturally inspired designs.

Hudayya

Hudayya’s collection oozed undeniable flair. It’s apparent that the designer devotes a good amount of energy and creativity into making these unique pieces.

Brides By Nona

With Brides by Nona, everything is bespoke and custom-made. The collection featured a lot of beautiful designs with dynamic silhouettes that can fit brides of different shapes and sizes.

David Tlale

With something for grooms, brides and even wedding guests, the collection enveloped wedding fashion in a whole.

Poosh Bespoke

Poosh displayed their sharp and perfectly tailored suits, which came in a wide range of colours that were impossible to ignore.

 

Taylor Gabriels

Taylor Gabriels’ collection was strictly for grooms and was surely made for guys who are downright fashion faithful. The tuxedos were indeed flamboyant.

Apart from the runway show, there were masterclasses and loads of side attractions. Enjoy!

 

Photo Credit: Emmanuel Oyeleke and Chris Onah

Celebrity

Actor Gideon Okeke Finds Love And It’s Extremely Beautiful

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Gideon Okeke is a Nigerian actor, model and TV Presenter. Okeke became known in 2006 when he appeared as a contestant on the first edition of Big Brother Nigeria.

In 2008, Gideon joined the cast of MNET TV series Tinsel. Gideon who is a single father to daughter born in March 2016 got traditionally married to the love of his life, Chidera on April 22, 2018.

He posted a few pictures and wrote:

Anyi ebulu go mmanya bata Umubele Awka. Otokwaa gi I chiaaa. 🤣😁🕺🕺🕺
#MrAndMrsOkeke

Photo Credit: Gideon Okeke

Planning

How To Kill Cold Feet On/Before Your Wedding Day

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You have been looking forward to your wedding for a while now but as the wedding date draws near, you begin to have second thoughts about it. Any conversation about the wedding no longer excites you instead it frightens you.

Thoughts of walking down the aisle with different pairs of eyes watching makes you want to puke. It’s okay. You do not hate your partner and you are not an alien. You are just nervous.

Here are a few tips that can help you:

1. Know Your Worries

Like the saying goes, there’s no smoke without fire. Figure out your major concerns or what you could possibly worry about.

2. Stay Positive

If you are feeling down, do not be around people who will add fuel to the already burning fire. Speak positively regardless of how you feel deep down and talk to positive minded people.

3. Be Vocal

Whatever fears you may have, talk about it with trustworthy and supportive people. It will go a long way.

4. Pay Attention To Your Breathing

Focus on your breath, and in particular, your diaphragm. And become calm – yoga is a brilliant way to learn body awareness, build stamina to stress and remain flexible, emotionally and physically.

5. Think Of Your Partner

Recall why you made this decision in the first place. Remind yourself of all the things that make your partner awesome.

6. Rehearse Mentally

Walk through what will happen on the day, from beginning to end in your mind. Let your primary focus be on your role.

7. Have Fun

Take nothing personal and have as much fun as you can before and on your big day.

It’s not awkward that you feel tensed or anxious after-all. You are moving into an entirely different phase of your life. Regardless, live, love, laugh and bask in the euphoria of being a newly wed.

Photo Credit: InsideWeddings, LoveWeddings, BridalMusings

Planning

What We Hate About Arranged Marriages

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An arranged marriage is a type of marital union where the bride and groom are selected by their families. Sometimes, a professional matchmaker may be used.

Arranged marriage has its pros and cons like every other thing in life but there are a lot of things that couples are deprived of when it seems like they were just roped in.

Here are a few reasons why we may frown at arranged marriages.

1. No Dating Quiver

Couples who are often brought together by family members and the like barely enjoy the tremor of a relationship. Most times, dating can be tensed, more like an audition for a life partner.

2. Detachment

Sometimes, you may feel you are preparing for someone else’s wedding ceremony rather than yours. Especially, if the arrangement was sudden.

3. Constant Intrusion By Family

If the marriage was arranged / planned by family, they would most likely intrude for the most part of your relationship with your spouse.

4. Love Is Farfetched

Half the time, love is hardly ever involved and really, no one deserves a loveless marriage.

5. Familiar Stranger

You probably do not really know a lot about your partner as the union was masterminded by both families who feel they know you and your spouse too well. Living together can feel awkward.

Most couples do not enjoy their big day because they are busy trying to work out how they would live with their ‘arranged’ partners forever. However it maybe, marry someone who you are a 100% comfortable with.

* Images are used to depict arranged marriages but the weddings may not be arranged

Photo Credit: Pinterest, Punjabi and Leral.net

 

Celebrity

6 Nigerian Celebrities Who Had Amazingly Hush-Hush Weddings

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agbani

Weddings are commonly regarded as marriage ceremonies. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vows by the couple, presentation of gifts (offering, ring(s), symbolic item, flowers, money), and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure.

Somehow, a few Nigerian celebrities have defied all odds by exchanging vows with their spouses away from public eye.

Here are 6 Nigerian celebrities who had secret weddings.

1. Regina Askia

One of Nollywood’s hottest and oldest actress, Regina Askia, in  the early 90s secretly married Rudolph Williams, an American who flew to Lagos for the secret ceremony. At this time the Internet wasn’t popular in Nigeria so it took about a week for people to find out. Shortly after her wedding Regina Askia relocated with her husband.

2. Uche Jumbo

Uche Jombo secretly married Kenny Rodriguez in a low key wedding ceremony in America after her failed relationship with Ikechukwu Uche.

3. Stella Damasus

The actress who is based in UK has been secretly married for 3 years to her live-in lover, Daniel Ademinokan. Ademinokan announced this on February 14, 2017.

4. Funke Akindele

Multiple award-winning actress secretly got married to her beau JJC Skillz Bello in London on August 27, 2016.

5. Di’ja

Reports had it that Mavin singer Di’Ja had gotten married in December 2015 but Di’Ja did not give a hint. On July 1, 2016 Di’Ja finally revealed that she had gotten married months ago and had given birth to a boy.

6. Agbani Darego

Top Nigerian model, Agbani married Ishaya Danjuma in a quiet ceremony in Morocco on April 8, 2017. It was reported that only 35 people were in attendance.

It’s amazing that these people were able to keep their wedding away from the public until much later despite their celebrity status.

Photo Credit: Instagram Handles Of The Celebrities

Planning

10 Perfect Questions To Ask Before You Hire A Wedding Planner

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Wikipedia defines a wedding planner as a professional who assists with the design, planning and management of a client’s wedding. Most people are skeptical about hiring wedding planners but they actually take a huge part of the burden off your chest.

If you fall under the class of those who are still wondering if they should hire one or not then here are 10 sure questions you should ask any wedding planner you intend to hire to clear your mind of any doubt whatsoever.

1.What Are Your Work Ethics?

The couple should find out if the planner prefers face-to-face meetings, calls or emails. Find out if they have a workable plan. This would help you have a sense of where their priorities fall.

2. Is There A Minimum Budget?

You may probably have no idea how much it will cost to make your wedding happen in a fab way but your wedding planner should be able to give you realistic budget that you can work with or not. It is wise to be honest about how much you have on the table to spend.

3. Do You Have Vendors You Prefer To Work With?

If they do, it could be to your advantage or not because it means that they have established a solid relationship, access to discounts, and an understanding of the other vendors’ quality of work. It can also limit your ability to get a decorator/photographer that can give you what you desire the most.

Make sure you find out if the planner gets a percentage from their preferred vendors so you know why they like working with those vendors and how they’ll be working for YOU.

4. What Makes Your Weddings Unique?

It is essential that you know what length your planner is willing to make your wedding extremely special. Does he/she switch venues? Your personality and the like?

5. How Similar Are Your Weddings?

It’s important to get a feel for what each planner brings to the table. You’ll quickly see if their ideas can mesh with your vision.

6. What’s The Most Successful Wedding You Have Ever Planned?

You have to know what the person you are hiring can do. If they’ve pulled off 500-person weddings without a hitch, chances are they’ll easily be able to plan your wedding.

7. What Kind Of Venues Have You Planned Weddings In?

This would help you have an idea of the planner’s range. If you want an outdoor wedding, make sure the planner has a sense of how to execute that type of event flawlessly before you sign a contract. The planner should be asked weather-related questions, lighting questions, and questions about decor to see the way he/she will go about planning an event in your ideal venue.

8. How Do You Cope With Difficult Family Members?

This question helps you know how the planner handles work pressure.  Something may go wrong at your wedding but you need a planner who can remain poised no matter what. Difficult family members could also pose a problem. Your planner should be able to take care of any situation that may arise with ease.

9. How Long Have You Been A Wedding Planner?

Starting new is not a problem but it’s only vital that you are aware how experienced your planner is.

10. How Do You Tackle Design?

Every planner has a creative vision and a talent for creating beautiful events, but you should know if they can beautifully bring your idea to life. Pay attention to how the planner responds to your ideas and most importantly relates with them. If your dreams are overwhelming, you just may need another planner.

It is only appropriate that your planner should be able to connect on many levels with you.

Photo Credit: Confetti.ie

Interviews

Vendor Interview: A Peek Into The Life Of Olaleye Babatunde

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Tunde Olaleye is a Nigerian wedding photographer based in Lagos. Albeit a graduate of Mathematics, Tunde has an intense passion for photography and his works are proof.

He spoke on his life, career and more in this interview with Iludio.

Please tell us about yourself and your business.

My name is Olaleye Babatunde, a graduate from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo state with B.Sc. in Industrial Mathematics. I am a photographer by profession and the C.E.O of Mimshach photography. I am married with a daughter.

How did you start and what inspired you to get into the industry?

It started out with my love for pictures. I used to take loads of selfies and this was in 2008, then it grew into profound love for images. I met a graphics designer called Jeff in church who had a digital camera and extra laptops through my best friend. He thought us some basics on how to shoot and also a little on editing. I already had love for pictures, so it was easier for me to start creating my own images since I had a free camera to use. My friends and I covered mostly church programs. Mimshach photography started officially and professionally in 2014 after I graduated. It was responses from the people I took photos in church that inspired me to make a business out of it outside academics

Will you start Mimshach photography, if you were to do it all over? What would you do differently?

Yes I will. Differently… I would have started before I got out of school.

What has been your greatest motivation?

The Word of God and a few colleagues in the business.

What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?

Yes it as changed a lot. Now most weddings have amazing decor that helps photographers to create good images.

What differentiates Mimshach from others in your line of business and location?

Customer friendly, always ready to learn from anybody, and accept constructive criticism.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

The word of God, my wife, nature and movies.

What do you expect from your clients (brides/grooms) and what don’t you expect?

I expect my clients to be calm, wear a smile, look good & comfortable and be patient. I don’t expect them to be impatient or not pay for services rendered.

What do you like about Mimshach and working in the wedding industry?

I love the fact that the growth is constant.

What are the most rewarding aspects of providing your service? What are the frustrating aspects?

The most rewarding aspects are when I deliver a job and the client pays without hesitation and I get referrals from clients. The frustrating aspect is when it takes  forever for a client to pay the balance.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms regarding your business?

If a photographer needs to take a picture at a particular time, they should indulge him or her because you never can tell the idea behind it.

What advice do you have for the up-and-coming in your line of business?

This business is highly competitive I must say but it doesn’t stop you from having your own clients, thousands of weddings happen every week so there is room for you. Just keep improving on you, believe and pray more.

What awards if any have you received?

I got an award from a gospel group in Dec 2017 appreciating me for supporting their concerts.

What would you like our readers to know?

Mimshach photography is the photography company you need for that event, because we are the best at what we do and your budget is our price.

Check out our works @mimshach_photography on Instagram and mimshach photography on Facebook