Hi everyone :)

It has been a MILLION years since I have properly updated my blog. Life has been so busy, but one of my 2025 goals was to slow down and share not only images, but words to go along with them.

When I shot Grace & Tomiwa’s wedding celebrations in 2024, I knew without a doubt, I wanted and needed to get back to blogging. It’s so special for me to not only have these memories to look back on, but to also share the joy I take in my work with all of you.

This will only be part 1 of the Olufolabi/Porter wedding celebrations, so make sure to check back for part 2.

I met Grace & Tomiwa before they ever dated (see part 2 for me to delve more into that!) and so to say the least, it was an absolute joy and complete honor to be able to capture these special moments for them.

For their wedding, Grace & Tomiwa wanted to include both of their cultures, and chose to partake in a Nigerian Wedding Ceremony for part 1 of their wedding day.

A Nigerian Wedding Ceremony is a joyous celebration that involves the community, family, and friends of the bride and groom. It is truly one of the most special days of my entire career of capturing weddings, and I just truly could not be more excited to share the images here with you today.

Through-ought these photos you’ll see some of the traditions Grace & Tomiwa included in their Nigerian Wedding ceremony. The below descriptions of various traditions were written by Orange Blossom Special Events. (click to see the original article, including other traditions that may be included in Nigerian Wedding Ceremonies!)

Alaga
An Alaga, traditionally a woman, is a Nigerian wedding ceremony officiant, or emcee, whose job is to heckle the groom and his friends as entertainment for the wedding guests. It’s a pure delight to watch in person. Weaved with dancing, music, and laughter, the Alaga creates a live theatre of the wedding ceremony traditions that keep people completely engaged during the hour-long ceremony. 

Gele
Nigerian brides wear a traditional, ornate headpiece called a Gele. The bridesmaids and families also follow suit and wear a Gele to honor the cultural traditions of the day. The wedding party typically sources their attire, including the Gele (for the ladies) and Fila (for the groom) from a seamstress who makes everything custom to coordinate. 

Proposal and Acceptance 
In advance of the wedding, a Nigerian groom is required to write a letter of intent to the bride’s parents. This letter is symbolic of a proposal and is presented to the bride’s family. The letter is typically read aloud by a member of the bride’s family, after which, acceptance is given to the groom on behalf of the bride’s family. 

Prostration
During the ceremony, it’s essential for the groom to prostrate. The groom, typically along with his groomsmen, will lay flat on the ground with their faces down at the feet of the bride’s family. This is symbolic of the groom honoring the bride’s family for raising his future wife. Throughout the ceremony, the groom has to earn the love and honor of the bride’s family and this is one way he does it. The groom and groomsmen also prostrate at the feet of the groom’s parents as a sign of respect. 

In these photos you will also see the Nigerian Money Spray

Brides.com explains this as,

“Originated by the Yoruba people in Nigeria’s Southwest, money spraying symbolizes a showering of happiness, good fortune, and the guest's affection for the couple. The bride and groom are ushered in and dance behind the wedding party. Guests encircle the couple on the dance floor and come forward, placing bills on their foreheads, allowing them to “rain down.” 

I’m so excited to share. these photos, and I hope through them you’ll get to see a glimpse of special this ceremony was. I will never forget it.

Venue: Haw River Ballroom
(& more venders on part 2!)