MunaLuchi Bride Magazine Spring 2018 Feature: Claire & Charles
Print Copies Available for Pre-Order HERE!
Featured in the Spring 2018 issue of MunaLuchi Bride magazine, Claire and Charles’ intimate destination Aruba wedding featured gorgeous views of the Aruba mountainside and stunning white orchids in a picturesque tropical paradise. Read all about Claire and Charles’ love story and wedding experiences – featuring the planning of MunaLuchi Coterie member Victorious Events NYC.
View the entire vendor list below, and see the complete selected gallery here.
Bride & Groom: Claire & Charles
Location of Wedding: Aruba
Wedding Date: September 2, 2017
Claire & Charles first met at an after party following her cousin’s birthday celebration. Charles was immediately drawn to Claire, spotting her the moment she walked through the doors of the afterparty. Claire recalls how she, “found him to be so kind and respectful – not the usual type you might meet in those environments.” They had such a good time laughing and talking, enjoying each other’s company that the party went by almost entirely unnoticed. Not wanting the night to end, they decided to go out for a late dinner at a local twenty-four hour diner where they continued their conversation all throughout the night and into sunrise.
Charles knew Claire was “the one” when he lost the ability to make any future life plans without her in them. Claire knew Charles was “the one” after their first encounter which led to that first wonderful date night together – she knew from that moment on that he was the man she was going to marry.
For Claire, her wedding dress was the dress of her dreams. A custom made Alonuko dress; elegant and romantic, classy yet sexy – with a detachable overskirt giving her two completely different looks in one.
Claire and Charles’ intimate destination Aruba wedding featured gorgeous views of the Aruba mountainside and stunning white orchids in a picturesque tropical paradise. To celebrate their cultural heritages (Rwandan/Congolese and Nigerian), Claire and Charles held a traditional African engagement party prior to the wedding where their two families met and asked for the woman’s hand in marriage. Over four hundred guests attended who enjoyed performances by a popular Nigerian artist.
Best memories: My favorite memory was just watching our guests enjoy themselves knowing that they flew thousands of miles across the world to celebrate with us. The love was so real between everyone. You could literally feel the happiness and joy in the air!
Advice for engaged couples: Do what you want! Do not allow yourself to be pressured by people around you or even social media to have a certain type of wedding. If you only want 10 people there, go for it! If you want 1,000 guests, go for it. It’s your day to enjoy with your spouse! We received a lot of flak for only having 25 guests at first, but I’m so glad we stuck to our guns and had an intimate wedding. We wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Quick facts from the bride:
Wedding Flowers: I wanted all white flowers. White orchids are my favorite!
Favorite Item on the Menu: Everything! The food was exquisite. I had Ossobucco with Risotto Milanese and Charles had the Sea Bass.
Wedding Party Gifts: Bridesmaids received a silk dressing gown and the Groomsmen received cigars.
First Dance Song: “So High” by John Legend
Advice for Brides: Hire a wedding planner! Victoria of Victorious Events NYC was amazing! She came on board and hit the ground running. So helpful and full of ideas that were executed well. I don’t know what I would have done without her.
MunaLuchi Bride Magazine Spring 2018 Feature: Claire & Charles
Print Copies Available for Pre-Order HERE!
Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Victorious Events NYC
Photography: Alakija Studios
Videography: Amor Amor Weddings
Ceremony Venue: The Ritz Carlton Aruba
Reception Venue: Faro Blanco Restaurant
Wedding Dress Designer: AloNuko by Gbemi Okunlola
Shoe Designer: Kurt Geiger
Groom’s Attire: Kabiru Abu Bespoke Tailoring
Hair Stylist: Krystel Jack of UK Hair Guru
Makeup Artist: Nikita Baffour
Florist: Shar’s Flower Shop
Wedding Cake: Wireless Cakes Aruba
Entertainment: DJ Diablo
Rentals: House of Mosaic Aruba
SO GORGEOUS!