Multicultural Canadian Wedding by Samantha Clarke Photography: Diane and Kwaku

Getting married is one of the most joyful times in a couple’s relationship, but it can also be extremely stressful. Diane and Kwaku put top priority on having a wedding planning process that would be painless, and they accomplished just that by partnering with the right vendors and trusting in their talent and expertise.  Diane shares, “it worked out really well because no one was stressed, everyone was comfortable, and the experts did their work their way.” One aspect of wedding planning that was very important to the couple was incorporating their culture into their nuptials. The bride is from Rwanda and the groom is from Ghana. To celebrate their heritage the couple’s relatives wore traditional attire and the bride’s cousins did a traditional dance at the reception.  The Gyimah’s wedding was a perfect homage to customs and family, and every exciting, heartwarming moment was captured by Samantha Clarke Photography.  This gorgeous wedding has also been shared with our friends at Ebony.com.

• Bride: Diane Gyimah- Law Student
• Groom: Kwaku Gyimah- Physician Assistant
• Wedding Date: 07/26/2013
• Wedding Location: Toronto, Canada

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Description of Event

Our wedding planning process was painless! We had an amazing wedding planner Naomi, of Lifetime Ladies, who was there all the way, and had the major things done ahead of time so planning the details was all we had to take care of. Between the three of us, who are all big on being organized, it was smoother than I expected. Our plan of action was the following: Book the hall (and get them to do as much as possible), get the dress, book photography and videographers, and then work on the rest of the vendors throughout the rest of the year. This worked well for us, and there was minimal stress.

Wedding Style

We didn’t have a style per se. We just wanted everything to be unique and cultural, so we worked towards that. I told all the vendors ( florists, hair stylist, make-up, photography and videography) to let their creative juices flow. I wasn’t too picky about hairstyles matching, or anything like that, and it worked out really well because no one was stressed, everyone was comfortable, and the experts did their work their way, and the result was that everything looked and felt great.

I found my dress at David’s Bridal. I saw it on a model in a magazine and immediately knew that’s what I wanted to wear, but when we went to the store and I tried it on, it didn’t quite look as I had hoped it would. The stylist, who helped us, brought a belt and I tucked the straps in, and viola! I had my gown. I later decided to keep the straps on and altered them so they ended up off shoulder and that gave my dress a unique look. I felt like a million bucks in that dress!!

Incorporation of Culture

We sure did! I am from Rwanda and grew up in Kenya, and my husband is from Ghana and grew up in Canada so we really wanted to incorporate our cultures into it. Our parents wore traditional attire as did most of our relatives, and then we had my cousins do a traditional dance at the reception. We also had a Rwandese traditional ceremony which usually happens after the wedding, where the girl’s family comes to visit with all these gifts and household goods, to officially release their daughter into the community as a married woman, equipped and all. We did this at the reception as well. Before the wedding day, we had a separate traditional engagement ceremony in which representatives from both our families negotiated and discussed giving me away to my new family.

Most Memorable Moment 

Walking down the aisle and saying our vows— We couldn’t believe it was happening!!

You Make Loving You So Easy

Groom…How caring and dedicated she is. And her eyes :).

Bride… His heart and his sense of humor.

Vendors

• Photography: Samantha Clarke Photography: http://samanthaclarke.net/
• Wedding Dress Designer- Vera Wang
• Wedding Dress Salon- David’s Bridal
• Bridesmaids Dresses- Amandalina’s – http://www.amandalinas.com
• Hair – Aisha Ebony Hair (Toronto)
• Make-Up- True Face Make-up (Toronto)
• Shoes – Aldo- Bride;  Eaden Myles for the gentlemen- http://www.eadenmyles.com/
• Ceremony Location- All Nations Full Gospel Church- Toronto: http://www.anfgc.org/
• Reception Location- The Venetian: http://thevenetian.ca/
• Videography: StoryBrook Productions: http://www.storybookproductions.ca/
• Wedding Planner- Naomi Asiamah-Owusu of Lifetime Ladies ( Toronto)
• Florist: Jennifer Addo- http://sheermyelegance.com/
• Cake- http://www.lacasadolce.ca/