Nigerian couple hosts friends and family at their second stateside traditional white wedding (with a twist!) in New Jersey.
Traditionally married in Nigeria on December 29, 2018, Ezinne and Victor welcomed their close friends and family to their second stateside white wedding at the Montclair Sanctuary in New Jersey.
Following their ceremony, the couple and their guests headed to a gorgeous rooftop, floor-to-ceiling window venue space, Above Staten Island, for their reception. After happy hour, the party moved to a stunning cherry blossom-themed room for a night of drinking, dancing, and lots of love.
Highlights included live music from Horns & Harmony (which includes Award-winning saxophonist Shiola Iyiola and Isaac Geralds), an outfit change into eye-catching traditional Igbo attire, and a lively money-dance!
For more on their love story and details from their traditional white wedding (with a twist!) keep reading below.
- Couple: Ezinne Kwubiri & Victor Okoro
- Occupations: Ezinne is a Chief Business Executive; Victor is a Robotics Engineer
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: April 11, 2021
- Wedding location: Ceremony – Montclair Sanctuary (NJ); Reception – Above (Staten Island, NY)
- Gifts for their bridesmaids and groomsmen: Bridesmaids – received jewelry to compliment their wedding look. Groomsmen – custom cufflinks with initials
- Gifts for one another: it’s personal between us
- Ceremony entrance song: Groom – I Love You by Frank Edwards; Bride – A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
- First dance song: Omo T’emi by Flavour; Best Part by Daniel Caesar & HER
How they met…
Ezinne and Victor first met in 2015 at a wedding in Abia State, Nigeria, where they were introduced casually by family and friends.
Wedding style & attire…
The couple describes their wedding and wedding attire as “traditional with a flair.”
Ezinne adds, “My dress was a semi- Custom bridal gown by Pantora Bridal with detachable ball gown skirt.”
Victor wore a classy black tuxedo from The Black Tux, with a white shirt, and black bow tie. He accompanied the look with a fuchsia handkerchief to complement the colors of the day.
Wedding shopping experience…
Before Ezinne found her dream gown from Pantora Bridal, a black women-owned boutique in Brooklyn, NY, she was struggling to find a dress.
“Prior to my appointment with Pantora bridal, I did visit a large bridal shop to get an idea of what type of dress I’d like (an excuse to try on wedding dresses), but I didn’t connect with the consultants and felt their options were limited.”
Then, Ezinne found Pantora Bridal and on her first visit, her shopping experience felt effortless, natural, and comfortable.
“The owner of Pantora Bridal, Andrea Campbell, joined in my first visit to Pantora and gave me options to try from her exclusive, unreleased collection.” Ezinne adds, “She also sketched the things I wanted to customize, so I [could] visualize the “new” dress. It was amazing! The entire Pantora team, including the seamstress that had to make some additional alterations, helped me feel beautiful, elegant, and sexy on our wedding day.”
Overall, Ezinne is still in awe of her dress! The entire process, from sketch, to multiple fittings, to the final design was incredible to see. She also stresses the importance of working with black and people of color vendors, adding that she especially “loved the skin tone mesh that matched the color of [her] skin so well…and the feathers on the dress and its ball gown detachable train.”
For Victor, he purchased a luxurious custom tailored tuxedo from The Black Tux. His custom alterations were expertly executed by Hipolito Pollantis (Antonio), aka “the Master of Fit,” a notable black designer and full-service tailor in New Jersey. Extra details for his wedding day look included custom label initials and cuffs.
Cultural elements…
Since Ezinne and Victor are both originally from Nigeria, they wanted to incorporate their culture into their wedding (hence, the “twist” in their traditional white wedding nuptials!).
Some of those cultural elements included dancing their first dance to a beautiful Igbo song and changing into traditional Igbo attire for their reception.
“Victor re-entered the reception space dancing and was escorted by [male] family and close friends,” Ezinne recalls.
For her big re-entrance, Ezinne was escorted by her aunties and family friends. “We connected on the dance floor and met our guests spraying us with money.”
In addition to their outfits and music, the couple also payed tribute to some of their favorite traditional dishes. They had puff puff, beef suya, and jollof rice – “All were favorites to our guests!”
And, for an added NY twist, when guests exited the reception they were met with a scrumptious snack truck (Mike’s Delights). A variety of sweet and savory treats were available to choose from.
It was “the perfect way to leave on a “sweet” note.”
The ceremony…
Mr. & Mrs….
The details…
The reception…
Best memory from their wedding…
While there’s so many memories to choose from, for Ezinne and Victor, their favorite memory was “walking into the cocktail hour to see [their] guests.”
“It was important that we engaged with our guests as much as possible – the day goes fast!” Ezinne says. “Our guests were surprised & greeted us with so much love.”
Another top memory for Ezinne in particular was being “serenaded by the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.”
She recalls, “They formed a circle with me in the center, singing our traditional Sorority song. I’ve always pictured what that day would be like and hearing that sweet melody.”
A change in attire…
Traditional Nigerian money dance…
Wedding Advice for other engaged couples…
Ezinne advices couples to focus on each other and enjoy the moment.
“Your wedding day is all about you and your partner – don’t get caught [up] in everyone’s opinion and their idea for your wedding/marriage. This is the time to be selfish and put your feelings and wishes first. And ENJOY IT! It goes fast!”
Looking for more traditional white wedding (with a twist!) inspiration?
Click here.
E&V’s Vendor Dream Team:
- Planner & Designer: FTK Konnect Events
- Decor & Bouquet: Real FairyTale Weddings
- Photo & Photobooth: Amy Anaiz Photography
- Video: LJR Films
- DJ: DJ Zimo
- MC: Namo
- Bride’s MUA: Juicy Looks by Abby
- Hair Stylist: Miss Wu Virgin Hair
- Bridesmaids MUA: Felicia Graham Beauty
- Robe: Fe Noel
- Wedding dress: Pantora Bridal
- Bridal jewelry: Petite Delights By Ilona Rubin
- Second look: Traditions By Bimmms
- Groom’s tux: The Black Tux
- Tailor: Custom Clothing by Hipólito Pollantis
- Groom’s accessories: Gredee Arts
- Herny Lee Co @henrylee.co
- Logo Design & Invitations: By Dami Studios
- Seating Chart: Anchors and Ampersands
- Duet Band: Horns and Harmony
- Venue: Staten Island’s Only Rooftop Ballroom – Above Weddings – Rooftop Ballroom
- Cake: Chic Sugars – Custom Cakes NYC, NJ, CT
- Special Catering: Delicious African Orchards & Brooklyn Suya
- Snack truck: Mike Delights Snack Food Truck
- Floor Monogram: @sabevents
- Ceremony Violinist: @nktheviolinist
- Ceremony Solo: @lola.abeni
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