Love knows no boundaries, and weddings are a beautiful reflection of diverse cultures coming together.
In this wedding feature, we will delve into the captivating wedding traditions of Nigeria and Cameroon, two countries known for their vibrant cultures.
Here are 5 incredible facts that make these celebrations truly unique.
Read the full article alongside the beautiful moments captured in photos of our very own Nigerian- Cameroonian couple: Cynthia + Fru’s Wedding in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rich Cultural Attire
Nigerian weddings are renowned for their vibrant and exquisite outfits. When Nigerian bride, Cynthia was planning her wedding attire, she knew she wanted to represent both the Yoruba tribe and Delta/Benin tribe to pay homage to her parent’s roots.
The lush velvet dress complemented by the Okuku on her hair was a staple as she made her first appearance to greet her guests.
Cameroonian weddings, on the other hand, showcase a stunning blend of traditional and modern attire, with intricate designs that reflect their diverse ethnic groups.
Joyful Dance Celebrations
Get ready to move your feet! Nigerian weddings are famous for their energetic dances, such as the captivating Azonto, the popular Shaku Shaku, and the evergreen Zanku.
Cameroonian weddings feature traditional dances like the Makossa, Bikutsi, and Ndombolo, which fill the air with infectious rhythms and vibrant moves.
Traditional Ceremonies
Both Nigerian and Cameroonian weddings embrace age-old customs. In Nigeria, the Yoruba engagement ceremony, known as the “Introduction,” is a beautiful exchange of gifts and prayers between families.
The bride subsequently changed into the traditional and beautiful custom-designed Iro and Buba in burnt orange. These core traditional engagement formalities were performed while wearing this outfit.
In Cameroon, the “Libation Ceremony” pays homage to ancestors, with the pouring of water or palm wine to seek their blessings.
Delectable Culinary Delights
Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable feast! Nigerian weddings boast an array of mouthwatering dishes like Jollof rice, Pounded Yam, Egusi soup, and Suya.
Cameroonian cuisine offers delights such as Ndolé, Achu soup, Bobolo, and the beloved Pepper Soup, tantalizing the palate with a fusion of flavors.
Symbolic Traditions
Both cultures value the significance of symbols in weddings. In Nigeria, the breaking of the kola nut represents unity and blessings.
In Cameroon, the presentation of gifts like cola nuts, yams, or chickens symbolizes goodwill and gratitude. These customs reinforce the values of community, respect, and love.
Mimi Ebichi Events is your go-to wedding planner for the latest trends and ideas that add a personal touch to your special day.
With 2023 in full blast by now, we’re excited to share some of the top wedding planning trends that are growing in preference this year.
From sustainable weddings and interactive food and drink stations to mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses and multicultural wedding attire, our team is dedicated to helping you create a unique and unforgettable wedding experience.
Let’s dive into the top wedding planning trends of 2023 and see how we can incorporate them into your dream wedding.
Sustainable Weddings: As the world becomes more eco-conscious, sustainable weddings are becoming more popular. Couples are looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint by using eco-friendly materials, sourcing locally-grown food, and reducing waste.
Bold Colors: Wedding colors in 2023 will be bolder and brighter than ever before. From deep reds and blues to vibrant yellows and greens, bold colors will be used to make a statement and create a dramatic effect.
Unique Venues: Couples are moving away from traditional venues and opting for more unique spaces. From industrial warehouses to botanical gardens, couples are choosing venues that reflect their personalities and interests.
Interactive Food and Drink Stations: Interactive food and drink stations are a great way to add a fun element to your wedding reception. Couples can choose from a variety of options such as DIY cocktail bars, popcorn stations, and taco trucks.
Personalized Wedding Favors: Personalized wedding favors are a great way to thank your guests for coming. From monogrammed cookies to customized keychains, couples are getting creative with their wedding favors.
Mix and Match Bridesmaid Dresses: In 2023, bridesmaid dresses will be more diverse than ever before. Mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses are a popular trend, allowing bridesmaids to choose a dress that suits their individual style and body type.
Interactive Entertainment: Interactive entertainment such as photo booths, live musicians, and even caricature artists are becoming more popular at weddings. Couples are looking for ways to engage their guests and make their wedding reception more memorable.
Multicultural weddings: are a top trend in 2023 as couples are increasingly embracing their diverse backgrounds and cultures. From blending traditional customs to incorporating cultural elements into the wedding ceremony and reception, multicultural weddings celebrate the union of two individuals and their families.
Couples are looking for ways to make their wedding unique and meaningful by fusing elements from different cultures, such as music, food, and attire.
In conclusion, 2023 is one of those exciting times for wedding planning. Couples are embracing new trends and ideas to create a unique and personalized wedding experience. Whether it’s sustainable weddings, bold colors, or interactive entertainment, the possibilities are endless.
At Mimi Ebichi Events, we specialize in planning and executing multicultural weddings that celebrate diversity and unity. Our team of experts can help you incorporate cultural traditions and create a wedding experience that truly represents you and your partner.
There is always something unique and memorable with multicultural weddings because of the blend of two cultures. Friends and family from both sides are present to share the same passion, beliefs, and traditions that remind them of home.
But first, let us define: What is a multicultural wedding?
A multicultural wedding, also known as a fusion wedding is a marriage between two people from different cultures, ethnicity, or faith backgrounds.
Because of the nature of fusion weddings, it is not always easy to plan the wedding ceremony and reception. The wedding planning process takes on a more careful path to honor the two cultures that will blend in the event. If you are set on having a multicultural wedding for you and your soon-to-be spouse, here are some tips on how to combine your cultures together.
A wedding planner that specializes in fusion weddings is a huge help in navigating the whole planning process – taking into account the cultural sensitives from both parties, the type of wedding venues that can accommodate such an event, more ideas on design and decor, and all other necessities that need to be considered when planning for a multicultural wedding.
While couples may do this on their own, hiring a multicultural wedding planner will definitely save one’s time, effort, and money as you are provided with expert guidance in planning your culture-infused wedding.
Consult with both families to understand customs and expectations
To put everyone on the same page, it is wise to consult with both families on expectations regarding customs, traditions, attire, even the menu in the reception so as to honor your cultural backgrounds. After all, this is the heart of multicultural weddings. This is also a good time to discuss budgets and guestlists.
Having this information on hand, it will be easier to educate friends and families about your customs, as well as your religious institutions.
Select the right ceremony and reception venues for a cultural wedding event
A touch of culture and tradition in both ceremony and reception is expected. Factor in the program of events, guest list size, vicinity to airports and hotels where your relatives may arrive from, and other specific logistical requirements to mount your multicultural wedding event. Again, the help of a specialized wedding planner is ideal in this stage of the planning process.
Other factors to consider in choosing a wedding venue are:
Capacity (size) – Just like with any event, the venue capacity is important. Indian weddings usually last multiple(2-3) days. The number of invited guests and the rooms needed for different ceremonies/rituals at each wedding event can vary, so choosing a venue with the right capacity to accommodate guests is extremely important.
Catering – Cultural and multicultural groups love the option to get catering service from their favorite or preferred restaurants or chefs. For this reason, selecting a venue that allows for outside catering or has Indian chefs is highly recommended.
Flexibility on load-in and load-out times – It’s important that there is leeway in terms of this because larger cultural weddings with intricate designs may need more days than just the typical 3-4 hours to set up.
Easy and accessible doors and elevators for vendors to load in – It’s important to choose a venue with ease of access because lavish fusion weddings usually require assembly of heavy equipment on site. In some cases like in Indian weddings, the need for a horse or elephant to make an entrance during the Baraat calls for such access.
Parking for guests
Accommodations – Pick a wedding venue that is near the hotel/s of your choice ( if the venue is not a hotel). Much better if the venue already offers accommodation. Be ready to give room for guests’ preferences.
Proximity to airports – This is also a way of showing that you care about your guests and the quality of their time. If you are unable to secure your dream venue near an airport, consider providing transportation services to your guests.
Time – Cultural weddings tend to start either earlier than normal and end later than usual too. Having a wedding venue that can be flexible with start and end times is ideal.
Bar/Beverage – Check if the venue has the option to bring liquor.
Be specific about which part of the ceremony, decor, program, and food will incorporate culture.
Modern couples of today opt for more streamlined, minimalist weddings. They are usually certain of what they like to see: clean architectural designs, neutral colors, with just the right hint of culture to represent them. Now, not everyone may know exactly what they want in their multicultural wedding, so sitting down with your wedding planner to voice out your vision is recommended. Your planner can then lay out the touches of culture and tradition that must be present in specific parts of the wedding – from the ceremony to the reception program, decor, menu, etc.
Discuss interfaith marriage customs with your religious affiliations.
Some religions are okay with interfaith wedding ceremonies. Some, however, are mutually exclusive. Better to check with your religious officiants to know what is expected. Securing a date with your church is a wise idea to ensure your wedding date does not coincide with specific religious dates and seasons. Match this with wedding venue availabilities before making a deposit.
Educate your guests about what they can expect.
The last thing you want is for your guests to feel awkward about all these cultural matters. Setting up a website, and including details in the invitation about the information on attire expectations, food, customs, activities, etc. are necessary.
Book a FREE Consultation
Mimi Ebichi is a seasoned wedding planner with a specialization inmulticultural weddings. Our team of planners, vendors, and coordinators will ensure the heavy work is off your hands from planning to celebration so you can actually sit down and enjoy your most special day. Contact Mimi for a free consultation.
When planning for a wedding, hiring a full-service wedding planner may have probably crossed your mind. Though it can be overwhelming to search through their services and identify which ones are essential for you, we have listed down some of the most vital services to spot on when hiring events and wedding planners!
1. Conceptualization
The first and foremost step to break the ice in your wedding preparation is to hire a professional to help you. Your reliable wedding planner will help you develop an initial concept that entails the wedding theme, styling, and the overall feel of the event.
2. Budget creation and management
One of the most crucial stages in wedding planning is the planning and creation of a budget. Although it is expected that you already have a ball figure before actually hiring a wedding planner, seeking professional advice will give you insights on how to maximize and manage your wedding budget wisely. Hence, hiring a professional wedding planner includes availing their expertise in budget creation and management.
3. Wedding checklist and schedule creation
It is known for a fact that preparing for a wedding takes much of your time, and it may be difficult to juggle other responsibilities aside from the wedding preparations. But, wedding planners are there for a reason. Known to be the masters of time management, professional wedding planners take pride in their ability to squeeze in all pre-wedding activities within the allotted months of preparation. And because of that, there is no need to worry about missing out on an important wedding errand or running out of time!
4. Vendor recommendations and contract negotiations
Wedding planners are there for a reason or two – and most of the time, their connections really do matter! When you hire a reliable wedding planner, that trust extends up to the wedding vendors that they recommend, and you just know that these vendors are the seasoned experts in the wedding industry! This aspect spares you from so much worry about hiring the wrong team of suppliers, and your wedding planner may even help you come up with good contract negotiations!
5. Venue and events management
Who wants to stress about the venue and event on their very own wedding day? You certainly do not want to picture yourself stressing about the insufficient number of chairs while in your wedding dress. Hence, hiring a professional wedding planner saves you from unnecessary stress by managing the logistics needed for the venue and the overall event.
At Mimi Ebichi Events, we make sure to take care of each and every wedding preparation for our clients – just what any couple would dream of. As masters of creativity and time management intertwined, we make your dream wedding come to life. Book a FREE consultation with us today!
We all know for a fact that the wedding industry is ever changing and dynamic. If you are one of the many couples who plan to tie the knot this year, we know you just can’t miss out on the top wedding theme ideas for this year, so here’s a little treat for you as we start your journey on wedding preparation!
1. Vintage-inspired wedding theme
We know that vintage-inspired weddings have been around for quite some time now. But with the Bridgerton series hitting our screens, everyone just can’t get enough of the signature pastel and Prussian blue colour palette. This elegant combination can be further infused with lush green foliage and touch of florals to balance out the wood colours.
2. Multi-sensory experiences
What better way to welcome your guests than capturing their five senses with the colours, sounds, tastes, scents, and textures of your wedding? Begin with glamming up your wedding invitations by adding a touch of texture with canvas, dry-pressed flowers, or velvet materials. For the wedding reception starters, welcome your guests with cocktails and special appetisers. To add some personality, you may experiment with different dishes of original flavours with spicy notes in the meal for an unusual effect.
3. Chic wedding
For a couple who wants something above and beyond a traditional wedding, a chic wedding theme might be the one that you’re looking for. This elegantly fashionable theme is all about staying on top of trends and taking bold risks – with all the minimalists and mid-century modern designs emerging from the market, there are just a lot of options to pull off a chic wedding.
4. Moroccan-themed wedding
If you’re trying to tie the knot during the summer season, then a cosy, outdoor Moroccan-themed wedding might be just the perfect fit for you. This kind of wedding theme is abundant with vivid colours, intricate lanterns, flowering fabrics, and elaborate linens. If this appears intimidating and overwhelming for you, minimalist versions are also popular from this line.
5. Beach wedding
Beach weddings have never been off the list from the trending wedding themes every year. Especially now that people have been staying indoors because of the pandemic, many couples want to get that breath of fresh air from having an intimate, romantic beach wedding. What’s good about this beach wedding is the versatility and ample room for creative exploration – you can even combine it with any of the wedding themes mentioned above!
At Mimi Ebichi Events, we take pride in giving our clients their dream wedding celebrations by offering a wide array of wedding services – from planning to execution. Make your wedding journey worthwhile and book a FREE consultation with us today!
Planning a wedding can be both exciting and daunting – from choosing a wedding date, reception venue, wedding favors and suppliers, and wedding attire. Then comes the discussion about the wedding budget. No need to fret, we’re here to help! We have listed down below some of the things that are often overlooked when planning a wedding budget.
1. Wedding invites
Crafting your wedding invites surely is fun to do. We’re sure you’ve already planned your matching RSVPs, or maybe you even hired a calligrapher. However, allotting a budget for postage/stamps is something most couples tend to forget. These stamps may not be so pretty as compared to your envelopes and embossed invitations, but they do come in handy and are important when it comes time to mail those out!
2. Gratuities
Most people understand this as a “tip”. Although giving a tip is highly arbitrary and optional (but recommended), it is always worth it to give extra gratitude to the people who have worked far and beyond during your wedding. If you’re hiring a handful of wedding staff and suppliers, make sure to set aside enough amount of budget for the tip!
3. Taste tests
While you are looking forward to hiring a reliable and good-quality wedding caterer, we’re sure you are also prepping up for the much-awaited taste test and dry runs. Although most wedding caterers include the taste test in their service fees, there are still some suppliers who make this as a separate offer. The best option is to ask about the inclusions of their service and set aside a reasonable amount for taste testing.
4. Additional decorations and stationery
When you are envisioning your dream wedding theme and style, you may have overlooked the small details and decorations that must be budgeted too. These additional decorations may include table runners, candles, place cards, escort cards, and other small stationery pieces. While these things may still add up as the wedding preparations progress, it is best to allot a budget for them.
5. Thank you notes
When all the merriments and well wishes have been said and done, giving thanks to your guests who spent their time and resources for you is always a good idea. You want to thank them appropriately and everyone knows a thank you note in the mail is the way to do it. Thank you notes typically aren’t very expensive, but they do cost something, so they should be in your budget.
We at Mimi Ebichi Events take pride in treating our services as a wedding investment. We are committed to bringing blissful wedding celebrations to our valuable clients through our artistry, craft, and wedding planning experiences seasoned through the years. Book a FREE consultation with us today and let’s start this year by planning your wedding!
Choosing the right wedding vendors is no easy task. For most couples, it takes a couple of weeks, months even, on selecting the right wedding supplier and vendor for them. Thus, picking the right wedding caterer is no different at all. Since food is the total crowd-pleaser of any wedding, it is very crucial in the whole wedding preparation process. But don’t fret! Here are some tips on how to spot a reliable wedding caterer.
1. Wedding Venue Package
If your chosen wedding venue already comes with an in-house caterer, then this part would be easier for you. However, the downside of settling to a wedding venue and caterer package is that you have lesser room for negotiation. While your wedding reception comes with a venue-caterer package deal, you could still work your way around getting a nice discount or extras. Since cash is beloved by all, you could politely ask your caterer if they offer some valuable discounts or extras for clients like you who are willing to pay in full!
2. Compare, compare, compare
It never hurts to come up with a considerable list of preferred caterers. This will allow you to carefully weigh in the pros and cons of each caterer on your list; especially in terms of their package deals, the quantity of service, the scope of service, and quality of food above all. The easiest way to do this is to interview them and do initial research by visiting their website. This would help you build up your expectations towards the particular caterer.
3. Finalize your budget
The general rule is to never consider interviewing any caterer without a set budget and final guest list. All caterers would gladly offer you a package that would suit your guest count and budget, so it is best for both parties to meet at a common ground. This way, it would be easier for you to negotiate and even compare which caterer offers the best package for your needs.
4. Food tasting is a must!
Before signing the contract with your chosen caterer, make sure to have a food tasting first. It goes without saying that no matter how good the deal was, the quality will always be the real deal. Consider your caterer as one of your wedding investments that require time and careful planning. Remember that the food in your reception will always be the crowd-pleaser.
At Mimi Ebichi Events, we are proud of our commitment and dedication to providing the quality of service that our clients deserve. We put value in our clients’ investment in hiring a wedding planner by giving them the best and memorable wedding experience ever. Let us be a part of your dream wedding by signing up for our FREE consultation today!
A nice wedding celebration will not be complete without a fun-filled and well-prepped wedding reception. For most couples and their guests, wedding receptions are one of the most-awaited parts of a wedding. So, what better way to plan a wedding reception than to learn from the wedding expert?
1. First things first!
Finalizing the wedding date is the first step before actually scouting for a wedding venue. Your wedding date plays a significant role in planning your wedding reception because it will determine the availability of the wedding venue. For instance, since the time of the year greatly affects the availability of venues, it is easier and recommended to plan a winter wedding because this is not a peak season. This gives couples ample time and freedom to prepare and choose their desired wedding reception venue.
2. Determine your budget
As it goes without saying, couples should agree on a ball figure before going down the details of the wedding reception. The whole wedding celebration, not just the wedding reception, circles around the wedding budget. This will help couples to carefully plan and select which vendors to hire, which location to choose, and all other elements needed for the wedding reception. So before jumping into the decisions, finalize the wedding budget first! This will spare you from going overboard and overshooting the budget.
3. Consider your wedding guest list
You would not want to choose a reception that cannot accommodate all your guests. To prevent this from happening, make sure that the guest list is partially finalized before availing of a wedding reception venue. Your reception should be fun, comfortable, and as worry-free as possible. Therefore, choose a date and place where all your guests will be accommodated and available. It is also important to note that now that we have stricter health protocols, wedding receptions should comply with the minimum health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
4. Food is also essential!
And of course, one of the most important elements in your wedding reception is the food. Food is the total crowd-pleaser, so it is very important to carefully select the menu for the wedding reception. Make sure that it will feed all the guests including the wedding staff and all other manpower. Be careful though, as some foods are perishable and could not contain their freshness over time. Choose a menu that’s delectable and fresh for the whole duration of the reception.
5. Seek professional assistance
Wedding receptions are very crucial in any wedding celebration. That is why it is important to invest in a reliable and seasoned wedding planner. A trusted wedding planner takes charge of managing the day-to-day processes and overall preparations for the wedding ceremony as a whole. It is important to seek professional assistance from a trusted wedding planner because they’ve got experience in project management which includes laying out the right timetable, choosing the best wedding vendors, and scouting for the perfect wedding reception venue.
At Mimi Ebichi Events, we value the trust of our clients by giving them only the best wedding – from preparation to post-celebration. Through our years of service combined with a passion for weddings, we are proud to make our clients the happiest couples during their big day. Be one of them and book a FREE consultation today!
