I attended a Nigerian wedding yesterday. It would fall under the category of “platinum wedding” and I can’t begin to imagine how much money they spent on it. There were so many events and it’s still going on actually. My friend was there since tuesday and she told me of the many dinners and dances and while there yesterday, I attended two seperate events. In the afternoon there was a ladies luncheon with traditional musicians performing. There was some dancing and everyone got a goody bag with a towellete, a foil container with snacks, potpourri with a little perfume bottle and some napkins. The dinner was invitation only and since only my mom had gotten an invitation, I didn’t expect to attend. But my aunt got me an invite. Not expecting to attend, I didnt have anything extra to wear, but luckily I had just collected a few more dresses from my collection before the trip so I wore the yellow sari dress. I’d gotten the fabric in dubai and I think of all the fabric I bought that one just might be the most striking and the most beautiful.

I know you’re wondering where the pictures are at. I’m sorry I don’t have any. I don’t like travelling with my bulky camera and I don’t have a click and shoot yet, sorry. But as soon as the bride gets her pics together, I’ll post some.

The dinner was mixed although the guys were few and sat on one side while the ladies were everywhere else. There was a stage with two high chairs for the bride and groom. And there’s a custom called “Ashobe” or “Ashoke” or “Anko” depending on where you’re from and it’s where all the brides friends and family wear the same clothes. I’m not a big fan as I love to see different colors and styles on people. But the color they chose a blue lace with yellow trim was beautiful and all the women had sewn theirs differently so there was enough variety. They then wore a “Gwaggoro” on their heads which is a very staticy and tough scarf that’s shaped into a type of hat that you put on your head. It’s what these ladies are wearing in the picture. Except the one people wore at the wedding was a goldish, yellowish, green.

They had goody bags at the second event as well, these ones had another hand made bag which was green with blue accents. And inside were pashmina scarves, ceramic plates, and ceramic perfume burners, tealights, and cups. Some people got cutting boards, others got little plastic baskets and others got huge hand weaved baskets with lids. I don’t even remember some of the things. In the morning we got another goody bag this one was like the luis vuitton bag everyone has except white and blue. There was also a pashmina shawl and an under cap.

There was a Governer’s wife and a Deputy Governer’s wife in attendance from different states. I can only imagine what tonight’s dinner (which I’m not attending) will be like. While the whole wedding has been a feast for the eyes, I’m glad that unlike my friend I didn’t have to attend all the events. And glad that I’m not one of the family members during this week when they have to deal with all the guests and all the chaos that ensues during weddings. I wish the newly weds best of luck. But am more determined than ever to have a one day wedding!!

Although these aren’t my pics, they’ll give you an idea of what the wedding looked like.