Beautiful Love: Arese Ogiemwonyi & Michael Ugwu Wed
Posted on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 12:41 AMBy BellaNaija.com
2009 was a great year for BN Weddings and we intend to amplify our love affair in 2010.
In Western society, wedding season is typically during the spring and summer – in Nigeria, the Christmas season is a wedding extravaganza! Our BN team attended so many weddings over the holiday. One thing stood out, couples have totally taken control of the day! Pushy parents have been shoved aside and its all about the day being a blessed and fun-filled celebration of the couple.
We are so excited to kick off BN Weddings in 2010 with this amazing couple.
On the 19th of December 2009, Arese Ogiemwonyi and Michael Ugwu tied the knot at the KFA events centre in Lekki, Lagos. Arese and Michael’s love story began when they met while pursuing Masters degrees in the same course, in the same department at University College London. They met and started out by telling each other, they were “just friends”. However, it was beyond that.
Suddenly – they were sitting beside each other in class, writing notes to each other during lectures, having long conversations for hours, coming up with excuses to have drinks and dinner after lectures – until they finally admitted that they indeed liked each other – a lot! The couple were together for 2 years before they moved back to Nigeria – it was a big move as the groom had never lived in Nigeria.
On the 24th of December 2008, Arese and Michael got engaged! According to the bride – “He told me we were going to have dinner at a new seafood restaurant in Lekki for Christmas eve (a lie!!!)…we got there and it turned out to be the Prest Dinner Cruise. I thought this was the surprise because Michael loves trying to surprise me! We got on the cruise had a three course meal and then they started playing a Corinne Bailey Rae song – Like A Star – which I thought was pretty odd cos its ‘our song’ ….. and I was like babe isn’t it so random that they are playing this song and he’s like yeah babe so random…then the waiter comes up to us and says he has a special fourth course he’d like us to try he takes the lid off and Michael gets on his knees and asks me to be his wife… I’m not easily surprised so i have to say it was the biggest and happiest shock of my life!”
That special proposal led to the spectacular wedding. The colours of the day were cream and gold, though there was no specific theme, the wedding was totally glam! Arese’s stunning wedding dress was a strapless ivory silk organza gown with a haute ruffled train paired with a glamorous birdcage veil. The groom looked great in his grey suit by Okunoren Twins. The bridesmaids were colourful and elegant in their dresses by Obsidian.
It was a totally fun and beautiful wedding. We wish the couple a blessed, happy and fruitful marriage.
Traditional Wedding
Wedding was planned and designed by Ayiri Oladumoye of Oaken Events. She gets an A+ for this because the wedding was fab! She even gets a special commendation from the bride – Ayiri is amazing, it was really fantastic to work with someone so talented. Finally a Nigerian who didn’t believe in the word impossible – she didn’t have the whole formula based approach to planning a wedding she went above and beyond to make sure the wedding was what I wanted. I would recommend her to anyone.
Contact: http://www.oakenevents.com
The beautiful bride’s makeup was by Lola Maja of Sacred-City. She did an absolutely fantastic job and ensured that the bride was looking stunning (and shine-free) all through the festivities and dancing!
Contact: http://www.sacred-city.com/
Tags: BN weddings, Obsidian, Okunoren Twins, Weddings
Nice. The bride is really pretty.
Wow, OMG!
This wedding is beyond splendid, probably one of the best i’ve seen on this website. The bride looks so beautiful and even though they do not have a theme its like everything came together perfectly. If I was 2 start complimenting things I probably would be here 4 ages but seriously it looks amazing.Congrats 2 both of them and i wish them all the best.
OMG this wedding is just amazing. Everything about it, perfect. The bride looks so beautiful and radiant, the bridesmaids so fabulous, the cake so gorgeous, could go on n on. congrats 2 both of them, i wish them all d best.
wow, wow dis wedding is fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. i give it an A*.
Bride and groom both luking peng!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
wedding planner and desinger u are so so gud.
Does Oaken events have a number?
Bella please give me Ayiri’s phone number now as in.. I want to call her now now. I don’t know when I’m getting married o, but I want in fact NEED to book her in advance. I love the decoration, the cake looks… too big
I like her dress and the concept of different colours of dresses for each bride’s maid is something I’ve actually considered. I really, totally, absolutely, love the Edo traditional attire. It makes every lady look like royalty. Looks like they had a blast… Happy married life!!!
oya Bella pls Ayiri’s phone number.
Wow…. now that’s what I call a celebration! Happy married life!!!!!!
Best wedding in Naija that I’m seen. Loved everything about it. The bride is beautiful and the event is classy.
This is absolutely glamourous! the bride has such a sophisticated and beautiful look, that i like so much…her wedding dress is absolutely fab.beautiful couple…wish them the best!
@bella…pls im wondering who designed her wedding dress? the designer gets an A+.
Lovely photos…may God bless their wedding. Amen
Seems like a very well organized wedding, very nice! How can I go about getting her planners contact information?
Really nice. The wedding planner did a great job. I’ve known Arese since sec school in Benin (Igbinedion Education Centre) and she truly is a lovely and friendly soul. I wish them them the best as they start their life’s journey together xxx
After looking at these pictures what’s left to say but ” God please do it for me like you did for Michael and Arese
Ha………this na wedding and hosted in Naija? I bow!
bella, pls provide me with contact for oaken,this wedding interior is the most fab i have seen in naija! frigging awesome
OMG I WANT TO REMARRY!!!!!! FAB, FABB, FABBBBBBBB ALL D WAY!!! I LOVE EVERYTHING.
One advice – please no DIVORCE. This has got 2 last forever cos u look awesome together.
This was by far the FAB-est wedding i have been to in forever…!! The bride and groom had a blast as did the guests. The decor was beautiful!! and the wedding planner was unbelievably efficient!….Wishing the bride and groom gayness forever!!..
FAB!FAB!!FAB!!!
abeg were did they capture the groomsmen from…ah ah..see awon Fine Boyz…:) I love this wedding..Gush i love her dress….She is very beautiful….Nice One..
A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
at least one bride that didnt do the usual french tips
love the pink nail polish….
awww cute couple, God bless them.
and now DAYDREAMING begins
Bella abeg Oaken’s number. This was amazing!
it ws such a fab wedding .. Arese ws so pretty .. wish her and Michael a blissful married life!!
Arese, Oviedo no mose, she is soooooo gorgeous,
For those who have been asking after the contacts of Ayiri Oladumoye/Oaken Events; please see the website http://www.oakenevents.com or call +234 (0) 8098862536 or email ayiri@oakenevents.com Mind you, the website is as great as the work Ayiri does!
I must say the bride looks regal in the traditional engagement. She oozzes glamour and also glowing. Wishing them both marital bliss in their union. Fab Decor!!!!!
This is how a wedding is done, planned, prepared and executed.. Now I have ideas of my own wedding to plan.. this is a definite cue I’d take. Well done and may your life be a replica of this, wonderful, elegant, beautiful and all that. Wishing you both a blessed married life. The bride is so beautiful and so genuine, that smile na wa.. the groom, super and OMG the groomsmen… chei FINE BOYS… well done. A few people i’ve seen here on BN Weddings can take a cue from this… super super wedding, everything is too fine, mmmm the cake even, i cannot even stop myself commenting, frigging awesome sha…. well done
Fabulous Couple
ezigbote “capture”. lmao
lmao @ “capture”.
Lovely. Wish u both a happy married life. U looked beautiful, elegant and happy.
One of the most beautiful weddings I have EVER seen! The bride is quite beautiful & I applaud her for finding her husband. Mr. Ugwu is handsome as well. Honestly w/ such a wedding & mate, I am tempted to envy the new Mrs. Ugwu but instead I’ll find my on “nkem”.
Best wishes to the couple! And, well done!
I must confess d decor did a wonderful job.I wish the couple all the best.
WEDDINGS OF NOWADAYS LOOK LIKE DEY WERE DESIGNED AND PLANNED IN HEAVEN.BIGS UP 2 EVERYBODY THAT MADE THAT WEDDING A SUCCESS.EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT.BUT EBI LIKE SAY DAY HER RED LIPSTICK 4TK STYLE 2MUCH.U BOTH ER SWEET 2GETHER
a truly beautiful wedding… Congrats Mr & Mrs Ugwu! Do Oaken Events organize weddings abroad?
one word “FABULOUSITY” finally a wedding were i can recognise the person getting married. Arese congrats. wish i was there.
lovely wedding….lovely
Great wedding! This is God at work in two young lives, May His Name be glorified as two become one. Awesome!
This has to be the most creative decor ive seen at a wedding in nigeria. Will definitely be looking into this Oaken Events. Thanks for putting up their info. Congrats to Arese and Michael……. you both look great together. I wish you both God’s abundant blessings.
Lovely wedding,from the couple to the train wearing different colours of gown,the cake, the makeup,decòr, everything. . .Finally,i just love the gown. I don’t mind having it though i’m a size 10 cld just do smths to it cos the bride looks like a size 12 to me. Thats only if the gown is pure white can’t really tell if its pure white or ivory,i even have a choice.Yes o.Congrats. . . happy married life.
Very nice wedding, please let me know where the bride bought the dress if possible
Planning a wedding in Lagos this year and need an estimate to cater for about 600 people! Please can anybody advise on how much a wedding cost in total? Please am desperate….I should have done the budget as my parents would like to see it soon for advice and help! Thanks y’all
Cool entry.
Check out my website and blog for amazing nigerian wedding photography. http://www.xsightn.com and http://www.xsightn.com/blog
WOW… Arese…. bn tym back @ Aston Uni
i love the cake,everything about this wedding is great,i wish u guys happiness.
Lovely wedding, lovely couple, even more lovely decor. Oaken events, you rock!
When i came back from school…my mum cudnt stop talking bout the wedding…now i know why……Uniport and their exams……cudnt attend after planning to go….the wedding’s truly spectacular…..everything from cake to decor to bridesmaid’s dresses that reminds me of an epsisode i watched on TSN-Who’s wedding is it anyways-really nice..not the usual..neva can wear again bridesmaid dress.. Arese truly is the epitome of a bini queen …..she truly is a beautiful person….in and out…happy married life.
it a lovly wedding and perfect venue and nice setting
just perfect
oh my God, i so admire ur wedding…………..