Our Wedding Story: Chika Umeh & Jackson Ike
Posted on Thursday, October 6th, 2011 at 3:45 PMBy BellaNaija.com
Isn’t there something so special about love stories that begin at a wedding?
There definitely is!
Chika Umeh and Jackson Ike met at a wedding a few years ago and in June 2011, the couple solemnized their love at their traditional and white wedding in Lagos. We totally love Chika & Jackson’s “Our Wedding Story“, totally beautiful and blessed!

Someone Like Him
– How Chika & Jackson Met
By Chika
A friend of mine invited me to a wedding outside London in May 2007. I was not keen but decided to use the opportunity to catch up with her. At the wedding hall, the topic of men came up and as usual my friend started teasing me about being too fussy and asked me to point out any guy that I would consider my” type”. I pointed to Jackson (Onyi) and said “that one but I prefer them dark not fair“.
Jackson and his friend later came to our table but we did not speak during the event. When it was time to leave, he suddenly asked for my number and I said NO! (Talk about hard to get)
The next day, my friend calls to beg for my number… something about Jackson wanting to be friends. I eventually gave in and saw no harm in it. It went on from there, we became close and three years later he proposed!
By Jackson
I met Chi at a wedding, she came around with a mutual friend. She didn’t seem very keen on talking to me when I walked over to their table but she kept looking at me (with style). I did try collecting her number in order to start the stinging process (LOL) but she wasn’t having it. I eventually got her number from our mutual friend, called her up and managed to get her talking (we spoke for over 6hrs..Vodafone did have a good laugh).
We met up at Oxford Station and went on a trip to Birmingham (not sure at what point I asked her out); the rest is history. We became close and really worked hard to get to where we are today. I would forever be grateful to God for making it all possible.

The Proposal
by Chika
Feb 2010, I was in Lagos, Nigeria for a friend’s wedding. I was going back to London on the 20th so the day before 19th, Jackson and I went to Eko Hotel for drinks, I noticed he was very fidgety, we had our drinks and at the hotel car park by the car, Jackson casually mentioned he had a present for me, my heart skipped a beat but he presented a rose, which was sweet (but was sha expecting something else lol)…
I suddenly realised the rose was swede and the stalk and rose felt heavy. I asked him, “Is there a ring in this rose?” and he opened it, knelt down and asked me to marry him! I said YES.. and couldn’t stop grinning. The rose was the ring case..cheesy but I LOVED IT!
By Jackson
Planning and Execution of this phase of our relationship was a bit tough for two main reasons; the Nigerian environment isn’t very helpful in pulling off a mind blowing move and Chi is such a smart alec. She always asks a million questions and in order not too reveal any detail; one could end up playing dumb.
I initially planned proposing at the airport on her arrival. I spoke to a lady at the Information desk of MMIA Lagos. She vehemently refused to even consider making such an announcement saying ‘We don’t do such here’ (Bad belle!). Next I tried hooking up a private boat cruise on the marina, spoke to a boat captain about my ideas and he was quite keen initially. Over the next few days, we kept in touch, putting final plans and details. Out of the blue, he (Boat captain) calls on the morning of the D-day and cancels for no just reason. Whilst all this was going on, Chi kept asking me questions that may have given away my plans. Eventually I had to propose as she described it, wasn’t the way I envisaged this phase but it was perfect and my dream girl said YES!
****
An epic journey begins with a single step and on the 4th of June 2011, Chika Umeh and Jackson Ike took a huge leap towards wedded bliss when they said “I Do” at the Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina, Lagos.
The blushing bride was a vision of beauty in her elegantly embellished wedding dress with a full tulle skirt and cathedral length veil. With her bridesmaids ahead of her and her father by her side, Chika walked down the aisle towards her husband-to-be. With his heart filled with love, Jackson took held his bride’s hand as they said their vows and were declared – husband and wife.
Chika and Jackson’s wedding reception at the Zinnia Hall of the Eko Hotel in Lagos was a festive affair! The glamorous event was an opportunity for the couple along with their friends and family to “let their hair down” and celebrate Chika and Jackson’s love.
BN wishes Chika & Jackson a blessed life together. May each day be abundantly filled with God’s grace and favour.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Photography by Atunbi
Vendor List
Pre-Wedding Photography: Sheeka photography – http://sheeka.shutterchance.com/
Wedding Photography: Atunbi – http://www.atunbi.net/photographer/ | http://www.weddingphotographylondon.net
Wedding Dress: Anna Mode London
Groom’s Suit: Bespoke Saville Row
Bridemaids Dresses: Sousourada London
Wedding Planning: Just Weddings – www.jwevents.net
White Wedding Decor: Just Weddings – www.jwevents.net
Wedding Cake: Cakes & Cream (Creative Collaboration with Bride)
Bridal Makeup: BMPro
Bridal Hair: BMPro
Bridemaids Makeup: Sleek
Bridal Flowers and Boutonnière: Gethsemane
Confetti Boxes: Nneyah Cards – www.nneyahcards.com
Guest Book: Sheeka Photography – http://sheeka.shutterchance.com/
Cupcakes: Nuts About Cakes – http://nutsaboutcakesng.com
DJ: DJ Ckay – Facebook Link
Traditional Wedding Makeup: Oluchi
Traditional Wedding Artistic Makeup: First impression
Traditional Wedding Outfits: Valeria
Traditional Wedding Decor: Just Weddings
Videography: Caleb Digital Ventures
Tags: BN weddings, Our Wedding Story
























































































































































































Beautiful wedding..wish them all the best…
I love this white wedding and the traditional wedding, God bless this marriage with all the goodies of life amen.
awwwww really cute couple. And everything was obviously coordinated to perfection! God bless your union! May my own dream wedding come to pass in Jesus name, BN readers help me say AMEN and claim yours too!!!
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen for you! I think I can still wait a bit..
LOL
Amen
wow! My oh My
love them…god bless them
AWWWW she looks so pretty, bubbly and happy. God bless their home. Amen
beautiful wedding .may GOD bless r nuion,amen .so shall mine be in JESUS name ,amen.
they are gorgeous and oooh the yellow i just love it
Beautiful igbo wedding! Wishing the couple happiness and joy in their marriage!
nice wedding colours and pics. I wish dem both a happy married life
Beautiful train and gorg decor! See fine boys everywhere….Chai!
Side note: But naija babes why must thou form?? U see fine boy u like, and he’s trying to get at u and u r playing hard to get knowing fully well u are interested. I really don’t understand why some naija babes do this. It doesn’t add or take anything away from u…I’m not saying u should throw ur self at him, but the games is quite unnecessary sha.
ummm r u single or in a relationship?
the bride’s maids dresses yellow is breathtaking. Wow!
Gorgeous! I too love them beautiful contrast – the white, the yellow and the one purple..too good!
congrats sheeka… really lovely
proper daddy’s girl……….so beautiful……….their love story is cute too.
i feel like getting married o.
http://lucianochinwe.blogspot.com/
gorgeous
This by far has got to be the most beautiful, most romantic and most special, wounderful, amazing wedding i have ever seen.
just see the way the curvy girl is representing…
i wish them the best of marriage life and all the joys it brings…Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree!!! Its sooo beautiful!
The traditional looks fabulous. They both look alike. They gonna have some round face babies soon. Happy married life
dis is sooo beautiful…me sef 1t 2 marry asap…lol God bless deir union!
Congrats to the lovely couple! Hopefully my wedding story will be featured on Bella Naija someday. My fiance and I met in Nigeria though. We both live and work here too. I’m just wondering because BN Weddings always seem to feature Nigerian couples who met outside the country.
Hi Emem,
Thanks for your comment, we feature lots of weddings with “Nigeria-based” love stories, proposals and ceremonies!
http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/08/17/bn-wedding-belle-atinuke-osude-gbeke-solanke-wed/
http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/05/10/loving-you-rotimi-leigh-dennis-iweze-wed/
http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/04/18/loves-sparkling-moment-ayo-sofunde-omoh-igebu-wed/
http://www.bellanaija.com/2010/12/03/our-wedding-story-seun-teniola-qudus-adekoya/
http://www.bellanaija.com/2010/11/25/a-promise-to-love-abisola-abiola-ajimobi-kolapo-kola-daisi-wed/
& more!
Thanks
The bride has Gorgeous smile. bless their Union… and I Say AMEN
Bad Belle airport people. Lol. We don’t do that here. Chai…
Congratulations to the couple.
beautiful wedding!
wishing them all the best
they are simple bold & beautiful. wishing them funful life 2gether!
just love the trad wedding jewelry
Beautiful Wedding!
LMAO @ “we dont do that here… bad belle!”
otherwise, beautiful bride, beautiful everything! God bless their union.
Both white and trad weddings were BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the colors and just the whole atmosphere of it all. I wish the gorgeous couple a Happy Married Life! Congrats!
Beautiful Couple. I love weddings, and these two just look so happy together. may the Lord bless their union. Gorgeous Couple!
@ BellaNaija.com Noted. Thanks.
OMG!! who is my hubby? where and when would i meet him ? long live the couple. . . . AMEN
beautiful wedding!!! igbo traditional weddings , hmmm ive never really understood them, its different each time i see one
‘bells’ girls no dey carry last! first geri, now chika. BEAUTIFUL~
LOOL! i was just thinking the same thing.
For the first time (I think) I didn’t notice any of the usual staples you see at every wedding. And you know those faces I’m talking about. Love the celebration of Igbo culture, even going barefoot initially, and that palmwine. Uhmmmmm! Congrats to the couple.
Lovly couple, they are obviously in love, dey were both equally happy and excited, am happy d guy was not wearing sun shades at d white wedding……congratulations 2 u both and God bless ur union IJN… Am getting married dis year and I hope my trad wedding will be as Good as dis one..
lovely bridesmaids dresses, beautiful wedding
@ Adanma, your husband is Flavor N’abania now. Abi you never see im proposal for im new video? He dedicated a whole song to you oh? And with that nice body he has and that waist gyration he’s perfected, no wahala now! Lol. Just kidding.
so my future bridesmaids are definitely wearing yellow! i looove the colours at this wedding simply gorgeous!!!!!!
May you friendship last forever!!!!
Amazing wedding… See money talking. Kudos to all the wedding vendors.
BellaNaija, please i’ld like my 2012 wedding in London featured, how do I go about it?
Does anyone have an idea what Banke charges for makeup?
Wonderful wedding.. This wedding has something different about it.. compared to all the other weddings we’ve been seeing on BN. Abeg BN.. what are the criterias for you guys to cover a wedding event and putting it on here. Is it only for the high and mighty? Because BN is one of my daily newspapers every morning o.. and my dreams on being here may finally come true o.
God bless your union!
What do i love most about this wedding???
everything, just everything
the shoes, the dress, the hair, the make up, the decour, the people, the tradition, the jewellery, the happyness, the laughter… everything
God bless theis couple
I have learned something very important from this day…I must begin to attend other people’s weddings >:
They already look alike!!! That’s soo cute. God bless their union!
Ahh see my boyfriend looking HOT at his cousin’s wedding!
And I was not around to go with him
Now see one babe standing there with him… God don catch am today
And the couple… There are absolutely gorgeous
BUahahahahahahahaha! funny!
Congrats! Beautiful wedding pictures. Hubby has dimples AND gap teeth!! She will never be able to stay angry with him for long, not with the dimples and the gap LOL!!!!
Its been long I saw brides maids dresses @ nigerian weddings and didn’t wanna puke… now, these maxi dresses are kinds of hot and classy!! Shows brides maids must not show legs and boobs to look cool. Seems the bride actually put some thoughts behind them, not just some ‘cut and sew’ nonsense. Well done. May God bless the marriage
Aww, beautiful…wishing you both a happy union!
love the bridesmaids yellow dress.The bride looked lovely too!All the best.May God give you the best married life has to offer.
I agree with all the prayers that have been said for the couple..
AMEN..
chai lekwa nu fine brodas oooo..ma chocolate skin grooms men,,were u all @ why me no dey see dis kind ones now chai!!! beauriful couple..love da colours decor braidmaids dresses yellow luv luv luv it..chai money speaking
HAhaa @ we dont do that here! LOL! Na real bad belle!
So happy for Chika! Know her sister and have met her couple of times. I’m glad she found the one for her. Goes to show that if ure patient God will bring ur mr. right to u. I like how they were real saying it wasnt easy but they got to their destination. I wish her all the best and the wedding pictures are fabulous!! Congrats again Chika!!
The home the bride got dressed in was beautiful. Stunning wedding all around. I wish them all the best in wedded bliss for the rest of their days.
My dear, I just kept staring at the pictures of that home. It’s so beautiful. Money speaks!
Lovely couple i love everything about them.
Her smile is sooooo infectious. nothing beats a happy bride on her wedding day. May the smiles never cease from your beautiful faces. happy married life.
THIS GIRL HAD SO MUCH FUN….SEE THE SMILES….I LOVE HYER FOR THAT….I ENJOYED THIS POST AGAIN…THANKS BELLA….
on another note….i have found my own boo….who are you boo…..i need u in my life…hehehe
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Chika-Umeh-Jackson-Ike-White-Wedding-1-October-2011-BellaNaija-020-400×600.jpg
also i like this picture…
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Chika-Umeh-Jackson-Ike-Traditional-Wedding-October-2011-BellaNaija-096-400×600.jpg
God bless their marraige. Beautiful couple, beautiful wedding, i love everything about this wedding. Oh, her traditional marriage dress is lovely.
OOOPS SMILING GIRL LOOK GOOD
J FROM TANZANIA
lmao@ we dont do that here.. for a fellow nigerian kwa?
Nwayz, i love the bridesmaid dress. they look gorgeous.
congrats to the beautiful couple. wishing you guys the best.
are there requirements to be met to be featured on BN Weddings?
fabulous
This bride knows the art of smiling. Had to go over the pictures again just to see if I would find one where she was frowning, but I didn’t see. May God bless your union.
beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I see my Aberdeen people holding things down, starting from the groom… Congrats Jackson, God bless you both! xx
People even thou ur wedding isn’t featured on BN, d basic thing is finding someone who will keep u happy everyday after the wedding……. in my opinion d couple looked totally in love and exited..big ups to dem.
Wonderful and Breath taking!
http://www.weddingsbynona.blogspot.com
awww there’s something i love about this bride…..maybe its her smile, she seems so pleasant. And the home she got ready in is beautiful!
Nice pics……..beautiful couple,beautiful clothes,beautiful make up….infact beautiful everything……Eeeeewooooo! Chai Chineke nna God biko nu…….give me my own man oh.Heeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok let me say ds once and get it out of d way,,Jackson IKe ur wife has got d cutest smile eva.. me love her already
beautiful wedding, i wish them best of luck and happy home.
Lovely Couple May God almighty continue to bless ur union…amen
Wow the colors are lovely…Yellow on the bridesmaids, and ur MOH looks lovely….Congrats ..LWKMD @ WE DON’T DO THAT HERE…..na real bad belle dey worry the woman….
@ Ada u are so right…patience and having faith in God will definitely bring Mr. Right forward.. (FAITH without work is DEAD)…
I so luv BN weddings cuz dey make me speech less.a very big congrats 2 dis unique couples.its really a job well done & dey really look cute 2gether.
all i can say is …I LUVEEEEE!!!!…
Chaiiii I have suffered! God plsss where’s my hubby? I need to know him nowwwww.
Beautiful wedding by the way. Wish you both the best in life.
i would like to give kudos to both photographers, the attention to detail is splendid!!!
Nice and tastefully executed wedding. I love the last traditional outfit. And this is by far the best traditional hairstyle that I seen for a traditional wedding. Simply gorgeous.
Lovely wedding. Wonderfully put together. Beautiful.
The trad wedding photos are always my favourite.. wish you guys all the best in your married life
SO LOVING HER PURPLE TRADITIONAL WEAR… SUPER…
IGBO KWENU!!!
BEAUTIFUL
beautiful and fantastic wedding…i wish dem d best
beautiful wedding, pretty bride, gladens my heart when i see a pluz size bride pull t off so well….ohhh and ur engagement jewelery – priceless….
God bless their union, my igbo people…………….i wonder where all these correct igbo brothers are hiding. I wish all the best.
na wa oo……i need to attend weddings ooo…….i don’t even know where to put the ring “sef”……
Beautful, beautiful, beautiful!I wish them all the happiness!
Cute Couple, God bless and strenghten your Marriage tremendoulsy. Just a quick observation BN…..why do the wedding pictures precede the Engagement pictures, isn’t it meant to be the other way round.
It aint about bin slim alone… Bin big is also beautiful… Wat a beautiful bride and a cute hubby… lmao @ ‘bad belle’.. In all, a beautiful wedding…. may God bless their union.. Amen..
Absolutely gorgeous.Am loving it as I wish them well.
i see nnenna and her hawt brother
happy married life to the beautiful couple
Good to see a happy, beautiful plus size bride! Big, black & beautiful = African.
…her husband is hot!!
I am so in love with the bridesmaids color.. Very vibrant like the couple… The bride’s smile and laughter in all the pictures says it all..long may it last! Amen.
Wow…. i love the couple, God bless their home, i also love what money can do!
Wow!! this is so lovely.
May God help us oh. So we cant meet this type of guy now since we dint go to london or are not from rich homes.
Dats y i gat to be a billionaire so freaking bad.
(Mayor.c) hi the beautiful wedding!
wishing the couple. best of Life
Luuuve her lashes! Beautiful couple, beautiful event.
finally…we hardly see igbo lovely wedding…. BN hardly showcases igbo wedding compared to yoruba wedding.. nice post
the bride looks soo pretty… LOVE THE COLOURS… its always the usual pink, blue,red colours for bridemaids ..YELLOW is soo hawwwt!!
lovely!!!!!! wowow… love everything… gd luck to their union
congrats guys!!! yellow colour is sooo cute
beautiful!!! bold!!!! lovely. nice post BN
Al l i see is BLING!… lovely cake..very classic unlike the abundance of cake decorations at other weddings… her dress looks like bella.A..
..love their proposal story!! wedding looks FAB
ok where do i start.. love her dress… her hubby is cute. wish them well!
glamourous wedding!!!
real bad belle… na wa but i bet if they gave her a bribe it wld be allowed..hissss congrats to the couple
lovely.. beautiful wedding
love the trad colours!!! very different
igbo nwenu!!! lovely! beautiful bribe
nice colours….. where is my future hubby ooooo!!!
my igbo ppls.. lovely wedding..beautiful
wow..love the pics.. trad is soo beautiful
this couple are so cute… na real love story
beautiful wedding..all the best.. money talks mehn
lovely couple…nice post BN
beautiful couple… loving the colours
oh wooow.. i luvvre!! everything looks dreamy!
awww… congrats guys … lovely wedding
lovely wedding…. love her trad hair..very unique.. dnt think ive seen that done before..
very refreshing the yellow colours… lavely
very celebrity-esque very unique.. the bride is literally shining!!!
love the bridemaids dresses!!! and the cake is soooo different from the norm!
ok..im jealous… where is my husband!!! love the pics BN.. possibly the best wedding pics so far!
.. love the trad…bride went barefooted..very original!! love the red outfit
love the decor…kudos to just weddings!! bride and groom looked fab
love the way the mothers coordinated their outfits
real daddy’s girl…. the bridemaids dresses are WOW
GLAMOUR…CLASSIC…LOVELY
lovely wedding…Glamour all the way!!!
love how she’s all smiley in all her photos. God bless their union.they look happy
the pre wedding close up pic is ultra sexy!! lovely couple
igbokwenu!!! congrats to them
Beautiful wedding, love the colour combo, myy wedding is coming up this year and I’ve got quite some cue fRom dis lovely one. I love her dress, there s hope 4 the plumpsos n d fatsos.God bless this happy couple
that was a beautiful wedding : )
they are both charming,wish them happy union
i like to see people in love getting married! luvly..
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Chika-Umeh-Jackson-Ike-Traditional-Wedding-October-2011-BellaNaija-096.jpg me likey!
am in love with this couple, the guy is so cute, hope i get a man like this xxxxxx
beautiful… lovely wedding…kudos to the fotograpgher
the groomsmen r looking good!
goodlooking couple! love their decor
yellow is soo lovely! and different !
aww the 2 mums wore pink!! very nice.. congrata to the couple
this is off d hook… vibrant colours! nice
they both look so happy!! beautiful couple.
WONDERFUL IGBO WEDDING . very beautiful culture. also love the fact that both mums wore the same thing. it emphasises the strength of the family bond which is very important. the bridesmaid dresses were very pretty too, at least we know shes not an insecure bride. also cute that her bro was the dj for the wedding too.
so lovely.. yellow is so scarce with weddings..such a bold move and it looks beautiful!
they look alike… so cute.. besutiful dress..
this is a beautiful wedding.. love the trad outfits! congrats to them !
oh lovely wedding! yellow is def bak!! beautiful bride and groom
ooohhhhh…. ahhhhhh!!! lovely
loooove her trad!!!! hair… very different
breathtaking! ahhh this one was overflow of fine boys! E no easy ooo! I love the bridesmaids dress and color so beautiful! Wish the beautiful couple the best in their marriage!
wow.. love this wedding… very simple… love the jimmy choos.. a classic
love the simplicity of their wedding cake… her colours are beautiful.. congrats to me
wow..lovely colours..her trad is nice.. nice bm clolours!
love the yellow colour.. the couple look lovely
lovely wedding dress!! very bling! love the earrings! congrats to them
glam all the way!! love this wedding.. something very different bout it ..
wow!!! ok… love the bridesmaid dresses.. their cake is different and classic…no fuss!
this wedding has the xfactor for real… love the trad colours…. igbo kwenu!!!
lovely!!! her trad is soooo nice!!! and thumbs up for a curvy bride!!!
see my igbo ppls…the couple look alike!! their reception is too die for!!! i wan marry oooo
very sophicated! best wedding on BN so far!! no starry peeps.. just normal peeps and couple!!
5 thumbs up abeg… chei yellow is the colour copy! enuff said
love the prewedding pictures! love is good o
very chic….. wish them all the best. love the trad
.. love the yellow colours!! couple look so happy!
wow..her dress is very cinderella esque! love the last pix…where they locked lips..looks romantic!
the church pixes look so nice..dat church is beautiful!! kudos to atunbi! and the hall deco is on point!
oooohhh…… classy wedding!
Atunbi has to shoot my wedding !
the mothers are so cute..same outfit! classic!
father and daughter pic …awww!
the trad is soo nice… love the red outfit.. and the bride is boogyin down
love love this wedding!!!…. very chic!
couple is soo cute.. the reception is off the hook!
2 thumbs up!
the bridal makeup is superb! love her hair piece
the trad is lovely… congrats to the couple
this couple look so graceful! love the yellow.. very current
i love! the bridal dress..very bling.. loving her flowers!!!
NA WA O!! PHANTOM!!! i hail!!!
the trad decor is really nice… igbo girls know how to rock beads!
love the african culture… this has a lot of colour
love the daughter and mother pic- trad! they look lovely 2gether. love the whole bling concept !
wowowooooow just seeing this! yellow is beautiful..
l luv the yellow conbination it very nice ,and d couple r not looking bad congrats hpy marriage life av fun!!!
couple look so much alike! .. loving their trad…
their sweetheart table decor is out of this world.. kudos to just wedding…
pic with her brothers is adorable and the hubby looking out the window…. classic! nic pixes
awww…. beautiful couple… her bridemaids look adorable in their dresses! bride def has high taste! compared to the sewn bridemaids dresses u see on BN…
OMG!!! MY DREAM WEDDING!!! DIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL….
NOICE… fantastic dream wedding for real…
LOVE THEIR DECOR!!!! TRAD AND WHITE!!!
fabulocity!!
Chi, its lovely, love the yellow colour, looks unique. Congrats. wishing you all the marriage bliss. love the Jimmy Choc shoes!!!!!!!
the yellow does look very unique.. love the bride’s makeup and the decor is fab!
ohhhhhhhhhhhhh my God, bless this couple for me. nice one there. You couples are bless
i see my nnewi people (Y)
typical igbo girl………very smart. lol
beautiful couple, BLES!!!!
was here lukin for samples to use for my own wedding. dis jst gave me gud ideas… talk bout a perfect wedding.
God bless your union, Amen.
Happy Marriage Life