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BN Bridal Beauty: Edo Brides in Beautiful Beaded Benin Wedding Attire
Happy Friday! BellaNaija Weddings has 2 special style articles for you today! Whoop whoop. One for the grooms and one for brides.
This article is spotlighting the beautiful culture of brides from Edo State, in the south south of the Nigeria. Edo is home to many ethnic groups, including Bini, Akoko-Edo and Esan.
Edo brides are known for their elaborate beaded bridal wear – complete with a crown and accessories. The hair – the most important part of the look, is made into a high bun hairstyle known as Eto-Okuku, typically created with black gel. Coral beads are then sewn into the hair or extensions in to the form of a crown, called Okuku. Many brides buy wigs ready made with the hair and crown.
The coral bead accessories accentuate the regal look. Beaded necklaces are called ivie-uru, hand beads – ivie-ebo, earrings – emi-ehorivie, a beaded clutch – ekpa-ivie and a poncho like cape/beaded top called ewu-ivie. Many also wear slippers or shoes covered with beads.
For the complete look, brides wear different fabrics of wrappers – some wear embellished George, some opt for velvet or lace of different colours – anything looks great with beads.
Be Inspired!
When you’re done with this article, check out our Something Blue article – a trend for the grooms 😉 It’ll be up in an hour or so.
***
Lovely Lynda – Click to View her Wedding – MUA Funmi Abeke – Instagram 
Beautiful bride shared with us Instagram – #bellanaijaweddings
Makeup by Kemi Kings – Instagram
Makeup and Eto Okuku (hairstyle) by Omon of Beauty Cook Studio – Instagram
Found on Pinterest
Osayamen – from Facebook
Enimien – Photo by Alakija Studios
Iyayi – Beads by Esohe of Beauty Lounge. Makeup by Lolade of Dainty Affairs
Bisi – Makeup by Kunbi Fashakin of Sit Pretty Makeovers
Brides made up by Osamu of Beauty Matters – Instagram
BellaNaija Brides
Vivacious Tolu – Wedding Video
Beautiful Omoye – Wedding | Makeup by Beauty Cook Studio – Instagram
Pretty Ehi & her sister – Wedding
Elegant Elsie – Wedding
More Gorgeous Edo Brides
Celebrity Brides
Elohor Aisien in Okuku, Beaded Velvet Wrapper & Ivie Uru
Okuku – coral crown & cape – ewu-ivie
In red George wrapper embroidered with gold
Mercy in an asymmetrical gold dress
Mercy had many outfit changes! See more ideas in her exclusive BN Wedding feature!
Nike Oshinowo in a styled shoot – rocking okuku (crown) & ewu-ivie (cape)
Beautiful little bride from Mercy’s wedding. Wonder how old she is now? 🙂
Hope you were inspired today!
If you would like to see the vendors like MUAs and for beads, click on the full wedding links near the bride’s photos.
We are adding a trusted vendor page soon – in the meantime, feel free to refer bead vendors and hairdressers for the Eto-Okuku in the comments.
xoxo – Ink
______________________________________________________________________________________
We love weddings as much as you do – get in touch for inquiries, inspiration & more!
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Hurpeyeahmie
October 4, 2013 at 9:37 am
lovely
Fashionbabe
October 4, 2013 at 9:37 am
Loving It!
Queen
October 4, 2013 at 9:45 am
Rich culture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
me2
October 4, 2013 at 9:48 am
…gives that special Benin look…very beautiful…
amarachi
October 4, 2013 at 9:50 am
I wish I could dress like dis, I rill like it but, I m not 4rm Edo luvly
MJ
October 4, 2013 at 12:22 pm
@ Amarachi, if you marry a guy from Edo you can dress like this . probably as a second change of outfit > Mercy Johnson is from Kogi state but dressed that way cos of her hubby.
Anon
October 4, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Igbos wear it too.
Royalty
October 7, 2013 at 10:55 pm
Yes Igbo people wear it too!
NationalSquirrel
June 12, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Igbos don’t wear it.
Ms sexy
October 4, 2013 at 9:53 am
Chei Edo brides r soo pretty
Can’t even fault any of the pictures
I so love their tradition that state
ldyem
October 4, 2013 at 10:14 am
can you do one on delta brides? im from delta state and I dont really know what they wear
BellaNaija Weddings
October 4, 2013 at 12:07 pm
Hi, what ethnic group are you in Delta? Or Delta in general? Itsekiris are different from Delta Igbos for example. I think it’ll be fun to do on the whole of Delta – it’s so diverse. Thanks 🙂
Skinny gogo
October 4, 2013 at 12:13 pm
The whole of Delta please. My mum is Delta Ibo and my dad is Urhobo. Then you have the Ijaws, the Itshekiris and Isoko. Love my state
BellaNaija Weddings
October 4, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Will do! x
anonymous
October 4, 2013 at 4:04 pm
Would love to see pics of the Urhobo’s
ldyem
October 5, 2013 at 12:22 pm
I’m Itsekiri, but yeah I think doing the whole of Delta would be great!
NationalSquirrel
June 12, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Hi Bella Naija. I think it’s high time you did a delta bride(the south south part), not ibo feature. I am itsekiri and I can help with that. Our beads are so rich and much different from edo and other tribes beads
Eseosa
October 4, 2013 at 10:17 am
Yes o, proudly bini 🙂
keny
October 31, 2013 at 1:58 pm
And you cant spell benin aptly. meaning you are from bini and not benin.
nomzy
December 13, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Bini is the tribe and Benin is the place, but you didn’t know that did you?
efe
October 4, 2013 at 10:20 am
Edo is a place with one of the RICHEST culture in Nigeria.Proud to be one. Winking
Gistyinka Blog
October 4, 2013 at 10:21 am
I love African culture..
Monalisa
October 4, 2013 at 10:25 am
I freaking love my culture, Edo/Benin for life!!! cant wait for my wedding…
osimen
February 27, 2016 at 10:51 am
We both coralate on this track, u can add me on whatssap 09057702755,.
Stace
October 4, 2013 at 10:33 am
Yessssss…… That’s my people.. Lovely all through… WE the greatest yalll…..
TRUTH
October 4, 2013 at 10:46 am
EEEEEEOOOOO,I HAIL EDO PEOPLE. WONDERFUL CULTURE,PERFECT TRADITIONAL ATTIRE.
bini gal
October 4, 2013 at 11:05 am
Proud of my rich culture
sandra
October 4, 2013 at 11:08 am
yea dats our culture am so proud to be an Edo woman lol….
http://legonaija.blogspot.co.uk
October 4, 2013 at 11:19 am
Edo people one love
Alero
October 4, 2013 at 11:27 am
I am proud to be associated with the Binis. I am looking forward to this look on my BIG day, by His grace 😀
dike Nwamaka
October 4, 2013 at 11:32 am
Edo nor dey carry last, una doh o!
ono
October 4, 2013 at 11:50 am
yes oo am so proud to be from edo state, we are wonderfully and beautifully created, and the beads are a special part of our tradition, all others are copycats
Sheila
October 4, 2013 at 12:05 pm
The bride in white is an Anioma (Delta-Ibo) bride not Edo
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Geri-Udeh-Wole-Ogundipe-Traditional-Wedding-September-2011-BellaNaija-027.jpg
lee
October 4, 2013 at 12:11 pm
Yippeee… and i see Osamu of Beauty matters repping… and a few brides i know…
meme
October 4, 2013 at 12:12 pm
My peopleeeee.. I cant wait to wear this! I would love mine to be sewn like a skirt just like this facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4082467191621&set=pb.1580825938.-2207520000.1380884885.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash3%2F580727_4082467191621_1158431705_n.jpg&size=686%2C960 TOO BEAUTIFULL.. I still can’t get over how she styled it instead of wearing a wrapper.. too fabulous
Tincan
October 4, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Awww, reminds me of my trad.
BrownSugah
October 4, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Hmmmm…..I wish i knew this special feature on Edo brides was coming up and if BN would have added mine as am not one of your featured brides. It was just as lovely as this!
Edo brides are beautiful! Oba gha to kpe e. Iseeee!
nitabrownsugah.wordpress.com
BellaNaija Weddings
October 4, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Lovely e-mail us your pic please – weddings “at” bellanaija.com. Will add it. Include your MUA name and photographer if no watermark.
Tess
October 4, 2013 at 12:24 pm
This is really good BN team. I am not from Edo state, but I’m totally in love with their rich tradition. Could you please feature more weddings, food, cultural practices, etc of the different tribes in Nigeria? I believe one way of fostering unity in Nigeria is to celebrate our unique strengths. I believe if we all celebrate our beautiful heritage and concentrate on our good parts, we will have less fights.
Well done all the same BN, looking forward to more celebrations of our beautiful tribes.
MUM"S DAUGHTER
October 4, 2013 at 12:25 pm
BELLANAIJA PLEASE URHOBO AND ITSEKIRI.MOST TIMES MISTAKE URHOBO BRIDES AND IGBO BRIDES ATTIRES AND MAYBE KALABARI BRIDES(PORT HARCOURT)BECAUSE ‘m MARRYING A PORT HARCOURT MAN
Laberry Afrique
October 4, 2013 at 12:48 pm
For your complete coral crown, beaded top( ewu ivie) and accessories,sequined headgear(gele), bridal fan etc,please Call 07063943462, thanks.
tammy
October 4, 2013 at 12:48 pm
BN please show us Rivers brides. Grande merci!
tatafo
October 4, 2013 at 2:21 pm
I support… please show Rivers brides!
Diseye
October 4, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Yes I support you! Show us Ijaw brides (Kalabari, Okrika, Opobo, Ogoni etc). We have a rich culture too oooo
H's boo
October 5, 2013 at 1:47 am
I support too.
truth
October 4, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@Sheila
Anioma people have Bini roots, (very long story, but ask older people and they’ll tell you, there’s a history between us) But that is original Edo attire
OK
October 4, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Truth be told all of Edo and Delta states have Bini/Edo
roots…
osa
October 4, 2013 at 12:53 pm
This made my day thx BN! Loving my bini bridal atire Btw does anyone have an ideal of a vendor/ hairdresser in london southeast to be precise. Preppin for mine …please help a sister thanks
orene
October 4, 2013 at 1:07 pm
I cant wait to look like this on my SPECIAL BIG day…proud to be One..ko yo o!
julit
October 4, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Anybody can wear ikuku. Its an edo style but some igbos have adopted it to do their “nno nu o”.
dami
October 4, 2013 at 1:49 pm
I’m yoruba and it’s just annoying that I can’t wear this on my wedding day! I love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love it. Phewww
bnigerian
October 4, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Babe, you can dress up in this style before your trad and take professional photos. You don’t have to be Edo to rock it :D.
ao
October 4, 2013 at 7:01 pm
Wear what you want on your day. Make it your own by adapting it somehow to your culture in a unique way. After all, plenty of Naija brides wear white wedding gown and that is not indigenous to any Nigerian group. Do you.
Omo1
October 4, 2013 at 1:54 pm
My beautiful Edo sisters..
me
October 4, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Nice but pls Geri is wearing our delta igbo wrapper and beads called akwa Ocha…its not Edo or Benin in any way
me
October 4, 2013 at 2:01 pm
@truth yes w have the same root from “bendel” take a closer look at the wrapper again! IT IS NOT AN ORIGINAL EDO ATTIRE!!!!!
bnigerian
October 4, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Babe, you can dress up in this style before your trad and take professional photos. You don’t have to be Edo to rock it :D.
bnigerian
October 4, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Ah, ah, chill now…:D
me
October 4, 2013 at 3:29 pm
why? no be fight na
me
October 4, 2013 at 2:03 pm
@BN when you are doing a Delta Igbo wedding, i will send you my pictures int he same type of wrapper Geri is wearing….Osamu Beauty Matters also did my makeup
BellaNaija Weddings
October 4, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Hi, thank you so much. Please send the email with your pics and info as soon as possible. It sounds like you have some insight on the history of the culture too. Unfortunately our Nigerian wedding cultures are not well documented so your insight is very much appreciated, make sure to include all the info in the email to weddings “at” bellanaija.com. xx
Safaya
October 4, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Yay!! Edo and our rich and beautiful culture. Proud to be Omo N’Edo
me
October 4, 2013 at 2:14 pm
ok…will do
Mimidoo
October 4, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Nice one…..can you take it a little step further and maybe just write a summarized version of the flow of the traditional wedding. You just need to call out significant events that occur during the wedding and their significance.
I’m from Benue and have no clue was goes on during a Tiv wedding.
Thanks bellanaija weddings 🙂
BellaNaija Weddings
October 4, 2013 at 2:31 pm
Hi loves,
We see and are working on your suggestions even though we may not reply individually.
Thank you! 😆
Tessy
October 4, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Something for the Edo finally… Osa, if you are overseas, try SeunD Beads. She’s a top notch when it comes to beads or trad stuff.
SholaMshola
October 4, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Edo brides are always beautiful!
Abu
October 4, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Love Benin bridal outfit! I’m going to wear it on my wedding day even tho I am not Edo!
Omosede
October 4, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Gorgeous!
Idia
October 4, 2013 at 3:05 pm
All the brides look beautiful! Can’t wait to wear mine soon x
bnigerian
October 4, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Thanks BN for the feature, very beautiful brides. Proudly Edo and I can’t wait to rock this outfit soon!
inosend
October 4, 2013 at 3:09 pm
mimi visit your state or ask your parents or other tv people to give you answers…..its not rocket science.. bellanaija wont teach u about your culture…..even if you grew up abroad sometimes you have to make a conscious effort to get the info about your culture if not you wont know anything…
nayauk
October 4, 2013 at 3:38 pm
can you do one for igbos brides. i would like to get some ideas for my wedding. im from imo state marrying into anambra.
Diseye
October 4, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Yes I support you! Show us Ijaw brides (Kalabari, Okrika, Opobo, Ogoni etc). We have a rich culture too oooo
Theresa
October 4, 2013 at 4:15 pm
Yaaaayy….I love this.very lovely.Bella well done .
Iny
October 4, 2013 at 4:31 pm
I love the little girl most, pls showcase Ibibio and efik brides
dahliaweddings.blogspot.com
kenora
October 4, 2013 at 4:34 pm
beautiful ad amazing works..lukin forward 4 a day am going to wear mine.
Mesh
October 4, 2013 at 4:47 pm
I couldn’t stop lagging wen I saw the white lady head gear..,.
OK
October 4, 2013 at 5:25 pm
LOL, her own no be okuku na okaka..
Blossom
October 4, 2013 at 5:26 pm
THE HAIR RELAXER BUSINESS IS BOOMING! CHAI!
Make-up artist
October 4, 2013 at 5:35 pm
proud to be from the ” heart beat of the nation” i can’t
wait for my big day! abeg guy propose na?
Bisi BusyBee!
October 4, 2013 at 5:42 pm
Yay! love my heritage. I also dressed like this on my wedding day but changed into Yoruba attire later. I looked really gorgeous(mum is from Edo, Dad a yoruba Man).
BN, I already sent in my compiled pics to the office , you are yet to publish (sad face).
Thanks, Bisi(BusyBee Events!)
slice
October 4, 2013 at 5:45 pm
pls do one for the yoruba brides o 🙂
ao
October 4, 2013 at 7:07 pm
No need to wait. BN features more Yoruba weddings than any other group. Just peruse the wedding section and you will see plenty Yoruba weddings and brides.
slice
October 4, 2013 at 8:41 pm
was kidding honey 🙂
dee
October 4, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Beautiful!!! I’m efik(calabar) and getting married to an edo guy but I can’t even imagine wearing the edo attire as my 2nd or 3rd outift cos doing our efik hair is one hell of a task on its own. Imagine having to sit through this one again….mehnnnn i no fit!!
BN u should also feature efik brides u know 😀
Nina
October 6, 2013 at 1:33 am
Yes, i was just going to say that. Please do an article on erik/ibibio brides. our outfit is as beautiful and rich. The head gear is so regal and stately. Let’s not even talk of the ceremonial scepter efik brides carry during the traditional marriage….You definitely need to do one on Efik/Ibibio brides
Choice
October 4, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Proudly Nigerian, beautiful brides, I love my culture. Lovely.
jcsgrl
October 4, 2013 at 6:56 pm
kai I’m late to this party but can I just say that I think south south babes are the preetiest babes in Nigeria…honestly Edo, river, delta, calabar…they are too gorgeous for words
slice
October 4, 2013 at 8:41 pm
i knew there was a reason i liked you 🙂
Jcsgrl
October 5, 2013 at 3:31 am
Kisses hon
Nina
October 6, 2013 at 1:34 am
Thank you very much 🙂
the mane captain (natural hair & skincare)
October 4, 2013 at 10:21 pm
pretty brides. but they could have at least dressed the white lady nicer!
those relaxers sha. I wonder how a natural like myself will be able to wear those crowns.
themanecaptain.blogspot.ca
Naturalbeauty
October 7, 2013 at 7:38 pm
Lol….you can. Get some hair lotion/oil like the olive oil moisturizing and castor oil, it will give your hair the sleek texture and less frizzy.
Omo
October 5, 2013 at 1:20 am
Thanks
Omo
October 5, 2013 at 1:31 am
Thanks BN! just looking at all these lovely ladies/pix just motivated me again to speed up my Traditional wedding plan. Was already feeling a bit discouraged planning my wedding N I tell u, its not been easy at all doing all these planning from long distance( Yankee). This gave me some energy today and i TRULY appreciate u all! PROUDLY EDO! PROUDLY BINI!
éblouissant
October 5, 2013 at 2:35 am
I am Cameroonian and what I love most about the BN wedding
column are the comments.. SIMPLY HILARIOUS. Its always worthwhile
after a stressful day. I love Nigerians, especially the crazy ones
[email protected] Em . Bisous et Bonne nuit a tous!!
creativedela
October 5, 2013 at 9:05 am
beautiful culture
sweetmothermag.com
nessa
October 5, 2013 at 3:07 pm
bellanaija please add this one…. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=553710491319537&set=a.538521222838464.123766.100000417731204&type=3&theater and this one. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=939784742088&set=a.939783354868.2173597.40707545&type=3&theater
thanks. love this site…
Osayamen Lebarty
October 5, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Awwww! Am so proude of our bini culture,seeing my picture amonge this beautiful brides makes me so happ,I was so happy with my attire it make me look spectacular the 9th pix counting frm d beginning Osayamen frm Facebook
Naturalbeauty
October 5, 2013 at 4:33 pm
These women look so gorgeous. And the beaded crowns are exquisite. I’m still confused about the crown thing bcos I’ve seen some Yorubas dress like this especially ones from ondo state specifically owo. Can someone please explain to me what the connection is ?
creamy
October 7, 2013 at 8:33 am
Ondo and Bini people LOVE beads, owo is close to edo state so the people have some things in common.
AbiesCandy
October 5, 2013 at 5:21 pm
Waoh!!,these are really so lovely….yes,u can actually get a more classier look on your special day!..for beautiful makeUps,attire,and hair,add BBpin;27F9BA61 or call 07032266943…Your looks must be glamorous on ur special day!..Cheers!
NNENNE
October 6, 2013 at 3:55 am
NICE. While the Binis wore the ‘okuku’ the Igbo bride wore their beads on on their wrists , ankle and the waist ( Mgbaji ).They also had “uli”( present day’s tattoo) . So I was told.
One of the brides in BN had the waist beads.
hugo
October 6, 2013 at 10:52 am
Pls we need to see Igbo brides too
carol
October 6, 2013 at 9:17 pm
please can you do one on cross river? the entire cross
river-calabar, mbube, obudu, ikom,etc. we all wear diffrent
attires. thanks
victoria
October 6, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Proudly edo :d ……….BN how can I send pictures so I can show my work?
juwa
October 6, 2013 at 11:25 pm
BN, God bless you, just last week I checked google to see
pictures of Edo brides, cos I am From esan and preparing for my
wedding, with this post you have answered All my questions. Please
can I c tsekiri brides, my mum is itsekiri and I also want to
dress. As one
fun
October 7, 2013 at 5:36 am
Can we get for yorubas too.
adelegirl
October 7, 2013 at 10:49 am
I am looking forward to a feature on Rivers brides, specifically the igbo speaking Ikwerre tribes as that’s where my mum is from and would love to honour her by wearing her traditional attire as my 1st outfit before I change to the yoruba attire of my father and fiance. My fiancee is also looking forward to wearing the Rivers attire even though he is full-blooded yoruba- is this proper though?
Ndidiamaka
October 7, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Yes!! If you can wear/honour his culture, he can wear/honour yours and since your man is the one who suggested it, kudos to him! My bf was like, which kain wear your attire? I’m a Yoruba man oh! I was like, go down the road and hug transformer! When he saw I was not in any way playing, his tori changed one time! Don’t vex a hot-blooded Igbo woman. We are like Latinas! Gini? How many times are you going to come to my father’s house to ask for my hand in marriage? You berra act like I’m a bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc! *hiss*
Oma
October 7, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Very beautiful pictures, i am from the south south, an itsekiri and i must say my Bini/Esan sisters are repping to the fullest, we dont play with our culture, we dress 3 times as mandated by customs..these days its more of gold and silver jewellry added to the beaded cape to make the 3rd entrance…sooooo GRANDE…..you will definitely feel like a [email protected] candy…i’m sure you are a terrific MUA…but i dint get this “you can actually get a more classier look ” girlfriend…these looks are earth shattering….no need to knock anyone’s hustle..it doesn’t get classier than what we’ve seen here….*just saying
Make up artist.
October 10, 2013 at 1:05 am
Too lovely.
BevShine events
October 10, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Inspired
Princess E Mimi
October 11, 2013 at 1:05 am
I am proud of my African heritage and yes black is
beautiful!
Kheira
October 11, 2013 at 11:11 am
WOW!! I love these beaded accessories.
MissBusyBody
October 14, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Edo ladies make the most beautiful brides….
Elohor
October 14, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Ah Ah, almost all the okuku hairstyles were done by Esohe of Beauty Lounge, Bella Naije, U guys should acknowledge that o! lovely hair pieces
Namaste
October 21, 2013 at 5:47 am
Edo…Delta, no difference my people. The brides dress the same way. Don’t forget Edo and Delta once made up BENDEL STATE. #generationYmentalityforgets
Stella Samuel
October 29, 2013 at 2:42 pm
I am proud of my state.
mary
March 23, 2014 at 2:33 am
where can I buy these traditional wedding beads?
Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
August 15, 2014 at 4:19 pm
Most beautiful photos ever! Love my people. Thanks for sharing. I have reshared your photos on my blog. Stop by.
Anonymous
July 7, 2015 at 5:06 pm
How much does a good okuku cost or the price range even for hiring
Bola Agwuncha
January 13, 2017 at 11:06 pm
Pls how do I get the address of someone in Lagos who can do okuku for my daughter who weds 2 weeks from now.
Bola Agwuncha
January 13, 2017 at 11:07 pm
My phone 08033038078