Munaluchi Bride Magazine: Chantal weds Robert – a Ghanaian & Liberian Wedding in DC

Happy Wednesday! It’s time for weekly dose of wedding fabulous from our friends at Munaluchi Bride Magazine, the only print mag for brides of color in the United States. Want to see our previous joint features? Click Here!

Today we’re sharing Chantal & Robert’s fabulous fete in Washington DC. The couple lives in London but pulled off planning their wedding in the US! Read their story for tips and inspiration, Enjoy!

Bride: Chantal Kyei
Groom: Robert Kyei
Wedding Date: September 14, 2013
Location: Washington, DC

See a different set of amazing photos and more of the couple’s story on the Munaluchi feature! – https://munaluchibridal.com/?p=39235

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Wedding Planning!
From Chantal, the bride
The theme of the wedding was African-chic. It incorporated our West African traditions – me a Liberian who grew up in the States & Robert from Ghana, in a Catholic Mass at historical St. Matthew’s Cathedral followed by a fun reception at the Corcoran Museum of Art in Washington, DC.

Our wedding planning process proved to be quite challenging because we planned it across time zones and continents! From London to DC. As one can imagine, coordinating vendors in different time zones was not easy. Not to mention our close support system were spread out on 3 different continents. Robert’s parents live in Ghana while mine are in Michigan, USA. 2 out of the 4 groomsmen lived in Ghana, 1 in London, and the final in Baltimore. It was a similar situation with the bridesmaids but luckily, the Maid of Honor, who lives in London like I do was a huge help. My Stephen Yearick couture gown was purchased in Chicago and had to be mailed to Washington, DC one month before the wedding. No time for alternations or fittings, only a prayer that it fit. Lol

Even the invitation process was a challenge. Some were hand delivered in Liberia and Ghana while others were packaged and mailed in one box to my parents in the States. To avoid the one pound, 60 pence cost per invitation, the Bride’s parents’ mailed invitations within the States from their family-owned dental practice.

Keeping with the theme of African-chic, we had our wedding favors made in Ghana. They were wood carvings in 5 different styles, representing symbols of love, packaged in lapa and a kente stoll personalized with the Liberian and Ghanaian flag colors to symbolize the merge of 2 cultures.

There was no wedding planner, only a wedding coordinator who was hired one month from our wedding to make sure we enjoyed our special day.

Culture
We definitely made sure to include our West African cultures. Aside from encouraging guests to wear African attire, our guests waved lapas to signify happiness, during the entrance of the wedding party at the reception. The lapas were also laid on the ground when we walked into the reception and for our first dance. We also had a Liberian Grand March (promenade/line dance) led by the bride’s parents to open the dance floor.

Finally, the speeches kicked off with the parents not the best man because we wanted to pay homage to our African culture, where elders speak first out of respect.

So thoughtful!

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Vendors
Wedding Dress Designer: Stephen Yearick
Wedding Dress Salon: Dimitra Bridal (www.dimitrasbridal.com)
Bridesmaid dresses & Groomsmen suits: Vera Wang White and Black collections at David’s bridal & Men’s Warehouse
Make-up: The bride
Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade
Event Coordinator: Diane George Covenant Weddings http://www.covenantweddings.com/ | 240.375.3953
Ceremony: St. Matthew’s Cathedral www.stmatthewscathedral.org/ | 202.347.3215
Reception Venue: Corcoran Gallery of Art Meaghan Olwell 202.639.1788 www.corcoran.org/home‎
Caterer + Cake: RSVP Catering www.rsvpcatering.com, Marsha Meltzer, 703-573-8700 Ext. 1242
Florist: Tobore Oweh toboreoweh (at) gmail.com
Hair: “Kira Kouture Creations” Kira Carter 267.825.2513
DJ: Tag Nation, Claude, 3 01.366.3662
Video: Dolce Studio Films – 703.300.9033
Photographer: Deb Lindsey www.deblindsey.com

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