BN Weddings: Dolapo & Olayemi Wed in Ibadan

Dolapo and Olayemi wed a year ago in Ibadan and they were trend-setters in a lot of ways – a suspended chandelier cake, a backless dress from Tarik Ediz – so many inspirational elements for brides and grooms-to-be.

The couple also shares a beautiful story – the bride played hard to get and the groom is such a poet!

Enjoy!

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How We Met
Bride’s Version
I met Yemi in November 2003 when my friend, Bola, decided that we should go to a club in central London to celebrate her birthday. She mentioned a cousin of hers who knew all the hot spots in central London since he was a student at Imperial College. I was looking forward to the outing until I realized that the Covent Garden club he chose played garage music (hey, I’m a straight up Naija babe so don’t blame me). In addition to this, I silently “beefed” him because I got the impression he was feeling all cute, hot and snazzy and this “beef” was further fuelled by his mum who couldn’t stop talking about her “handsome son” whenever I was around. I later gathered that she would tell anyone that cared to listen about her wonderful son who had made her so proud. (Now that I’m married to her handsome son, I totally understand the pride she felt when she spoke about her son – my husband.)

Yemi and I kept in touch occasionally after this 1st meeting and he would write me several poems (my Moremi B23 sisters can testify to this) which I would read and share with my friends. After exchanging a few messages, most of which were poems, I believe Yemi got the message that I wasn’t into dating him even though I thought we were quite good friends. Despite the break in communication, Yemi still remembered my birthdays and he would send emails and prayers.

We started really talking again in September 2011 and I remember him telling me that he was reminiscing on all the girls he had ever liked. I thought to myself “how cute”… Because at this point, I had conveniently put him in the place of family and it never even crossed my mind that I was ever going to date him. He later invited me to take a road trip with him to Stafford for a car-race-thingy but I decided to invite a male friend of mine to come along on this trip. Luckily for Yemi, the guy turned down the offer last minute and it was Yemi and I all the way to Stafford. It was a fantastic drive because we played and sang gospel music all the way to the race track and on our way back, we played a lot of Nigerian music. I had a great time! After a few outings and one big fight, I eventually agreed to date Yemi and here I am now, married to the only consistent, patient and focused man in my life who knew what he wanted and went for it.

Groom’s Version
In London, while at university in 2003 I invited Bola to a cinema outing and she asked if she could bring a friend along – Dolapo. That was the first time I met Dolapo. I remember she was quiet and didn’t say much. The next time we met was on a night out clubbing. About 5 of us had gone out that night, 3 of whom were my cousins. An opportunity arose when 2 of my cousins went to explore another room and when my 3rd cousin went to buy a drink.

Dolapo was wearing an inspirational outfit. The outfit was like the importance of a dictionary when you hear a new word but don’t know the meaning. I decided to ask if she wanted to dance and to my utmost delight, she said yes. They were playing the Foxy Brown version of “Gotta Get You Home Tonight”. Since that night I’ve had a chance to discover who Dolapo is. During 2004 for 5 months we started to talk more and more, sometimes every day and I began to fancy her. We stayed friends until 2011 when we started dating. In July 2012 we got engaged.

I think Dolapo and I click because we are both Christians, forward looking and excited about each other. Our efforts to develop ourselves as individuals have served as a blessing to us as a couple. We have an interesting balance of things we’re both good and bad at. This allows us to complement each other.

The Proposal
from the Bride, Dolapo
We returned from a trip to Portugal sometime in July 2012 and in his usual manner, Yemi came to visit me at home after work and since I was returning to Nigeria the following day, he suggested that I spent the night at his. While he was waiting for me to finish packing, I saw a box in his breast pocket and I innocently reached for it but he quickly grabbed my hand and claimed it was a box of drugs for his cold. I didn’t believe him and then click! It occurred to me that my boyfriend was carrying a ring in that box. I thought, oh well, maybe it’s not mine, then I ran upstairs to Lola, my friend who was staying at my house at the time and told her that I think Yemi was about to propose and I didn’t know what to say. She had a good laugh and said, “duh, you’ll say yes now”. I flipped and told her that I wasn’t going to his house anymore just in case he proposed and I didn’t know what to say. After a few minutes, I eventually decided to go and I was just holding myself back in the car. We got to his house and behold, the proposal happened! Guess what my response was?… lol

Advice for Other Couples –

“Let God lead the way.”

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On the couple’s special day, the bride wore a fairytale Vera Wang ball gown. About the dress search, the bride says, “I had always known I’d wear a ball gown for my wedding but I thought it would be a very elaborate dress so I had meetings with Michael Cinco and Veluz Reyes to customize a dress for me. In the mean time, I wanted to shop around NYC just to see what’s out there. The moment I wore this particular Vera Wang dress, I felt like a bride. Plus my sister and friend that were at the fitting with me could not hide their excitement about the dress. For me, it was the fit, look and fluidity of the dress that sold me.” The groom wore a morning suit by Hugo Boss. The highlight of their day was a special dance routine! “Candy” by Cameo – by the bride, groom, bridal party and then their friends danced along!

BN Weddings prays Dolapo and Yemi have a blissful and blessed union.

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~ Photography: Pixels Digital Photography

Traditional Engagement

White Wedding

Photography: Pixels Digital Photography – 080 3333 2360

Wedding Info
Traditional: 19th April, 2013
White: 20th April, 2013

Venues
Engagement: The Civic Centre (Kola Daisi Hall), Ibadan
Wedding: Casa Lucio Events Centre, Ibadan

Hair & Makeup
Bridal Makeup Traditional and White Wedding: Juicy Looks by Abby | instagram.com/juicylooks_mua
Bridal Hair: BM Pro | instagram.com/bmpromakeup

Engagement Attire
Aso Oke and Fan: Woven by Abiola Asooke, Surulere, Lagos | Designed and made by Data Okorodudu
Purple Buba Lace: Temilade | 080 3321 5319
2nd Gele / bride’s friends gele tying: Ejoke Akpenyi | 080 5221 7214
Jewelry: Seun D’s beads – www.seundsbeads.com | instagram.com/seundsbeads
Purse: Enthyst, Dolphin Estate, Lagos

Wedding Attire
First Dress: Vera Wang
Second Dress: Tarik Ediz
Bride’s Veil: Beth Morgan
Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss
Bridesmaids: eDressit.com
Groomsmen: T.M. Lewin

Vendors
Planner, Decor & Bouquet: Enthyst Events Limited, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi | 080 3301 6027 (Bride’s Review: Ndidi is Amazing!)
Chandelier and Chest cakes: Cakes by Tosan
2nd Traditional Cake (tiered): Mowumi Cakes | 080 3380 9416
Drinks: Casa Lucio
Small Chops: Chops and Skews | 080 5315 2876, E-600
MC: Helen Paul / Jedi

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