BN Weddings: Jumoke & Adeniyi’s Engagement & Nikkai in Lagos

Happy Saturday! Ramadan Kareem to our Muslim BN fam.

Jumoke and Adeniyi‘s love story is sure to warm your heart!

The newlyweds met via the bride’s cousin and thanks to BBM, their relationship bloomed even with thousands of miles between them. The romantic surprise proposal happened nearly exactly a year after they met.

Makeup artist Segun Gele played an instrumental part in the relationship so it was only fitting that he do the bride’s makeup for both her special days. Their moments were captured by Demilade Roberts Photography.

Enjoy!

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How We Met
From The Bride
It all began in December 2011, when my cousin and I were having our usual discussions about our personal lives. On that day, he decided to tell me he had a friend he wanted to introduce to me. I was sort of reluctant about the whole thing, but I let him speak. “Sis” ( as Wale calls me) “you guys can just be friends, or you may even have a friend that you may want to introduce him to.” In the back of my head, I started to think about all my single Muslimah sisters that I could introduce him to. Lol! So my intentions were to talk to him, get to know him and then play matchmaker with one of my friends.

During this time, Blackberrys were popular, so I told Wale to give him my BB pin and we can see where the conversation would go from there. About 5 mins later I received a BB request, which I anxiously accepted. He introduced himself as Balogun AbdRasheed Adeniyi (Lol, It’s a Nigerian thing to say your full name). Our conversation went on for about an hour when he randomly said, “Can I get my number, just in case our BBs crash”. I thought oh Lord, what a corny line… but I still gave it to him. He also gave me his numbers. Since it was late in Nigeria, we ended the conversation.

At about 10pm (American time – that’s where I was) and 4am (Nigerian time) I received a phone call from Niyi. That night we talked for 2 hours! It felt like Niyi and I were long lost friends. We talked about our families, what we were doing presently and our future plans. I was really impressed with what I was hearing that night, but I still had my little reservations about him.

Now let’s fast forward to February 14. That morning Niyi sent me a picture of flowers with a “Happy Valentine’s Day” message, I thought aww how cute. Later on in the day, I received a phone call from a Texas number. I was wondering who could possibly be calling me from Texas, I answered and it was Segun Gele, we exchanged greetings and he let me know the purpose of his call. He explained that he’s sorry that he was not able to get my valentine’s day gift on time, but it will be delivered first thing the next day. I was so excited I couldnt wait for the next day to arrive. I had to work that day, so I was not home for the package to be delivered. I was extremely anxious and couldn’t wait to get home. Once I arrived at home I saw a box outside my door. I opened a box and saw it was a watch! I was not expecting a gift of that sort from someone I was not dating. I called Niyi right away to thank him for the gift. At first he tried to act like he didn’t know what I was talking about. Then he explained he didn’t know what to get me since, but after looking through my Facebook pictures he realized I mainly wear bracelets but has not watches. So he figured that he would get me a watch that looked like a bracelet. I was shocked, because I didn’t think anyone could be that observant. Let’s just say, at that moment he went from “my Mr. Right now” to “my Mr. RIGHT……..”

From Niyi, the Groom
There’s nothing better than a perfect romantic relationship filled with love and happiness……and there goes the story of “How I Met HER”.

Wale – Jumoke’s cousin, and I had been talking about work, religion and relationships and how it syncs with our worship. So in one of our multiple conversations, sometime in October 2011; Wale kept pushing and asking when I’ll be getting married, I guess he was eyeing my job and needed me to move on so he could take my space – e noor work… Lol.

So in December of the same year Wale asked to introduce me to a cousin. That all he wanted was for me to be friends with her and that’s all. So I replied...”OK”. He asked again if I’d be able to cope with the fact that she’s miles away…“hmmmm OK”, I thought to myself. It was almost midnight when I finally got the urge to call her and get her BB PIN and it was time for all the firsts to happen. Even at the thick of the 2012 new year messaging going on, she accepted my request to add her sharply. The chat was basic, normal getting to know ourselves, and further exchange of contacts happened but I knew what she was thinking (for how long can he put up with the calling?). I took my time observing the little things that mattered to her and with every conversation, I kept finding something new about her that stood out to me; including her work with children and her strong purpose to love and to serve God which endeared my heart to yearn for her more.

Now I couldn’t wait until July to meet her (as I originally planned), April came and I decided to go. The trip was dramatic as I missed my flight! Within 8 hrs, I was back to take another flight, the reward was awesome because I’ll always remember Jumoke’s very first smile when she saw me. Before meeting “HER”, I never felt complete but I can wholesomely say, Olajumoke is ME!

The Proposal
by the Bride
On Dec 27th, 2012, Niyi and I went to visit Segun Gele. During our visit we planned on having lunch before I left Nigeria. The lunch date was set for Sunday, Dec 30th. I decided to invite my sister Moni and my friend Rolake to come along. I could not wait for Sunday to finally arrive. On that day, while I was getting dressed for our lunch date, Niyi sent me a text message saying I should meet him at KFC. I told Moni, and we both had the same thought “He’s joking right…we can’t really be having lunch at KFC”. I called Niyi and told him that I was way overdressed for KFC and I hope he is joking about us eating there. For some reason he found my comment real comical and bursted out laughing. When he finally stopped laughing, he told me not to worry and reminded me to bring my camera. I fussed about having to carry my camera around, Niyi said “stop complaining and bring the camera jare”.

My sister and I arrived at KFC, with Niyi, Segun Gele and Tom (Niyi’s close friend) waiting for us. It really bothered me at how interested and engrossed Niyi and Segun were with the KFC menu. I didn’t want to be Negative Nancy, so I decided to go along with them. Segun Gele finally came to his senses (Thank God!) and said he didn’t like KFC, so he suggested we go somewhere else. We drove to the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, upon our arrival I noticed that some of Niyi’s friends were already there waiting for us. Immediately I began to suspect that these boys might have something up their sleeves, I put on my Nancy Drew hat and became VERY observant. Everyone introduced themselves as we took our seats. During lunch, my cousin Wale and Niyi’s other friend joined us at the table. We were still waiting on Rolake to come; she mentioned that she was still at church and that she would come right after.

That day I had a ring on. Whenever I wear rings, I always wear them on my ‘ring finger’. Segun Gele noticed the ring and asked me why I was wearing the ring? I explained to him how it was part of my outfit and I put it on the finger because I don’t have any other ring for that specific spot. He said he didn’t like the ring and that I should please take it off. While trying to convince me to take off the ring, here came “Captain Niyi” ready to save the day! He tried to take off the ring but I pulled my hand back so he couldn’t take it off. Segun Gele suggested that Niyi should get on his knees and ask me to take off the ring. I look over and to my surprise Niyi was really on both his knees. I asked Niyi to get up, because I didn’t like all the attention on us. Segun Gele then passed Niyi a bag and Niyi brings out a box. The room got really quiet and all eyes was really on me. I actually thought I fainted, but I was still in my seat eyes wide open. I heard all sorts of voices in my head telling me – this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Niyi started to tell me how he wanted to share this day with everyone close to him and how the next day makes it a year since we met and because it fell on a Monday, he knew it would be hard to get everyone together. He said he started this year with someone special and that he’s hoping the rest will be best. He brought out the ring and asked me to marry him. I was so ecstatic. Simultaneously as I said “YES”, Rolake FINALLY arrived and all you hear is her screaming as she ran over to hug me. She told me she knew it was going to happen today and she was beyond excited, that she was scared that she was going to ruin it by opening her big mouth! (LOL). While everyone was busy taking pictures, I was infatuated with my ring and I kept on thinking how I was the luckiest girl in the world, and now I get to share my world with this wonderful man I love so much!

Advice for Couples –

Our number one advice is be extremely prayerful. Always God first in any plans you have regarding your wedding and marriage. Always remember that your wedding is just one day, your marriage is a life time.

Please include your significant other in all your planning, you will never know the many ideas they can actually share.

BellaNaija Weddings wishes Jumoke & Adeniyi a blessed and beautiful home.

~ Photography: Demilade Roberts Photography

Nikkai

Traditional Engagement

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Photography: Demilade Roberts Photography | demilade_roberts (at) live.com | Instagram: @demilader & @olanrewaju_v

Wedding Info
Traditional Wedding: January 2 2014 – Alausa Central Mosque Hall – Yellow, Blue with a hint of Silver
Nikkah and Reception: January 4 2014 – De’Hall Event Center – Lilac, Coral & Gold

Wedding Attire
Wedding Dress: Sottero & Midgley
Groom & Groomsmen Suit: Image Q couture
Bouquets: Bioye Coker – ramotalaic (at) gmail.com
Bridal Makeup: Segun Gele International | (832) 247.7193 | Instagram: @segungele
Bridesmaids Makeup: Laide Beauty Arcade | Instagram: @beautyarcade4sure | 0802 666 4209

Vendors
Wedding Planners: FTK~Konnect Events – (+1) (443) 622.5299 | info (at) ftkkonnect.com & Finesse Events – (+234) 803 306 3687 | finess.events(at) yahoo.com
Decor: Finesse Events
Traditional Wedding Cake: SayCheese Cakes
Nikkah Cake: Buttercream Cakes | 08184410647 | Instagram: @lanre_buttercreamcakeshop