Looking for Nigerian Food Led Him to Love! Segilola & Ephraim’s Pre-Wedding Shoot

A lot of Nigerians abroad know the ‘struggle’ of looking for good Nigerian food. It was this search that led Ephraim to his bride-to-be, Segilola.

The groom, who owns StandoutVintageStore has a strong eye for style, and also styled their shoot.

BellaNaija Weddings wishes the couple stress-free wedding planning, a beautiful wedding and marriage.

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~ Photography: TristanMeansView

How We Met
by the bride, Segilola
If it wasn’t for rice, beef stew, and plantain, Ephraim and I would have never met and eventually be getting married. Okay, let me explain. Ephraim and I met for the first time in 2008 at my apartment near campus. We had a mutual friend, Temi, who visited me, my pots and pans, and my refrigerator on a regular bases. To be fair, Temi bought me groceries too, so he was always welcome. One day Temi came over like he usually did to eat, and on that day he brought Ephraim with him. Ephraim and I didn’t start on good terms because I cooked fufu but he declined to eat any, so I teased him about not eating it. Ephraim did not like that! But seriously, what African does not eat fufu? After that, Ephraim and I saw each other many times at parties, events, and so on, but never spoke to each other.

Fast forward to January 2012, Temi called me saying he was in town visiting and that he wanted me to cook something for him to eat. I cooked rice, and beef stew, Temi was to bring the plantain with him so that I could fry it.

I answered the door looking as rough as rough can get, expecting to only see my good friend Temi. I was surprised to see that he came with someone, that someone was Ephraim. We all sat down to eat and I think I even caught a glimpse of Ephraim licking his fingers. Maybe the way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach because for the next couple of weeks Ephraim and I saw each other almost every day and built a very close friendship. My favorite times where when we literally stayed up all night just talking to each other. We would talk from night until sunrise the next morning and he eventually became my best friend and the man I could not see myself living without. The amount of love Ephraim displays for me is a true reflection of God’s love for me. I couldn’t imagine myself with anyone else.How We Met
by the groom, Ephraim
REMEMBER THIS EQUATION: TEMI + EPHRAIM = LOOKING FOR NIGERIAN FOODMan, where do I start…

I first met my Nigerian queen through my best man, Temi. The year was 2008. As broke college students, Temi and I were in search of some good home cooked Nigerian food that we didn’t have to pay for (PLEASE REFER TO THE EQUATION ABOVE). Temi suggested that we go to his Nigerian friend’s house. I asked him about this “Nigerian girl” and also asked if she could cook Nigerian food. He told me her name, Segilola, and said she can cook. We went over to her house with the intentions to tear up some Nigerian food.

Lola decided to cook us some fufu. I wasn’t interested in eating it because for years growing up I ate it almost every day, so I just ate the chicken out of the soup she cooked. Lola made fun of me for not eating the fufu she cooked. We all talked and laughed, we thanked her for the food and left. After this, for years I would randomly see Lola at African parties. She was usually the first and last person on the dance floor.Fast forward to 2012. Temi came into town from DC, and of course we got hungry! We decided we wanted some home cooked Nigerian food, and from there arose another mission for Nigerian food. Temi suggested that we go to Segilola’s and so he called her to let her know he was in town. He asked me to go with him, but of course I objected because she had made fun of me years before. Eventually, I decided to go after Temi and I had a little bit of guy talk. Of course I can’t tell you all what we talked about because that would be breaking the “guy code”. We arrived at Lola’s and she was surprised that I was with Temi coming to eat, but how could I pass up on a home cooked meal, especially when it was Nigerian food! The food was GREAT! THAT WOMAN CAN COOK! We all talked and had a good time just relaxing, talking, and laughing. The night came to an end, Temi and I left after we stayed up until the sun came up talking with Lola. After that night, unlike before, Lola and I stayed in touch, and the rest is history! Soon I will be marrying the woman of my dreams.

Credits
Photography: @tristanmeansview
Styling: The groom – Stand Out Vintage | Instagram: @standoutvintage | Etsy: StandoutVintageStore