Oma Ehiri: My BBN Wonderland Experience

Ahoi (Czech word for hello)! I am so excited to write again. I have been in transit these last couple of days but finally found a writer’s spot at the Veba Wellness Centre in Broumov. It is a corner of the lobby with a view of trees and beautiful architectural designs. With my cup of tea and my creative juice coming alive, I thought it was time to finally get this piece out- my BBN Wonderland experience.

It all started with an electronic mail from BBN Wonderland, followed by a cake and a bottle of Baileys which I showed off here. This is one experience I have always looked forward to- a time to get pampered, meet other brides, make new friends and yes, get gifts. However, I cannot say that I saw these things coming. That is, though I had an idea of what it was that went down at wonderland, the actual experience surpassed my imagination.

ARRIVAL

I arrived in a cute little dress gifted to me by my mother in law, paired with sandals by Ethnik by Owolabi and my big bohemian hair by ST Hair and Beauty (@sthairandbeauty). On arrival, the Baileys and Bella Naija team welcomed me with a white teddy bear accompanied by a personal note from Ufuoma Udjoh, the brand manager for Baileys Nigeria.

I met other brides there and even a few familiar faces amongst them. We exchanged pleasantries and got shown to our rooms by the hosts.

As I entered my room, there were fresh flowers by Adela’s flowers (@adelasflowers) placed on the bedside

and on the bed, was a gold splashed balloon with a throw pillow that had my name on it and a custom-made tote bag filled with goodies.Oh boy! Are you in love already? Wait till you see what I found inside of it;

A bottle of Baileys
Baileys flip-flop
Onesie by LVR Gift Hub (@lavieroyale)
Fluffy slippers
A bottle of water
Baileys makeup bag
Headpiece by My Velvet Box (@myvelvetboxng)
cookies with one that had my name on it by Victoria Treats (@v.treat)

THE SLUMBER PARTY

By 8:30 pm, we assembled in a suite for the slumber party. I have always dreamt of having a slumber party and here was Baileys and Bella Naija Weddings fulfilling my dreams. We had finger foods, cocktail by Eventi Cocktail from the Baileys bar and what seemed to be Chinese or Thai food.

After eating, we all gathered in one place for the rest of the programs lined up for the night which kicked off with the head of Eventi cocktails giving us insights on the different types of cocktails, followed by some games and then, everyone got a Baileys apron with their name on it.

Black Opal Nigeria’s ambassadors, Lilian and Tolani, spoke to us about makeup and beauty routines.

They left us with a black opal bridal starter kit containing;

A note
Eyeshadow palette
Single eyeshadow
Lotion
Exfoliator
Brush
Lipstick
Eye Pencil
Lip gloss
Bar soap

Next was Nimi Akinkugbe on money matters speaking on financial commitments, accounts, being financially transparent and wise in the relationship and so much more. It also gave me an opportunity to understand what other women were going through in their relationships. Did it help? A whole lot I must say and she also gifted us a copy of her book.

Once Aunty Nimi was done, we had Mai Atafo, Nigeria’s top fashion designer speak on the challenges he faced in his marriage and how they have overcome.

After which we discussed wedding gowns and the selection of a groom’s outfit. You know the bride does have a lot of influence on what her groom wears so we certainly needed the education. Then came the fun part which was the first time in my life that I got into a wedding gown. I sure loved the one that I wore but I won’t be having that design for the wedding.

Once the games from Mai was over, we called it a night but only after we all got a box which read, “I am a bride and a boss”.

WORKOUT

Day 2 came so fast as we had to be on the baseball court by 7 am. We got there trying to stretch when we got the first surprise of the day, Kate Henshaw as our fitness instructor. Some of the girls already got the hint though. Reminds me of WAEC when some of the students always sort of knew some of the questions *smiles*.

Kate drilled us that days after, the brides still had sore legs which made some question the money they have been spending on gym subscriptions. According to Bubu, I go the gym and yet I feel much pain in 1 session with Kate. I guess it is more about the exercise that you do and how you do it than where you do it.

BREAKFAST & MASSAGE

Some went for the massage right after the workout but I chose to shower and get breakfast before the massage just to save time. As I got into my room, there was another box with my name on it, waiting for me from the team containing;

A bottle of Baileys with my name on it
Cookies
Chocolate
Nescafe

After gushing over it, I rushed to shower and went down for breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant.

I had some plantain, yam, sausage, eggs and stewed beef. I also had some fruit salad and left with an apple for my massage.

The massage was super relaxing. I got the opportunity to have it twice cos the second time, they needed someone to fill up space and I was more than happy to fill up.

THE WEDDING MALL

We left for the wedding mall after the massage session. I had a dress made from Veba fabric.

The wedding mall is in Lekki and houses a couple of wedding vendors like Diko Photography. There was a card and jewelry vendor as well and then we had some talk from the wedding guru on decoration. Cakes by Tosan was there dishing out tricks on the ideal wedding cakes even on a budget.

Temi of Kwamuhle fabrics spoke on fabrics and the time frame to get the best asoebi at the most budget-friendly prices. The icing on the cake was the fabrics by Kwamuhle for every bride asides the cake tasting made possible by Cakes by Tosan.

GLAM SESSION

Back at the hotel, we got glammed up by Black Opal beating the face and Ferdinand’s Hair on the hair. I had Uche (@sutchay) for Black Opal do my face beat and then Ferdinand’s hair (@ferdinandshair) help cut my Brenda wig from ST Hair and Beauty, giving me that Cleopatra look. Now, I love the wig more than ever before.

WONDERLAND PARTY

This was not the grand finale but it was the party of the weekend. Dressed in our white jumpsuits or gowns, we headed to Oriental Hotel.After the photo ops which never stopped anyway, we danced into the hall with Uche Pedro of Bella Naija leading us in and Bovi welcoming us as the host of the night.

We had the opportunity of listening to Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Cobhams Asuquo and his wife and Adesua Etomi. Lessons I can share with you on a later date because this post is already running out of words.

DJ Spinall was on the wheels and joined by DJ Big N when Tiwa Savage came in to perform.

It was more dancing after that and then came the big wonderland box containing;

Hanger
Lingerie by Revel NG (@revelng)
Heel Guard by Essence shoe care (@essenceshoecare)
Mini speaker by The Gift Haven (@thegifthaven)
Emergency bridal kit and Hubby and Wifey caps by LVR Gift Hub
Silk sleep mask by Trouvai lingerie (@trouvai.lingerie)
knee guard and work out gloves by Kay’s Fit Club (@kaysfitclub)
Milk shaker
An awkward guide to be a Nigerian by Atoke (@atoke_)
Scented candles by OP Maki (@op.maki)
Nail polish by Amali (@amalicosmetics)
Mirror, wifey mug and queen water bottle by Perk Bag co (@perkbagco)
Bracelets by Michelle (@michelles_thejewellerystore)
Spiced room spray by R and R Luxuy (@randrluxury)

I added all of it to the rest of the items that I got and that is what you see below.

BREAKFAST

Baileys Bella Naija Wonderland ended with a breakfast at Adelas. For this, I wore a floral dress made by Tayo Abikoye (@tailoredbytayo) from a fabric from the nature collection of Veba (@vebafashion).

After eating, we got to introduce ourselves and told our love stories. We had games and then, every bride left with a gift bag.

This was the best I could do because I had to rush off to the airport and there was no way I could carry all of the items that I got lest I have excess luggage *smiles*.

I had a wonderful time at BBN Wonderland and I am grateful to everyone who was a part of this adventure. Thank you to Baileys and Bella Naija Weddings for an experience that I will not forget in a very long time. I have become popular in the wedding industry with vendors sending in DMs to work with me for my wedding *smiles* and who knows, maybe I may get discounts from them. Thank you to everyone who put in their time and sacrificed so much to make us happy. People had to spend their birthdays planning for us, some had to leave their partners. We had a pregnant woman working tirelessly. It was just so much love that went into it and I am grateful.

I do have a video but like I mentioned, I am in transit and you know that we are just trying to get the team together. So, content is a bit slow but we will have it up soon. Till then, let me know the best part of this for you reading this.

PS: I miss the brides already.