God + Family + Love! First Photos from Kaliné Akinkugbe & Michael Njoku’s Traditional Wedding Ceremony

On Friday, November 1, Afro-soul singer, Kaliné Akinkugbe had her traditional wedding ceremony with her beau Michael Njoku, CEO MCEE Solutions and we’ve got the first photos!

The huge ceremony was simply breathtaking. The combination of the Yoruba, Igbo and Kalabari culture was fascinating showing the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.

To honor her Kalabari heritage, Kaliné dressed as a regal Kalabari bride. According to the mother of the bride, Nimi who shared some photos & videos from the elaborate ceremony wrote: “I missed my mum on Thursday. In her last will and testament, she had expressly stated that special family heirlooms of coral hats, and beads should adorn her grand daughters on the occasion of their weddings. Kaline is her first granddaughter and we fulfilled her wishes”.

Bride

Groom

Bride & Groom

Couple on the dance floor

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Yesterday was a spectacular day celebrating the traditional marriage ceremonies of our precious daughter Kaline and our son, Michael Njoku. The ceremonies were simply breathtaking. ___ The combination of cultures (#Yoruba, #Ibo, #Kalabari) was fascinating and underscored the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria of which we should all be very proud. There is a magic in our diversity and it should be seen as a strength and not what divides us. We are excited by the merger of our two families, the Njokus and the Akinkugbe’s as well as the extended families of Nwabuoku and Ajumogobia. ___ Thanks to a wonderful team of experts that supported us led by @YewandeZaccheus and the @eventfulnigeria team. #marriage #wedding #tradition #nigeria #ibobride #nigerianwedding #celebration#culture #ibodance #thekamiexperience

A post shared by MoneyMattersWithNimi (@mmwithnimi) on Nov 1, 2019 at 12:38am PDT

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More tradition; Yoruba this time as the bride arrives in her Yoruba aso oke outfit. The weaving takes time and skill to result in the beautiful apparel of Yoruba land. I wish we could weave our own cotton and didn’t have to import even the thread! Doesn’t she make a stunning bride! ___ #proudmotherofthebride #mylittlegirl #marriage #yoruba #culture #nigerianbride

A post shared by MoneyMattersWithNimi (@mmwithnimi) on Nov 1, 2019 at 10:12am PDT

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Still basking in the aftermath of the utterly splendid traditional marriage ceremonies. ___ To honour my Kalabari heritage, an Ijaw ethnic group, in the Niger River Delta, Kaline was dressed by my wonderful aunts as a regal Kalabari bride. It reminded me of my own “iria” and “bibife” ceremonies when I dressed the same way; I wasn't able to master the dance steps though!
___ This is what the bride wears as she comes out of the fattening room! “The Fattening Room was where young women were prepared for womanhood. In ancient times, fat was viewed as a sign of prosperity, fertility and beauty. ?Once in the Fattening room the maidens were kept away from their family and friends; the only visitors allowed were elderly women in the community who came to pass on lessons on marital etiquette and acceptable social customs.” ___ I just love the sheer beauty of the coral beads, at the core of our traditional costume. Sadly The Niger Delta coral reef ecosystem has been destroyed. Coral symbolises wealth and nobility. ____ I missed my mum on Thursday. In her last will and testament, she had expressly stated that special family heirlooms of coral hats, and beads should adorn her grand daughters on the occasion of their weddings. Kaline is her first granddaughter and we fulfilled her wishes. ___ #tradition #culture #heritage #family #rexlawson #mydaughter #mothersanddaughters #girlchild #shakeyourbum

A post shared by MoneyMattersWithNimi (@mmwithnimi) on Nov 2, 2019 at 12:10am PDT

Photo Credit: kalineofficial