Curvy Girl's Wedding #14: Nigerian & Guyanese Wedding in Washington D.C.: Laureni + Gboyega

Laureni and Gboyega both worked at Target in 2007, Laureni in the pharmacy and Gboyega in the Starbucks. All it took was one Starbucks run for these two to connect. Sparks flying, heat rising, it didn't take long for these two to begin courting. Eight years later, the love between their eyes is just like the very first day. Apparent in every shot from their big day.

Wedding Date: May 30, 2015
Wedding Location: Wedding Prep: Omni Shoreham D.C. / Ceremony: Jesus House D.C. / Reception: Marriott in College Park, Maryland
First Dance Song: “Endless Love” by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie & “One in a Million” by Neyo
Favorite Item on the Menu: Stewed beef and fried plantain





Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!

We met years ago while working at Target. On January 16, 2007 to be exact. Gboyega worked at the Starbucks and I worked in the pharmacy. We would see each other and make small talk. The first time I started to pay him some attention was the day I went to Starbucks to get some water. He asked me to take off my glasses. I hesitated, but eventually did. Then he said, "I just wanted to see your eyes..." Clever dude. Some weeks later, he worked up the nerves to asked me for my number. I had just gotten the phone the day before and did not know my number so I took his and promised to call him.

The proposal was cute. We were watching a movie in my living room. After the movie, I remember going to the bathroom and when I returned, he was acting weird. He looked really scared like he did something wrong. Then he went on to explain how he felt about me and then he went down on his knees. I just started crying, I can't remember if I even said yes. It was super cute.

Wedding Style

My wedding dress we adorable. Wedding dress shopping was not at all what I expected it to be. The first dress I tried on was very close to what I wanted but something was missing. Even though everyone with me said it was the one, I was having doubts so I kept shopping. I bought one dress and decided that it would be a second dress, then I bought another and never wore it. It was not until three months before the date that I finally went to the store by myself and bought the gown that I would walk down the aisle in. It was beautiful.






Culture

Gboyega being Nigerian and I being Guyanese it was important for us to incorporate both our cultures. We had food for both cultures and of course the Nigerian attire and band. We also incorporated a Guyanese tradition of the mothers greeting the bride and groom with a glass of wine at the entrance of the reception which is a symbol of welcoming them into the family.






Memories

My best memory is the moment when I first saw my handsome groom during our first look photo shoot. It was truly magical. The emotions we both felt is indescribable.








Help a bride-to-be out!

Plan ahead. Be flexible because things may not go according to plan but it always works out in the end. Enjoy every moment because it goes by really fast. Go to marriage counseling class, save as much as possible towards the wedding, and hire a planner.

Vendors:

Photographer: Chi-Chi Agbim, TWOTWENTY
Event Planner: Shile Bello, RAE Affairs
Wedding Prep Venue: Omni Shoreham DC
Ceremony Venue: Jesus House DC
Reception Venue: Marriott in College Park MD
Floral/Decor: BCG Events
Makeup: Divine Touch Artistry
Hair: Rebecca
Videographer: Event Media Production
Music: DJ Baggins
Live Band: Akin and Melody Makers
Cake: Mon Delice
Invitations and Programs: Mayla Designs
MC: Toye Gansallo
Transportation: Martins Sedan and Limo
Church Décor and Church Flower Backdrop: Designs by Oochay
Lighting, Gobo and Projections: Hesson Entertainment
Nigerian Caterers: Sari
Guyanese Caterers: Taste Of Caribbean