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No-one does weddings quite like Nigerians and business is booming for everyone in the bridal field, as a major expo shows.
Photo/ reuters
Nigerian couples with well-lined pockets and Christmas weddings on the horizon will be on the lookout for the debut of WED Expo, a luxury bridal event on 24-25 March at The Haven, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
Some of the world's most renowned designers for black brides, including Yemi Osunkoya, Frank Osodi and Mai Atafo, will display their designs alongside stands from make-up artist Banke Meshida-Lawal and wedding planner Funke Bucknor-Obruthe.
Akin Eso is organising the event following the launch of WED Magazine, a luxury wedding and bridal magazine, in July 2011. Seven months later, Eso says it is the top-selling magazine of its kind in Nigeria.
"People in Nigeria have large weddings because of our family culture. We grow up with close family ties," Eso says, explaining the importance of the nuptial event.
Weddings in Nigeria are also big business. The industry employs an army of entrepreneurs, from part time make-up artists and florists to full-fledged event organisers and dressmakers.
The typical wedding season is at Christmas, when the weather is good and Nigerians living in the diaspora return for the festivities. But Bucknor-Obruthe says demand is now high all year round.
Her company, Zapphaire Events, has managed 100 weddings in the past 10 years, catering for between 250 to 2,000 guests at a time.
Unlike some venues in Europe and the US, Nigeria's come as a blank canvas, giving the couple and their wedding planners full control. Wedding themes are becoming increasingly adventurous. Last year there was an increase in black and white themed nuptials, in the style of the US socialite Kim Kardashian.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding was also a big influence, with many brides opting for royal themes. Also on the increase are 'destination weddings', where couples take their bridal parties abroad for the ceremony. Ghana, Gambia, Senegal and Dubai are popular destinations.
Most Nigerian couples celebrate two weddings, one white and one traditional. Eso says couples have begun to take more creative control over the traditional ceremonies, with colours and designs incorporating a modern twist.
The big day is not inexpensive. Bucknor-Obruthe has planned weddings starting at $5,000, rising to $30,000 and beyond. WED Expo organiser Eso says some prefer not to set a budget on their big day: "Many Nigerians have an open chequebook."
No-one does weddings quite like Nigerians and business is booming for everyone in the bridal field, as a major expo shows.
Photo/ reuters
Nigerian couples with well-lined pockets and Christmas weddings on the horizon will be on the lookout for the debut of WED Expo, a luxury bridal event on 24-25 March at The Haven, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
Some of the world's most renowned designers for black brides, including Yemi Osunkoya, Frank Osodi and Mai Atafo, will display their designs alongside stands from make-up artist Banke Meshida-Lawal and wedding planner Funke Bucknor-Obruthe.
Akin Eso is organising the event following the launch of WED Magazine, a luxury wedding and bridal magazine, in July 2011. Seven months later, Eso says it is the top-selling magazine of its kind in Nigeria.
"People in Nigeria have large weddings because of our family culture. We grow up with close family ties," Eso says, explaining the importance of the nuptial event.
Weddings in Nigeria are also big business. The industry employs an army of entrepreneurs, from part time make-up artists and florists to full-fledged event organisers and dressmakers.
The typical wedding season is at Christmas, when the weather is good and Nigerians living in the diaspora return for the festivities. But Bucknor-Obruthe says demand is now high all year round.
Her company, Zapphaire Events, has managed 100 weddings in the past 10 years, catering for between 250 to 2,000 guests at a time.
Unlike some venues in Europe and the US, Nigeria's come as a blank canvas, giving the couple and their wedding planners full control. Wedding themes are becoming increasingly adventurous. Last year there was an increase in black and white themed nuptials, in the style of the US socialite Kim Kardashian.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding was also a big influence, with many brides opting for royal themes. Also on the increase are 'destination weddings', where couples take their bridal parties abroad for the ceremony. Ghana, Gambia, Senegal and Dubai are popular destinations.
Most Nigerian couples celebrate two weddings, one white and one traditional. Eso says couples have begun to take more creative control over the traditional ceremonies, with colours and designs incorporating a modern twist.
The big day is not inexpensive. Bucknor-Obruthe has planned weddings starting at $5,000, rising to $30,000 and beyond. WED Expo organiser Eso says some prefer not to set a budget on their big day: "Many Nigerians have an open chequebook."
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