A Nigerian Garden Wedding In Dubai

Here at Bride Club ME, our readership reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity of the UAE community. From British weddings to American, Indian, Filipino, Nigerian, Arabic and mixed ethnicity marriages, we love sharing a diverse range of REAL weddings with our readers. Having connected with many Nigerian brides before, we are really excited to share our first Nigerian real wedding on the site, shot by the gorgeous Tasneem Al Sultan.

This wedding, which took place at the Park Hyatt, Dubai, was refined, elegant and most important of all, a lot of fun. Below photographer, Tasneem Al Sultan, talks us though her experience photographing the gorgeous Dami & Ohioze on their special day.

Above: Some of the details from the day

A Note From The Photographer

Above Left: Photographer Tasneem Al Sultan

It’s not every day I get to shoot non-Arab brides. My client base usually comes from word-of-mouth and as a Saudi national, most of my brides are from the GCC. Of course I love my couples to bits and enjoy the trust they give me and always try to live up to the level they expect from me. So when brides contact me from searching online, you can imagine how ecstatic I get. Of course, I want to travel, meet new cultures and find out how different or similar we all are on the most important day…our weddings.

Traditional Nigerian weddings are famous for their elaborate sense of fashion, humour and a long list of guests. As Dami & Ohioze celebrated their big wedding back home in Nigeria, they wanted to invite their international group of family and friends to Dubai, the UAE being a central spot for everyone to fly into from Europe, Africa and the Asia, whilst Dami was in America planning from abroad. It was a perfect location as a destination wedding.

When Dami sent me an email requesting wedding photography, I asked to meet her via Skype. We talked for hours. I could tell Dami was a tasteful bride and wanted to have fun along with her friends. It was funny to shoot the bride and groom getting ready. As the bridesmaids were silent and serious in their preparation, the groomsmen were hyper and jumping all over the suite getting ready. However, each reflected the opposite of the bride and groom. It was apparent that Dami and Ohioze have amazing chemistry together. Dami is very socialable whilst Ohioze is quiet and calm.

The location of the wedding was enough to be a romantic mood setter. The Park Hyatt as an outdoor venue in January proved perfect for what the couple had in mind. As the ceremony started just before sunset, everyone sat outdoors. Later on the happy crowd entered the ballroom for the dinner and dance. Dami had chosen ‘Cherry on Top’ to plan her wedding, the wedding planning Lebanese duo.

Dami surprised the guests with a singing choir from Nigeria, a local mob dance, along with an amazing short appearance from ‘Prince’. The groom held the microphone to a sitting bride and told her: “Baby, I know you love Prince and I’d do anything to make you happy. So here’s a little gift for you. Introducing…Prince!” To her delight, the MC, came in wearing a wig, and a beaming singing persona that filed the ballroom with great laughter. He did a great impersonation, for sure! All in all, the event was a very energetic and fun.

Looking through the wedding images now, I have a sense of warmth. Family and friends coming from all over the world to cherish newlyweds is a great thing to experience. I look forward to shooting more Nigerian weddings, as I enjoyed shooting this one. It’s the humour, love and genuine emotion that really makes weddings similar around the world.

The Brides Little Pink Book

Venue: The Park Hyatt, Dubai | Photographer: Tasneem Alsultan | Wedding Planner: Cherry On Top