When a bride walks down the aisle, all eyes are fixated on her. From her dress to the veil, makeup and bouquet, everyone is excited to see what she would look like. Even her husband is not left out and this particular moment has made many grown men shed tears as their brides walk up the altar. This was no different for Lagos-based event planner Banke Akinsunlola as her wedding dress literally stole the show and had jaws dropping as she walked down the aisle.
Being an event planner, she definitely knew what she wanted for every aspect of her wedding, and the effect she wanted it to have on her beau and her guests. And when it came to her outfits, from her traditional to the white wedding look, Banke’s outfits were nothing short of gorgeous.
Banke, who stunned in an April by Kunbi wedding dress for her white wedding, met Tolu five years ago while searching for an apartment. Talk about finding love in unexpected places.
According to Banke, she had just gotten a promotion at work and was moved to a new office in Ikoyi, Lagos. To ease her commute, she decided to get a new apartment, closer to her new office. Two of her best buddies had informed her about a guy who was moving out of his apartment and recommended that she takes that apartment. That was how Banke met her heartthrob. Headed in opposite directions on that fateful day five years ago, little did they know that they would one day live together as husband and wife.
But, it wasn’t love at first sight or anything like that. While the two clicked and immediately became friends, Banke was busy playing Cupid to Tolu. She would often ask if he liked any of her friends – his answer was always NO.
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Time and the real Cupid would eventually do their thing as the two friends got closer and closer over time. According to Banke,
“We became closer and before I knew it, we were in a relationship. When he proposed to me, he did it in the most romantic way possible. It honestly blew my mind.”
Planning her own wedding was a piece of cake as she works constantly with event vendors and knew exactly who she wanted to use from the moment wedding plans got into gear. And we wouldn’t expect anything less from a wedding planning pro.
Banke’s perfect wedding dreams became a reality as in October 2018, she was joined with her boo both traditionally and at the church at Ikeja, Lagos.
For the white wedding, Olakunbi Tomori of April by Kunbi designed a spectacular white dress that got Tolu checking to see if that was really his bride. The mermaid dress with intricate detailing on the bodice was finished off with a scalloped cathedral-length train and an equally long cathedral-length veil. Like Nigerians would say, “April by Kunbi finished work on the dress!”
For her traditional marriage, Banke opted for an Aso Oke from the queen of Aso Oke, Abimbola Ipaye of Bimmms24. The Aso Oke was made into a richly embellished modern Iro and Buba with a matching Ipele and Gele tied by the phenomenal Onigele.
Here are more gorgeous shots from Banke x Tolu’s wedding ceremonies…
Traditional Marriage Ceremony
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The Church Wedding
Creative Team
White wedding
Event planner: @bankysuevents
Makeup: @banksbmpro
Hair: @bernardsmiles
Robe & Wedding dress: @aprilbykunbi
Suit: @tlrcouture
Cake: @heladodelicia
Decor: @aquariantouchevents
Traditional wedding
Aso oke: @bimmms24
Makeup: @beautybyqueen
Gele: @onigele
Second dress: @beela_bharbs
Beads: @geebalo
Decor: @aquariantouchevents
Cake: @heladodelicia
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