PHOTOS OF DAVIDO'S SIS. TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

Photos of talented Nigeria music star Davido at elder sister's traditional marriage; Sharon Adeleke to her sugarplum Yomi Ademefun which held on Thursday the 15th August, at the Ark, in Oniru Lagos. The likes of Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savag, Tee Billz, Bizzle, Emma Nyra, Eniola Badmus etc were in attendance. White wedding comes up 1st September in Miami.*Nice*

                                                                                 The Adeleke Family, bride in middle
.

                                                                                                Toolz & Tiwa

                                                                              The couples



It was indeed a colourful and flamboyant wedding. Wish them a happy union.

ONE THING NEEDFUL

Written by Royal David

 Good morning! Alas! today is your wedding. Its going to be a long day but very meaningful to you and your spouse, something you both have been looking forward to all along.  Now, you are going to have to make up your mind to be happy and to enjoy every beat of the day. Do not let anything get you upset, trust me there will be stuff to want to upset you…like; your special cuff-links getting damaged in the process of dressing up, or one of the ladies on your train is running late, or the media team failing to record or take a photo of your dressing section, for one reason or the other. 

Promise yourself to get rid of any form of anger and remain happy.

Now this one thing is needful before you head for church or the venue. Okay take a guess? No, No Nah! you’re close, yes that’s it. (oh i see you got it from the opening pics, smart one). It very important, and that’s why am writing to you about this one needful thing you must do. Ensure you have a light breakfast before you go for the ceremony proper and lots of fluid. That light breakfast will be your standby through out the day because you may not have the time to eat or may be overwhelmed with joy and excitement to eat. So remember One thing needful on the morning of your wedding.*winks*

(For inquiries on wedding tips, good wedding vendors in Nigeria or you need an excellent wedding planner that can give you the best with your budget, contact us on royaltyokasions@gmail.com 

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BIG DAY

Written by Royal David


Often times the day before the wedding is always associated with frenetic activities and anxieties. Usually we advice the couples in their individual location, to get a secluded room from where all the many activities is going on, or if possible be in their  hotel room, if they'll be leaving from a hotel to church or the venue of the wedding. But still you can't stop the couples from making all those calls that we assure them that all the T's are well crossed and the I's well dotted.

Now after all of this, you still have to go to bed. Here are 3 important thing you must do just before you go to bed on the night before your big day.


* Take a bath:  You might be saying, "but everyone takes his/her bath", My dear! it will surprise you how many people don't take a night bath and of course will forget to do so on the night before the wedding. As insignificant as it may seem, taking that night bath will not only refresh you but it will help relax your nerves from the days pressure.

 *  Say a Prayer:      You are about to begin a new phase of your life, say a prayer to your creator,(it can never be too much) thanking him for bringing you thus far and that his grace will see you through to the end of the occasion and the union so it will go as expected and even more.

  

*Make that Call:         Call your betrothed, let him/her know how excited you are, how this is one of the best decisions you've made in your life and how you'll be glad to stand beside him/her, looking all beautifully dressed. This call will not just affirm your choice but it will make you sleep with a smile, that will produce the glow the photographers will need the following day.

* Now close your eyes and have a sweet sleep.

CONSIDER THIS MY WEDDING GIFT

Here is a special wedding gift for all my intending couples and already wedded couples for the month of August.

This material is a must read for intending couples, especially the married ones too. It gives you an insight and an expose' of what sex in marriage really is. Find out God’s mind about sex in marriage and why it was created.  A basic knowledge on such subject matter, is what you need before saying “I do”. I want to kindly present to you Royalty’s book of the month…”The Act of marriage” by Tim and Beverly Lahaye.

                   

                                                    

                                                                                

I have read it and it was simply remarkable, so am recommending it to you. Get an e-copy or the hard copy from any book shop, and you will be saying thank you by the time you are done. To all my  intending couples, I’m sure you've had a good planning and I am wishing you a gracious event and a blissful married life.

SAILING TOGETHER

Written by Royal David

Wedding planning and preparation has often time been known as women’s affair, left to be handled by the bride, her mum and friends. Gone are those days where the groom is happily going about his daily routine while the bride talks and visit the vendors all by herself. Ladies! You see, some guys are very homely and are good with domestics and organizing but really don’t know how to come in or get involved. And hey! Guys your ladies needs you to be involved, they want  you to give an opinion about the colours, they need your negotiating skills, and they want you to be by them every step of the planning stage at least to give some compliment, like “wow! Babes I didn’t know you can negotiate this much, or dear, that was a good choice with the florist” Actually many couples don’t realize this but this will probably be the fist major project of your lives together as a couple, and working together goes a long way to binding you two, thereby improving your relationship.

Now ladies, since I know how much you would love to have him involved, here are some steps to help you get your man involved in the planning stage.

• Make room for him

As women we unconsciously have the tendency of trying to do it all by ourselves, sometimes we try to do the work of the wedding planner in the bid to have everything come out as expected. It’s a natural nature of most hard working, detailed and excellent conscious women. Since you are aware of this you have to make a conscious effort to create room for him to come in, carry him along, especially when it comes to suggestions and decisions making. Give him the impression that you need his opinion to be able to make a quick decision in his absence (e.g sending photos to his mobile device for quick response). Share the task and give him some responsibility. You must also understand that he may never have been reading wedding magazines or blogs like mine, so you may have to give him details, checklist and also create room for some lapses as he may never do the job like you will, but what is important is that the job is done.

Key points: Suggestions/opinions

                    Task sharing/ division of labour

• Make use of his Interest

 Am sure there is something your guy likes doing or does base on his profession. If he is an author or likes writingor reading, let him be in charge of the writings for the programs, invitations, vows as the case maybe. If he has interest in motion pictures editing or you’ve heard him talked about the graphics and cameras used in some movies, he should be in charge of sorting for the best photographers and video camera crew. If he is an accountant, let him prepare the wedding budget. If he is someone that can cook well, then he must join you in the food and pastries menu listing, as well as the trial and test with the caterers. If he is into fashion, then you can work together as regards choosing colours and getting some of the accessories.

Key point: Interest/Profession

 

• Flash back

 Task his brain by taking him down memory lane. Ask him of the times he had been a best man at other weddings, all the things the groom complained about during the occasion and probably sent him here and there to fix, while the event was still on. Or ask him of some other things he didn’t like or liked at other weddings he attended. What he loved the most, which one had more fun and why etc? This will give you an idea  his preferences and you too should do the same to give you both a better understanding, so that your choices can sync.

Key point: Memory

Now to you bro, in order to know where you can be involved, so you can simply help out without her asking, here are some wedding manly duties (as well as interest) I have prepared here.

• Budget: You and I know you really want to know how much this whole thing will cost, so your guess is as good as mine, be in charge of the budget.
• Compare/Mc (Master of ceremony): Most compare are usually men, so do a man to man talk with the compare, to have you checkmate movements of people, Dj, photo order and the toast section etc. to have things play in your tune as you may not be able to move or say anything before your vote of thanks on that day.
• Sound/Music: Since most guys know more about good sound quality, be in charge of contracting the sound managers, musical band and DJs. You can work with your fiancée in the music aspect, so you both can make a list of your favourite songs that you want to hear and have the Dj arrange them in that order.
• Bar Menu: Ah! We both know this is your cue, as your friends too are interested in this area. Most guys are more familiar with the different kind of exotic drinks, wine, champagne, liquor, juice, cocktail etc. Take the responsibility of tasting and purchasing drinks for your wedding reception.
• Mobility: Most men are car freaks and if you are one of them, you should be in charge of renting or picking those exotic cars needed for the wedding, as you’ll have more idea of the ones in vogue, their cost price as well as the opportunity to test run (cool right?)
• Honeymoon: You should take up the responsibility to plan for the honeymoon, find out about the places your bride will like to visit, give your spouse a surprise, be involved in the airport runs with travel agents if your trip involves traveling outside the country.
• Appreciation: As traditional demands, it is the man’s responsibility to prepare a speech for vote of thanks, it is also his duty to send out thank-you cards or sms as the case may be after the wedding, to parents, wedding vendors and invitees from him and his wife.

 Grooms try and get involved; you’ll love the whole process and brides you know what to do now, because two good heads is better than one. It’s all going to help build your wedding experience and history.

If you read this note and think it’s helpful or you love it, kindly drop a comment with your name. Thanks for following.

(For inquiries on wedding tips, good wedding vendors in Nigeria or you need an excellent wedding planner that can give you the best with your budget, contact us on royaltyokasions@gmail.com 

THINK OF IT AS A PROFFESSIONAL SUPPORT

Written by Royal David

There are different events of our lives from time to time, from birthday parties, to matriculation and convocation party, to wedding event, celebration of a new baby, house, promotion, chieftaincy title, successful projects and what have you. But none of this various occasions or events requires more of the celebrants’ attention like a wedding ceremony.

Can you remember how your aunt or sister, brother or friend was preparing for their wedding? Can you remember how they would run to and fro, trying to get things done and take pain reliever some of the nights? You know this was entirely different from when they were preparing for other events of their life. This is because it’s indeed an important occasion in ones life, one that draws the attention of most guests. They want to see who and how the bride or groom looks like, they want to see how stylish or classy the event would be, and it’s an opportunity to meet with old skool friends and alumni of different groups. You can not afford to let this special occasion be treated likely so as not to get things ruined, as you are also trying to meet expectations or at least your parents (you know what I mean, your folks trying to show off with your event to their friends especially mothers)

From previous article we had made ourselves conversant with the importance of proper, prior, planning and budgeting of our wedding event. But I must tell you that wedding preparation involves a lot of attention. But you are not going to cease from your duties at work because you have a wedding to prepare for, you boss wouldn’t listen to that, trust me! If I were the one I wouldn’t too, except you take your vacation or work leave for that period, else the work will suffer.

Now that you know you must do other things, you need support, someone to fill in the gap for you. Support is simply aiding the cause or interest of someone or something either as a complement or supplement. One way or the other every person needs support and it is true that you’ll get support from family and friends, but here I’m talking about professional support, one backed up with acquired skill, knowledge and experience.

In this part of the world where I come from, most people find it difficult to pay for services they think they can do by themselves with little or no stress. Some years back I have heard or even seen some ladies braid their hair by themselves, with both hands and a mirror for guidance, but the problem was that it wasn’t easy as the hands often gets weary and  feel pains, and they were also limited to a particular hair style (an African hair weave called “all back”) Time passed and other more lovely but complicated hair styles that required the use of hair-extension (attachment as it is popularly called in Nigeria) were formed and then they needed the assistance of an hair stylist. Thank God for the advent of global civilization and technology, people have come to welcome paid services. Hardly would you find a lady make up herself for her wedding (gone are those days), apart from the glamour associated with it, most ladies employ the services of a make-up artiste because they need quality and want to be at their best with a special sparkle feeling, that only a professional can give.

So if you are still saying I can do it all by myself, you are just going to give yourself some serious stress, fatigue and probably a low quality and satisfaction. Common! “Let the children have their bread” these guys are trained for these to give you quality, full utility and excellence.

“Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is Wise, Risking more than others think its Safe, Dreaming more than others think is Practical, and Expecting more than others think is Possible” – Ronnie Oldham.

Ladies, get a make-up artiste, get a hair stylist get a wedding planner, and get all the professional help you can get for your wedding event. They can do it better than your sisters, brothers, mother or friends except they too have been trained with the basic skills and knowledge in that field. These service providers are here to make your job easy with excellent delivery, just like your washing machine and fruit blender, think of it as a professional support and it’s far cheaper and safer than trying a novice or proletarian.

Remember everyone needs support as no man is an island of himself. Am trusting that as knowledge come to you, you are no longer rigid as to getting such service providers for your beautiful wedding no matter the cost, because you deserve simply the best for that occasion.

(For inquiries on wedding tips, good wedding vendors in Nigeria or you need an excellent wedding planner that can give you the best with your budget, contact us on royaltyokasions@gmail.com

WHAT’S MY WEDDING BUDGET

Written by Royal David

A wedding ceremony is one of the greatest events of an individual’s life or at least supposed to be, especially when the other fellow saying “I DO” is the treasured love of your life, the one you’ve always want to spend your life with.

Unfortunately this is not always the case as some people fail to incorporate into their plans, one of the very essentials of wedding planning/preparation. Now, what’s the guarantee that though your spouse is your dream partner, your pre-wedding, wedding ceremony and post-wedding will go as planned? The answer is simple …*Planning*, not just planning but budgeting.

You and your partner must ask yourself some really important questions ever before the planning and execution, and must both come to an agreement. Sample of these questions are;

• What kind of wedding do we want to have? (big, small, just okay, loud etc)
• Why are we having this kind of wedding? (motive/reason)
• What should be our budget? (how much are we looking at)
• How much do we have on ground (cash at hand or bank account)

As minor as these question may seem, they are very important. You can have any kind of wedding you want, on the beach, in a hall, in a garden or serene environment, but it all boils down to your budget. Some couples spend as it comes and even get things they don’t really need (for example buying some stuff, when they can rent them and they may never be used again) and at the end of the day they are running bankrupt. Now, don’t get me wrong am not against having a colourful and talk of the day wedding, because I know some folks are up to the task and can spend up to 20m for a wedding ceremony (thumbs up to you). But even such folks have it planned out, for example “I want the best and I’m spending nothing less than XYZ amount”, is still a budget.  But for you, who is not exactly earning like these ones, or whose parents are not politicians, yes you! You can equally have a colourful wedding with the right motives and budget.

Your motives are very important when agreeing on a budget. For example,

• Who am I trying to impress?
• Who am I in competition with?

Hey don’t be like those folks who borrow and spend a lot to organize a wedding party and at the end of the day can not even have a decent, fun filled honeymoon vacation, or is running from his/her home because of money lenders or cannot even purchase a small car for his pregnant wife a year later. Won’t it be beautiful to have a fine wedding according to your budget and still have a blissful post wedding life? Wedding is totally different from marriage, am sure you know that by now. What makes a wedding successful?  First you have been joined with your spouse by the priest, pastor or registrar, the people you want to see, your invitees are present, all the plans are promptly and well executed with little or no errors (I call that successful).

You can’t really completely please your entire guest, you can only try. There are some who will not just get food, drink or souvenirs (but you’ll later find them eating and drink in the video (*laughing & shaking my head*)) what does this tell you? You are getting married not to please the crowd, or to get gifts and money, but because you found someone you love and you want to spend a beautiful life with. Keep abreast the right reason for your getting married and don’t let the pressures from wedding planning, friends and family force you to go beyond your budget, leaving you in a mess.

(For inquiries on wedding tips, good wedding vendors in Nigeria or you need an excellent wedding planner that can give you the best within your budget, contact us on royaltyokasions@gmail.comor 0814 047 7444