Before I dive into this post, I need to get something off my chest:
I FORGOT MY PHONE WHEN I LEFT FOR THE WEDDING.
Yes, both of them.
Anyone who knows me knows I love posting updates on Snapchat and Instagram Stories.. It’s how I share my day-to-day moments and tell my story. But somehow, for reasons I still can’t explain, I left both phones at home. So no pictures, no videos, no behind-the-scenes footage. I thought about stealing a few shots from Instagram of the bride and groom, but nah.. I’m going rogue on this one.
The upside? I was fully present. I socialized, I laughed, I danced—all without the urge to check my phone. But yeah… it still stings that I don’t have a single picture from that night.
May 20th, 2018: Jessica & Tim Tie the Knot
On this day, two of my friends, Jessica and Tim, got married, and I got to witness it. It was my first American wedding. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to plenty of weddings in Nigeria and here in the States. But this was the first time I attended a wedding where both the bride and groom were born and raised in the U.S.
I met Jessica before I moved to Raleigh, and met Tim after I relocated. We all hung out a few times with friends – once to watch a Durham Bulls game, and another time we went lazy river rafting. Back then, Jessica and Tim were still in the “flirty” phase. Fast forward a year and some months later, and boom.. wedding bells.
Wedding Day Vibes
The wedding started at 6:30 PM on a Sunday. I brought my sister, Lota, as my date, and she came up to Raleigh just for the occasion. She wore a stunning red jumpsuit; I rocked a black suit, white shirt, and red tie.
As a Nigerian, I’m used to weddings kicking off at 10 AM on a Saturday in a church. You know the drill.. flower girls tossing petals on the floor, the bride walking in with a grand entourage, and the priest talking for what feels like forever. Not here. This American wedding was short, sweet, and efficient.
The groom walked in with his mom. The bride followed with her dad. The officiant kept it to about 20 minutes, and just like that, they were married.
The Reception
Immediately after, the venue was rearranged for the reception. While tables and chairs were being set up, guests enjoyed cocktails and mingled outside. Soon after, the newlyweds had their first dance. Then came the daddy-daughter and mother-son dances—traditions I had never seen growing up in Nigeria but found beautiful.
In Nigeria, the couple’s first dance usually comes with a “money rain” moment. People literally throw bills in the air in celebration. But here in the U.S.? That’s reserved for other kinds of venues, apparently 😅.
As the party kicked off, everyone hit the dance floor. Food and snacks made their rounds, and there was even a doughnut stand and corn hole games out back. Definitely a different vibe from the typical Nigerian wedding—but in a fun, laid-back way.
Gifts, Fireworks, and Cultural Differences
One big difference I noticed: gift-giving. In Nigeria, guests typically bring gifts directly to the wedding. Here, most couples use a wedding registry, super practical, so they don’t end up with five toasters. If someone didn’t use the registry, they’d just drop a gift at the entrance.
At the end of the night, guests lined up with sparklers (I finally remembered what they’re called!) to form a glowing path for the newlyweds to walk through on their way out. It was a perfect ending to a lovely evening.
Final Thoughts
Weddings in Nigeria and America are very different. In Nigeria, it’s common for both families and sometimes even the couple’s friends to wear matching traditional outfits (called “aso ebi”). The planning is also more intense and, frankly, more expensive.
Still, both cultures celebrate love in their own unique and meaningful ways.
Congratulations again to Jessica and Tim. Wishing you a lifetime of joy, laughter, and adventure together!
Until next time…
PEACE ✌🏾