ChiChi and David

A MODERN TWIST ON AFRICAN TRADITIONS

The Story:

When newly engaged Chiamaka “Chichi” Ugwuoke and David Owino sat down for a planning session with wedding consultant Rachel Hamm, they were dreaming of an intimate reception with family and friends. Chichi is Nigerian American and David is Kenyan. Both Chichi and David are proud of their African heritage and wanted to make sure their backgrounds were honored during the festivities. David went a step further and said he wanted Chichi to have the best wedding ever and no matter what, it was important to keep Chichi happy.

The couples’ July 12, 2009 wedding turned out to be more than just about the bride. David’s family flew in from Kenya and attended the events in full African dress. The rehearsal dinner was held at The Palace, a Kenyan restaurant in downtown Durham operated by David’s aunt.

After seven months of planning, the couple selected some of the area’s best known professionals to make their dreams come true. A local country club served as the backdrop for their outdoor ceremony and ballroom reception. The tasteful designer invitations and stationary for the event were custom created to set the tone for the couple’s special event. Chichi and Rachel worked with the florist to design the tall hydrangea, rose, dendrobium orchid, and willow branch centerpieces. Silver butterflies shimmering in the centerpieces and on the ceremony altar added a bit of unexpected splendor.

Chichi’s Manuel Mota looked ravishing in a designer spaghetti strap lace gown with complimentary veil. The groom and groomsmen were decked out in flawless formal wear. African dancers performed at both the rehearsal dinner and the reception and to top it off, the couple shared their first dance as husband and wife to African Queen by 2Face Idibia. For dessert the guests were treated to a shamelessly decadent four-tiered almond cake. At the appropriate time in the festivities a silver limousine arrived to transport the happy couple from the reception to their hotel.

Though a party attended by almost two hundred guests replaced the intimate reception that the couple initially envisioned, Chichi and David found that their wedding was more than they could have ever hoped for. “The happiest moment of the day was walking into the honeymoon suite and knowing that all of the planning and the day itself were over and that David and I were finally married,” said Chichi.

The Photos:

Another Blissful Wedding by:

Ceremony & Reception: Brier Creek Country Club
Photography:  KPO Photo
Flowers: Tre Bella Florist
Cake: Edible Art
Bridal Gown: Tre Bella Bridal
Stationery: Twin Dog Designs