A Nigerian Wedding

This post was really hard for me to upload pictures and videos because of the "flickering" Internet we have had here for the past few days. The video which did post was not really the one I felt like really did show the mood of the wedding, but at this point, I will take what I can get.:)

On Saturday we attended our very first Nigerian wedding.  What an experience!  The lady getting married works for Guy and she was so happy for us to attend.  She is actually from Ekit ( the same area as Happiness) and she did the traditional wedding ceremony in Ekit on Wednesday which included many items which I wrote about on an earlier post.  

The ceremony we attended was at a local church ( a permanent tent set up in a parking lot).  We got dressed up for the occasion in traditional Nigerian dress.:)

Happiness tied a head tie o Lizzy, but she ran away before I could get a picture.:)

This outfit is nicknamed 1,500.

Both Jeremy and Guy had matching 1,500 outfits.  The origin of this outfit is from the Hausa tribe and Happiness told me her friend's father told her that it got the name because the left side is longer and has more fabric and needs to be folded up over the shoulder (1000).  The right side is made with a little less fabric and doesn't always need to be folded over the shoulder ( 500 ). 

Guy in 1,500 and me in traditional Nigerian woman's dress with a head tie.

quick family picture.:)

Lizzy plugging her ears.:)

When we arrived, you would have thought that we were already at the reception. :) There was a complete band in the front of the church playing music and two singers.  The music was so loud, but everyone was having a great time getting ready to celebrate the wedding.:)

Band playing for the wedding.:)

Guy and kids outside the church.:)

The bride, Mercy, getting out of the car. According to Lizzy, it she was Princess Tiana!:)

Couple walking back into church after signing the marriage certificate.:)

Unlike, weddings in the U.S. , there wasn't a huge procession into the church when the wedding began.  Mercy just walked in the church with her older brother.  But, after the marriage certificate was signed, that was when the whole wedding party danced their way into the church.  That video just wouldn't download for me, but you have to believe me when I tell you that everyone was ready to party.:)

The happy couple.:)  ( wedding colors : gold and mint green)

15 ministers were present to perform the wedding.:)

Just in case there is any question as to whether or not the wedding took place, there were actually 15 ministers who officiated the wedding ceremony!!! ( No, I don't know if that is really the reason why....but is sounds like a good reason!:) The whole thing took about two hours, and there was so much singing and dancing ...it was a wonder how Elizabeth fell asleep during the wedding.:)  We had a great time and it was so interesting to experience a wedding in a different culture.  We are so happy we could be a part of it.:)