Tiffany & Andrew
Photography by Carrie AynBoth part of the Greek system at Sacramento State University, Tiffany was in the Sigma Kappa sorority and Andrew in the Sigma Pi fraternity. “My sorority ‘big sister’ Ashley, who was friends with Andrew, introduced us,” says Tiffany. The college sweethearts stayed together and enjoyed a life in Sacramento. In 2018, they took dance lessons on Latin night at On the Edge in Old Sacramento followed by drinks at the German Biergarden. “We watched the fireworks by the Tower Bridge when Andrew surprised me by getting on one knee and proposing,” shares Tiffany.
Andrew knew he wanted to embrace his Nigerian culture for their wedding, but otherwise the couple didn’t have huge expectations for their big day. “I wasn’t the girl who dreamt of her wedding day when I was a little kid,” confides the bride. “We just knew we wanted our guests to have a good time, eat yummy food and have lots of good memories.”
In the Nigerian culture there are specific traditions that the couple were expected to embrace, such as the attire, identification of the bride, blessings by family members and the sharing of the drink. Since Tiffany and Andrew were having Nigerian and American ceremonies, and including both attires and cuisines, they say it felt like we were planning two weddings. “There were some very overwhelming moments trying to put it all together,” she shares. But some of their favorite times were food tasting with the different Nigerian caterers and restaurants in Sacramento and the Bay Area. “I personally enjoyed tasting Nigerian food because I never had it before and his family members would join us so it was also an opportunity for me to get to know them better,” says Tiffany.
The wedding started with the American ceremony, which included a string quartet trio for the ceremony music, scripture readings and vows. “We also did the ‘wine ceremony’ which included us writing letters to each other, picking a bottle of wine out and locking it in a box for us to open in a year,” says Tiffany.
The Nigerian ceremony began with Andrew’s family coming into the barn dancing and singing to traditional Nigerian music. “Our parents sat on separate couches in the front of the barn and Andrew’s uncle announced that the groom saw a beautiful flower (aka me) to my parents and family and bridesmaids that were standing nearby,” remembers Tiffany. “Then we did the identification of the bride: part of the Nigerian ceremony where Andrew and his family and friends would give my family money to bring out a potential bride to see if it was the flower Andrew was looking for.” Following the announcement of Andrew finding his bride, Andrew took Tiffany to her parents and kneeled in front of them for a blessing and more dancing leading into the reception.
Seeing all their hard work come together and everyone having an amazing time was a highlight of the day for the newlyweds. “There was so much love and celebration in the barn,” says Tiffany. “Everyone was embracing both cultures and just having a great time. We were both so excited to finally get married and celebrate with all of our friends and family. We were also so thankful people from all over the world were able to join us in celebration. I wish we could do it every quarter!”
—Darren Elms
Tiffany & Andrew's Wedding Resources
Phone: (916) 812-8929
Phone: (916) 207-2552
Phone: (916) 812-8929
Ishine Global (Nigerian ceremony)
Dress made with Nigerian lace by Ishine Global (Nigerian ceremony)
Wild Flowers Design Group (floral crown)
Phone: (916) 899-1289
Custom made tops & bottoms by Ishine Global (Nigerian)
Phone: (916) 899-1289
Phone: (916) 899-1289
Phone: (916) 899-1289
Jollof Kitchen (Nigerian ceremony)
Jollof Kitchen (Nigerian ceremony)
MC: Dulo Folarin Harris (Nigerian Comedian/ Instagram influencer)
Jaime Elliott (taught Nigerian dance moves)
Jasmine Worrell (ballroom dance choreographer)
Neumann Enterprises (Guests)
Phone: (530) 566-7603
(sweetheart love seat)
Phone: (530) 566-7603
(sweetheart glass table)
Totally Brides (robes)
Amsterdam, Bali & Dubai:
-Singapore Airlines First Class Suites
-Hanging Gardens in Ubud, Bali
-Mulia Villas in Nusa Dua, Bali
-Sheraton Airport Hotel & Conference Center, Amsterdam
-La Meridien in Dubai
American First Dance: “Perfect Duet” by Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé
Nigerian Dance: “One More Night” by Mr. P
“Daughters” by John Mayer
“Sweet Mother” by Prince Nico Mbarga (Nigerian song)
“Pony” by Ginuwine
Cake:
• Three tier cake: White cake with raspberry filling and white chocolate curls; white cake with Bavarian chocolate & vanilla crème filling; white cake with Bavarian crème filling and white chocolate curls; frosted with vanilla buttercream
• Sheet cake: chocolate cake with chocolate Bavarian crème filling and buttercream frosting
Dessert Bar:
• Cupcakes, pecan pies, macaroons, chocolate chip cookies, powder sugar brownies (American desserts)
• Traditional Nigerian Puff Puff dessert
Lots of greenery, purple, pink and white flowers – mostly garden roses.
• Foam LED Light Sticks by LAWholeSaleStore via Etsy
• Photobooth provided each guest with a photo strip to take home
The unique thing about our wedding was really embracing both cultures and having the dual wedding ceremonies. The special moment would be getting married finally after 10 years of dating. Also, it was really fun to see both of our extended families come together.
• I kept saying I don’t stress out on things I can’t control aka the weather. It was supposed to be a beautiful mildly sunny May day – not pouring rain. So truly, don’t stress out on everything. Things WILL happen out of your control. People WILL give you their opinion. Don’t ever let anyone call you a bridezilla because you want something your way – it is YOUR wedding day!
• If you have the funds, hire a wedding planner – one thing I regret not doing. Planning a wedding is like having another job especially if you are embracing two cultures; it was like planning two weddings. Wedding planners also can be the person to point to when family members are opinionated or wont listen to you.
• I would also try to finalize everything a month ahead of time; at the end, all the little details pop up and the last month flies by so fast.
• Also, have a date once a month with your soon to be forever partner in crime; and on that date, don’t talk wedding, just enjoy each other’s company.
• Pre-arranged buses for the guests because the ride share companies were not available in the area of our wedding. At the last minute due to the rain and a fear that our guests would not stay as long as we would like, we ended up hiring a bus to take people to downtown, which was expensive to do at the last minute.
• I also wanted to give my guests from out of town little care packages at their hotel but I ran out of time and money. We did bathroom kits which were fun.