If the idea of having the African traditional and white wedding on the same day seems impossible to you, then this wedding is for you! The wedding was not the typical wedding considering the fact that both the traditional ceremony and white wedding was on the same day and at the same venue. So, if you are considering having your African traditional wedding on the same day as the white wedding and wondering if this is possible, the answer is yes, it is possible and with the right team of vendors this can be seamless. Basi & Yemi opted for the two weddings in one day option.
The Essex wedding venue, Hylands Estate was the perfect venue for the wedding. This exclusive use wedding venue and its multiple available spaces meant all the different activities could all happen at the same venue.
Here is an account of how Basi & Yemi’s two weddings in one day went. The day started at 6am with the makeup artist getting our bride glammed up at a local hotel in preparation for the traditional wedding. The traditional ceremony started at 9am in the Drawing Room at Hylands Estate and lasted 2 hours. The ceremony was rich in culture and tradition and we love every moment of it. The traditional wedding colour was pink and this featured in the three-tiered cushion/pillow African traditional wedding cake. The décor was minimal but we did have a custom backdrop design of white draping with 3 African design large fans made from African prints fabric used as a backdrop for photographs.
Following the conclusion of the traditional wedding ceremony, the couple and the bridal party got ready for the white wedding. The multiple rooms at the venue was beneficial as there was a room for the bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen to get ready while the bride got ready in the bridal suite. During, this transition period, the guests (who at this point were just family and close friends) enjoyed continental breakfast in the Terrace room at the venue. The ceremony which was a marriage blessing took place in the stunning Banqueting room at Hylands Estate. Following the ceremony, the guests were in for a treat with the abundance of canapés and flowing cocktails during the outdoor drinks reception, coupled with entertainment.
For the reception, the wedding colour palette of burgundy and gold were featured in the décor with burgundy used as a touch so it's not too empowering. The décor was vibrant, perfect for this summer wedding. The couple’s sweetheart table was dressed with small ivory and blush silk floral runner and glass candle holders with LED flicker candles. The chandelier backdrop with two chandeliers and drapes also added that extra touch of class. The guest tables were dressed with alternating centrepieces of gold curved trumpet vase with silk ivory rose ball, crystal candelabra with LED candles and silk ivory floral halo with glass balls and LED candles. The gold rimmed glasses and gold cutlery were a beautiful touch to the family and bridal party’s table. The gold frame table numbers, gold leaf charger plates and white monogrammed seamless dancefloor were also a nice addition to the décor.
The couple’s first dance was magical with bubbles and confetti cannon. The day was truly unique and personal to the couple, and they really did give their guests a good time!
If you’re considering the two weddings in a day option, one advantage of having both the traditional/cultural wedding and white wedding on the same day is you’ll be able to save money on certain things such as venue and also while vendors such as the photographer and a few others might charge a little extra because they are covering two weddings, you will still be saving a lot of money compared to having both weddings on separate days. One disadvantage is, it can be a very long and tiring day, so if this is something you’re considering, then you have to be prepared for a very long day.