By Tina Davies – All roads led to Rochester, Kent as Princess Adebanke, Fatima Abiola, said, “I do” to her long time heartthrob Ajirioghene, Gerald Udoruisi at the Medway Registry Office Northgate, Kent, Rochester on Easter bank Holiday weekend, the 31st of March 2018.
Traffic continued to stream down the otherwise quiet road as guests, with flamboyant dresses, exhibiting the wedding colour of purple and cream, from different parts of the world, drove in a convoy to join in this glorious celebration of love.
The Proud father of the bride, Prince Mike Abiola, publisher of the African Voice Newspaper, UK, gallantly walked his one time little princess down the aisle, full of emotions, all the way to front into the anxiously, waiting arms of Ajirioghene the happy groom.
Both the bride’s mother and the groom’s mother were so elated, they clapped and danced to express their joy in witnessing the most celebrated moments in the lives of their children.
Everyone present at the ceremony, could not deny that they witnessed love in its purest form, radiating from both the bride and the groom as they were taken through the wedding oaths by the registry official Julie.
The reception promptly followed at the very cosy, intimate, Burham Village Hall, Rochester, ME1 3SH. The ambiance of the hall radiated the purple and cream colour of the day right from the entrance, starting with the beautiful banner bearing the welcoming smiles of the bride and groom, up to the top table, adorning the gorgeous display of the royal purple and cream simple but delicious cake.
The colour combination of the attire of well-wishers, colleagues, old school friends, relatives and family as they arrived, was like a carnival amid excited laughter as they found their places, already labelled for their comfort. Seated, they swayed to the melodious music from the stable of DJ. OSAS, while anticipating the grand entrance of Princess Adebanke and her prince charming, Ajirioghene.
The magic moment came and the happy duo danced in with the wedding train, led by handsome, Farouk Abiola and angelic, Princess Aisha Abiola to the delight of the audience, both looking as radiant as the rising sun.
All the guests spontaneously joined to dance the gracious couple to their seat at the top table.
Delicious African cuisine was served throughout the day while the bar remained inexhaustible, decorated with any choice drinks as the taste of the guests dictated.
The well selected soundtrack from DJ. OSAS, ranging from most jubilant and uplifting of gospel, to scintillating and energetic staccato of Obesere and 9ice did not leave anyone sitting. Everyone had something to dance to.
For Abebanke and Ajirioghene, the whole ceremony was indeed a testimony of their love for each other till death do them part.
The flamboyant traditional engagement ceremony between Adebanke and Ajirioghene took place at the residence of Dr Ashiru Abiola, retired medical doctor, living in the UK, from Osun State, Nigeria and head of the Abiola Clan, worldwide, on the weekend before the Registry marriage.
Photo credit: Eugene Smith
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
