I love weddings! I mean what’s not to love about weddings? The food, music, laughter, fashion and the promise of enduring love… There is usually so much joy at wedding ceremonies, it seems like people intentionally leave whatever problems they have at home and show up at weddings to have a blast.

Another thing I look forward to at weddings is the ‘wedding dress’.

The wedding dress has evolved from just that one dream dress to become two or three dresses. Brides now wear different attire for their civil ceremony, a different one for the nuptials and then, there is the reception dress.

Searching for THE DRESS

The thought alone is headaching me 😂. If you know what I went through for my one dress 🤯! It was almost more difficult than finding the MAN 🤭. My sister and I searched almost all the bridal stores in DMV (D.C, Maryland, Virginia) and had to travel to New York and still no joy. We returned to D.C frustrated and at each other’s throats!

I finally managed to find ‘the one’. It was sitting pretty in the VeraWang showroom in Georgetown (which we had previously visited.) Toyosi was getting married a few months after me so she also found hers at the same store. I think I prefer hers to mine, but I still love mine.

Going through all I did to find “The Dress’, I can’t imagine having to look for two or even three outfits, not to talk about the financial implications 😱. Thank God that wasn’t a thing when I got married.

I remember that even before I was engaged or even had a fiance, I would look through bridal magazines dreaming of my wedding dress. Soon after came the internet age and I would browse through websites upon websites. The top bridal designers during my time were Vera Wang, Pronovias, Badgley Mischka Jenny Packham, etc.

Those days are gone now as many Nigerian brides are opting for bespoke wedding dresses by Nigerian designers. It’s so gratifying to see that Nigerian brides don’t have to look outside for their dresses. Interestingly, brides from other parts of the world now order dresses from our designers.

Here are my absolute favourite Nigerian wedding dress designers.

Alonuko Bridal

If I had to choose a wedding dress designer for a vow renewal, it would be Alonuko. How I love their dresses!

Alonuko is owned by Gbemi Okunlola. Gbemi exercised her creative mind and taught herself to sew from the age of 11. She began creating gowns from home and since then became an expert in luxury women’s fashion and bridal wear. She established Alonuko in 2013 as a Luxury British Bespoke brand.

N.B her corset and bridal robes are a must for your collection 😉. Thank me later.

Sheye Oladejo

Sheye Oladejo is not new to the blog.

Sheya launched her bridal and ready-to-wear brand in Nigeria in 2018. The brand’s Bridal design approach is a personalised client-to-designer experience. They have been creating exclusive masterpieces interpreted by the best hands as can be seen in the gallery below. An absolute bespoke experience.

IdiolNupo

Moye Idiol Nupo is a Nigerian Bridal Wear and Wedding Reception Dress Fashion Designer based in Lagos Nigeria. The brand is one of Africa’s Foremost off-the-rack Couture brands.

Imade Iduso

Imade Eduso Bridal is a Lagos-based brand founded in 2017 for brides who want a minimalist but edgy design for their weddings. Their pieces are whimsical and sophisticated and are a reflection of the personality and individuality of every bride the brand works with.

Elizabeth and Lace Bridal

Founded in 2016 by creative director Idu Onumonu, the brand has designed and created unique couture bridal gowns for many brides with distinct and individual styles consecutively for 4 years. The brand blends modern styles with vintage-inspired details in creating timeless wedding dresses for the contemporary bride.

Mazelle Bridal

Yemi Shoyemi

Inspired by three generations of dressmakers, Yemi grew up to a tradition of design, style and luxury garment making. Yemi earned a diploma in fashion design from the Creative Design School, UK and embroidery at the London Embroidery School, UK.

Xtrabrides Lagos

Founded in 2020 by Oyetomiwa Elizabeth Daniel, “XBL is a leading fashion brand in Lagos. The brand has a presence in Abuja, Turkey and the United Kingdom, with Lagos as its headquarters.

Xtra Brides Lagos caters majorly to bridal needs, the brand is also involved in designing the right dresses for all kinds of occasions.

Off to plan a renewal 😏

With these few images of mine, I hope I have been able to convince you that a Nigerian brand is the way to go for your dress 😉.

Now I’m off to plan a vow renewal, someone please tell Mr Adewoye that he has to ‘tun mibge‘! Oh Yes, from proposal to engagement, civil wedding, church, reception, honeymoon and all. I want it all 🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️.

Singing – 🎶Lulu’s going to the alter, she is gonna get married 🎵💃🏾💃🏾.

Aunty Lulu

Credits;

https://www.instagram.com/alonuko_bridal/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/elizabethandlacebridal/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/sheyeoladejo/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/yemishoyemi/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/idiolnupo/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/mazellebridal/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/imadeduso_bridal/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/xtrabrideslagos/?hl=en

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4 thoughts on “Wedding Dresses – the Nigerian way

  1. This one is a pertinent matter as someone is due to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this year. Hint hint!
    But seriously, these Nigerian wedding dress designers are a joy to behold. My vote is for Alonuko all the way, Pity I don’t have a daughter, do you think my dear DIL will let me choose for her?
    I digress. Love the looks but AuntyLulu, you fall my hand. You know our wedding ceremonies are not complete without our traditional. So please release the trad edition.
    Meanwhile lemme go and print this and put on Ogas bedside table, in his car etc.

  2. It’s so easy to love you Sis, you are hilarious and always so genuine . That trad one will be something o! Our designers are insane, they are churning out master pieces!

    I’m with you on this daughter in law matter, I must have a say too! Thankfully I have you to from as my senior .

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