Aishatu and Anthony’s Bay Area Summer Wedding

Featured in the Winter 2019 issue of MunaLuchi Bride Magazine!
View the digital magazine format here, and click here to order your print copy today – while still available! 

New to Oakland, California, Criminal Justice Researcher, Aishatu, was asked to present a new education research project she was involved with to a “black male educators and education leaders” group. It was during this presentation where Anthony first laid eyes on her. Being one of the education leaders within the audience, he found himself unable to look away, immediately attracted to her and “amazed at how so much personality could be packed into just one person.” Making sure to take note of her contact information he emailed her the next day, asking to meet up for coffee to discuss future collaborations. With both feeling the magnetism between them over coffee, Aishatu fondly recalls how “to this day we have never worked on a professional project together.”

Bride & Groom: Aishatu & Anthony
Wedding location: San Francisco
Wedding date: July 15th 2018
Photographed by: Danna Frost (Second Shooter: Amira Maxell)

Over the years they began to realize they had found the one when, for Aishatu, having always considered herself an independent person, began to always factor Anthony into her life decisions. In her words, “Tony defied all of my negative notions of what I thought a forever relationship had to be like. He saw past my facades, past my boundaries and asked me to trust him with my heart.” For Anthony, he realized he wanted to marry Aisha when recognizing that “her abundant presence, love of people, and love of life began to influence me to show up differently…no other person had that impact on me.”

The proposal took place on Saturday of May 7th at an upscale jazz restaurant & lounge in San Francisco. Unbeknownst to Aishatu, Anthony, with help from her sister and best friends, had been planning over weeks of conversations, rehearsals, and flight arrangements – their perfect proposal. Arriving at the restaurant under the impression that they were there to celebrate her best friend’s new job, Aishatu had no idea this would be one of the most important nights of her life. During conversation around the table she recognized one of Anthony’s friends as their new server, but didn’t think much of it. Handing them all their menus, Aishatu’s was unique to the others, with options including, “An evening with food and fun with your besties,” “a lifetime of ups, downs, highs, lows and above all else – love.” It was in this moment that a small group of both Aishatu and Anthony’s friends approached the table and began singing an acapella cover of “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake. It all started to come together in Aishatu’s mind along with tears of joy as overwhelming emotions took hold. Surrounded by friends and family, Anthony approached Aishatu, and on one knee whispered “meaningful and passionate words” into her ear before asking her to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.

Aishatu and Anthony’s Bay Area summer wedding took place at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center. Capturing their intended wedding theme of a perfect summer sunday in sunny California, they wanted the event to feel “bright, joyous, warm and summery,” translating joy into every aspect of it. Aishatu was gorgeous in an ivory Leanne Marshall, Gabrielle dress with a deep V-neck and open back found in a cute bridal shop in Salt Lake City while visiting her mother at home in Utah – complete with a long flowing custom cape. Anthony stood handsomely, awaiting his bride at the altar, in a dark blue suit found in Soho, NYC. Their reception honored Hausa, Nigerian heritage through traditional wedding attire, custom made in Abuja, Nigeria, and worn by the bride and groom during their reception.

Best Memories: Aishatu: “So many! Honestly, walking down the aisle. I was so nervous, I was going through so many overwhelming emotions all at once. But once I walked out and glanced around and saw so many faces that I loved so much all there to celebrate with us- and my fiancé waiting for me – I had this sense of calm that rushed over me. It was such a beautiful moment.”
Tony: “Aishau’s vows were my favorite. They were womanist, they were her, and they were us. Listening to them reminded me of who she was, her values, and how she sees how our love fit into those values. She also shared how much she’s learned and has grown as a result of our relationship.That she mentioned this in her vows spoke to me that she really sees our union as something that gets to the heart of who she is and who we are together.”

Advice for Engaged Couples: Think back on your most treasured memories in life and ask yourself – why do you treasure them? What were you feeling during those times? You’re going to want your wedding to evoke a lot of those same feelings, and to the degree that it can, you should make your wedding feel like those times. For us, we thought of moments at which we felt connected to the people we loved the most, and times when we felt fully expressed and understood – and worked to create a wedding that replicated those feelings.

Vendors:
Photographer: Danna Frost
Videographer: Seth McGaha
Dress: Leanne Marshall, The Gabrielle Dress
Bride Cape: Shirley’s Designs & Alterations
Traditional wear: Mo Bridals
Groom Suit: Suit Supply
Grooms wedding band: Try Hitched
Caterer: The Red Door Catering
Dessert: Angel Cakes
Wedding Cake: Susie Cakes
Wedding Planner: Aminatu Yusuf
Online wedding Planner: The white box
Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Ceremony and Reception Venue: San Francisco War Memorial & Performing
Arts Center
First Look Venue: San Francisco Palace of the Fine Arts
Florist: Soma Flowers
Stationery: Vista Print, Canva, Etsy
Day-of-coordinator: Valarie Allen, LaBelle Fête Event Planning & Design
DJ: Phil Smith, DJLP
Wedding Dress Salon: Emma and Grace Bridal
Bridal party hair: Ainecia Ransburg
Makeup: Tremiyya Bumps
Bridesmaid Dresses: Asos, Lulus, Nordstrom
Mother of the bride dress: Tahari Asl