Ijeoma and Chima’s Nigerian Wedding in Atlanta

Ijeoma and Chima’s Nigerian wedding in Atlanta was full of laughter, happiness, tender moments, culture, and most importantly, love!

Growing up, Ijeoma and Chima were family friends but didn’t reconnect until many years later. Once they did, they were inseparable, despite being in a long-distance relationship and living in separate cities.

Our love and commitment transcended the distance. I think that’s what helps to make our love story so special.

Ijeoma (Bride)

Despite having to reschedule their wedding twice due to Covid and travel complications, Ijeoma and Chima wouldn’t have changed a thing about their big day.

That day, all things worked together…in a way we could have never imagined, surpassing our wildest dreams. Here’s to 8/28/21!

Ijeoma (Bride)

Read more about their love story and see the beautiful details below!

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• Couple: Mr. Chima Mbadugha and Dr./Mrs. Ijeoma Agu-Mbadugha
• Occupations: Chima Mbadugha – Growth & Partnerships Lead at Possip | Dr. Ijeoma Agu-Mbadugha – Pelvic/Reconstructive Surgeon
• Wedding date: 8/28/21
• Wedding Location: Atlanta, GA

Quick Facts

• Gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen: Bridesmaids received custom monogrammed pajama dresses with POCKETS! Along with a monogrammed toiletry bags with day-of essentials. And most importantly, we popped bottles of Champagne and indulged in Chik-fil-A on the morning of! The groomsmen received custom bowties, cuff-links, custom fitted traditional attire including canes, monogrammed bottle openers and toiletries. They also indulged in Ace of Spades, Don Julio, and more libations the day of haha.
• Gifts for one another: Man it’s not the gifts but the stories behind them. By wedding time, our funds were TAPPED. We could not afford gifts and agreed we would forgo them. Chima had his heart set on the Movado BOLD watch. He visited the jewelry store several times with intentions of purchasing it, however, he deferred as our funds were tapped. Well, I wanted to give him the world. A little gesture to show my gratitude – for the time he bought groceries and paid my utility bills when I was a struggling medical student to the sacrifices he’s made for US. I surprised him with the watch on the morning of the wedding. I FINALLY got him back – made him cry :) lol
• Ijeoma’s Gift: little did I know, part of the reason his funds were tapped was because he surprised me with the Sparklers and Clouds during our first dance. It was beautiful. Active listening at its finest :)
• Ceremony entrance song: You for Me by Johnny Gill
• First dance song: I Found Love by Bebe & CeCe Winans

How did you meet?

Chima and I grew up in Atlanta and were family friends. I was close friends with his sisters and never considered him much more than their brother. It wasn’t until 2015 when we reconnected at Chima’s sister’s birthday party. We hadn’t seen each other in over 10 years. From then, we were inseparable. Well technically, we lived separately – in separate cities throughout our relationship. We finally closed the gap when we married in 2021. Our love and commitment transcended the distance. I think that’s what helps to make our love story so special.

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Tell us about the proposal

It was beautiful. Chima graduated with his MBA degree from the University of Michigan on May 3rd, 2019. We usually take an annual trip during our anniversary, so this year, Year four, was no different. After his graduation, we went on a week-long cruise to the Bahamas with the plan to return to our hometown Atlanta, GA the following weekend, May 9th-11th, for his “graduation party”. Now WHY this thirty-plus-year-old man wanted a graduation party to celebrate his MBA was beside me, but I was the supportive girlfriend so I stuck beside him. Little did I know, the “graduation party” was actually my proposal in front of close family and friends.

When I walked into his party, he had roses in his hand, which caught me off guard. I saw pics of us around the room and both his and my parents/siblings in the room. Confused, he sat me down to watch a video he put together. He captured our relationship over the past 4 years with a voiceover explaining his life journey, the events that led him to me, and how he arrived at the point when he felt it was “time for HIS journey to end and OUR journey to begin” – actual words. Of course, I’m in tears at this point. The video ends, he continues talking and then signals for my close friends to come out of hiding — I lost it even more… I mean ugly cry!! He gets on one knee and asked the easiest question. Would I marry him? YES! A hundred times YES.

Describe your wedding style

My husband wore a custom-tailored suit and shoes from Houston, TX. His and the groomsmen’s traditional attire was custom made in Nigeria!

Can you believe? I found my wedding dress on the FIRST DAY! I went to three stores. The third time was the charm (I guess this was our theme since it took three times before our wedding day happened Lol). I purchased my wedding dress from Impressions Bridal in Houston, TX. The bridesmaid dresses were custom made in Nigeria, as well as my traditional look!

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Culture

We are Nigerian, so this wedding was NIGERIAN lol. From the Kola nut to the endless money spraying, to the vibrant and rich colors. Our culture permeated throughout our event. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

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What is your best memory from your wedding?

My best memory was my first dance with my husband. I love this man, and despite the hundreds of people (I did mention this was a Nigerian wedding, right?) who were there, it felt like we were the only two people in the room. I’m beyond grateful he chose me and I love him more each day. He surprised me with the clouds and sparklers – It was truly a magical moment.

What is the best advice you can give to engaged couples?

Plan but on the day of – LET GO!!! Be flexible. You never know when a pandemic will come and scatter your plans lol. Seriously, don’t get lost in the noise around planning. Remember the REAL reason for the event – to celebrate the love between you and your partner. After the event, the dust settles and it’s just you two. Don’t lose sight of that during the process.

Vendors

• Photography: Craig Obrist Photography
• Event planner: Ngozi Mbadugha with Threes Company Events
• Event decor/design/florals: Events InStyle By Beenish
• Bride’s Dress: Impressions Bridal
• Reception/Traditonal Dress: Matopeda Atelier
• Bridal headpiece: BellaTiara LLC
• Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka
• Bridesmaids dresses: Custom made in Nigeria | Something Peridot
• Hair: Erika Fulton with Bosse Hair
• Makeup: Yaya
• Groom’s attire: Blue tux – Phil with JPR Styling, Burgundy tux – Wayne with Well Groomed Man, Groom traditional Nigerian attire – Distinktive Tradwear
• Groomsmen attire: Traditional Nigerian attire – Distinktive Tradwear
• Ceremony & Reception venue: Stone Ridge Events Center, Home
• Cakes/desserts: Amina Shah Wedding Cake
• Catering: Destiny Food Services & Banquet Catering, Chef Okon
• Lighting: Ultralight Production & Sound