Stunning Winter Wonderland Themed Wedding in Washington, DC -Munaluchi Bride

When Eden first saw Kwazi across the room at a bar, he was captivated by her beauty. But, it took a few weeks for him to make his move.

Kwazi recalls, “One night he saw his opportunity when a girlfriend of mine went to the bathroom. He told me he owed me a drink from losing a bet we made previously…(eventually) we went upstairs to the bar where he had a tab open and the rest was history.”

When Eden was ready to officially pop the question, the couple made sure to incorporate his heritage by having a traditional Ethiopian engagement ceremony and an “official” surprise proposal later.

They also honored their culture during their beautiful, Winter Wonderland themed wedding. Kwazi shared, “We felt it was important to represent our different cultures. I, being African American, felt it was important to include the ‘Jumping of the Broom’ to solidify our marriage. Eden, being Ethiopian, felt that it was important to include traditional Ethiopian clothing, food, dance, and music.”

There is so much to love about this wedding from Kwazi’s blinged-out bouquet, to their charming first look. Be prepared to smile as you look through all of the details below!

Bride & Groom: Eden & Kwazi Yimam
Occupations: Nurse (Eden)& Sr. Marketing Manager (Kwazi)
Wedding date: 2/15/2020
Wedding location: Marriott Marquis – Washington, DC

Quick Facts

What gifts did you give to your bridesmaids and groomsmen: I provided my bridesmaids with a bridesmaid bag that included their personalized jewelry for the day, a satin monogrammed robe, a girly coffee tumbler, and a jeweled compact mirror. My husband’s mother also provided them with traditional jewelry and netela (Ethiopian wrap) for the Melse. Eden provided his groomsmen with funny graphic socks and shirt garters.
Ceremony entrance song: “The Nearness of You” by Norah Jones played via the violin.
First dance song: “Adore You” by Prince

How They Met

We met at Lounge of 3 (hip hop bar) one Friday night in November 2015. Apparently he’d been checking me out for a few weeks and was waiting to make his move. One night he saw his opportunity when a girlfriend of mine went to the bathroom. He told me he owed me a drink from losing a bet we made previously… though I didn’t recall. I’m not one to walk away from someone paying up on their bet, so we went upstairs to the bar where he had a tab open and the rest was history. Funny thing is, after dating for a while, he fessed up that he lied about the bet and used it as an excuse to talk to me.

The Proposal

We drove to the beach to watch the sunset, and we were talking about marriage. As we left the beach and were driving home, we stopped at a stop sign and he said, “Since we’re on the subject… would you want to marry me.” I said, “Of course!” Then he said, “Will you marry me?” and I said, “Yes.” Now that we had a plan to get married, Eden wanted to follow Ethiopian tradition. We had a Shimagle (Ethiopian engagement ceremony) in April and an “official” surprise proposal later that month.

Wedding Style and Attire

Formal/Romantic. Dress was a strapless mermaid style dress and the groom’s suit was custom atelier.

What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?

My mom, sister, and I visited approximately 3 shops and of all the dresses we saw/tried on nothing wowed me. As we were leaving the last store feeling totally defeated, we saw “MY” dress hanging and knew it was the one without even trying it on.

Incorporation of Culture

We felt it was important to represent our different cultures. I being African American felt it was important to include the “Jumping of the Broom” to solidify our marriage, and Eden being Ethiopian felt that it was important to include traditional clothing, food, dance, and music, which was the focal point of the day 2 Melse (an Ethiopian celebration of marriage).