The Grand at Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico, hosts couples’ lavish traditional Nigerian and White Weddings with multiple fashion statements including Benin attire and gorgeous Ankara patterns.
Danielle and Osaheni’s destination nuptials at The Grand at Moon Palace in Cancun were a luxurious two-day affair!
Celebrating Danielle’s Jamaican roots and Osaheni’s Nigerian background, their first wedding was a traditional Nigerian Ceremony on November 12, 2022, followed by a White Wedding on the 13th. For Danielle, their Nigerian wedding was the perfect occasion to fulfill her fashion designer dreams.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a fashion designer so, our Nigerian wedding was truly my time to fit in that dream.”
– Danielle (The Bride)
She certainly exceeded her vision! Wearing three unique custom looks ranging from a red Benin dress, a burgundy gold beaded Aso Oke gown, and a short orange lace dress with a removable Ankura overskirt, Danielle was a couture queen! Osaheni matched her every vibe with his own custom attire, including a white Agbada, a burgundy bedazzled Agbada, and a sleek double-breasted blue suit.
Their White Wedding was equally fashion-centered, with Danielle slipping into a glam gown by Pantora Bridal and Osaheni sporting a custom suit Styled by DM.
More details on their destination wedding below!
- Couple: Osaheni & Danielle Joie Ayanru
- Occupations: Osaheni is a Nurse and Danielle is a Speech Language Pathologist.
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: 11.12.22 (Nigerian Traditional) and 11.13.22 (White Wedding)
- Wedding location: Moon Palace The Grand Cancun Mexico
- Bridesmaids & groomsmen gifts: I gave my bridesmaids two sets of gift bags one at their bridesmaid proposal and another at my bridal shower. They integrated Osaheni and I’s culture with things from both Jamaica and Nigeria as well as matching cheetah print robes (my favorite print). Osaheni gave his groomsmen Polo water bottles (his favorite brand).
- Gifts for one another: Love… there was no time lol
- Ceremony entrance song: “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. It was chosen to match one of our hashtags: #ittakestwoayanru
- Nigerian Wedding – first dance song: “Toni Ann Singh” by Burna Boy
- White wedding – first song: “Get U” by Daniel Ceasar
How they met…
Given recommendation by a mutual friend, Osaheni slid into my direct messages (dms) on Facebook. A very modern love story!
The proposal…
On November 13, 2019 Osaheni proposed right before we entered what I thought was our annual “Friendsgiving” dinner.
Upon entry into my friend’s apartment, I quickly learned the gathering was actually my surprise engagement party! Being surrounded by the ones we love to celebrate our love was the best feeling ever. I was on cloud 10!
Wedding style, attire, & shopping experience…
Osaheni and I both had 3 different outfits for our traditional wedding.
Our first outfits were ceremonial Benin attire. Osaheni wore a white Agbada with Edo tribal markings, matching trousers, and a hat. I wore the traditional red Benin bridal gown. The dress was a mermaid silhouette with gold lace on the top and bottom.
Both outfits were made with love by his aunt in Nigeria as her wedding gift to us. The matching accessories included Nigerian coral beads and a matching beaded headdress called an Okuku.
Florals & decor…
For our reception looks, we both wore two sets of matching outfits that were CUSTOM-MADE by Omooba fashions in NYC.
Osaheni wore a burgundy bedazzled Agbada with a matching hat and trousers. I wore a burgundy, gold, and beaded Aso Oke dress with a two-tone matching gele and scarf.
Grand entrance…
Squad goals…
Our third and final outfits of the night were my favorite!
I wore an orange lace short dress with a dramatic one-shoulder sleeve and an illusion corset waist. This short dress was hidden underneath a removable ankara overskirt. The overskirt had a petticoat and lots of tulle, giving a full ballgown effect. Osaheni wore a double-breasted blue suit with the same ankara cloth as my overskirt on the collar.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a fashion designer so, our Nigerian wedding was truly my time to fit in that dream. I worked really hard with both designers to incorporate all of the looks, feels, and flavors for each outfit. It was a lot of back and forth but it was so worth it in the end!
For our “White Wedding” my dream dress was selected from Pantora Bridal.
I really wanted multiple looks for this wedding as well. As soon as I tried on a fitted, satin, and bedazzled gown with a dramatic removable overskirt I knew it was the one.
Right after it zipped up, I was so comfortable. The dress felt like skin. I went to other shops both before and after Pantora, but I never had that same “skin” feeling again.
One week later, I went back to “Say Yes to the Dress”!
My husband’s outfit came from Styled by DM in New Jersey, another Black designer. He chose an all-white, silk, and brocade suit with gold around the collar for a very royal look. He looked like a king … My king!
Cultural elements…
Osaheni’s Nigerian culture and my own Jamaican roots were displayed in both weddings through what we wore, the music that was played, the food served, and the gifts our guests received. Upon arrival to the welcome dinner on Friday, guests received wedding favor bags filled with both Jamaican and Nigerian goodies.
Our outfits, except for the White Wedding, were mostly Nigerian inspired. Our DJ played a mix of both Afrobeats and Dancehall tunes which had our guests dancing all night long. The menu had two Jamaican cultural dishes Ecoviched fish and Jerk Pork and well as the very popular Nigerian Jollof rice.
Even our upbringing in New York City was celebrated with one of our wedding hashtags printed everywhere in sight: #ODinlove. Od is slang for overdose, very, or really in NYC.
Overall, both of our cultures were represented very well!
Favorite wedding memories…
My favorite wedding memory would have to be my bridesmaids going out of their way to surprise and decorate the rooms I got dressed in for both weddings.
They ordered room service, we popped champagne, and had dance parties as a warm-up to the damage that would be done on the dance floor later on that day!
Advice for other engaged couples…
Wedding planning (especially destination wedding planning) is a very stressful experience. It is so important to enjoy the fruits of your labor at your wedding! Don’t let anyone or anything steal your shine. Make time during all the crazy to just breathe and be present with your partner.
We actually got legally married at a very small wedding (10 people) months before our destination wedding.
This helped us avoid the legalities that came along with getting married outside of the country. It was also our way of maintaining the meaning of our marriage which we believe, at its core, was a union between the two of us with God at the center. I can not recommend the pre-wedding enough! It’s very easy for the reason of saying “I Do” to get lost in all of the pomp and circumstance of the weekend.
From my experience, I found I have a calling to help support other brides that are planning destination weddings, especially Nigerian traditional ceremonies outside of Nigeria.
I’m using both my Instagram and youtube channels to give helpful advice to future destination brides-to-be. Add me to make your life a whole lot easier.
- Instagram: @ittakestwotv
- Youtube: It Takes Two TV
- Tiktok: Danielle Joie’s Creator Profile
Looking for more destination weddings like this one at The Grand at Moon Palace?
Click here.
Vendors:
- White wedding dress designer: Pantora Bridal
- Headpiece: SuReina Bridal
- White wedding groom designer: Styled by DM
- Nigerian Wedding Designers: Omooba LLC & Trinity Creations
- Brides Hair: Elegance House of Creations
- Grooms Hair: Handz of Godz
- Makeup Nigerian: Ivan at Crispin Beauty
- Makeup White Wedding: Mojisadee
- Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden (white wedding) & Dolce & Gabanna (Nigerian nuptials)
- Groom’s Shoes: Polo Ralph Lauren (Nigerian nuptials) & Calvin Klein (White wedding)
- Nigerian ceremony/reception location: Starlight Terrace at Moon Palace The Grand Cancun
- White wedding ceremony/reception location: Cusco Terrace at Moon Palace The Grand Cancun
- Photography and videography: Memories at Moon Palace the Grand
- Wedding Planner: Kara Anderson of Petals & Promises JA
- Onsite Wedding Coordinator: Fernanda Medina
- Florists: Floral team at Moon Palace the Grand
- Productions Team: Productions at Moon Palace The Grand
I was blessed to be a part of this journey as part of the Bridal Party (Matron of Honor) and I’m so happy that you both (Danielle and Osaheni) felt all the love that you guys deserve so much ! The journey wasn’t always easy for you both but everything was amazing! From the weather to the decor, to the music, outfits and the vibes!!! Your guests enjoyed every bit of the weekend but most importantly you both were showered with love and prayers over your union. The grander the wedding the harder it can be but Dani you followed your dreams and it’s a beautiful thing seeing the wedding and marriage come to fruition. Congratulations guys on this well deserved feature!!!