Engagement Feature: Tutu + Damola

Bride-to-be: Adetutu Adereni

Groom-to-be: Adedamola Gbakinro

Ethnicity of couple: Nigerian (Yoruba)

Tell us how you met one another: we were introduced by a friend in fall of 2015. I decided to take a leap of faith and go visit him in Houston, after that visit things didn't work out well so we went our separate ways. Fast forward to Spring of 2016, Damola randomly reached out to me and I had just gotten out of a relationship so i was not looking for anything serious. We went out a couple of times and I realized he had changed a lot and I was liking the new him- and the rest, as they say, is history!

How did he pop the question: My birthday was coming around in August, I had just gotten back from London and did not want anything stressful, so we decided to go to San Antonio, about 2 hours away. I did not pay much attention to his behavior because I was so hangry (hungry and angry) lol. But, I did realize he was driving very slow and he changed dinner reservations without informing me so at this point, I was really HANGRY. Anyway we finally made it to dinner 2 hours later and as soon as we got in the first person i saw was my Dad, then Mom, Brother and two of my BFFs. I was indeed shocked to say the least. So we had dinner, nothing special, he went and talked to my dad (that was their first time meeting) and when he got back, he changed seats to sit near me. Shortly after, the waiter came out with a cake, and I don't even remember anything else other than the words on the cake asking me to marry him. I couldn't have asked for a better proposal- I had all my family and loved ones around me!

When's the big day: August 4th and 6th 2017

What are you looking forward to the most about your wedding: My wedding dress!

What would you say has been the hardest thing about planning a cultural wedding: Dealing with all the "mummys" :-)

Any tips or advice for the couple who is engaged and planning a wedding right now: As an African there really isn't anything I can say, everyone will have their opinions and ideas- just try and do something for yourself, and that thing for me is my dress. I am wearing the dress I want, everything else can be controlled but that's my "One" thing. So find that One thing that works for you and stand your ground!

Engagement photographer: Instagram- @GMSphotosandvideos @Josecastillophotography

MUA for pre-wedding shoot: Princess (Instagram- @sumthin_foreign)Engagement shoot location(s): National Cathedral Washington DC and National Gallery of Art

Congratulations again on your beautiful engagement, Tutu! We can't wait for your Big Day! Many Blessings to the both of you, xx.

Meet Our 2017 Wedding Show Vendor & Sponsor: SkinMD Seattle Laser & Aesthetic Medical Clinic

Do you desire healthy, beautiful, youthful skin, especially for your BIG DAY? We are so excited to have SkinMD Seattle Laser & Aesthetic Medical Clinic as not only a vendor in our show, but they will also be giving away a huge prize giveaway!

SkinMD Seattle Laser & Aesthetic Medical Clinic offers the best in medically-directed skin care for men and women of all skin colors. With a comprehensive and integrative approach and the use of innovative, leading-edge technologies, SkinMD skin care experts provide a full range of general, minimally invasive, aesthetic and surgical skin care medicine. From light and medium chemical peels to help treat acne, pigmentation, wrinkles and aging skin, to Botox Cosmetic, Xeomin, dermal fillers, laser skin resurfacing, permanent fat removal, cellulite reduction, skin tightening and laser hair reduction, SkinMD offers state-of- the-art procedures and an exceptional level of medical care to help you achieve your goals.

SkinMD carries a superior line of pharmaceutical-grade skin care products including: Epionce, SkinMedica, Colorescience, Latisse, Clarisonic- AlphaFIT, Opal, MiaFit & Smart Profile, DermaCeutic, and DermaLight Rx Skin Care.

Dr. Balogun is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery. Her areas of special interest include pigmentary disorders such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and melasma in patients with skin of color (pigmented, brown or ethnic skin), balanced facial rejuvenation, acne scar management and laser surgery. Dr. Balogun is also a respected National trainer

Dr. Balogun welcomes you to consult with her regarding all your face and body rejuvenation

Our highly trained cosmetic enhancement experts offer a full range of specialty treatments and skin health solutions including Botox and Xeomin wrinkle relaxing treatments, Chemical Peels for skin imperfections, wrinkles, acne, sun damage, melasma and hyperpigmentation, Collagen Stimulation Treatments, Cellulite Reduction, Complexion Blending, Crystal-free Microdermabrasion, IPL/Photofacial Rejuvenation, Laser Facelift, Laser Hair Reduction, Laser Vein Therapy, Liquid Facelift, Lip Enhancement & Lip Renewal, Medical-Grade Skin Care Products, Radio frequency Permanent Fat Reduction Scar Therapy, Skin Tag & Milia Removal, Skin Tightening and UltraPulse Fractional Resurfacing.

Connect with SkinMD Seattle Laser & Aesthetic Medical Clinic further here:

Website: http://skinmdseattle.com
Phone number: 206.525.0903
Email: anifat@skinmdseattle.com

Tickets to the wedding show can be found at: bit.ly/herbigday2017

Poco Wine + spirits

POCO wine + spirits is the perfect location for your wedding-related event!

Reserve their space for your rehearsal dinner, shower, wedding party event and more. They can accommodate groups large and small.

Let them know how they can make your celebration special. They can help you:

* Order wine bottles at a discounted rate or locate special bottles

* Gather your bridal party together for a wine tasting

* Enjoy cocktails with friends and family for a bachelor or bachelorette party

* Host a unique wedding reception

POCO has two floors with 16 seats downstairs and 26 upstairs and our patio seats 16.

The loft space makes for a great private lounge, with room for up to 45 mingling guests and an appetizer bar.

For more site details, menu options and to check available dates, contact POCO wine + spirits at 206-322-9463.

Meet Our 2017 Wedding Show Sponsor: Whova

One of the keywords we stress when talking about wedding planning is ORGANIZATION! Organize, organize (and organize some more) your vendors, planning timeline, wedding day timeline and your GUESTS! Yes, don’t forget that attending a wedding is an experience and you want to make it a memorable time for your guests!

Whether you are having a destination wedding or inviting guests from all over the country (or world), streamlining their experience, from the time they receive a wedding invitation to the time they touch down in your city, is one of great importance. Not only does it make for a great experience, but it also cuts out time wasted on answering Uncle Abraham’s questions about airport shuttle arrangements or Aunt Elsa’s concerns about timing of all the different activities and locations set for your 3 day wedding celebration. 

Cultural weddings, with an average guest count of 700-800 people, can especially be hard to organize and make for an efficient guest experience. (Is this why half the wedding guests show up late at cultural weddings…? We’re still pondering this one, because it’s 2017 already, so can that habit be gone already…? Okay, done venting, lol ☺). 

Because of the large guest counts and multiple days of ceremonies and activities involved in most cultural weddings, we are especially excited about a new event app that’s going to be a game changer- Enter Whova. 

Whova is an all-in-one event manager and organizer that we feel is the BEST solution to organizing your large wedding guest for your Big Day! How awesome would it be if all of your wedding guests, upon RSVP’ing for your wedding, were able to view all of your wedding timeline information including airport shuttles/pickups and hotel info on a bulletin board as well as an agenda of various ceremonies, rehearsals, receptions, after-parties, etc….? Well, that is EXACTLY what the Whova app can do for you and your wedding guests. You can even make announcements about any changes or updates to your wedding that will be sent as both an e-mail and push notification. And guess what…. It’s a free app for your wedding guests to download, sign-in and start learning about your line-up for your week long wedding celebration, or amazing destination wedding half way across the world! 

This year, during our 2nd annual cultural wedding show, we are using the Whova app to help organize and manage all of our show attendees! All of our attendees, upon purchasing a ticket, will have access to our entire wedding show agenda, have access to all of our vendors (and which booth they will be located at) and sponsors while being able to simply click on their business name to navigate to their website, learn about the different prize giveaways and the times they will be announced, logistics on parking and so much more!

Umm, can you say completely awesome? Oh and get this, all of the attendees (or your future wedding guests) will have the ability to see who is in attendance at the event, send instant messages, participate in a group chat, as well as snap photos from within the app to share them with the entire event goers. You can also use a Live Slideshow to show those photos and other wedding activities on a big screen. THAT is pretty awesome!

We can’t wait to share this amazing app- the answer to every bride’s wedding guest struggles! We will be sharing more on this App leading up to our wedding show, so stay tuned for more on Whova and how we are using it to make our wedding show 10 times more amazing! 

Will you be in attendance at our wedding show this year? Please do let us know what you think about the app- we’d LOVE to hear your feedback!

Looking to learn more about the Whova app? Click here to visit their site and learn more about their event packages and, P.S. Don't forget to watch the awesome tutorial on their site!

Connect with Whova further here:

Website: Whova.com

Email: event@whova.com
Download: http://whova.com/download/

Demo: https://whova.com/demo/ 

Tickets to the wedding show can be found at: bit.ly/herbigday2017

Meet Our 2017 Wedding Show Vendor & Sponsor: Crimson Haze Lighting

On January 29^th, our amazing brides get to be mesmerized by our wedding show vendor & sponsor: Crimson Haze Lighting! Rated the highest lighting service in Seattle according to Yelp, The Knot and Eventwire, we absolutely cannot wait to see them light up our fashion show stage! Even better, brides get to directly connect with them at their booth and start to plan the wedding of their dreams!

We had one question for Owners, Clea & Clayon: What makes Crimson Haze Lighting so special? Read their answer below!

Crimson Haze Lighting:  You will be working directly with us, the business owners. No one is more invested than we are in making your lighting perfect. We are a full-service company, not a rental outlet. We install, operate, and remove everything for you, keeping your experience smooth and simple. We work exclusively from our own deep inventory of state-of-the-art equipment, which means we are nimble with last-minute needs, and have truly honed our expertise. We focus on wireless technology (no cables, no tape, no waste), and eco-friendly, efficient LEDs (low power, no heat, long life). We are priced competitively, and will work with you to make the best use of your budget.

Prior to founding Crimson Haze in 2012, we enjoyed 12+ years of full-scale event production across a broad range of events, from intimate fundraisers to festivals with 10,000+ attendees. Our background means we understand the production process our clients are going through, and we know the value and peace of mind that comes with entrusting the lighting — a critical component of any event — into the hands of competent, reliable, creative professionals.

We love working directly with clients, collaborating creatively, and bringing your vision to life — from the subtle to the spectacular.

Connect with Crimson Haze Lighting further here:

Website: crimson-haze.com
Phone number: 425-954-5451
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crimson.haze.lighting/

Tickets to the wedding show can be found at: bit.ly/herbigday2017

Meet Our 2017 Wedding Show Sponsor: Alexander Party Rentals

Photographer: DanYelle McNeely

On January 29^th, future brides and their entourage will have the opportunity to meet with and be inspired by the team behind Alexander Party Rentals- a family-owned and operated event rentals company! They are the go-to suppliers for everything you can possibly need for your Big Day and they are great at meeting your needs!

When I (Beri) got married in 2012, I had a wedding guest count of 1,500 and our venue did not have enough chairs for our guests! We rented additional chairs, including chiavari chairs for our wedding party, and they made our planning so easy by being detailed, punctual and efficient!

Come and say hello and check out their inspirational set-up! P.S. don't forget to stay for the fashion show where our beautiful models will grace the stage sponsored by Alexander Party Rentals!

Her Big Day: We actually didn’t know that Alexander Party Rentals was a family-owned and operated business until recently! Tell us a little about your family and how they came to start this company.

Alexander Party Rentals: We started out as a small tool rental company in the 80’s, and started to notice the need for party rentals. In 1991, Alexander Party Rentals began providing the Puget Sound Region with quality & affordable event rental equipment. Recently in our second generation of ownership, we are proud to be one of the fastest growing companies in the industry, sporting some of the youngest equipment and newest products.

HBD: We love your beautiful white tents! What’s the largest tent you’ve set up and was it for a wedding?

Alexander Party Rentals: We have rented tents in excess of 10,000 square feet! The largest wedding tent we’ve provided was a 50x120 foot tent. Our tents come in not just white, but clear, and, on our unique tidewater tents, a semi-translucent material.

HBD: We have to ask about your chiavari chairs because they seem to be an essential for the Big Day. What are the different types and colors you carry in stock at your store?

Alexander Party Rentals: Our Chiavari chairs are definitely one of the most popular wedding must-haves right now. We carry them in Gold, Silver, Black, Mahogany, and White. Also, all of the cushions are interchangeable…so they can be easily coordinated with décor. We are offering special wedding pricing on Chiavari chairs right now, too!

HBD: Here at Her Big Day, we connect cultural brides with vendors who can service their unique wedding needs. What are some items or equipment you carry that are unique to some cultural weddings?

Alexander Party Rentals: When we first discuss our client’s needs with them, we do our best to help them in creating their wedding vision. Our tents for example, can be customized for the bride that wants clear skylights to dance underneath the stars, or transformed with an elegant tent lining and lavish chandelier. We also have linens in many vibrant colors, china in various styles, and dramatic two-tone iridescent fabric overlays called Dazzles.

HBD: What’s the best way for a bride to find out if you carry something in your store? Do you do special orders for items you may not carry?

Alexander Party Rentals: Our website lists all of our current rental items; however, we are constantly ordering new equipment to increase our inventory. If you don’t see something you are looking for, we suggest calling us and asking, as a new item may well be on the way. You might be the call we were waiting for to procure a new item.

HBD: And last, what can we expect to see at your booth during the wedding show? Can we have a hint! J

Alexander Party Rentals: We want to show brides how lovely it can be to mix the newest industry looks with their unique cultural décor. You can expect lots of vibrant colors, a culturally rich vibe, and the hottest wedding trends. Our booth will also have special wedding show pricing offers, too…some of which are 40% off regular pricing!

Photographer: DanYelle McNeely

Connect with Alexander Party Rentals further here:

Website: alexanderpartyrentals.com
Phone number: 206-282-1987
Facebook: Facebook.com/alexanderpartyrentals

Tickets to the wedding show can be found at: bit.ly/herbigday2017

Meet Special Guest Designer: Selam Tekie of Habesha's by Selam

Over the last couple of years we have enjoyed watching this incredible designer grow as she continues to accomplish great levels of success. With each new collection that she produces, we are left in great astonishment of her stunning designs and consistency of breaking her own records each time! 

We are beyond excited that she will be showcasing her latest collection on our runway at the Her Big Day Cultural Wedding Show! Here's a fun interview with the designer where she shares her love for design and how she got started!

Her Big Day: Where are you from and where is your business located?

Selam Tekie: I am from Eritrea, born and raised in Eritrea, currently living in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. That is where my fashion business is located.

HBD: When did you realize you had an interest for fashion design and how did you get started?

ST: Although I started to pursue it later in life, as I was engaged in a different profession, I’ve always had an interest from a young age. When I moved to Addis Abeba from, Abu Dhabi, UAE to start a new life, I got the chance to start my own business and decided to do fashion. And it has been going well so far.

HBD: Your entire collection has such an elegant presence and look! Where do you get your design inspiration from?

ST: Actually, when I moved to Abu Dhabi from Eritrea, the very first job I had was as a sales woman in a fashion store known as Berishka. I used to love all the collections and designs in that store, and they have inspired me to try it in my fashion business.

HBD: Do you have any role models in the fashion industry? Who are they and why?

ST: Ethiopian designer Amsale, because she is one of the top, celebrity wedding gown designers.

HBD: You also have a boutique in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Do you carry only traditional Habesha dresses or are you including the western white wedding gown as well? Will your customers find ready to wear dresses in your store or is everything you provide custom made for each client?

ST: I have two stores- one for traditional Habesha dresses, and one for western white wedding gowns. So my clients have options in selecting different styles of dresses from these two stores. I usually prefer to make custom dresses to fit, but at the same time I usually keep some ready-made dresses in stock for clients who have immediate needs.

HBD: What do you love most about creating the traditional Habesha dress?

ST: I love everything, and it’s a beautiful culture! The most important and main thing to love about the dresses is that it’s something you wear occasionally, like during holidays, weddings or some cultural events. So, because of that, the person wearing it is always perceived as celebrating a special event. They are all in smiles and in their finest touches of beauty, with the likes of traditional hair braids, jewelry, etc.

HBD: What is your most cherished dress from your collections and why?

ST: I love all of my designs and don't have a particular favorite. All of my designs are special to me.

HBD: You will be featuring your newest collection on the runway of our 2017 Wedding Show in Seattle, Washington. What new trends or styles can we expect to see from this collection?

ST: This is a golden opportunity, a dream come true, to present myself with my collections, and I am ready to hit the runway with new styles that the attendees can easily fall in love with. I am confident in showcasing my finest works and collection.

HBD: For future brides who will be at our wedding show and ready to meet you, what advice would you give them in working with you? In other words, what is the best way to put in an order for a custom dress or pre-existing design during our wedding show?

ST: I always prefer to take orders ahead of time so it gives us plenty of time; I don’t like creating a special dress in a rush. During the show, future brides, as well as others, can put in orders on the spot! For those who are looking to order a dress during a different time, I am always available to guide them in selecting their dresses and ordering it online with me.

Also, during the show, I may have a few ready-made dresses for sale for those who are interested in buying them on the spot.

HBD: Where do you see Habesha’s By Selam in the next 5 years?

ST: Well, I believe I have started it with great passion and desire, and I want to continue in that manner- as the sky will be my limit.

Be sure to come and say hello to Selam on January 29, 2017! P.S. You won't want to miss her jaw dropping designs on the runway!

Tickets at: bit.ly/herbigday2017