I started my blog for the year with a post of reflection and gratitude, you can always check here for a glimpse of it. Before the year ended, I had a role (Chief Bridesmaid) to play for a family friend's wedding, and before the first day of January, I was already in the eastern part of the country. If you have been going over my blog then you will know the time frame I started talking about this.
I boarded a bus from Cele, Lagos Nigeria on the 30th of December, 2023 to Anambra State precisely Nkwele Junction, Onitsha to the place of my Big Aunt where I would be spending a few days before going to my hotel I booked on the 2nd and 3rd of January, 2024.
The plan was to be there, rest properly, continue the skincare routine, and move on the 2nd, then organize the rest before the bridal shower takes place.
The time I spent with my big aunt and her kids, I was taken aback by the moments when my parents took us back to the village mostly during seasons like this. Every morning, we were given chores like sweeping nearly half a plot of land as a compound with a dried palm frond assembled together to form a broomstick.
The morning fresh air, the chirping of the birds, the foggy atmosphere, and the nostalgic smell of the environment sent a reminder that I was in my hometown. Although I was just there for a few days, the difference between a City and a Village was very obvious but I had to adapt. Imagine sleeping around 8:00 pm just because the entire neighborhood is quiet as a cemetery but when I was in Lagos, a bustling city, that was the time for buying things and strolling at night. Normal bedtime is 10:30 or even midnight lol. Ask every average Nigerian!
I celebrated the New Year season at my big aunt's place and what we mostly did was to pray all through the night till 1:30 am. I was not happy with it, not because of the prayers because after that I went to bed receiving calls from friends and loved ones before I drifted to sleep. If it were to be in Lagos, Nigeria, y'all know how we roll hehe!
On the second day of January 2024, I traveled down to Ihiala in Anambra State, Nigeria. It was just a two hours drive from Nkwele, Onitsha and I got to my hotel safely. I had trouble trying to settle down but in the end, it was resolved although it's a story to tell another day.
I took out my belongings from my traveling bags and arranged them accordingly to avoid inconveniences in dressing up for the wedding day. Later in the evening, I called the bride-to-be and asked her whereabouts regarding her bridal shower and she told me where she was. I got there just to find out that she wouldn't be doing the bridal shower again and I was devastated. I tried to encourage her but she was reluctant about it.
I took out the alphabetical balloons spelled “Bridal Shower” and began to pump air into it manually (that's with my mouth) until I finished all the letters. I also aligned them on a ribbon too! I looked for a better angle to tie them, I asked other ladies that were there too but everyone was giving negative vibes. I kept trying to cheer everyone up so that we could help the bride celebrate her night but no one was responding. I looked at the bride and she was sleeping off while the hairstylist made her hair and I eventually gave up.
Looking at the time it was almost midnight, I picked up my bag and left for my hotel room to sleep since no one was ready to even help me out with decorations and so forth. I had enough stress for that day and to add this was a no-no for me. I had my bath and went straight to bed to sleep against the big day.
On the third day of January, 2024 precisely around 6:30 am I walked down with my belongings to the bride's room so I could help to dress her up. The wedding was slated for 8:00 am and we were able to meet up. Unfortunately, I didn't do a makeover because the makeover on the bride's face wasn't giving luxury. It was unimpressive, shabby, and botched at the time before the wedding.
I was like, if this could be bad now how would it look during and after the wedding?
I simply turned down the offer to apply a makeover on my face and chose to carry on my natural look. I don't want to look like a zombie afterward because that was the case after the wedding, the bride had to use wet wipes to clean up her face.
I didn't have the leisure to take pictures by myself during this process because my hands were busy helping out with many other things. Please don't ask me what...lol! We got to the church, and a few minutes after that prayers and then the exchange of rings and vows took place and officially they were married! Hurrah!!
The couple went out, took pictures with family, friends, and colleagues, and drove off to her hometown for the preparation of the traditional marriage. As for me, I went back to my hotel room and refreshed myself before heading to her hometown too to get ready for the traditional ceremony.
After a few minutes, I got there, dressed up and joined the bridal train. Many of them were already dressed up and some were still preparing and the bride on the other side was getting all prepped up too! After a few hours, the ceremony started the tradition is that the bride will make a grand entrance while her girls usher her inside like the bride she is. After that, we did other traditional duties that we had to do for her and everyone went home.
I got to my hotel late in the evening to rest after a long day only to find out about serious issues in the hotel and its management that made me sleep so late! But that's a story for another day!
ALL IMAGES ARE MINE EXCEPT I STATE OTHERWISE. TAKEN WITH MY IPHONE CAMERA.
