FOLLOW US

SEARCH SITE BY TYPING (ESC TO CLOSE)

info@matigonoevents.com
T: 020 3637 2515

Skip to Content

Blog Archives

Kemi & Omar’s White Wedding

This blog is one with a difference it has been written by our bride & groom. Read on to find out more about Kemi & Omar’s big Nigerian/Dominican white wedding, which took place at London’s Syon Park -The walled garden. Kemi & Omar describe the moments they will never forget as they share with us their experience & top tips to help couples with the planning process.

How would you describe your wedding day?

Kemi: From when I woke up in the morning during my bridal prep, it started Calm so I knew that’s how my day would continue! Everything went according to plan. It was just the right number of people, it wasn’t overcrowded! The focus was on Omar and me. Even though it wasn’t perfect (nothing ever is) it was perfect for me! We look back at our wedding album and video and smile each time. There really wasn’t anything to complain about! It was a day filled with Love, family, and friends.

Omar: This for me was very simple! Our day was a very colorful, classy, and extremely fun day all in one! A groove! 

What was the most useful piece of advice/guidance you were given by us?

Kemi: For me, it was to enjoy my day because it’s the only wedding day I’m going to get! Not everything will go as planned but don’t let that affect your day! I’m so happy I listened to you. Obviously, after planning a wedding for a year and a half, it becomes your life in a way. Because I was so involved in every aspect It was my baby, so I was bound to spot mistakes or things that were out of place on the day. The advice just made me push all that to the side and focus on Omar and I enjoying our wedding day.

Omar: When Mati told me to pause and fully take in the moment when I got to the reception. Couples tend to forget the day even though they were present. That was great advice that I’m grateful for.

Favorite moment from your Wedding Day?

Omar: Seeing Kemi walk down the aisle. You could feel the electricity in the room! After that everything else that followed was just perfect. 

Favorite moment from your Wedding Day?

Kemi: My favorite moment of my wedding was my first dance! After such a busy day from the Bridal Prep in the morning, a full day of taking pictures to the Afterparty till 1 am, we finally had a moment just to ourselves! I rewatch that video like every week, we were really in the moment, on cloud nine for real! Omar: Seeing Kemi walk down the aisle. You could feel the electricity in the room! After that everything else that followed was just perfect. 

Why did you choose us “Mati Gono Events” to plan your big day?

Kemi: There are two parts to this! What made me consider you and what determines my final decision! 

The main thing that drew me to choosing you was “The Aesthetic”. I’m a sucker for anything that’s presented well and Mati Gono events looked very professional and well put together. I know you can’t just go off Instagram for a good wedding planner so I did more research! My final decision was based on your industry experience in wedding planning and word of mouth! And as for Omar…As long as I was happy, he was too! 

Would you recommend the Mati Gono Events?

We would 100%. Even though sticking to the budget was a task in the planning process, the main reason We would choose Mati Gono events over and over again is the smooth execution of the day. My God, you guys can coordinate!!! My mum won’t stop screaming about Mati! You and your team exude experience, professionalism, and efficiency. You really made our day go without any hiccups. You made sure that even our parents were taken care of.

Three Top Tips for any couple getting married, by Kemi & Omar

-Enjoy your day as best as you can, you only get one day! Don’t focus on things you cannot control.

-Plan a wedding according to your budget and stick to it!! The wedding of my dreams didn’t match my budget, so we went over ours by a mile our budget wasn’t realistic.

-Pick a planner you feel free enough to talk to! There is nothing worse than not being able to communicate efficiently with the person that has the fate of your wedding in their hands. We had our tasks, Omar communicated with Mati about Budgets and money because I’m not good at that! And I dealt with everything else as it was easier for me to speak to her on those things. 

Were you happy with our vendor selected for your wedding day?

Kemi & Omar: We were very happy! From my hair to my Makeup ( That make upppppp) to the amazing photography and videography. The suit!! My dress!! Our delicious cake! The decor was so light and airy! And the stationary, yes I was my own vendor. The execution of the whole day too topped it off, thanks to Mati and her team ♥️ 

Wedding Planning, coordination & event design: Mati Gono Events

Wedding Stationery: KS Designs

Brides makeup: Remsco Creations

Brides Hair: Rachel Arike-Hair

Brides wedding dress: AloNuko

Grooms suit: Anthony Collection

Vidographer: SamOnFilm

Productions: PureSound Event hire

Photographer: Enitan Photography

Wedding MC: Simply Andy

DJ Sean

Cake: Tee’s Bakery

Bridesmaids dresses: Fablanebyderin

Decor: Designer chair covers to go

Venue: The Walled Garden at Syon Park

Live Band Mista Ologo

A special thank you to all the amazing suppliers that made Kemi & Omar’s Big day truly special.

READ MORE

A Timeless Classic: Stephanie & Richard wedding

When Stephanie first contacted me she had a vague idea of what she wanted however Stephanie & Richard both knew exactly where the ceremony and wedding reception would take place. At our first meeting the idea’s and possibilities were flowing and Stephanie knew she was in good hands, the planning process was eventful… (The venue booked cancelled 2 weeks before the wedding) but read on to hear Stephanie’s perceptive & take on all the happenings, their Love story and see images from Stephanie & Richards Nigeria White wedding in London which took place at The Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich followed by their reception at The Park Lane Hotel, Sheraton.

How Stephanie & Richard met: We both met in January 2010 during my trip to Lagos from London at a party/event where we were both invited by a mutual friend. I attended with two friends (one of them was our mutual friend) and Richard came over to say ‘hi’ to our mutual friend, before he introduced himself to me and my other friend. He then left and joined his friends on the other side of the room, and throughout the night we made small eye contact from time to time until Richard came back and made conversation with me and my friends. Somehow, the conversation ended  up with just the two of us and at that  point my girls were ready to leave. Before I left, Richard asked for my number (though I refused to give it to him). I replied by asking him for his Facebook name/details (of which he was reluctant as he preferred to contact me over the phone, however he eventually reluctantly agreed to hand it over) and I promised to contact him before I  was due to fly back to London (in a few days). Unfortunately, as I was so busy visiting family, I didn’t contact Richard and we never got to see again during that trip. However I did contact him via Facebook and we began chatting and became friends instantly…I eventually gave  him my number. Over the next couple of years our friendship grew into a relationship…and as they say, the rest is history.

How Richard proposed: I always travel to Lagos during Christmas holidays, however during December 2014 (few days before new year’s) Richard suggested that we go for a meal, I was tired and suggested that we just chill indoors. However Richard got phone call from his friend inviting us to a pre-new year’s party. Though I was not up for it, Richard managed to persuade (as he does) me to go. The party ended early (pretty much as we got there) So Richards spontaneously decided that we should go for a meal. We ended up going to a nice restaurant, and during our meal, Richard proposed and asked me to marry him.

Why Mati Gono events: After attending a friend’s wedding six months before I got engaged, I was impressed with the way that the wedding was coordinated ( I must say it was probably the best organised Nigerian wedding that I had attended). I called the bride for tips on how to ensure that my wedding will run as smoothly as possible and she encouraged me to give Mati (Just as Planned now Mati Gono Events) a call and she will take care of the rest. The most useful piece of advice/guidance from Mati Gono events was to plan well ahead and prioritising on key vendors and booking them first. When you are planning a wedding that is a year away, you feel that you have all the time in the world to plan, and oit can be overwhelming in terms of key vendors to book and when they need to be booked. However, after receiving guidance on key vendors to be booked with a tiomeline of when they should be booked…this was extremely helpful.

How would you describe your wedding day: One word…MAGICAL! I had just done my traditional wedding in Nigeria and planned to finalise with Mati and her team on the last few details and  preparations for the white wedding in London. Despite being informed by our original reception venue (two weeks before the wedding and whilst still in Nigeria) that there was a flooding at the venue, I immediately panicked (as every bride would), however Mati was already on the case and took control of everything. She found another venue within less than a week and before I flew back from Lagos to London, the new venue was even more beautiful than the original chosen venue. Mati and team turned everything around by contacting vendors, guests etc of the changes. I must admit I was anxious that we had forgotten something, or that the last few preparations had not been done, however Mati and her team went abpove and beyond to ensure that our day was more than special and it truly was.

Do you think a planner what needed for your big day & would you recommend Mati Gono Events: Yes! We will and have done so. Every couple due to get married should consider getting hiring Just as Planned to ensure everything regarding their wedding is catered for and also it is very helpful to gain advice/guidance from those who are experienced in that field, to coordinate the day itself to ensure that the day is organised runs smoothly.

Photographer: Zuberi Weddings

Wedding Planner: Mati Gono Events

Mc: Simply Andy

Decorator/Rental: Designer chair covers to go

Hair stylist: Rachel Arike 

Florist: Chelles Flowers

Makeup Artist: OTS Beauty Bridesmaids: Jennifer Olaleye

 DJ Unbeetable

Videographer: Samon Films

Cake: Vanilla Orchid Bakery

Grooms Suit: SuitSupply London

Brides dress: Yemi Kosibah

All photos from official wedding photographer, opening paragraph by Mati Gono and Words from the bride Stephanie. x

READ MORE

“This should’ve been A Real Wedding”: @ London’s Grand Sapphire

During wedding season I get to work with some amazing suppliers who are passionate about their craft & delivery. As a planner some couples come to me with a venue in mind but most need us to find their venue for them, which is perfect. Getting a couple to visualise the endless possibilities a venue has to offer on a site visit in an empty space can be challenging, however thats what makes my role so great.

I had the opportunity to collaborate with some of these amazing creative suppliers at London’s luxurious venue Grand Sapphire. We set out to transform this venue in a way it had never been done before… By the end of the shoot we were all just saying ‘this should’ve been a wedding!’…lol It felt like a wedding day. Working with Yemi Kosibah, Anthoy’s London on the suits, MUA Beauty Boudoir & Papachichi Style on hair it definitely felt like a wedding.  All photos by the Talented Adebayo Deru & Videography by Samon films

I worked closely on styling & design with Mary from Designer Chair Covers to go from fresh flowers, to silks flowers, gold rim charger plates and luxury ivory & gold rim chairs we came up with a classic timeless wedding look that would show off current trends and set some new ones.

Theres something about this wedding cake style that is romantic, regal & Classically timeless just beautiful by Tees bakery . For those that know me well I am obsessed with a good table setting and a well folded napkin.

Entertainment at wedding gets over looked often and there are so many way it can add to the guest experience as well as add a bit of culture.

Moving forward with the times we used the LED visual screen by Production team & AV company VNV live… what an amazing job on this seamless gold mirror dance floor, stage, lighting & DJ booth.

Grand Sapphire can host up to 800 guests and have great catering options for Nigerian, Ghanian, Jamaican (afro-caribbean weddings), Asian and English weddings. So if you’re looking for a venue to London, with a car park for even 300 guests they have banquet rooms to accommodate your guests.

Much thanks to the following amazing suppliers for their contributed and patience towards this amazing shoot. Credit & website links below:

Venue: Grand Sapphire

Shoot concept & design: MatiGonoEvents

Photographer: Adebayo Deru

Videography: Samon films

Violinist: Iyanna Monique

Decorator & flowers: Designer Chair Covers to go

Sound Lighting production & Dance floor: VNV Live

Dj: Danny Yega

 Napkins & chairs: Adivha event hire
Cake: Tees Bakery

Dance Performance: Fantiacrobats

Cars: Smart City Prestige

Makeup: Beauty Boudoir

Hair: Papachichi Style

Wedding dresses: Yemi Kosibah

Suits: Anthony’s London

Bridesmaids Dresses: Little Mistress

Models: Groom – Isi Ijagbone, Best Man – Saffori Tajah, Bride – Abena, Bridesmaids – Stacey Chellz, Genoveva Abogo

READ MORE