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Category Archives: Wedding Styling & Design

Jayson & Hind’s Moroccan wedding: Grand Connaught Rooms

I will never forget that day in mid-December when I got that email from Jayson regarding his Moroccan wedding, it was about the décor/design for his wedding. I contacted him and arranged a décor meeting with him and Hind; they had an idea of what they wanted but were open to ideas. We started working on some ideas and as we only had four months to the wedding I knew they needed a bit more support and we went from wedding design to planning. From food tasting to the planning meetings at the venue, I could tell that Hind & Jayson wanted to create an unforgettable Moroccan experience for their guests. This beautiful Moroccan wedding was full of love, colour and beautiful Moroccan culture. See more of Hind & Jayson’s wedding below.

Adebayo Deru Photography

Alastair Clarke DJ

Amelle Chentouf Beauty

De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms Venues

Mati Gono Events Wedding Planner

Event Décor hire Décor

Manal Cake

Marv Brown Studios Cinema

Rachid Jalal Entertainment

Shaziana Catering

String Infusion – String Quartet

James Hassler Toast Master

VNV Live Production

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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

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“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

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