The popular saying that the older the wine, the better was again proven to be true as 2 celebrity lovers, Basirat Funmilayo Faloye and Olawale Philip Adeniran took their love affair to another level, by tying the knot. It was a moment that anyone would cherish and forever appreciate, as this very special couple on Sunday, December 19, 2021, shut down Lagos as the crème-de-la-crème on the social scene made the venue the next point of call.
For many socialites and society women who had not stepped out in a long time, the wedding hashtagged #Olaoluwa2021 was an opportunity to step out and prove that they are still very relevant on the social scene, while for others that had been frequenting the biggest parties in Lagos and Nigeria, they saw it as a way of rounding off the very busy year, in grand style.
From Abuja to Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and all the biggest cities in the country, highly placed men and women in different circles stormed the event for the couple and their parents. Everything went on as planned and the day was more than memorable for the couple. It is a day they will never forget for all the good reasons.
City People’s Brands Editor, DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152 along with Photojournalist, Sunday Oyemade were present at the event and in this report, he brings you all the behind-the-scene gists.
THE HAVEN EVENT CENTER COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN
The Haven event centre in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, is one of the biggest and most classy event centres in that vicinity.
Give it to the event decorators who did a world-class job at the event. For those who frequent the Haven, they realized that it was practically transformed for Olawale and Basirat. From the glass flower walkway for the couple to the drop-down chandeliers, it all made sense after all. Did we even mention the royal couple stand or the photo arena, both outside the venue and at the entrance? It was altogether befitting for the couple who had seen it all in life but chose to stick to love above any other thing.
THE COUPLE’S CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE REVEALED
This was not just about the aged but active parents of the couple alone, it was about the strong social influence of the couple. City People found out why the venue of the party was thronged majorly by the highly placed people in Nigeria. We found out that the couple is very powerful in the social scene. Both the husband Olawale and his beautiful wife, Basirat are well-connected. They are also power dressers, very fashionable, highly intelligent and influential too. They both have a very strong influence on their friends. Therefore, it was very impossible for anyone not to turn up for them. It was also revealed that a good number of the guests flew in from the US, UK and Ireland.
WHAT ABOUT THE ASO-EBI?
We would leave you to guess what the price of the Aso-Ebi of this class of event was, but one thing we won’t fail to tell you is that the Aso-Ebi was not what you can find anywhere. Do you know why? There were over 100 top fabric merchants at the event who know what quality is all about and they all came looking so radiant in the mint-green lace aso-Ebi for the women. A source revealed to City People that the bride’s mother, Alhaja Simbiat is also one of the biggest fabric merchants in Lagos and she had been in the business for decades. You can imagine the kind of quality she would bring to the table as well. The women made different shapes and styles from the Aso-Ebi and it made the event more of a fashion show than your regular owambe party. Trust Naija society women not to dull when it comes to slaying at parties, from the young to the old and very old categories of women, it was bigger than a fashion competition, I would rather call it a day out with the fashionistas. What about the men? They were also not also left out of the fun and the fashion. Many of them appeared in white agbada and mint-green caps.
MEET THE GROOMS’ GANG
Olawale’s friends stood by him as he was required to obey the tradition before taking his beautiful wife home. The grooms’ men are not just boys, they are CEOs, MDs, EDs and GMDs of different blue-chip companies, top banks and government parastatals in Lagos, Abuja and other big cities in the country. Just imagine what it means to have these classes of people behind you on your way to your in-laws’ house! The groom was full of confidence not just because of his capability but also because he has a very reliable group of friends. As they danced into the engagement and reception party, they showered plenty of cash on the couple but the bride benefitted more.
WHAT ABOUT THE BRIDE’S LADIES?
This team should just win the most supportive and most unbeatable friends of the year award. We have not seen so much support and love from the bride’s friends like what we saw when the new Mrs Basirat Funmilayo Adeniran stepped out last week Sunday. It was indeed massive support. It simply shows that with the right people around you, the right vibes and energy, you can surmount any challenge, overcome any hurt and get back to your best.
Let’s also quickly tell you that the bride’s ladies are great dancers too. They are in vogue, they know all the trending songs and the appropriate dance steps for each song. Call them the life of the party and you will not be wrong in any way, they simply added spices and flavour to the very classy event.
MEET THE COUPLE’S PARENTS
The bride’s mother is Alhaja Simbiat Faloye. The Faloye family hails from Akure in Ondo State, while Alhaja herself hails from Ijaye Kunmi in Abeokuta in Ogun State. The groom’s mother is Deaconess Adeniran, a former Muslim who was converted to Christianity, she hails from Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun State and has been doing well in the Lord since then. The Adenirans hail from Oro in Irepodun Local Government, Kwara State, Nigeria. The coming together of the couple is not just a marriage between the two lovers but between both families. The two mothers were dressed in the same kind of outfit. It was a well designed burnt orange gele and ipele with very expensive lace while the men that represented the fathers of the couple stunned in white agbada and mint-green cap.
THE TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE ANCHORS DID WELL
Known as Alaga Iduro and Alaga Ijoko, the Yoruba traditional marriage anchors at the event were very classy, professional and up to the task. They started by going into the genealogy of the couple to tell their guests where they hailed from as well as giving the oral praise poetry of both the bride and the groom. The Alaga Iduro, who was the spokesperson for the bride’s family, was Mrs Adesina Adebukola, CEO of Honey Life Events while the Alaga Ijoko, who represented the groom’s family, was Ashimiyu Idowu, popularly known as Alaga Okunrin.
EVERYONE SAW THE COUPLE’S 2-IN-1 OUTFITS
Can there be anyone better dressed than the couple? Definitely not; Olawale and Funmilayo wore two different outfits at the event, the first was a royal blue aso-oke and agbada for the traditional marriage while the second which was worn for the reception party was royal brown attire with a touch of gold. Above all, the bride’s jewelry spoke volumes about her taste and eye for quality.
DID ANYONE VISIT THE FRUIT BAR?
City People visited the fruit bar and we can tell you that it was massive. The fruits were beautifully arranged in a chamber. Different fruits like apples, pawpaws, pineapples, berries and a host of others were put together. They were well arranged and very colourful too. They simply looked irresistible and yummy at the bar. Everyone seated had a taste of it and we can assure you that they all enjoyed it.
EX-LAGOS SPEAKER, HON JOKOTOLA PELUMI CHAIRED THE EVENT
Hon. Waheed Jokotola Pelumi was the speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly between June 2, 2003, and December 29, 2005. He was the chairman of the event. Hon Pelumi rarely steps out to events but when he does, he is always stylish about it. At the event, he encouraged the couple to stay together in love and complement one another. he further explained to them that they are a team and that they will become a formidable force if they prevent third parties from interfering in their relationship.
DJ STORM NAIJA ON THE WHEEL OF STEEL
Popular disk jockey, Olawale Saheed Ganiyu aka world-famous DJ storm started being a (DJ) in the 1990s and has done well for himself in the entertainment industry. He is equally a radio host and one of the biggest DJs in Naija right now. He gave a very big performance at the #Olaoluwa2021. Before and after the live band was DJ Storm who held the couple and the entire guests glued to the dance floor.
EVER SEEN A BIGGER CAKE?
We doubt if there has ever been a bigger cake at a wedding party than what we saw at #Olaoluwa2021. My God! It was a gigantic cake. The cake was well lit from top to bottom, it was a 7-step cake and each step was big enough to feed the crowd. The cake made statements, it talked of the class and the quality of the party.
THE FAITH MUSIC BAND WILL NEVER DISAPPOINT
That the popular Faith Music Band is one of the hottest and a wave-making celebrity live bands in our society today is not an exaggeration; for those who usually frequent Lagos parties, they must have one way or the other seen them perform and they are usually dressed in white, prim and proper, well-organized, time-conscious, and a clearly focused band.
They also stepped out in style at the #Olaoluwa2021 wedding and trust them to deliver when it is required; the Faith Music Band did justice to the live band performance and entertainment at the event. The conclusion would be that the Faith Music Band nailed it.
OVER 500 CELEBRITY MEN AND WOMEN STEPPED OUT FOR THE #OLAOLUWA2021
More than 500 celebrity men and women stormed the party. They didn’t just attend; they made style statements, fashion statements, cash statements and every other statement you can think of. Spotted at the event was Hon. Waheed Jokotola Pelumi, Barrister Sade Balogun, Mary Charles, Colonel Firopo Tibetan, Mr Nathaniel Ambode, Pastor Clement Ekundayo, Alhaja Almoroof and many others.
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