Vickie Remoe Institute of Digital Communications

Sierra Leone Weddings: Meet The Okoes

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Elegant Eggplant and Pink Wedding in Jacksonville: Cynthia + Mershack

Quick Facts

Bride – Cynthia Z. Okoe

Groom – Mershack B. Okoe

Wedding date – November 14, 2015

Wedding location – Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club, Jacksonville, Florida

First Dance Song – “Kiss me” by Ed Sheeran

Favorite item on the Menu – Coconut Shrimp

 

How they met (as told by Cynthia)

I had just made a new friend through a Meet Up group for young, professional, African women. She invited me to her birthday luncheon and that is when I met Mershack for the first time. He arrived to the luncheon almost two hours late. And just as I was about to leave, he pleaded with me to stay and to enjoy a few more appetizers and conversation. I could not resist those puppy dog eyes, so I stayed.

 

Six months later, we re-connected at a Memorial Day party. We immediately clicked when he started teaching me how to dance Azonto – a contemporary Ghanaian dance. We engaged in the most interesting conversation about culture, music, school, any and everything! We exchanged phone numbers and have been virtually inseparable since. Through the year and a half of courting, Mershack proved to be a true gentleman, with a big heart.

 

The proposal

Mershack proposed to Cynthia during the Easter holiday of 2015.   They traveled to Jacksonville to spend the weekend with her family. And in true African style, what was supposed to be a quiet Saturday brunch with a few family members, turned into a big cookout with several of her mother’s friends and their families. While Cynthia was running errands on Good Friday, unbeknownst to her, Mershack was making plans of his own with her father and elder brother. That evening he began teasing her about a faux diamond necklace that she loved to wear. And as it turned out, she had misplaced the necklace.

 

On Saturday morning Cynthia and her mother began preparing the food and getting the house ready before the guests arrived. Her brother kept gazing at her with a big grin on his face and exclaiming how wonderful the day was going to turn out. Cynthia was suspicious, but concluded that her brother was just really excited about having a cook out.

 

As the guests began to arrive, Cynthia noticed that Mershack kept following her as she was trying to be a good hostess. He finally stopped her to tell her, “I’ve found your fake diamond.” She held her hand out and responded, “Ok, then give it to me.” Then he took her hand and got down on one knee, in front of her family and all of their guests and asked her marry him. Of course she said “Yes!” He then gave her the most beautiful ring she had ever seen in her life. It was an amazing weekend.

 

The Wedding

Cynthia and Mershack, had a gorgeous November wedding in Jacksonville, Florida. The occasion boasted a vintage glam theme with flares of West African tradition. Being from Sierra Leone and Ghana respectively, the couple made it a point to infuse elements of their cultures throughout the day. This include changing into traditional Ghanaian garb, dining on a mixed cuisine incorporating Jollof Rice, family entrances, and tearing up the dance floor to West African hits.

 

Vendors

Wedding Venue + Catering + Cake: Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club www.efyc.com

Décor: Simply Elegant Event www.simplyelegantevent.net

Brides Dress: ADK by Eddy K www.eddyk.com

Brides Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Brooch Bouquet: Nicolasa Cicero www.nicolasacicero.com

Bridesmaid Dress: The Dessy Group www.dessy.com

Hair: Hair Pizazz Salon & Spa www.hairpizazzusa.com

Make up: LaTavia Dawson of www.fabulousfacesmakeup.com

Engagement Photography: Nate Veal Photography www.natevealphotography.com

Wedding Photography: Wes & Liz of www.yourstorybyus

Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas www.weddingpaperdivas.com

 

 

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