The beautiful city of Dubai, United Arab Emirate, was painted red by Nigerian celebrities when sexy Eminado crooner, Tiwa Savage, walked down the aisle with her beau, Tunji Balogun, aka Tee Billz, inside Jasmine Yacht. The wedding extravaganza which started on Friday, April 25, 2014 with a Bachelorettes’ Party had in attendance some beautiful damsels and handsome gentlemen who are the couple’s friends from Lagos and other parts of the world. Their traditional wedding held at the Ark Vicinity, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, November 23, 2013. The invite-only event was witnessed by friends, colleagues, family members and business associates. YES INTERNATIONAL!’s GBENGA SHABA brings you snippets from star-studded wedding…
About Armani Hotel
Envisioned by style guru, Giorgio Armani, this hotel has a private entrance and occupies 11 floors of Dubai’s new iconic skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. It has a deluxe spa and is just a 5-minute walk from the Dubai Mall. Rooms of understated elegance featuring curvy lines and decorated with Japanese tatami and luxury fabrics dot it. Modern appliances include flat-screen TVs with DVD, iPod docking stations and a laptop safe. Armani Hotel Dubai provides sophisticated dining options in each of its 7 restaurants. Armani Hashi serves Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. Guests can also relax at the extensive Armani Spa, offering personal treatments and sequential bathing, or enjoy a round of haute couture shopping at Armani Galleria, retailing fashion, flowers and Italian pastries. Directly facing Dubai Fountain, Dubai’s Armani Hotel gives access to Burj Khalifa’s Observation Deck. The Dubai International Airport is a 20-minute drive from here.
A Coincidence?
Armani Hotel Dubai celebrated its fourth anniversary on April 27, 2014, with a unique four-day global culinary campaign in four of the hotel’s five critically-acclaimed restaurants, which featured a special anniversary menu from April 24 to 27. The occasion fell on Tiwa and hubby’s wedding. The Bachelorettes’ Party took place on Friday, April 25, 2014 at the Armani Hotel. The event was organised by Elohor Aisien’s event company, Prive. Mrs. Balogun had a Victoria’s Secret – inspired party with all her close friends present. She wore a white satin-and-lace number, a huge tiara and her own wings just like models on the Victoria’s Secret runway. Guests came in their PJs, see – through dresses and boudoir-inspired attires. Toke Makinwa, Tolu Toolz Oniru, Sasha P, Elohor Aisien, Chigal, Eku Edewor, Seyi Shay, Tania Omotayo and many others were spotted at the event.
What The Bride Wore
Tiwatope Balogun wore a Vera Wang with a cascading bouquet of white orchids; white veil and some huge shining diamond earrings.
What The Groom Wore
TJ, as he’s fondly called, opted for a white suit, black bow tie and a navy blue trousers with a nice shave.
The Bride’s Father
He wore a brown suit, black pair of shoes, a cream shirt with a tie to match. He ushered her daughter into the venue, with both walking hand in hand.
Banky W Was The Best Man
He was also their best man during the traditional marriage in 2013. The EME boss played this role very, very well.
Alakija Studios Handled Photography
Jide Alakija’s studio was in-charge of photography. Other photographers from Nigeria and other countries were banned from taking pictures at the event. A British – Nigerian, Jide spent most of his formative years in Southern Nigeria and London. Before he relocated to Durham, North Carolina, USA with his wife, Ayodele.
The Makeup
Joyce Jacob Beauty was on hand to handle this. The pretty entrepreneur did a wonderful job on the bride.
Elohor Aisien’s Prive Events In Charge
Elohor Aisien’s Prive Events handled the event. Elohor, a very close friend of the couple and also the CEO of Beth Models, was equally in charge of Tiwa Balogun’s traditional wedding last year.
The Reception
The reception was at Armani Hotel, Dubai. Celebrity guests, mostly from Nigeria, had arrived Dubai two, three days earlier and were already seated as early as 2:00pm. But the wedding reception didn’t start until some minutes past 3:00pm.
The Huge Diamond Ring
This was what the pretty singer got from her beau. She later wrote on her twitter handle, officialtiwasavage: it’s finally here. Shine bright like a diamond. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait #tiwaandtbillz 2014.
Celebrities In The House
They were led by Marvin Records CEO, Don Jazzy. Others were Banky W, Toke Makinwa, Tolu Toolz Oniru, Sasha P, Elohor Aisien, Chigal, Eku Edewor, Seyi Shay, Tania Omotayo, Lami Phillips, Stephanie Coker, Obi Sambo, Debola Falana, Tola Odunsi, Dr. Sid and girlfriend, Simi Osomo, Traffic, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Joyce Jacob, Azuka Ogujiuba and Kaffy. Korede Bello and many other notable entertainers were equally there.
The Emotional Tiwa
It was indeed emotional and even some of her friends cried when Tiwa Balogun said, “Sometimes when you listen to what society says, you miss what God has to say to you”. This was after she had received Tee Billz’s ring.