The traditional wedding of Gbolahan Animashaun and Karima Kusow, which was held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Twinwaters Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos, was indeed a marriage of cultures.
The bride has roots in the United States of America, Tunisia and Somalia; while her groom is Nigerian.
Indeed the Animashaun and Kusow families spared no expense in making their children’s big day a memorable and classy one.
The marriage of culture made the event so colourful, both in terms of clothes and the racial diversity of guests present, as many came from Somalia, the United States of America, Canada, and different countries in Europe to celebrate with the couple and their families.
One major highlight of the event was when representatives of the two families exchanged the proposal and acceptance letters on behalf of the couple.
While speaking at the event, Gbolahan recalled that he actually proposed to her on Christmas Day in 2022. He said, “We met while I was still in graduate school in New York. I did an internship in Washington DC, and she was also working in that state at the time. We lived in the same neighbourhood and when we met, we started talking from there.”
Continuing from where her hubby stopped, Karima said, “He proposed to me on Christmas day in 2022. It was a surprise to me, but everybody in the family knew that he was going to propose. He took me to Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York City and all of a sudden, he proposed on one knee, and I said ‘yes’.”
She said that his intelligence, kindness, thoughtfulness, and strong sense of integrity were some of the qualities that attracted her to her husband.
On his part, Gbolahan added that aside from the physical attraction they share, she is a humble person, who has the ability to hold a conversation. According to him, having dynamic and interesting conversations with her, was one of the things that first struck him about her.
Expressing her joy for the couple, the bride’s mother, Yasmina, told Society Plus, “I am ecstatic about my daughter’s beautiful wedding today. It is a wonderful experience to be in Nigeria and to have this Yoruba traditional wedding. I think this is the fanciest dress, make-up and gele (headtie) that I have ever had. I have noticed that Nigerians do things with a lot of pizzazz and a little bit over the top, compared to how we do things. But, it’s so beautiful. I wish the couple a lifetime of happiness, and that they stay connected with their roots.”
On her part, the groom’s mum, Mojisola, stated that she was elated and proud of Gbolahun, for his choice of a wife. “I wish him and his wife God’s continuous guidance. I pray that they live a spirit-filled life of happiness, and many grandchildren for me. They should be each other’s friends for the rest of their lives.”
Showing their appreciation for the love shown to them by family and friends, the couple thanked members of their family and other guests, who took time out of their busy schedules to make their special day a memorable one.
Karima said, “I want to thank everyone for showering us with love and being present to witness and seal our union. I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to all who have travelled from both families to be here today.”
“I want to thank all who have come from far and near, especially her (Karima) family. I also want to thank my family, both nuclear and extended. I love them so much, and I hope my love for them is shining through,” Gbolahun added.
