married | joseph+chika | greensboro wedding photographer

The day following their Nigerian wedding celebration, Joseph and Chika's friends and family gathered at St. Mary's Church in Greensboro to watch them say "I do" in a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony. It was a perfect day, filled with beautiful weather, a truly stunning couple, and lots of joy.

The day began with the bridal party getting ready at the Greensboro Marriott Downtown...

"What?! There's another flower girl?!" Her expression is absolutely priceless!

Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0010.jpg
Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0011.jpg

I love this shot of Chika with all of her girls as they were getting ready for the ceremony. They were such a fun group of ladies to be around!

Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0002.jpg

Isn't Chika the most gorgeous bride you've ever seen? True beauty.

... and Joseph was looking pretty dapper himself...

After a little rain, we were able to sneak outside for just a few minutes to get these photos of the bride and groom, and they're some of my favorites from the day...

Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0034.jpg

After photos and cocktail hour, Joseph and Chika, along with their families and bridal party, made their grand entrance into the ballroom...

Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0039.jpg
Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0043.jpg
Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0045.jpg
Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0047.jpg

Chika was so composed the entire day until this moment of the father/daughter dance...

I love catching moments like this one here. The bride's sister and maid of honor, Kelechi, was overcome with emotion as her other sister, Chinyere, sang the bride and groom's first dance song.

I love how all of Chika's sister were so involved and each had unique roles in the wedding day ... Ezinne performed a traditional dance during part of the reception.

Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0061.jpg
Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0040.jpg

Joseph's removal of Chika's garter resulted in some of my favorite images of the night... Chika had the garter stuffed with various gifts, including one of her Carolina Panthers TopCats pom-poms. As you can see, Joseph was quite amused!

For the final portion of the evening, Joseph and Chika changed into their traditional Nigerian apparel to dance the night away with their friends and family...

Catholic Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0067.jpg

See more from Chika and Joseph's wedding in their photo slideshow:

Joseph+Chika :: Thank you so much for allowing us to be a small part of your beautiful celebration! We wish you all the very best that life and love have to offer!

Ceremony Venue :: St. Mary's Catholic Church of Greensboro
Reception Venue :: Greensboro Marriott Downtown

Event Planner :: Behind the Scenes, Inc.
Videographer :: Matrixx Productions
DJ :: DJ Onz
MC :: BJ Da Storyteller
Makeup Artist :: Doll Faces by Lauretta
Hair Stylist :: Curls by Christina
Wedding Gown :: Impression Bridal
Bridesmaids' Dresses: JJ's House
Men's Attire :: next
Florist :: Designs North
Caterer :: Healthy Zone Catering of Raleigh
Cake Artist :: Glorious Gourmet Creations
Stationer :: a2z Wedding Cards

Photographer :: Glessner Photography

Engaged? Contact us today to reserve your wedding date.

All images ©2014 Glessner Photography. Please do not save, copy, edit, or use in any way without Glessner Photography's express written permission. Violators may be prosecuted.

traditional nigerian wedding | joseph+chika | greensboro wedding photographer

Last weekend, we had the honor of photographing Joseph and Chika's wedding celebration, which began on Friday with a Nigerian wedding ceremony. This being our first traditional African wedding, we weren't really sure what to expect, but we were greeted by a lovely, vibrant celebration filled with cultural traditions, colorful attire, and plenty of dancing. Joseph and Chika and their loved ones certainly know how to have fun, and we had a great time capturing such a beautiful event!

Friday evening, friends and family gathered at Revolution Mills Studios to begin the celebration...

Traditional Nigerian Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0001.jpg
Traditional Nigerian Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0008.jpg

After both the bride and groom's family made their entrances, all were welcomed to the event with a ceremonial breaking of the kola nut. 

Traditional Nigerian Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0010.jpg
Traditional Nigerian Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0011.jpg

Meanwhile, the bride prepared for her first of three appearances throughout the night...

Traditional Nigerian Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0013.jpg

The guests of honor are showered with money as they dance the night away...

Traditional Nigerian Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0017.jpg
Traditional Nigerian Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0025.jpg

During this portion of the ceremony, the bride's father provides her with a cup of wine, and she must find her groom amidst the guests and offer the wine to him to drink. 

Traditional Nigerian Wedding | Nwankwo-Kadiri | ©2014 Glessner Photography_0031.jpg

Chika looked lovely alongside her fellow Carolina Panthers TopCats alumnae...

Aren't they a gorgeous couple?!

Watch out for Part 2 of Joseph+Chika's beautiful wedding weekend coming soon. Like us on Facebook to get the latest updates!

Venue :: Revolution Mill Studios
Event Planner :: Behind the Scenes, Inc.
Videographer :: Matrixx Productions
DJ :: DJ Onz
Makeup Artist :: Doll Faces by Lauretta
Hair Stylist :: Curls by Christina
Shoes :: Stuart Weitzman
Photographer :: Glessner Photography

Engaged? Contact us today to reserve your wedding date.

All images ©2014 Glessner Photography. Please do not save, copy, edit, or use in any way without Glessner Photography's express written permission. Violators may be prosecuted.

2012 wedding review :: greensboro wedding photographer

What can I say... 2012 has been a truly AMAZING year for me. Glessner Photography has grown by leaps and bounds, and we are so incredibly grateful to all of the wonderful brides and grooms who entrusted us to capture their love. We've worked with some really incredible wedding professionals, had the opportunity to photograph weddings not only in North Carolina, but throughout the southeastern U.S., and I get paid to do what I love... life doesn't get much better than that!

As I selected photos for this year's wedding review, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the love we've seen and the support and friendship we've received from these couples. From the bottom of my heart, thanks to each and every one of you.

{Click on a name or photo to see a couple's full wedding blog post.}

We look forward to seeing what 2013 brings us and all of you, too! (A few of our 2012 brides will even be welcoming little ones in the new year!!!)

Recently engaged? Contact us today to reserve your 2013 or 2014 wedding date!