Banke Akinsunlola’s Wedding Dress Dazzles at Her Lagos Wedding

When a bride walks down the aisle, all eyes are on her. From the dress to the veil, makeup, and bouquet, guests eagerly anticipate her look. Even the groom is not immune, and many grown men have been moved to tears as their brides approach the altar. For Lagos-based event planner Banke Akinsunlola, her wedding dress did more than turn heads—it stole the show and left jaws dropping as she made her entrance.

As a professional event planner, Banke knew exactly what she wanted for every aspect of her wedding, including the effect she hoped to have on her groom and her guests. Her outfits, from the traditional ceremony to the white wedding, were nothing short of gorgeous.

A Love Story That Began with an Apartment Search

Banke met Tolu five years ago while searching for an apartment. She had just received a promotion at work and was transferred to a new office in Ikoyi, Lagos. To ease her commute, she decided to find a new apartment closer to her new office. Two of her best friends told her about a guy who was moving out of his apartment and recommended she take it. That was how Banke met her future husband.

On that fateful day five years ago, they were headed in opposite directions, unaware that they would one day live together as husband and wife. It wasn’t love at first sight. The two clicked and quickly became friends, but Banke was busy playing Cupid for Tolu, often asking if he liked any of her friends. His answer was always no.

Time and the real Cupid eventually worked their magic as the two friends grew closer. According to Banke, “We became closer and before I knew it, we were in a relationship. When he proposed to me, he did it in the most romantic way possible. It honestly blew my mind.”

Planning Her Own Wedding Was a Piece of Cake

Planning her own wedding was easy for Banke, as she works constantly with event vendors and knew exactly who she wanted to use from the moment wedding plans got into gear. That’s no surprise for a wedding planning pro.

Banke’s perfect wedding dreams became a reality in October 2018, when she was joined with her boo both traditionally and at the church in Ikeja, Lagos.

The White Wedding Look

For the white wedding, Olakunbi Tomori of April by Kunbi designed a spectacular white dress that had Tolu checking to see if that was really his bride. The mermaid dress with intricate detailing on the bodice was finished off with a scalloped cathedral-length train and an equally long cathedral-length veil. As Nigerians would say, “April by Kunbi finished work on the dress!”

The Traditional Wedding Attire

For her traditional marriage, Banke opted for an Aso Oke from the queen of Aso Oke, Abimbola Ipaye of Bimmms24. The Aso Oke was made into a richly embellished modern Iro and Buba with a matching Ipele and Gele tied by the phenomenal Onigele.

The Creative Team Behind Banke and Tolu's Wedding

White Wedding

• Event planner: @bankysuevents
• Makeup: @banksbmpro
• Hair: @bernardsmiles
• Robe & Wedding dress: @aprilbykunbi
• Suit: @tlrcouture
• Cake: @heladodelicia
• Decor: @aquariantouchevents

Traditional Wedding

• Aso Oke: @bimmms24
• Makeup: @beautybyqueen
• Gele: @onigele
• Second dress: @beela_bharbs
• Beads: @geebalo
• Decor: @aquariantouchevents
• Cake: @heladodelicia

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