Bode and Michelle’s Traditional Nigerian Wedding at Martin’s Camelot in Upper Marlboro, Maryland

If you’ve never been to a Nigerian traditional wedding, know this: There are fewer cultures that celebrate the marriage ritual with more spectacle and decadence than the Nigerian people.

We had the pleasure of shooting what is referred to as a Nigerian “traditional” wedding, as opposed to the standard American wedding, which is often referred to as a “white wedding.” This traditional wedding which was held at Martin’s Camelot in Upper Marlboro boasts a stunning medieval-themed grand ballroom. The wedding all had the ornate details and stylings of a royal wedding. We loved getting the close-up details of all the elaborate jewelry, accessories, dresses and table settings, but best of all was the actual ceremony, which had several interesting acts. The ceremony includes the groom’s parents “knocking” on the bride’s family, a kola nut ceremony and the groom and his groomsmen laying themselves on the floor at the mercy of the bride’s family as they beg for her hand in marriage. The whole thing is a spellbinding mix of romance, courtship and tradition that really harkens back to years and years of African culture. If you haven’t been to a Nigerian traditional wedding, you’re missing out! Enjoy our photos from the ceremony below.

Purple, magenta and violet jewelry exudes an exqusite air of royalty.

That time at Michelle and Bode’s wedding when the groom and  his friends had to lay down before the bride’s parents to beg them for her hand in marriage. The moral of the story is that if the groom ever complains about his wife to his fiends they can remind him of how hard it was to get her hand in the first place.Bow before the queen. Nigerian weddings boast lavish decor and details unlike any other culture and we love to capture the beauty of this in all its glory. Dr. Michelle was stunning at her traditional wedding at the Camelot just a few weeks ago. Judah Avenue Photography is a Wedding, Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. Contact us at info@judahavenue.com

 Judah Avenue is a wedding photographer in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. Please contact us at info@judahavenue.com if you would like to inquire about our availability for your wedding date.