A Mesmerizing Blend of Cultures: Candice and Tayo’s Korean-Nigerian Wedding

Location: Carmel Valley, California, USA
Setting: Bernardus Lodge & Spa
Wedding season: Fall
The number of guests: 130
How long did the couple plan the event: 6 months
Wedding theme/style: Bright, colorful celebration full of custom details.

Candice and Tayo’s love story began on a beautiful November day, and it only seemed fitting to celebrate their wedding on another enchanting November day. The weather surpassed their expectations, providing an idyllic setting for their special day. With a desire to showcase their vibrant personalities and create a joyous atmosphere, the couple aimed to infuse their special day with bursts of color and excitement. Choosing the enchanting Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley as their venue, they not only provided a breathtaking backdrop but also offered their guests a nestled getaway.

Candice and Tayo were determined to incorporate elements that spoke to their love for bright and colorful things. From the very beginning, they envisioned a celebration that would reflect their unique bond. Candice and Tayo’s wedding day became a magical affair, filled with laughter, joy, and a sense of pure bliss.

As the morning sunlight flooded the room, Candice embarked on her journey of getting ready for her big day, surrounded by an atmosphere of smiles and uncontainable joy. For the ceremony the bride chose a minimalist yet elegant wedding dress by KYHA that perfectly captured her sophistication and depicted her love for the classic. Every detail, from the delicate fabric to the sleek silhouette, highlighted her natural beauty and showcased her impeccable sense of style.

Tayo’s excitement grew with each passing second, eagerly anticipating the moment he would see Candice in her stunning wedding dress. The atmosphere surrounding him was a delightful blend of chill and cheerful vibes, with laughter and lighthearted banter filling the air.

The groom’s tuxedo by SuitSupply was also classic and stylish to match their vision.

As the much-awaited moment arrived, Candice and Tayo locked eyes for their first look, their faces adorned with radiant smiles and overflowing love. The air was filled with excitement and affection, creating a truly magical atmosphere.

Their love was beautifully captured by photographer Kelsey Cowley . In this enchanting California autumn wedding, the bridesmaids added a touch of individuality with their selection of dresses, each adorned in blush shades that showcased their unique styles. Meanwhile, the groomsmen exuded timeless elegance, donning navy suits paired with charming brown ties from SuitSupply. This fashionable decision honored the stunning fall season that surrounded their special day, highlighting California’s cozy and vibrant atmosphere.

Candice shares: “As a visual designer, I was excited to design (with our amazing planner Something Blue Productions) our own wedding suite that told the story of us. This included papers and artifacts that were simple and thoughtful, like custom luggage tags for our guests as they traveled from near and far and signage that welcomed guests in our native languages. We thought of our wedding as an experience for our friends and family as much as for ourselves, from their entry with the venue’s olive trees and fragrant lavender bushes to refreshing welcome drinks, a vintage typewriter for them to type sweet notes, and lawn games set up for guests to enjoy and relax!”

The ceremony and reception were transformed into a vibrant floral paradise, thanks to the artistic touch of Tumbleweed Floral Design. The bride’s adoration for fresh, bright, and untamed California flowers was brought to life in an explosion of colors throughout the venue. The flowers were accented with a dreamy blue ribbon in her favorite shade.

The ceremony was a radiant display of love and happiness as Candice and Tayo exchanged their vows. The atmosphere was filled with an undeniable sense of joy, and everyone present couldn’t help but be swept away by the couple’s happiness. As the glowing sun illuminated the venue, the smiles on everyone’s faces mirrored the joy that filled the air.

This magical and joyous occasion was made possible by the exceptional efforts of Something Blue Productions, the talented wedding planners who meticulously crafted an event that epitomized brightness and joy. Their meticulous planning and attention to detail ensured that every aspect of the wedding was nothing short of perfection. From the stunning decor to the seamless coordination, Something Blue Productions truly brought Candice and Tayo’s vision to life.

Candice about their wedding: “Our backgrounds are important to us, and we wanted to honor that by traditional wedding attire and through music choices. The music surrounding the day ranged from our first dance, ‘May I Have this Dance’ by Frances and the Lights, to a night that included nods to K-pop and Afro-pop, in addition to our varied taste in music.”

The couple’s outfits transformed throughout the day, from their classic bridal wedding dress and tuxedo during the ceremony that depicted their love for the classic and modern to their dinner reception in custom-made Korean hanboks in jewel tone shades of royal blue, pink, turquoise, and purple. The bride’s mother, grandfather, and grandmother wore corresponding hanboks.

From the planner Something Blue Productions: “We celebrated the groom’s Nigerian heritage in traditional custom-made attire in royal blue. The traditional aso oke attire included the bride’s ornate gele headpiece, orange and gold beaded jewelry, and the groom’s outer layer agbada. The groom’s family and friends also wore matching traditional attire in royal blue, and we kicked off the dancing with an entry and Thanksgiving celebration from the groom’s side, which led into their grand entrance.”

Dancing ensued despite the bride’s sprained ankle. The bride’s last dress of the evening was a custom dress by Calle Evans, with details the two collaborated on, like a baroque pearl strap with an asymmetrical drape in an off white shade. This dress moved as the bride and groom danced with their favorite dance moves and songs surrounded by their friends and family, and late night French fries. This wedding was the ultimate occasion of brightness and joy and a reflection of the couple’s journey together thus far and for the years to come.

From the planner Something Blue Productions: “Working with Candice and Tayo was way too much fun. They had a specific vision with a laid-back style, and that’s every planner’s dream. We focused on having the best guest experience while clearly representing who they are as a couple and individuals. Both the bride and groom have strong cultural ties so it was incredible to mix in Korean and Nigerian cultures with fashion, three different languages on the welcome sign, and in some of the dances. Candice is creative herself and designed the invitations and the paper goods for the day, so coming up with designs that complemented those was really exciting! Kaylia from Tumbleweed Floral Design is such a dream, and was able to create beautiful arrangements and statement pieces that brought the spring colors we loved with the fall warmth we wanted. Every detail fully immersed the guests in their love story, big and small, and it was the greatest honor to be a part of it all!”