By Olamide Jasanya
It was tears of joy all the way at the St Stephens primary school, Ikot Etobon, where the family of Late Patrick Ikpe-Etim gave out their first daughter, actress Nse Ikpe-Etim in marriage to her hubby, Clifford Sule. The ceremony which was held on Thursday, April 4, 2013 was the second celebrity marriage to be hosted in the oil producing, Akwa Ibom state. Present at the event were few celebrities and honourable sons and daughters of the community who had come to celebrate with the love birds.
According to some guests, although the ceremony was done low-key, it still fulfilled the expectations of a typical contemporary Ibibio marriage ceremony. The bride, Nse let out her emotions at the sight of her younger brother, Patrick, who we gathered had been in the US for over 5 years. Her mother also took cue and shed more torrents of tears as she joined the officiating ministers and elders present to hand over the bride to the groom.
Here are bits and pieces of the event…
Weddings in the Ibibio tradition
Williams Mbride, a taxi driver in Uyo and a native of Ikot Epene explained to our correspondent that weddings in the Ibibio tribe are usually elaborate and full of fun. He explained that key figures like the couple’s parents are expected to be present at the event. This, he says, shows their support for the union. Yards of clothes, food items and wines, he also stated as part of the things expected to be presented by the groom’s family. Prior to the day, he continued, the bride must have introduced the groom to the parents and there would have been an introduction between the two families tide what need to be brought on the D-day.
The Wedding Eve
The busy Uyo International Airport got busier when friends and family members of the two started trooping in the night before the D-day. Their flight from Lagos arrived Uyo few minutes past 8pm after which they lodged at the De Castle Hotel. The train had in it the parents of the groom and the bride’s friends and siblings including Patrick, who just returned from the US, Tenyin, Nathan and Uyai. The other sister, Ini, was however, unavoidably absent.
The secret love nest
While the friends and family members were in the De Castle hotels, Nse and hubby found rest in the more exotic Le Meridien hotel, Uyo where they passed the night before joining the siblings in the morning.
Nse and Clifford’s big day
The arrangement was for the train to leave as early as possible for the venue of the wedding but for certain hiccups that came up which resulted in a five hour delay. The train eventually left at about 1pm and headed to Ikot Etobon.
Nse gets teary-eyed
The emotional side of Nse gave way when in company of her husband, she visited the De Castle hotel on the wedding day and saw her immediate younger brother, Patrick. The two had not seen each other for over five years. hence, the torrents of tears as Nse hugged him. While Nse has remained in Nigeria building her acting career, Patrick, we gathered has been far away in the US living as a cyclist and currently a student of one of the Universities. Coincidentally, Patrick, being the first son was to give his sister out in the absence of their late father.
The Party
The party began at 4pm with a welcome dance from thye Ukopan cultural group. This was followed by a welcome address from the MC, Utang Akwa Ibom who proceeded to intimate the gathering of the reason behind the celebration. Few minutes after, the mother of the bride was introduced to all present. She danced round and greeted her in-laws. Reverend Ema’s prayer signified the commencement of the party. He spoke about the bride’s late father and asked for a one-minute silence in his honour.
Clifford leads the way
Excited Clifford was called upon at exactly 5:30pm and in the usual manner, he danced round the gathering before settling down in the shed to await his bride. Little drama ensued when two different women who pretended to be the bride. For each of the ‘bride’ that showed up, a bottle of wine was given by the groom’s family.
Waje serenades Nse to show up
Singer, Waje serenaded the actress as she danced to meet her husband. The two got prayers from their parents and later from the pastors present. They were later joined together in matrimony with prayers from both their parents and the pastors in attendance.
Nollywood is absent
Judging by her level of popularity, one would have expected the big names in Nollywood to be present at the event but this was not to be. Not even her producer friend, Emem Isong, (who was responsible for her come-back into the industry) was present. Her close friends, Rita Dominic and Kate Henshaw, were also obviously absent. This however did not seem to bother the bride as she smile happily and made do with the trio of Bishop Ume, Waje and Katherine Obiang, the only three known faces at the event.
Who did what?
The small ceremony was put together by Event Etcetera, who planned and manage the event. Mekee Catering Services provided the food and small chops for the guests.
Honour for the late father
While the celebration was going on, one of Nse’s uncles stayed at home (directly opposite the venue) and soon started firing shots in the air. We gathered this was in respect of the late father, Patrick Ikpe-Etim
Cost of the wedding
Although the outfit that planned the event refused to give out the cost of the ceremony. We gathered that the couple may have parted with not less than 4 million naira for the ceremony.
Accommodation
Nse and her hubby chose the upscale Le Meridien hotel as their love spot and also for few of their guests including Katherine Obiang, Waje and her make-up artiste, Mary Jane. A room at Le Meridien costs N 68,000.
Nse and hubby also had a room to themselves. This along with their feeding must have cost close to N320,000. Her siblings, in-laws and few other friends, 16 in number lodged in the De Castle hotel for two days, which must have cost about N300, 000. Summed up, the accommodation must have cost N620,000.
Transportation
10 of Clifford’s friends from UK, US and India joined the train in Lagos and together travelled down to Uyo. The return ticket cost N40,939 and for close to twenty passengers. This must have gulped N820, 000. The cars that led the guests to the venue of the party also was fuelled with about N20,000 making a total of N840,000.
Outfits
While the bride opted for her traditional wedding outfit, the groom, Clifford confessed his love for the Indian culture and preffered to dress like the Indian man. He however chose the same colour as his wife. As at the time of press, we were unable to reach the designers but reliable sources revealed that the costumes must have cost the duo about N300, 000.
Food and Drinks
Apart from jollof, fried rice and assorted meat available, the outfit incharge of catering provided a variety of other local delicacies including the popular Afang soup and pounded yam. Over 200 people were present and everyone was fed. In addition to this, there were over 100 bottles of red wine, cartons of water and assorted drinks. This we gathered must have cost close to N600,000.
Cake
The cake we were told cost over N150, 000 and was made in Lagos.
Event Planning
The event planner, we gathered charged the couple a sum of N900, 000 for the logistics and planning of the ceremony.
Waje’s performance
Although, she sang only a few songs and in less than 30 minutes, songstress, Waje we gathered was paid over N500, 000.
In total, the wedding must have cost the actress and her hubby a sum of N4 million.
In comparison to 2face and Annie’s
In comparison to the stunt pulled by Annie Macaulay-Idibia and her husband few weeks ago, it was evident that the two couples had different things in mind. While the former planned for an elaborate one that had even the Governor’s presence, the latter’s was a private ceremony with families, friends and few celebrities in attendance.
Interviews
Uyai Ikpe-Etim (Bride’s sister)
What is your relationship with Nse?
Nse is my sister and I can say my mother too because she is the one I have spent a lot of time with. Growing up, she was un and amazing and I am glad she is getting married today.
I wish and her husband all the best in life and I pray for communication and a loving spirit between them.
Mrs Flora Sule (Groom’s mother)
How do you feel today that your so is getting married?
I feel very proud and happy to da and I thank God and the people of this community for giving us their daughter.
Do you not have any problem with your daughter-in-law’s profession?
If you know me well, you will know I am an actress too. I just didn’t take mine to the level she has taken hers, so I don’t have any problem with her occupation. I am sure my son has made the right choice.