REBECCA ACHIAA AMPONSAH & ADEYINKA KEVIN OKUNADE
May 28, 2022 | Cold Springs Events | Paron | Elizabeth & George
Rebecca and Kevin were set up by her aunt in January 2018, and their first phone call lasted three hours! At the time, Rebecca lived in New York City and Kevin in Mississippi, so their relationship progressed over text, phone calls and video chats. After six months of virtual communication, Kevin bought a ticket to NYC to meet Rebecca that June.
Both Rebecca and Kevin are first generation West African and grew up in the South — Adeyinka in Memphis and Rebecca in Little Rock. Rebecca’s parents are from Ghana and Kevin’s parents are from Nigeria. The couple’s two-day wedding celebration included a traditional West African ceremony hosted by the bride and groom’s parents and many nods to their cultural roots.
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Florals
Tanarah Luxe Floral
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Photography: Elizabeth & George; Videographer: Fleur de Lis Films; Venue: Cold Springs Events; Wedding Planner: Brittany Bloom Events; Catering: Vibrant Occasions Catering; Rentals: Eventology; Invitations: Achiaa Studio; Wedding cake: Butter/Scotch Bakery; Band: Even Odds Band; Harpist: Alisa Coffey; Flutist: Robert Amponsah; Wedding dress: Warren Barron Bridal in Dallas; Bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo; Groomsmen attire: Men’s Wearhouse; Groom’s attire: JoS. A. Bank Clothiers; Rings: Juniker Jewelry Co. in Madison, Mississippi; Hair: Ember Burns of Hair Rock Cafe; Makeup: Lavonne Woods of LB Beauty & Bridal
Q & A
Q: What details from your favorite fairy tale did you include in your wedding?
A: “The timeless classic of ‘Cinderella,’” Rebecca said. “Kevin and I love classic, timeless, no-fuss details, and we definitely took this approach when considering our decor. We did not want anything loud and overstated, but instead soft, gentle, subtle and timeless, with the right amount of detail.”
Q: How did you customize your wedding?
A: “To nod to our west African roots, we incorporated west African flavors as hor d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour,” Rebecca said. “Vibrant Occasions used [my] mother’s homemade recipe for Ghanaian meat and vegetables pies, and we also had fried plantain bites. The food for the plated dinner reception focused on fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables, with a hint of spice.”
Q: What is your secret to wedding planning success?
A: “Stay true to who you are as a couple in every decision that is made regarding your wedding day and give yourself enough time,” Rebecca said. “Also, limit the amount of voices throughout the process.”
Q: What was a must-have?
A: “It was very important to us that our wedding celebration was truly a worship service honoring God,” Rebecca said. “We wanted all who attended to feel the presence of God. Not only did our marriage counselors pray over us, but the bride’s brother (Robert Amponsah) played a version of “The Lord’s Prayer” on flute, accompanied by harpist, Alisa Coffey.”
CUSTOM DETAIL
Rebecca is an interior designer and founder of Achiaa Studio, a stationery design company. She designed their invitation suite, which consisted of handmade and dyed paper, with a rose gold foil impression for the text, finished with a custom wax seal of their initials.
MOMENTS & MEMORIES
Kevin and Rebecca decided to not do a first look because they wanted to truly embrace the raw emotion of seeing each other for the first time at the altar. They loved greeting family from as far as Ghana, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Canada to celebrate with them.
NEWLYWED TIP
“Continue open communication and enjoy discovering new things with and about each other,” Rebecca said.
