Real Wedding

Harmonious Nuptials at Igbo Hall and The River Club of Mequon

Leah and Rodney's weekend-long celebration honored African cultures and Midwest tradition.
Written by
Sydney Stevens

Tinder brought Leah Anyanwu and Rodney Carew togehter in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2018, when Rodney was visiting from Zambia for work. Leah suggested a meeting at a nightclub, but with friends around so it could end as just a night out if either decided the chemistry wasn’t right. Luckily, the pair didn’t need any help. “I felt a warm connection within seconds of meeting him,” Leah says. Their long-distance relationship consisted of traveling, sharing new experiences, making memories, and falling in love. During a trip to Leah’s favorite resort in 2021, Rodney had the resort present Leah with trivia prompts at each meal, and her reward for answering them all correctly was a homemade scrapbook of mementos he’d been saving from their travels together, along with a sunset proposal. Their weekend-long wedding represented their respective African cultures and Leah’s Midwestern roots; the welcome bags at the rehearsal included cheese curds and other Wisconsin classics, Igbo dancers performed during the traditional African ceremony and the DJs incorporated music from Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Kenya. After a fireworks show, Leah found the guests wearing Mardi Gras masks and beads, waving customized handkerchiefs to welcome a New Orleans-themed second line band, a romantic gesture from Rodney to honor Leah’s favorite American city. “Nothing makes me happier than bringing her joy,” he says. 

 

 

City State:

Milwaukee, WI

Region

Milwaukee Area

Season:

summer

Styles:

Glamorous

Colors:

WEDDING PRO TEAM

Bridal gown
Bridal shop
Bride & groom accessories
Bridesmaids’ attire
Bridesmaids’ attire
Bridesmaids’ attire
Cake & desserts
Cake & desserts
Catering, bartending & rentals
Cellist
DJ
Fireworks
Gele
Groom’s & groomsmen’s attire
Custom made in Kenya & Nigeria
Linens
Makeup
Photo booth
Religious ceremony & reception
Traditional African bridal attire
Traditional African bridal attire
Traditional ceremony and reception
Igbo Hall
Videographer
Wedding coordinator
Juliette Henry