REAL WEDDING:: Ife Okoh + Kevin Bobb {#itsaBOBBtime}

::AS SEEN IN THE JULY 2021 ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Written by: Jessica Burke | Photos: XXI Facets LLC

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

the proposal

“It was a Friday evening and we had plans to attend an underground (raw) comedy event. This event is so critical to why the night was special! It’s called Smokes and Jokes but it is a part of a bigger collective called Artery. Essentially, it is an underground movement of artists (of different disciplines and talents) who are on the very beginnings of breaking into their careers. This event is hosted once a month at random (yet very DOPE) apartments around Brooklyn, NY and the event is very, very intimate. I mean there were 20-30 people packed like sardines inside this one-bedroom loft style apartment just watching and supporting raw talent.

The event was so special because it embodies the Ife and Kevin experience. We are very laid back, down for the cause, and spontaneous. Myself, in particular, the bride, am very down to earth and don’t like deliberate attention. Kevin is the same. Our idea of a good time is hanging out at our local Nigerian bar (Art Cafe + Bar) with some friends, sitting outside and talking about whatever comes up!

Needless to say, we had a blast at this event. We got home around 1:30am. We’re walking down our hall and I smell candles. An intense smell of candles. I instantly got worried thinking, is someone burning their apartment down? Did I leave a candle burning? Kevin is calmly ignoring me, opens the door and I see a million (not a million) candles burning all over our apartment with the words “Marry Me” and “Kebo + Moon” spelled out. (Kebo and Moon are our nicknames for one another.) Oh and rose petals everywhere. I obviously said yes and the rest is history. …I loved it so much because it was such a Kevin and Ife proposal. No one else!” – Ife

Bride and groom hold hands

why a new orleans wedding

Ife and Kevin planned a destination NOLA wedding. “I was actually born in New Orleans,” shares Ife “and have always loved the culture and character of the city. We took a trip for our anniversary in 2018 and Kevin also fell in love with the city. While we were there we mentioned that when we get married we were going to do it in New Orleans.”

Le Musée de f.p.c.

“Considering we planned a destination wedding in less than 8 months, and despite some of the hiccups, we had an amazing experience and so did our family and friends. But I think it was all due to the backdrop of New Orleans. The spirit, character, and energy of the city automatically confirmed that our wedding would be everything we wanted it to be and more!” -Ife

Le Musée de f.p.c. wedding

the wedding flowers

“I love flowers!” says Ife. “I always keep fresh flowers in the house.” Ife researched flowers online and found one bloom in particular that captured her imagination, the King Protea, and told her wedding planner, “I don’t care how the flowers turn out as long as I have that big flower and the rest are inspired by it.”

bride with tropical wedding bouquet

bridesmaids with tropical bouquets

the wedding cake

Ife had local bakery Royal Cakery imitate Kevin’s favorite cake in New York City – butter cake with pineapple filling!

white and gold wedding cake

cutting the wedding cake

the wedding vendors

Ife and Kevin were very intentional in hiring their wedding vendors. “The overall planning of our wedding evolved around us patronizing as many black owned vendors as possible,” shares Ife. “This was very important to us.”

Le Musée de f.p.c. wedding

the second line

“The Second Line was the highlight for us and everyone! Because our AirBNB was around the corner from the venue, it made it that much more fun…we partied outside on the porch for like another hour!!” -Ife

New Orleans wedding second line