Oriwu Sun’s assistant editor, Kolawole Waleola, on Saturday, April 9, 2016, said goodbye to bachelorhood, when he tied the nuptial knot with his long time heartthrob and friend, Miss Modupeola Soyinka at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
During the solemnization of the holy matrimony service, which started by 11:00a.m, a processional hymn was sung by the choristers after the opening prayer by the priest. The service proper began immediately the couple and their guests took their seats. Both families and couple were looking resplendent in their different attires.
The word of exhortation was delivered; followed by the word of declaration, which enjoined them thus: “In marriage, husband and wife belong to each other and are linked to each other’s family as they begin a new life together in the community. Therefore, it must not be undertaken carelessly, lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly. After serious thought of this way of life, Modupeola and Waleola, come now to be joined.”
The word of acclamation was delivered by the groom’s mother, Snr. Prophet, Dr. R.F. Kolawole following the priest’s pronouncement: “In the name of God and in the presence of His congregation, we now hand Temilayo Modupeola to you as a full member of your family. Will you continue to hold both husband and wife in our prayers and give the moral support?
The groom’s mother responded: “I promise in the name of God” and the priest said the Lord’s Prayer at the end of the acclamation session. The hymn was sung by choristers to end the session.
The vicar of the church, VEN. E.T.O Akosile delivered the sermon, admonishing the couple to love each other and establish their own family in accordance with a good Christian home. In his words, “Marriage is a union between a man and woman to become husband and wife. They are bound by love and the fear of God. Many young people nowadays rush into marriage without tangible reasons. Many of them are ignorant of why they have decided to get married.”
“Whenever a decision is taken without a tangible reason, then it is bound to have shortcomings. I believe the couple we would be joining today have sat and come to the conclusion that it is the right time to become one. I pray that this would be the beginning of a happy life for them.”
The vicar advised families to allow the couple build their home by not intervening in all matters. According to him, “I will implore both the groom and bride’s family to assist the couple with prayers and also limit their interference in the marriage. Many people would want to teach you but do not tell anyone about your home. As for the groom, ensure you have time for your wife; share your thoughts with her and love her dearly. Wife, make sure you are submissive to your husband; respect and honour him. Don’t forget that you have to be humble as well. Infuse all these attributes as you enter the new home in order to build a good family. May the Lord help you in Jesus name,” he said.
After the sermon, the couple were asked to give their declaration. This was after the bride’s father, Mr. Joseph Soyinka gave his daughter to the priest in order to be handed over to her husband. The groom said, “I, Waleola, take you Modupeola to be my wife, to have and to hold you from this day, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until we are parted by death according to God’s holy law. This is my solemn vow.”
The bride also repeated her solemn vow. The priest received the rings presented by the couple as their token to share as a representation of their love and commitment to each other. He prayed and advised the couple to make the rings a symbol of unending love and faithfulness and to remind them of the vows they have made. He gave his blessing over the new marriage while the couple moved forward to sign their marriage register. The certificate was presented to the couple and closing prayer was rendered to end the church service.
The reception began at exactly 1:30pm. Guests had already arrived waiting to see the approach of the elegant couple. The reception, held at Ijeun Town hall, Abeokuta, was decorated in royal blue and baby pink, matching the two families’ dress code. A befitting cushion chairs for the couple were already placed in front of a colourful background while the guests awaited the engagement session.
The groom was ushered in by his best man and groom men. An elated Waleola was found in a carton brown lace and a green Agbada wear with a green cap. He was accompanied with beautiful songs by the anchor of the engagement. Before he was allowed to sit, he was made to drop some amount of money as a way of expressing his joy on his wedding day.
The beautiful bride also appeared in a carton brown lace and green head gear, matched with green shoes and purse. Her fancy hand fan also complemented the outlook with a touch of green. She was found smiling as she stepped into the reception with her brides-maid and friends, who ushered her in. She danced to the song composed by the anchor till she took her sit beside her husband.
The groom, with his friends, were asked to prostrate to the bride’s parents three times as a sign of respect in Yoruba culture. The bride and groom’s parents prayed for the couple respectively while the groom’s families presented the gifts they brought, which include tubers of yams, palm oil, groundnut oil, fruits, amongst others.
The engagement session ended delightfully.
The father of the day, Chief Monzor Olowosago Dawodu, the CEO of Oriwu Sun newspaper, delivered an admonishing speech to the couple. “This is not my first time of being the chairman of wedding ceremonies. I want to advise you that the coming together of a man and woman should be based on patience. You both should have it. In my own case, my mother did tell me that if she had not been the patient type, she would have left my father at an early stage. Though she is dead now, she indeed enjoyed the fruit of her labour before she died. This was possible for her because she was patient.”
“I congratulate the bride because I know your husband very well. He is a good child and a useful one. Waleola is not a flirting type as he is contented and reserved. You will enjoy him. Make sure you provide his food on time and attend to his sexual desires. In the same vein, Waleola, make sure you love your wife dearly and never allow a third party settle your disputes; resolve them yourselves. May God provide for you the wherewithal to take good care of your wife and bless your marriage with children,” he said.
The groom, Waleola Kolawole, described his wife as a woman of inner beauty. “There is no doubt about my wife’s physical beauty; that is written all over her, but what I appreciate most about her is the inner beauty God has given her. She is religious and very caring. We met through a friend and that was how the relationship started. I am happy to be her husband today. May God help me to be a good husband” he said.
The beautiful bride, Modupeola Kolawole described her husband as an epitome of gentility. “What more can I desire to have in a man? A serious minded, hardworking man, Waleola is caring, religious, and above all, well reserved; he does not give me problem. I am so happy to be his wife today. May God bless our union.” She said.
Photograph session took place between the bride and groom families, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers’ who all graced the event.