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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu

Abu spotted Dedrina in his cousin’s profile picture and pushed for an introduction He lived in Nigeria, and had never been to the U.S., but they quickly fell in love over the phone. When they finally met in person, it was clear that they were meant to be. He proposed in Dubai beneath the New Year’s Ever fireworks. Share their love!
By Charli Penn · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Hold Me Close

“I knew Abu was for me in August of 2011,” says Dedrina. “We took a boat to a private beach and as we sat on the beach staring at the water, he held me so tightly, and at that moment, I knew my future husband was holding me close.”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
02
Finishing Touches

Dedrina’s ceremony hairstyle was inspired by a YouTube video she once saw. “My hair dresser Jacata put her own special touch to it, which made it even better,” she recalls.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
03
Beauty Was Her Name

Makeup artist Brandi Holmes created this look of timeless beauty for Dedrina. “She is by far one of the best makeup artists in Houston,” says the bride.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
04
All At Once

“After about 15 different bridal boutique appointments, numerous hours of extensive online searching and trying on countless dresses, I finally found ‘The One,” says Dedrina when describing her dress hunt. “I always wanted a dress different from anything I had seen in the past; I wanted it to look classic, vintage and modern all in one dress.” Success!

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
05
Fun Feet

Dedrina had no problem securing “something blue” for the big day. She wore these embellished blue pumps by Steve Madden. How fun!

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
06
An Ordained Loved

“To be honest, I was not even looking for a boyfriend, let alone true love or a husband, when we first met,” says Dedrina. “I definitely would have never dreamed the man God ordained for me would be living across the Atlantic Ocean.”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
07
Precious Moments

We love it when sweet and tender moments like this one are so beautifully captured on film.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
08
Sent From Heaven

“I used mainly all white lilies for my wedding bouquet,” says Dedrina.  “They are so beautiful and they completed our heavenly theme.”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
09
Beyond Beautiful

“When the sales associate brought the dress into my fitting room on the hanger, I knew it was the one,” says Dedrina of her Impression Bridal gown. “It was beyond beautiful and unique.”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
10
Love and Lead

“Abu is God-fearing, intelligent, ambitious, funny and someone I will always respect and feel safe with leading our home,” the bride admits. Keeper alert!

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
11
Crazy Love

“My wife has many qualities I didn’t find in other women I’ve dated in the past,” says Abu. “She has a very strong spirit. That’s why I chose to make her my wife. Sometimes that same strong spirit drives me crazy at times. (Laughs)”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
12
All Of You

“The moment she opened up one day after a heated argument and apologized for her wrongs, I knew she was the one for me,” Abu admits.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
13
I Couldn’t Ask For More

“My wife is the beauty that my spirit has always longed for,” says Abu. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
14
Here Comes the Bride

“I didn’t think I would find true love in this life,” Abu admits. Finding his bride Dedrina was a real dream come true. Now, let’s all take a moment to admire his bride’s elegant and dramatic ceremony entrance. Wow!

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
15
Feels Like Heaven

“My grandfather walked me down the aisle because he has been like a father to me since I was a young girl,” says Dedrina. “My biological father passed when I was young and I never got a chance to meet him.” She chose to march to “Heaven” by Jamie Foxx.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
16
Surrounded By Love

The couple’s wedding officiate was Pastor Cedric Robbins, the bride’s second cousin. “I only wanted people that had our best interests at heart to attend our wedding, the pastor included.” Dedrina tells us.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
17
Like a Fairytale

“Being a groom was much more than I ever expected because my wife made sure it looked like something out of a fairytale book,” Abu admits. Let’s hear it for Mr. and Mrs. Sule.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
18
Cheers to You

An eager, cheery recieving line greeted the newlyweds after their ceremony.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
19
Tender Kisses

“What I love most about my husband is his love for God, because it gives me faith beyond measure in our future,” says Dedrina.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
20
Future Father of The Year

“The man I married is handsome, funny, selfless, humble, caring and loving,” says Dedrina. “He’s a great husband, friend, role-model for me and our future children (God-willing), and above all God- fearing.”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
21
Keep the Party Going

“Immediately after the ceremony our guests were led to an outdoor cocktail hour,” says Dedrina. “It was followed by an indoor cocktail reception which started around 8:15pm.”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
22
So Amazing

For their first dance song, Dedrina and Abu chose a classic—Luther Vandross’ “So Amazing.”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
23
Prime Time

We’re in love with Abu and Dedrina’s elegant all-white reception style. After the cocktail hour, guests filled back into the room where the ceremony was held for dinner and dancing in honor of the couple.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
24
A Night to Be Remembered

We’re not sure which we love more, the couple’s uber-romantic sweetheart table or that gorgeous staircase they entered from. It really was the perfect venue choice for an elegant affair to be remembered.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
25
Red Carpet Style

For her reception look, Dedrina chose long, full curls inspired by a look she once saw on reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
26
How Sweet It Is

“Our wedding cake was amazing,” says Dedrina. “It was a five tier strawberry cake with cream cheese filling. I chose the cake flavor as a gift to my mom because she loves strawberry cake. It was created by Cakes by Gina.” Just stunning!

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
27
In Awe Of You, Babe!

Abu and his lovely new wife were all smiles as they worked together to create another lasting wedding memory. Seriously, what a cake. We’re in absolute awe!

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
28
A Moment to Cherish

Over 100 guests attended the couple’s elegant wedding. A toast to them and to the friends and family in our lives who always support us in our finest hours.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
29
Bursting With Pride

Beaming bride Dedrina plants a big fat kiss on her grandfather, who proudly walked her down the aisle during the ceremony.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
30
For the Fun Of It

We just love to see brides having this much fun tossing their bouquet to their single friends.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
31
A Dream Come True

“If I can do this all over again I wouldn’t change a thing,” says Dedrina. “It was truly a dream come true!”

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
32
Fingers Crossed

“I have already asked my husband if we can we have another wedding on our anniversary,” Dedrina jokes. “I’m sure everyone knows his answer to that question. (Laughs!)” We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you just the same, lady!

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
33
Sweet Nothings

Sweet surprises awaited guests who visited the dessert table. Yum!

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
34
Someone Like You

“I said yes because he is everything I ever wanted in a husband,” says Dedrina, who never thought she’d fall for a man as fast as she fell for Abu.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
35
A Very Special Day

If Abu and Dedrina’s wedding made your day like it did ours, leave the happy couple a congratulatory message below. Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now.

Bridal Bliss: Dedrina and Abu
Still-Life Media Photography
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