• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Viva and Chike

Bridal Bliss: Viva and Chike
By · January 11, 2011October 29, 2020
01
Across the Universe

Newlyweds Viva and Chike met in London, fell in love in Istanbul and tied the knot in Malta on October 10, 2010. Share their love.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
02
The Ideal Destination

Viva and Chike knew they wanted to get married in Europe as it’s the halfway mark for their friends and family in the US and in Africa. They chose Malta as it’s easier to travel to than some other Mediterranean destinations. Plus the weather was warm and the architecture was stunning.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
03
Fix My Hair

Viva recruited hairstylist Charlotte Mensa of London salon Hair Lounge to sweep her hair up a romantic half up – half down do.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
04
The Look of Love

The bride’s elegant makeup look was created by Elaine Shobanjo of Shomya.com.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
05
Dressed to Thrill

Viva’s bridesmaids pitch in to help her get into her biased cut Vera Wang wedding gown.

06
Keep it Simple

A dainty pair of strappy sandals was all Viva needed to stroll down the aisle with class.

07
My Girlfriends

Viva’s bridesmaids were all smiles on their girlfriend’s big day. She found their Siri dresses in New York at designer loft nyc.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
08
Ready for the Chapel

Viva’s wedding gown oozes romance, fitting in well with the architecture in Malta.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
09
Soft and Sweet

We love Viva’s hue of soft tones in her wedding, from the bridesmaids’ gowns to the gorgeous bridal bouquet.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
10
A Historical Place

The couple tied the knot that the historic St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina, Malta. The church stands on the site of the house of the governor Publius, who was said to have received St. Paul when he was shipwrecked on Malta.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
11
Time to Let Go

Viva’s father looks proud to give his daughter away to Chike on wedding wedding day. He’s practically beaming.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
12
It’s in the Atmosphere

Viva comes from a Catholic family. It was important that she be married in a traditional Catholic cathedral. St. Paul’s is simply breathtaking.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
13
Kiss of Life

Viva and Chike couldn’t wait to plant one on each other after the beautiful ceremony.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
14
It’s Me and You Forever

The newlyweds strut out of the cathedral holding hands and bursting with love.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
15
What a Man?!

“He’s literally my better half,” Viva gushes about Chike. “He is always so positive and so giving of his time.”

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
16
Oh, How You Spoil Me

“He just seems to constantly be at my disposal and it hasn’t worn off yet,” Viva laughs. “I’m the only girl of four brothers so maybe I’m used to men that spoil me, but I’m beginning to feel guilty now.”

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
17
A Deeper Love

“There’s just this inherent trust that I have that he would never hurt my feelings,” Viva says. “I feel safe. Yes there is that romantic passionate love, but there’s also this innate trust that this is my friend and my friend would never hurt me.”

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
18
Our Little Girl

Despite the fact that Viva is their only girl, her parents seem happy to let her go and live her new life with Chike. They must know that she is in good hands.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
19
Keep it Going

After the ceremony guests joined Viva and Chike at the Villa Brasserie for the reception.

20
A Dance to Remember

The newlyweds held each other close and whispered sweet nothings in each others’ ears as they danced their first dance.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
21
Full Service

Villa Brasserie not only catered the wedding the restaurant’s pastry chef also provided the three-tiered wedding cake.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
22
Mothers’ Love

Chike and Viva’s mothers couldn’t be prouder on this day.

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
23
Pitter Patter

“I can’t wait to give him babies,” Viva says of what she’s looking forward to now that she’s married to Chike. “I know that we’d be such nice parents. I’d be the cool mom and he’d be the loving dad.”

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com
24
No Ordinary Love

For more on Viva and Chike’s Malta nuptials visit The Bride’s Cafe

All photos my Melissa O’Connell of Fresh In Love Photography

Melissa O’Connell, www.freshinlove.com

Read More

Lifestyle
Shop These Valentine's Day Gifts By Black-Owned Brands
News
My VP Looks Like Me: These Inauguration Day Tribute Photos W...
Entertainment
‘Bridgerton’ Is Getting A Second Season
Health & Wellness
Tiffany Haddish Unveils Her Slimmed Down Figure After 30-Day...
Travel
10 Caribbean Resorts That Will Offer COVID-19 Testing In Res...
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now