Melate + Segnie

Bride: Melate Bekele

Groom: Segnie Tolossa

Location: Orange County, CA

Wedding Date: September 5, 2015

Venue: Ceremony - Virgin Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Los Angeles , CA

Reception: Westridge Golf Course Orange County, CA .

Melse – Yorba Linda Community Center

Number of Guests: 600

Cultures Represented: Ethiopian-American

Description or Theme of wedding: It was a classic and chic theme. It looked simple yet clean and elegant. We wanted it to be traditional Ethiopian wedding incorporating our American side as well. We played both music genres (Ethiopian and American).

The most memorable part of your wedding: Church ceremony because it was such a beautiful celebration of our love and the church and Kesis did a great job in conducting the kind of ceremony we wanted.

Did you do anything unique, crazy or fun: We had a bridal party of 26 and used a party bus because there was nothing that could fit us all. We also had no Ethiopian food at the reception, just a plated dinner with American food.

What was the most difficult part about planning your wedding: A venue that was big enough for our attendees.

What was the easiest part about planning your wedding: Choosing the video and camera crew because they are the best in the southern California region.

Any words of wisdom to the couple planning their wedding: To relax and enjoy every minute and not to worry too much. The details don’t matter; trust me! Everyone will only remember if they had a great time and witnessed love being celebrated- not what kind of napkins you had.

Vendors:

Bride's attire: Blue by Enzoani

Makeup: Negat Mamu –Naked Make Up Artist & Megdi Tedla – Diva Beat

Hair: Yene Damtew

Groom's attire: Friar Tux

Photographer and Videographer: Lancer Chung

Wedding Planner: Bride's Parents

Wedding Decorator: Tigy Mulugeta

Invitations: Bride's father

Florist: Tigy Mulugeta

Cake: Family friend

Catering: Westridge Golf Course

Transportation: Party bus

Entertainment (DJ, Band): Dj Fitsum from LA. Tsagaye Eshetu singer

Where did you purchase or order your traditional clothes: My cousin in Ethiopia Mehret Taye designed and made the dresses.

Traditional Wedding Decorator: Family members

More about this couple and their sweet story:

Segnie and I met in DC on September 22, 2013. In just 9 months we were engaged and found out that he had been planning our wedding since he met me. He told his best friend that I was 'the one' on the first day we met!

Segnie started planning the proposal in April and sent elders to my home in California in June to ask for my hand in marriage (the traditional Ethiopian standard before a proposal). After receiving blessings from the elders, he proposed to me on my birthday, August 6, 2014.

On October 4, 2014 we had a large engagement party in DC with 150 of our close family and friends. We took engagement pictures all through the DC landmarks and during cherry blossom season!

We were lucky enough to celebrate our bachelor and bachelorette parties in Vegas during the same weekend (although we did not meet up!).

My bridal shower was just as fun as it was a California themed bridal shower at a beach community center. We had Mexican food and decor that was everything Cali!

Fast forward to the night before the wedding- we had a traditional ceremony at my parents called 'Wasaybaye' - it's a traditional henna party and celebration that takes place before the bride to be is married off. This is a jijiga/harar/DireDawa tradition fro the Amhara in that region.

We moved to California a few weeks after the wedding and are currently planning our honeymoon to Bora Bora or Saychelles!

(A few pics from traditional ceremony on night before wedding day)

#CultureFusion