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Dr. Keji Belgore and Eyisan Boyo’s Elegant Wedding in Portugal

By Cathleen Freedman | Photography by 

Mo Davis Photography

|Planning by 

Tudo é Festa

While Dr. Keji Belgore of Gowa Shoes and Eyisan Boyo knew each other in school, their conversations were never more intimate than the odd, “Hi,” and “Bye.” It wasn’t until Eyisan messaged Keji on Facebook, when they were both in London, that they started really spending time together. They began dating; and five years later, Eyisan proposed during their first real holiday to Lisbon, Portugal, after COVID-19 closures.

While drafting the trip itinerary, Eysian conducted his due research and found a Palmayachts sunset cruise along the Tagus River. As the sky turned golden, he began his speech. “The shuffle gods were on my side because ‘No Ordinary Love’ by Sade came on,” he recalls. He then pulled out the ring, and Keji said, “Yes!”

The couple turned to Francisca Raposo from Tudo é Festa to organize the foundation of their wedding at Quinta dos Espadeiros in Almada, Portugal. Immediately, the couple envisioned a fête ensconced in candles, neutral tones, and white flowers. Chenai Bukutu of ByChenai Events was the event designer, bringing all of their aesthetic wishes to fruition.

The weekend required a team to assist with the booking logistics. Before touching into Lisbon, Bolanle Olowookere of Luxe B supported guest management and hotel bookings. Then, Catarina Perestrelo managed all guest affairs in Portugal. “We actually did the overall planning ourselves, which was very intense,” Keji admits. “Someone asked us one day, who we had overseeing everything and that’s when we realized we didn’t have an actual wedding planner. By then, we were already halfway through the whole process.” But the couple ultimately had no real reason to worry. Every aspect of the wedding surpassed their grandest hopes and wildest dreams, and Mo Davis Photography documented the day.

For Keji’s bridal look, she sought something classic yet modern. She saw a Peter Langner dress several years ago on Instagram. Despite trying on countless more gowns at ateliers and boutiques, she couldn’t stop thinking about that Peter Langner design. “I think the universe had decided I was meant to wear that dress,” she confesses. And so, she found the exact style for the ceremony.

Danielle Frankel’s Sasha dress was everything Keji hoped for in a reception outfit. Equal parts spectacular and silk, the dramatic gown had a slinky low-back, its “wow factor.” Painted by Esther applied Keji’s natural-inspired makeup, and Deborah Lola Bridal styled her hair into a slicked-back low bun.

Eyisan initially thought of wearing a nontraditional colored suit, but after a few boutique trips, every suit was a little too controversial for his tastes. Once he tried on a classic Dior tuxedo, though, he was fine with donning something more traditional for the wedding. “Plus,” he notes, “I looked really good in it!”

The couple already hosted their Nigerian nuptials in July, so they felt they had carte blanche for their Lisbon wedding. “We thought it would be nice to personalize the ceremony and include our family and friends.” Eyisan shares. On September 10, 2022, Eyisan and Keji made their entrance to an acoustic cover of Disclosure’s “Latch.” The mother of the groom began the service with a reading. Eyisan’s childhood friend, Seun, sang a rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “This,” and Keji’s cousin, Alexa, delivered an original spoken word piece. An imam officiated the ceremony and closed with the blessing of the rings. Both the bride and groom remember how overwhelmed by emotion they were as they said “I do” underneath the pink sky.

The reception followed in the open marquee space. The hors d’oeuvres were still making their rounds when guests stormed the dance floor and grooved to the Velvet Notes’s selection of Afro beats, R&B hits, and soul songs.

The four-course Portuguese-inspired dinner featured a starter, meat and fish dish, and dessert platter. They sliced into a decadent Casa Do Marques cake. Keji’s sister, her best friend, and Eyisan’s “best woman” delivered wonderful speeches. Eyisan concluded with what Keji deems as “the best groom’s speech ever.” She reminisces and laughs, “Everything left me in tears, naturally!”

The couple shared their first dance to “So Fly” by Childish Gambino. The table karaoke was one of the couple’s favorite parts of the reception, though. Their guests came in with energy and joie de vivre—the celebrations continued into the early morning hours.