The evening of Thursday, April 4, 2013 will for long be remembered by the family of Late Patrick Ikpe- Etim of the Ikot-Etobon community in Akwa Ibom State. The reason is because they gave out their first daughter, actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim out in marriage, according to their tradition. Present at the event were few celebrities and honorable sons and daughters of the community who came to celebrate with the love birds.
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The Wedding Eve
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The busy Akwa Ibom International Airport got busier when friends and family members of the couple started trooping in the night of Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Their flight from Lagos arrived Uyo few minutes past 8pm after which they lodged at the De Castle Home. The train had in it the parents of the groom and Nse's siblings including Patrick, who just returned from the US, Tenyin, Nathan and Uyai. The other sister, Ini, was however, unavoidably absent.
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The secret love nest
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While the couple's friends and family members were in the De Castle homes, Nse and hubby found rest in the more exotic Le Meridien hotel, Uyo where they passed the night before joining guests in the morning.
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The D Day
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The arrangement was for the train to head to the venue as early as possible but for certain hiccups that came up and resulted in over 5 hours delay. The train finally left at about 1pm and headed to Ikot Etobon.
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Nse gets emotional
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The emotional side of Nse gave way when in company of her husband, she visited the De Castle hotel and saw her immediate younger brother, Patrick. The six-footer cyclist had been away from the country for five years, hence, the torrents of tears that poured as Nse hugged him. Patrick, being the first son was to give his sister out in the absence of their late father.
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The Party
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The party began at 4pm with a welcome dance from the Ukopan cultural group. This was followed by a welcome address from the MC, Utang Akwa Ibom who proceeded to intimate the gathering of the reason behind the celebration. Few minutes after, the mother of the bride was introduced to all present. She danced round and greeted her in-laws.
Reverend Ema's prayer signified the commencement of the party proper. He spoke about the bride's late father and asked for a one-minute silence in his honour.