{"id":30283,"date":"2011-10-05T09:00:57","date_gmt":"2011-10-05T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sierraexpressmedia.com\/?p=30283"},"modified":"2011-10-05T09:00:57","modified_gmt":"2011-10-05T13:00:57","slug":"the-historic-wedding-of-theresa-and-patrick-dangawali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/?p=30283","title":{"rendered":"The historic wedding of Theresa and Patrick Dangawali"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas, USA\u00a0 – As guests eagerly waited for the bride and groom to make their grand entrance in the ballroom of the Cyprus Hotel in Arlington on 24th September 2011, the bride, Theresa, first proudly marched straight to the hallway feeling high distinction with a mixed emotion of excitement and profound gratitude. \u00a0It was a happy-ever-after moment for both. \u00a0Theresa and Patrick who saw hundreds of guests waiting for them to take the oath of marriage in the church.\u00a0 (Mr & Mrs Dangawali cutting the wedding cake)<\/em><\/p>\n

Some people compared Theresa and Patrick Dangawali’s marriage to Prince William\u2019s marriage to Catherine Middleton in the British Royal wedding. \u00a0It was fascinatingly a Manor River Union (MRU),\u00a0 rooted in the cultural heritage of Sierra Leone and Liberia. \u00a0The music was richly orchestrated by the Disco Jokers, lead by Mohamed Bio who played stirringly compositions by the musical stars of Sierra Leone and some American hip-hop just to entertain the attendees in the reception hall.<\/p>\n

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Sierra Stars proudly welcome the newlyweds in the reception hall<\/p><\/div>\n

The bride was in a full white dress like that which adorned the cover of the recent British Royal marriage, making Theresa to be the bride of the year in Texas.\u00a0 Surrounded by the Sierra Stars soccer players in their green and white jerseys, the bride entered the reception hall with sounds of applause echoing \u201cPresso! Presso! Presso.\u201d \u00a0The team coach, Mohamed Jalloh said, \u201cit was just to honor our president\u2019s new wedded wife.\u201d\u00a0 It was indeed the wedding of the year, many people say.<\/p>\n

The wedding ceremony began at 3pm at the First Life Baptist Church in Plano Texas.\u00a0 The service was conducted by Rev Seth Williams. \u00a0The bride and groom were surrounded by their friends and loved ones and shafts of gorgeous natural light shone through the large windows. \u00a0The groom, Mr. Patrick Dangawali, entered the Church hall first in his white suit and the bride Theresa Tarpeh Bome who was wearing a beautiful Vera Wang embroidered wedding dress with a long train, entered the church main hall on the arm of her son, Philemon Bome. \u00a0The couple purchased their wedding costumes from the JLO line in Italy. \u00a0They proudly did so because they wanted a more European style tailored suit, while the groomsmen found their formal wear at Tip Top Tailors fashioned in the United States. \u00a0The bridesmaids each wore a soft purple Vera Wang gown.<\/p>\n

The service started with a prayer by Rev Sett Williams, who gave a prophetic lecture on the concept of marriage and did a 10-pointer as to why marriage works.\u00a0 The pastor said that all women must be submissive to their husbands and that God should be first in all that you do.<\/p>\n

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Mr and Mrs Patrick Dangawali<\/p><\/div>\n

Patrick Dangawali looked great even though he had lost over 20 pounds because of the wedding preparations!\u00a0 Both of them were beaming throughout the whole ceremony.\u00a0 According to the traditions, the question was asked as to, \u201cwho is giving away the bride?\u201d \u00a0Mr. Philemon Bomeh stood up and answered yes, I do!<\/p>\n

The first reading was done by Mr. Yera Teleh Keita from Genesis 2:18-25 and the second reading by Mrs. Felicia Swen Mathew 7: 24 \u2013 29. \u00a0Wedding rings and vows were exchanged with the pronouncement \u201cyou are now Husband and Wife.\u201d \u00a0A spike and lingering kiss was ordered by Rev Sett Williams as cheers and jubilation from friends and family members inside the church was evidence of positive emotions.\u00a0 Yes! The diamond, as the ladies put it, \u2018is a rock and is sparkling precious on a princess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. and Mrs. Dangawali were greeted with shouts of jubilation from the crowds as the wedding procession left the church for photographs with the group of photographers.\u00a0 Many took photos with the lovely newlyweds as they posed with family and friends.<\/p>\n

The reception took place at the Blue Cyprus Hotel in Arlington, where <\/strong>a big marquee was set up in the hall which was an amazing sight. \u00a0The tables were mixed arrangements in shape; some round, some square to seat the 800+ guests.\u00a0 The bride and bridegroom were in a very long dais.\u00a0 For the d\u00e9cor, the flowers were a mixture of arrangement, some high, some low, with a variety of candles. \u00a0The color palette was a soft lilac and white.\u00a0 Guests were seated at each table, with a personalized printed name of towns in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and, of course, everyone was split up so nicely with their couples.<\/p>\n

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Ashobi women including 2nd from right Mrs. Adama Sesay<\/p><\/div>\n

The music was amazing, as DJs were in the house with a full swing of African and various standard music pieces composed by different cultures. They could play anything and did, really leading the crowd through the entire festive night.<\/p>\n

The first dance was in honor of Patrick and Theresa, a pretty sexy tango tempo which showed how much in love they are. \u00a0Patrick was full of excitement. \u00a0As they danced, they did a Hora, and both Patrick and Theresa were joined by other family and friends some in \u2018Ashobi\u2019 style around the room, hilarious!<\/p>\n

At about 9 pm, guests mingled with family and friends in the Great Hall of the Blue Cyprus Hotel to sip cocktails and other refreshments from the open bar and watched the bride and groom cut their fabulous, pristine white wedding cake. \u00a0The wedding cake was extraordinary and familiar, a ritual symbol that everyone in the western area can see as culinary art, good to be admired. \u00a0It was preceded by a cool love song.<\/p>\n

A dinner of good African and other continental dishes like salad, risotto, and a choice of Arctic Char, Angus Steak or Vegetarian, plus desert and cake was served. There were gluten free breads and the huge wedding cake was gluten free as well. The dining went on until 1a.m. or so.<\/p>\n

The occasion was full of speeches and toasts.\u00a0 It was a great night as two masters of ceremony (MCs) stirred the wedding party. \u00a0The MC, Mrs. Oreta Manneh made the welcoming address.\u00a0 by saying, \u2018everyone in this room has touched the lives of Patrick and Theresa either in the past or present, and they hope that it will be part of their lives going forward too\u201d.\u00a0 She thanked everyone for all that they have done for them both.\u00a0 She proceeded with the introduction of the bride and bridegroom, and they danced their way into the great hall with a special song. \u00a0They were immediately followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen and then the grandparents, Ms Florence Campbell and Mr. Donald Nat\u2013George made the final entrance.<\/p>\n

Another Master of Ceremony, Mr. David Kessebeh, took over from Mrs. Oreta Manneh, and conducted the speeches in a short and coherent order. \u00a0The best man and a dear friend of the groom, Mr. Arnold Robinson, President of the Old Edwardian Association, Washington DC, made a nice and remarkable speech.\u00a0 Miss Florence Campbell, Matron of Honor gave a really heartfelt speech, while Mr. Yera Teleh Keita gave a more historic speech about the bride and the origin of the name Dangawali. \u00a0Mr. Keita congratulated Patrick on behalf of the people from the north of Sierra Leone in the Koinadugu District thanking him for all his support.\u00a0 Various other speakers, including President of Krio Descendant Union, Mr. Patrick Jackson and Dr. Alie Patrick Koroma congratulated the couple for their wonderful day.<\/p>\n

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Mr and Mrs Dangawali accepting a plaque from the Sierra Stars<\/p><\/div>\n

A plaque presentation was handed to the bridegroom by Coach Mohamed Jalloh on behalf of the Sierra Stars Soccer Club of Dallas, and all the soccer players were on stage to congratulate the couple. \u00a0Mr. Sentu Johnson, one of Sierra Leone\u2019s finest footballers also made a fitting speech about the groom and how he had been his role model and followed in his footsteps as an Edwardian.\u00a0 He introduced Mr Eddie Akpan who presented the bridegroom with a plaque from the Old Edwardian Association national chapter in North America. \u00a0The Oldest Edwardian on the night, Mr. E. T. Kamara, led the singing of the school song by all Edwardians present.<\/p>\n

Mr. Abu Dylan Kabia, who had travelled all the way from the United Kingdom, also gave a short and brief speech on behalf of all the veteran soccer players, both at home and abroad, for Patrick\u2019s hard work in helping and supporting the game of soccer in Sierra Leone and abroad and presented a token of appreciation.<\/p>\n

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Cutting the wedding cake<\/p><\/div>\n

The high point of the night was the speech by Mr. Patrick Dangawali where he described the time he went to ask for Theresa\u2019s hand in marriage.\u00a0 It was funny and surreal.\u00a0 He said that having a beautiful woman like Theresa is a symbolic power and might of his social life.\u00a0 He added that Theresa embodied the finest qualities of both her parents; therefore, he thanked them for raising such a special person (Theresa had tears at this point). Patrick also said that as people have been there for them, he wanted to make it clear that he and Theresa will always be there for everyone else \u2013 through good times and bad. \u00a0It was very touching and meant a lot to everyone in the room who knows them well. \u00a0The groom\u2018s speech was great (off the cuff), and he radiated when he spoke of his love for Theresa, and again for everyone in the room. He ended by saying that he wanted to accomplish their dreams together.<\/p>\n

The bride and the groom shared their first official dance with a touch of African classic and the rest is a blur \u2013 of trying to meet everyone and squeeze in some fun on the dance floor.<\/p>\n

At the end of the night every one danced to beautiful songs by the DJs and the dancing continued until the wee hours. \u00a0The DJ wrapped up at about 4:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

Many people, including the press had it all wrong; it was not a Hollywood event, but more of a family and friends event. \u00a0So the only stars were everyone who attended and partied till day break.<\/p>\n

Thanks to those people who did make the long journey from out of state. It was really great fun.\u00a0 Mr. Sentu Johnson headed the group from New York, who included Larry Kofi, Eddie Akpan, Lionel Williams Abdul Aziz Mansaray, Abdul Newland, Amudae Ahmed and all the other people from the state of Atlanta, Georgia. \u00a0Arnold Robinson headed the group from Washington, Abu Dyfan Kabia from London, and many from different parts of the globe. Thanks to you all.<\/p>\n

By Sanpha Sesay\u00a0 and Yera Teleh Keita<\/em><\/p>\n

Photographs:\u00a0 Les Rickford and Sanpha Sesay<\/em><\/p>\n

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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