Halls of St George

Traditional Nigerian Wedding

Chicago Cultural Center

Ceremony & Reception

Our Wedding

Friday

- 5PM: Shuttle Bus departs for those who have signed up for it.- 6PM: Traditional Nigerian Wedding starts- Midnight: Festivities conclude &amp; shuttle bus returns same guests to hotel.

Saturday

- 4:30 PM: Ceremony seating begins- 5 PM: Ceremony promptly begins (latecomers are escorted to cocktail hour area to wait &amp; enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres as to not interrupt the ceremony)- 6 PM: Cocktail hour begins - 7 PM: Reception begins - Midnight: Festivities conclude

Timelines

Obie and Abel met in Madison, Wisconsin during college in October of 2018 and it was love at first sight (or at least that’s how Obie tells it). After the first date the couple was inseparable and before they knew it, a whole year had gone by full of laughter, love, and their favorite activity: movie theater dates! They felt as if nothing could get in their way until Abel’s soccer team leadership changed and the politics of sports made reality set in quickly for the two. Abel had to transfer schools to Northern Illinois University and in the blink of an eye, the couple became a long distance relationship for the next 5 years! Those years were spent with lots and lots of car rides between Wisconsin and Illinois any chance that they could get. For a while, there was no end in sight. However, shortly after Abel proposed to Obie last year, he decided that enough is enough and he moved back to Madison despite the daily commute to his job in Illinois. And they say chivalry is dead! The two moved in together and life has felt complete again— and this time, with a new piece of hardware on Obie’s finger! The pair will be making another big move together this spring after Obie graduates from medical school and starts OB/Gyn residency. This relocation will be the first of many adventures of married life that they will tackle together! And as long as they have each other by their side, they know they'll be happy wherever life takes them.

#DestinedForDzoho

Our Story

She said “Yes”!

Fun fact: Obie's younger brother does photography and Abel asked him to hide in the bushes while they ate dinner so that he could catch the surprise on Obie's face on camera once he popped the question!

Engagement party

Photos

Favorite (& only) sister! Also the most dependable and kind person I know.

Nneka Oniah

Bemdoo Dzoho

This friendship started back in elementary school and we’ve stayed connected ever since!  

Khabrei Cobb

Abel Araya

Bestfriends since we made eye contact in chemistry class freshman year of college!

Luana Gnatenco 

Joash Saha

Maria was on UW’s dance team and we’ve been dancing away together ever since we met freshman year of college!

Maria Ekern

Afam Oniah

College bestie, turned post-grad roommate! We’ve been by eachothers side in Madison for almost 8 years now!

Michelle Ramirez-White

Chris Aondo

Her dorm room was right across the hall from mine during freshman year of college!

Sophie Demou

Met while in medical school and have been inseparable ever since! 

Andrea Lucia Alfonso

Steven Barratt

Best friends since middle school! In highschool people gave us the nickname, "twin towers" for our height and friendship.

Marijke McQueen

Chiangi Iorbee

Bridesmaids Proposal Brunch

Wedding Party

Transportation

On Friday, there will be a bus shuttle to transport guests from each of the 3 hotels to the traditional Nigerian wedding venue and back to the hotel afterward. On Saturday, each of the 3 hotels are within walking distance or a short uber to the ceremony/reception venue.

Parking

For those booking one of our hotels and will require overnight parking it is advisable to book your parking through the app "SpotHero" if not directly with the hotel. For those driving straight to Chicago Cultural Center, valet services available for $20 on E Washington St.

Deadline to book: 02/28/2026 (while rooms last)All rooms are available to book 3 days prior and 3 days post the event at the same block rate i.e. 04/01-08/202618 miles from O'Hare Airport0.8 miles from Chicago Cultural Center

Hyatt Regency Chicago

Deadline to book: 02/28/26 (while rooms last)Includes $38.00 breakfast voucher for 04/04-05/2026All rooms are available to book 3 days prior and 3 days post the event at the same block rate i.e. 04/01-08/202618 miles from O'Hare Airport1.1 miles from Chicago Cultural Center

Loews Chicago Hotel

Deadline to book: 02/28/2026 (while rooms last)All rooms are available to book 3 days prior and 3 days post the event at the same block rate i.e. 04/01-08/20260.9 miles from Chicago Cultural Center

Swissotel Chicago

18 miles from Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

12 miles from Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago Midway International Airport

Travel

Navy Pier

The Bean

"Magnificent Mile"Shopping, dining, and attractions

Michigan Avenue 

Millennium Park

Skydeck Chicago

Art Institute of ChicagoField MuseumMuseum of Science and IndustryShedd AquariumAdler Planetarium

Obie Oniah & Abel Dzoho

Obie Oniah & Abel Dzoho

Timelines

Friday

Saturday