Nigerian Billionaire Marries Model in $6.4 Million Wedding: Go Inside the Opulent Nuptials

What happens when an oil tycoon’s son marries a model? One seriously extravagant wedding.
Folarin Alakija–whose mother, Folorunso Alakija, is one of Nigeria’s wealthiest women–married Iranian model Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar in an over-the-top, lavish wedding this weekend. The mother of the groom—the vice chair of Fame Oil—currently rests at No. 14 on Forbes’ list of Africa’s wealthiest billionaires, and no expenses were spared for her son’s nuptials held at Blenheim Palace in the English countryside.

Celebrity florist Jeff Leatham—who’s engaged to Rough Night actor Colton Haynes—executed the breathtaking floral production at the venue, which housed a display of one million white roses and matching hanging orchids.
“We created heaven on earth for you and your new hubby,” Leatham wrote on Instagram. In a separate post, he added, “Team Leatham Out – but the memories of this EPIC event will live and inspire forever.”





A bespoke marble floor etched with the couple’s initials perfectly accentuated the white-and-gold color palette. Guests enjoyed a divine five-course menu, which included sole, foie gras. The 12-foot cake alone—crafted by high-end bakery Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium—was estimated at close to $13,000.

The bride chose multiple gowns for her wedding day, donning a beautiful strapless dress for the ceremony paired elegantly with a diamond necklace. She later swapped into a lace sleeved number that draped her toned physique.
Victoria’s Secret model Shanina Shaik attended the wedding, while guests were treated to a live performance by Robin Thicke. Fireworks rounded out the extravagant night. “Congratulations to the now Mr & Mrs Alakija,” Shaik wrote on Instagram. “It was an honor to witness your union as husband and wife.”


According to the Daily Mail, the family flew hundreds of guests over from Nigeria for the glitzy affair. The couple enjoyed a traditional Nigerian wedding in November 2016 after getting engaged.
The groom, an entrepreneur, and the bride—who studied bioengineering at the University of Manchester— reportedly first met through mutual friends in London. This is the second wedding for Alakija, who lost his first wife to cancer. He is a dad to a young daughter.