There’s something quietly magical about witnessing cultures come together, not in competition, but in communion. It is in the way two distinct traditions can sit side by side and somehow create something richer and more meaningful. It’s not always perfect, but when it works, the result is beautiful.
Blending cultures is more than food fusions or outfit pairings; it’s about honouring history while daring to make something new. In this case, it is Pepi Sonuga, a Lagos-born actress of Yoruba and Igbo descent, and Zachariah Rogers, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, who are blending cultures and coming together in holy matrimony.
The couple met on set in 2021, with Zach working as a video assist operator on Pepi’s show “Queens” for only a day. The pair connected, and after a few months of dating, they went ring shopping just for fun. It soon became a reality when Zack proposed in Mexico with her dream ring, a custom yellow sapphire, and Pepi began planning her wedding.
When it came to planning the wedding, Pepi shared in an interview with Vogue that she knew she had to take charge, as she had envisioned every detail and wanted it to go exactly as planned.
In her words, “For over a year, I dreamed up every element. From the crest on our stationery to the floral palette, the pacing of the weekend, and the colours and fabrics for the Nigerian outfits, every detail was chosen with intention…” However, she knew that she would need an extra hand during the ceremony, so she hired coordinator Emma Claudio for the final details. Pepi expressed gratitude to Emma, saying, “It was such a gift to hand over the pieces I had built to someone who genuinely cared.”
Choosing to begin their vows with a Nigerian traditional wedding in Tennessee, Pepi Sonuga and Zachariah Rogers beautifully honoured her Yoruba and Igbo heritage with two striking looks that blended culture and colours, all during a heartfelt celebration held over the weekend of July 12, 2025.
For the Yoruba look, Pepi wore a custom-made aṣọ oke look in coral and aquamarine designed by Tabik. According to Pepi, “The patterns in the fabric became symbolic, representing connection, alignment, and wholeness. It felt poetic, and we looked like we belonged together.”
The bride wore an off-the-shoulder gown, intricately embellished with coral-orange appliqués. She accessorised with a layered blue wrapper draped gracefully over her arm, a matching fan, a subtle pearl necklace, and a regal blue gele. At the same time, the groom, matching colours with the bride, wore the traditional agbada, paired with the fila and a black ceremonial staff.
Photo: Instagram/@pepisonuga For her Igbo look, the bride worked with Los Angeles–based Nigerian designer Anit Cuts to create a lime green and red George wrapper and blouse adorned with gold embroidery and rhinestone details.
She paired the look with statement coral beads synonymous with Igbo traditions, which were crowned royally on her hair, along with chunky coral neck beads and a hand fan in gold hue. The groom, on the other hand, wore an all-white look, subtly mirroring Pepi’s second look. He draped the fabric across his shoulder, with a matching cap and coral bead necklace to complete the look.
Photo: Instagram/@pepisonuga Their Western ceremony unfolded on a hilltop under clear skies. She wore a strapless, corseted gown by Ines Di Santo, featuring a sweetheart neckline and delicate floral appliqués that floated gracefully across layers of soft tulle. The silhouette was fitted but soft, structured yet whimsical.
The groom matched his bride with grace in a cream ivory dinner jacket tailored to perfection. Underneath, he kept it traditional with black trousers and a crisp white shirt. He completed the look with a black bow tie and patent leather shoes, giving classic groom energy. The overall look was dreamy, like they had walked out of a painting.
Photo: Instagram/@pepisonuga Together, Pepi and Zach didn’t just wear beautiful clothes; they wore culture, both blending African and Western attire. Each look was a thoughtful fusion: the intricate structure of Western couture and the regal boldness of Yoruba and Igbo fashion harmonised. It was elegance at its finest.
