Ola and Raphael Don't Tell the Bride

-From the depths of the earth...

-Oh, God.

..to the crests of the mountains...

Things have gone weird.

..these crusading grooms must rise to the challenge.

£12,000...

and just three weeks...

I love that girl, I love her.

..to plan a wedding worthy of their betrothed.

Oh, my God. What's he done?

He just took my dress!

These fair maidens are bound by contract to be legally wedded...

God, no.

..but have no say in their big day.

Is it just going to all be last-minute and just rubbish?

I hate it. I need to get rid of it.

Can these hapless heroes marshal their armies?

I love her but she's a bitch when she's like this.

Vanquish dragons?

Oh, God!

Do as your future mother-in-law tells you!

And conquer all before them?

ALL CHEER

Get out of my pub!

Or will they be...

..defeated?

I'm not doing it.

Tonight...

I miss you.

..super cool groom Raphael...

Woo-hoo!

..wants a huge, traditional Nigerian wedding.

I love it, there's so much to work with, it's a blank canvas.

When all his bride, Ola, wants is a small, intimate affair.

-People that I really know...

-Not your mum's cousins, aunties...

-No.

But with this laid-back groom leaving everything

until the last minute...

It not getting done is not an option.

Right now, I'll be honest, the task ahead is looking daunting.

These are not wedding shoes.

I have a dress and it's white.

..will his big, Nigerian dream...

..turn into a nightmare?

It looks like my big, fat Nigerian wedding.

23-year-old nurse, Ola,

and 23-year-old medical student, Raphael,

first set each other's pulses racing

on their very last day of university.

It was a bit of a shock to have not ever seen Ola.

Yeah, because Raph was really popular,

so he was kind of like a lady's man,

knew everybody at the university.

We never met until the graduation ball.

They graduated and moved back home to London

where Raph wasted no time, or expense,

wooing Ola with a romantic first date.

I wanted to play it safe and not go too expensive.

So we went to Sam's Chicken.

This is it. Yeah?

Let's go.

There's a deal that everybody from here knows the deal,

it's two burgers and two fries for £2.

Well, sometimes love blossoms in the most unexpected places.

# This is gonna be the best day of my life

# Oo, oo, oo... #

The things I love about Ola are endless.

Raph is really outgoing.

She's ambitious, she's confident.

He is the life and soul of the party.

She's just amazing, really.

Both Raphael and Ola are from big Nigerian families

and are committed Christians.

So there's one very good reason why their wedding day

can't come soon enough.

Because of what I believe in, as a Christian,

I decided with Ola to, um,

keep the physical side of our friendship

to after marriage, really.

We're going to base our advice on the word of God.

So if you want to be great people

and you want to have a great marriage,

I strongly advise you to avoid fornication.

It is difficult not having the sort of physical dimension

to our relationship.

It is hard sometimes,

but we set boundaries, you know, what we can do or cannot do.

The couple have decided not to even kiss until they are man and wife.

It will be amazing to kiss Ola for the first time on our wedding day.

This wedding day is really symbolic and really important to us

because it marks that we're going to be physically intimate,

so it's a really important day for us.

With marriage meaning so much to these two lovebirds,

Raph wanted to give his proposal a certain je ne sais quoi.

I've always wanted to propose to my wife-to-be in Paris.

I've always wanted to do that.

We got the tickets booked, went to a restaurant.

I took her on a boat, it wasn't a good view of Paris,

so I was a bit like, "Where am I going to do it?"

Time was ticking but eventually I got to a nice, perfect spot

and I just looked and I saw the moon and I saw the Eiffel Tower

and it just looked beautiful.

I said, "It has to be here."

I dropped on one knee and I proposed to Ola in French, as well.

I said it in French.

Mm, but that's not quite how Ola remembers it.

We missed our flight because Raph was late to pick me up.

We ended up sleeping in the airport because the next flight

wasn't until the next morning.

We didn't have anywhere to have dinner.

We were walking around for ages.

I think Raph proposed at 11:45.

It was really, really late.

So when he proposed, it was a massive shock.

I thought it went well. I thought it was a fine start, to be honest.

Despite's Raph's disorganised proposal, Ola said, "Oui."

But back home, it's his perfectionist bride-to-be

who keeps everything in this relationship on track.

Raph and I are really different.

I can be a bit OCD about things being out of place and order

and colour and I like things done logically,

while Raph is more easy-going and he works in a different way

that I don't understand.

I do feel that I am quite laid back.

I'm quite chilled.

Nothing really stresses me out, nothing really panics me.

I just try to keep smiling and, yeah,

I'm just Raph, really.

Organised Ola has been dreaming of her wedding since childhood

and she knows exactly what she wants on the big day.

My dream wedding will be a very low-key affair.

I would like just a few friends and family,

just a plain, simple, nice, intimate affair

because Nigerian weddings are usually big,

my big, fat Nigerian wedding affair with hundreds of people

and I just don't want people I don't know

coming to celebrate such a special moment.

That would be my worst nightmare.

So Ola's dreaming of a small, intimate affair.

As for Raph...

I want to organise a big, amazing Nigerian wedding

for all my friends and family.

I want there to be a lot of dancing.

I'd like there to be the traditional Nigerian food at the wedding.

So I'd love all of those things to be at the wedding.

Oh, dear! So the man who travelled to Paris at a snail's pace,

is hoping to arrange a huge Nigerian wedding

in just three weeks.

No pressure, then.

This is going to be a good opportunity to show Ola.

She can take a back seat and things will still be spectacular

and still be enjoyable.

I want to see what Raph can do.

OK is never good enough for me, it has to be perfect.

So Raph really does have to get it right.

The time has come for Ola and Raph to say, "goodbye".

-You forgot the shoes I got you.

-Thank you.

For the next three weeks, they'll have no contact whatsoever.

The next time they'll see each other will be when they say, "I do".

Oh, and have their first ever kiss, of course.

I'll miss you.

I'll miss you more, trust me.

# Don't go

# Mmm, mmm, mmm

# Don't go... #

-I love you.

-I love you too, man.

-Let's hope the three weeks goes quick.

-Yeah.

I'll see you on our wedding day.

I can't wait.

I can't wait.

Bye.

# Don't go

# Mm, mm, mm... #

That was really, really hard.

He was much more upset than I thought he would be.

From tomorrow I'll be back looking forward to stuff

but just saying goodbye just hurts a bit.

He has loads of stuff to do in three weeks.

I'll pray that he makes the right decisions.

Ola lives with her mum 20 minutes up the road from Raph.

Hey.

Are you all right?

THEY CHUCKLE

It's the first time control freak Ola

has ever put all her faith in her laid-back groom.

Hello.

So her concerned bridesmaids have come round to offer support.

How are you feeling?

Obviously a bit, like, nervous and, well, mainly sad at the moment.

Do you feel you can do without controlling the wedding, or...?

I don't know how you can let a guy pick your dress!

No, I'm most worried about just...the budget

and what he prioritises.

You know, guys never have the same level of involvement

in, like, what goes on in a wedding.

Or interest, to be honest.

So who has laid-back Raph got to help him pull off the wedding?

Meet best man PJ,

a man so laid-back, he might as well be in his PJs.

I am extremely relaxed and Raph is extremely relaxed as well.

I think he's not going to be organised,

he's not the type to get stressed.

That's all I've ever seen from him, he's just a relaxed person.

He might not be so chilled out when he hears what Raph has in store.

-It's getting intense.

-It's serious now.

THEY LAUGH

-I'll see what she says.

-How are you doing?

-It's good, it's good.

What is the plan, Raphael, that's the question. What is the plan?

I've got a plan.

I want to start it off in the church, Ola walks down the aisle...

THEY LAUGH

Church... She walks down the aisle. You get married.

-You get married.

-Happy ever after.

-Sounds like a good plan.

Oh, my God, Raph.

Well, at least they seem to have grasped the basics.

Meanwhile, the girls are grilling Ola

about the wedding she's hoping for.

Is it important for you to have a traditional wedding?

I don't want a traditional, Nigerian wedding,

in the sense that I want something low-key, I want something simple.

Doing a traditional wedding puts a lot more strain

and a lot more stress and emphasis.

There is a lot to do.

I want to do the traditional Nigerian ceremony.

That means there's two venues, two outfits.

What?

-Transportation from the venue.

-Oh, my God.

From the church to the venue.

I want a venue to accommodate 300. It's a big plan.

It's a big, big plan.

So Raph's big, big plan is to have a Christian church wedding first

and then a traditional Nigerian ceremony with hundreds of guests.

Better get planning, boys.

I don't even know what to type in.

What do you do? Like, venues for weddings?

I guess so, I guess so.

Day one and Raph has woken up to the reality

of putting on two wedding ceremonies on the same day.

That means two venues, two wedding dresses

and two sets of bridesmaids' outfits.

The question is, has he taken on too much?

Right now, I'll be honest, the task ahead is looking daunting.

It looks like it might test me.

I need to get the venue sorted, I need to get the venue sorted.

So first the boys are on the hunt

for a venue for the Nigerian ceremony.

They've come to Hackney in East London to find somewhere

big enough to pack in hundreds of guests.

But this place already seems occupied.

-It looks like someone is actually living there.

-Mmm.

Anyway, it's not like the main view.

-It happens.

-You can invite them to the wedding.

Yeah, they can come, they're welcome.

Why not, eh? The more, the merrier!

Once inside, they realise there's plenty of room for everyone.

The thing about this venue,

you can pretty much move everything out of here.

It's kind of...the size of the space is quite rare for Hackney.

We've got a capacity of 1,400 in here and up in the balconies.

-So here is the balcony.

-OK. How many does it seat?

-200 on this side and 200 on the other side.

-OK.

You could get lost in this place.

We can make it what we want to make it.

There's so much to work with, it's a blank canvas. I love it.

While Raph's falling in love with the huge empty hall...

Ola has a more refined venue in mind.

Oh, look!

Can we have a picture in there, as well, please?

She's at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham

to show bridesmaids Tiffany, Maherit and Ladi her ideal wedding venue.

So I would have, like, my ceremony here.

Just nice, small, intimate,

simple - just Raph and I, whoever's married us.

Have the guests round down below.

You'll have to sit me in a corner because I will cry the whole time.

You do know that?

Stepping inside, love is in the air.

Ola's fallen head over heels for the elegant reception room.

This is actually just perfect.

No decorations and nothing...

-You'd like a...

-Simple.

Do you think it will be enough for your guests? You have a big family.

I would say 100 people, max.

-People that you really know well.

-People that I really know.

Not your mum's cousin's auntie's sister's friend?

So while Ola wants 100 guests max,

Raph is getting excited by the 1,400 he could cram into this venue.

I could see the guests there, the stage there.

Ola and myself would then sit on the throne

which would most likely be there.

-Are you excited?

-No, it's all getting real now.

-I think it's a great venue.

-I can see it, it could work.

So Raph splashes £800 on a cavernous venue that will

need a complete Nigerian makeover.

-I think it's good, big...

-If Ola was here,

I think she'd say, "Get it." That's what she'll say, yeah.

If you know that, then that's good. Let's hope she likes it!

The lads may be brimming with confidence,

but the girls are getting more and more concerned about Ola's big day.

Is it hitting home that you ain't got a choice?

NERVOUS CHUCKLE

-It's not going to be...

-Yeah.

-..how you want it.

It's his wedding more than mine in that sense.

Bless you.

Aw, is it getting to you at all, or...?

Um, obviously, I'm never going to have this chance again.

Don't say that.

It's really upsetting.

Because we are really close and I just wish I could actually be there,

like, for her.

I could feel myself getting emotional, I was going to cry.

Have I ever seen Ola cry?

Probably once or twice in the time I've known her

and that's probably when it's just us.

She can hold it in more than what I can.

Coming here today has sort of really hit home

that I don't actually have a say in my wedding.

It makes me feel sad in a sense that I will never get to plan my wedding.

With two weddings to organise

and two different wedding dresses to get for Ola,

Raph wants to make sure her traditional Nigerian dress

is truly authentic.

I need to give Nigeria a call because it's not looking likely

I can get all of the outfits purchased and sewn in London.

Yeah, he's ordering it from 3,000 miles away in Lagos.

PHONE RINGS

-'Yes, hello.'

-Hello.

Good morning. I need my outfit and my wife's outfit sewn.

I also want the bridesmaids' outfits and the groomsmen outfits as well.

I know it's late. I know it's late, but it's all last-minute.

But Ola has previous experience of dresses ordered

direct from Nigeria and she's been less than impressed.

-Like this one, it came from Nigeria and I couldn't wear it.

-Yeah.

It's still in the packet.

THEY LAUGH

Like, the skirt didn't fit, the top didn't fit

and even though they had my measurements, it just didn't fit.

Is he even factoring in the traditional side

of things into the wedding?

Like, I would rather not, cos my taste, I like things simple.

I don't want a big, fat Nigerian wedding.

I don't want chaos. I don't want people I don't know.

-Mmm.

-I want something for me.

So no traditional outfits and definitely no gold, then.

-'In what colour?'

-Gold.

Oh, dear!

Champagne gold and that could be done within about two weeks?

'I can try, I can try.'

That's £1,000 on traditional outfits all the way from Nigeria

that still need to be made with less than three weeks to go

until the wedding. What could possibly go wrong?

That's a big relief, a big relief.

Oh!

In Central London, Ola has come to show her mum and bridesmaids

the kind of dress she wants to get married in.

I like the one with the bling.

The trouble is, Mum and the bridesmaids seem to have

a better grasp of what they like than Ola.

Much better, in fact.

This is nice.

That's nice, I just don't like...

I don't like it so I'm not going to wear it.

-What about this one?

-No, I don't like it.

-Is it the material?

-I just don't like it.

This could be your perfect dress.

Like, what if this is the one Raph chose?

Are you guys trying to make a joke, or something?

It's not even funny.

-Hey, it's not even funny.

-It looks really cute.

Yeah, you wear it to your wedding, then.

I just feel like people are choosing what they would want,

not actually thinking about what I would like, which is a bit annoying.

It may be a bit late to realise you don't like other people

picking your wedding dress.

Across town, Raph and PJ have come to see a designer in

South London to commission a second dress for the Christian ceremony.

Hello, hello.

Seamstress Milly will have just two weeks to make the dress.

If she can work out what Raph actually wants.

This is actually what I was thinking about, something...

A mermaid thing. I think it will look good on her.

Can you have a veil and a cape? I don't know if that's too much.

You can have a cape, that's the beauty of the dress.

-Is it possible to have detachable sleeves?

-Yeah.

Something similar to that with detachable sleeves.

-Why do you want detachable sleeves? Do you want detachable everything!

-THEY LAUGH

-Why detachable?

-I don't know, it's out of the norm, really,

Everything is... I don't know.

-You don't want to be too different with her dress.

-Exactly.

If you don't want her to kill you.

Yeah...

-So...be safe, play it safe.

-Play it safe, play it safe.

THEY GASP

Meanwhile, Ola has finally found something simple

enough for her taste and there's nothing detachable on this dress.

-I actually really like it.

-I really like it.

-I really, really like it.

This one's perfect because it'll make me

-feel how I want to feel on my wedding day.

-This is unique.

Oh, I love it!

Everything about it is awesome.

I feel sexy, I feel attractive.

Most importantly, I can move in this dress.

Wow!

This has the "wow" factor.

She looked like a princess...

to me.

Seeing Ola today, in the beautiful wedding dress,

it makes me proud.

But when it comes to Raph, I pray he will do the best

because he wants the best for Ola.

Do you think Raph would choose this?

-Who know what Raph will choose?

-LAUGHTER

Back in South London, no-one seems to know what Raph is choosing.

Explain exactly what you want your lady to wear.

OK, so the mermaid sort of dress,

quite fitted from the top to about the knees.

The top half, what do you want?

I'm thinking halterneck, but what are the other options?

With that kind of dress, if you do a boob tube

you can really hide her in.

And that would give her a curvy figure out.

-I just think that boob tube is always the way. Safe.

-Yeah, yeah.

Let's choose the boob tube to be on the safe side.

Not a boob tube in sight,

Ola has set her heart on a jewelled, flowing gown.

I feel elegant, I feel how I would want to feel on my wedding day.

This is good, this looks like a wedding gown.

But Raph's finally settled on an interesting number -

a fitted boob tube, mermaid skirt, and, erm, detachable sleeves.

All he needs now is to find out if he can get it in budget.

I was hoping to spend a maximum of £500.

I was thinking I might be able to bring it down to 300, possibly 200.

Milly, you know I'm doing a Nigerian traditional wedding.

-It's unheard of to do that for £12,000.

-I know.

So this is where I need you to help me out.

Milly, how much would it cost for you to work your magic?

Buying everything and making it would be 1,000...

OOH!

HE LAUGHS

MUSIC: Ooh La La by The Wiseguys

-How much is your budget?

-Budget for the wedding dress is £67.

In the charity shop you won't get a dress for £67.

I want to make this dress, so I can make it...for £800.

So blowing the clothing budget,

Raph gives Milly the go-ahead to make Ola's wedding dress.

With just two weeks to go until his two wedding ceremonies,

Raph has spent almost half his budget,

and still only has one venue.

Still, nothing to worry about, apparently.

-Two weeks now.

-This guy's laid-back, yeah.

RAPH LAUGHS

-From now on, smooth sailing.

-Smooth sailing. Smooooth sailing.

With a smile on his face.

Inside your heart's going...

Sailing smoothly from his white wedding

to the traditional wedding, Raph is off to kit out his big Nigerian do.

My sister gave me a number of a couple who live just over

there who hopefully can help me out with what I need.

-Hello.

-How are you?

I've decided to plan a big Nigerian wedding for all my family

and friends and people important to me

to witness my beautiful wife,

I want to show her off to all my friends, really.

I need your help to decorate my venue.

-Right, how many guests altogether?

-I'm saying about 300.

For 300 guests, it's quite a lot.

It's actually going to be a traditional wedding,

so I will need a throne as well.

-Right.

-Where me and my fiance will sit on as well.

-Perfect.

-Do you want to have your seat? Practise by sitting on it.

Get used to it!

This traditional wedding is the most important part of the wedding

in Nigeria. It's not about you and the bride, it's about the family.

So that is why you'll be begging and begging for your bride,

then they know you are really serious.

-I wish you luck.

-Thank you. Thank you, Uncle.

I think Raphael has a lot of work to do.

And the list is endless, so to impress the bride's parents,

he will have to get it right.

Less than two weeks to the wedding,

and the pressure is starting to tell on Ola and her mum.

The whole family are asking questions,

including Ola's older brother Aki.

-Hey, you all right?

-How're you doing, you all right?

You good? Hey, Mum. How're you feeling about it?

In all honesty, how are you feeling?

Are you excited or apprehensive?

-I'm just hoping that it's not a disaster.

-I am afraid right now.

-You're afraid?

-Yes.

-Why are you afraid?

-Because we don't know.

I think you're in a really tough position at the moment,

I wouldn't want to be in it at all.

Especially with all the people not knowing where it is going to be.

I'm just scared of too many people, I don't want an overcrowded wedding.

Imagine a house full of Nigerians, all don't know what they're doing.

I can only handle one auntie asking questions

and I'm gone after ten minutes, so imagine having 20.

THEY LAUGH

Explaining it 20 times!

There is one detail about the wedding day Ola

can reveal to her brother - whether he wants to hear it or not.

We've never talked about this and I don't think you know.

This day is also important for Raph and I

because we are not intimate on that level...

-Wow, OK.

-So, yeah...

It's quite an important day.

-So if I have a bad day, and then, like, you know...

-Jesus.

So he's got a lot to live up to, then, hasn't he?

I feel for you, Sis.

It's the end of the second week and time for the stag and hen dos.

Raph hasn't organised anything for the girls yet,

but this laid-back groom wastes no time

bagging a big day out for the lads.

# If you go down in the woods today you're sure of a big surprise

# If you go down in the woods today you'd better go in disguise... #

Bring your shoulder round, shotgun pulled nice and tight into there.

This hand goes there, this hands goes there,

rest your cheekbone onto there, shut your left eye.

-Ready?

-Yeah.

-Here we go.

GUN FIRES TWICE

Right, you hit that, but that was more luck than judgment.

Nah, I think it was judgment.

LAUGHTER 100% judgment.

The shooting party retires to the pub to toast the groom-to-be.

This is your last day/night of freedom, how are you feeling,

how are you feeling so far, bro?

-I feel good, I feel good.

-Yeah?

You are in for some tough times, but some very good times.

Thinking I can't wait, I can't wait for married life.

-To Raph.

-To Raph.

In London, Ola and her bridesmaids have been told to expect a hen do,

but it's getting late and there's still no news of what's happening.

It's going to be something outdoors, it can't be here.

-Maybe it's a restaurant.

-Nah. It's too late.

Well, then, where, at this time?

So, Raph, what are you doing for Ola's hen do?

I was thinking big girls' night in tonight, so pizza, movies, DVDs.

I'm going to get onesies for all of them as well. Pink onesies!

-So...

-Don't want them to have too much fun, so...

No, I think she'll like that, she doesn't want to be going out.

Yeah, cos every girl wants to stay in on her hen do(!)

-Time's that, five? It's about two hours to London.

-We need to go, then.

But even Raph's big night in for Ola might not happen

if the boys don't get a move on.

We're going to get the onesies now.

On a Saturday, can't believe you left it this late.

Last-minute man Raph makes the shops just in time.

-Nice one. Sorted it. £69...

-Easy.

-Nice.

With a few snacks and some DVDs, that's a grand total of £100.

What a bargain.

I think he will spend more on me than his stag do.

I think he'll definitely think...

I don't think he thinks this stag do is that important.

Yeah, only important enough to spend 400 quid more on his stag do

than on this pile of low-cost loungewear.

-Let me know how it goes.

-Cool.

Eh, we've been waiting for three hours now,

so this better be a very good surprise.

Finally, PJ rocks up with the PJs, at 10.30.

-Come in.

-Let's hope Raph's left the engine running.

-Hi.

-Hello.

-Where's the lovely fiancee?

-And so what's going on?

-It's a onesie party, yeah.

-Frozen.

-Oh, my God, we're watching Frozen.

-There's no TV.

-We have no TV. PJ:

-Ladies, have a good evening.

-ALL:

-Bye.

PJ turned up with an armful of onesies, no explanation,

chucked some stuff at us, and walks out.

-Good? How'd it go, man?

-Not so good, man.

-Is it? How come?

-They were all dressed up.

-Really?

-Ready to go.

They looked very disappointed when I gave them...

HE LAUGHS

It's all got too much for Ola. She's locked herself in the bathroom...

-What can we do? It's done.

-Yeah, what can we do? Get in, get in.

I think after waiting so many hours,

and then just get delivered onesies, and...not even any hot food,

just a bag of random snacks,

and it's not stuff that Ola would choose herself.

So there's no thought there.

You only do it once, you're not going to have another hen do.

Spent my whole day... I could have done something else with you guys.

Yeah, we waited all day for this.

The hen do disappointment has made

Ola and the girls worry about the big day ahead.

If the wedding day comes and we feel like this, then that would be

a tragedy, really, and he would have completely got it wrong.

In regards to the wedding,

now I'm more aware to the fact that I might not actually like it.

With just one week to go and three-quarters of the budget gone,

Raph and PJ still haven't found a church for the Christian ceremony.

There will be no wedding at all without somewhere to hold it,

and it's not looking good.

I'm the best man for my friend, Raphael Kotun,

we're trying to find a venue. We're very strapped for time.

Raph is so desperate he's calling hospital chapels -

even the one where Ola works.

Me myself, I'm training to be a doctor, she's a nurse there,

and I just thought it would be quite...quite, erm,

special to get married in the chapel there.

Not much luck, to be honest,

most of them are saying we need to be patients at the hospital for them

to actually consider it, and even then it's tricky.

So Raph would have to be a hospital patient.

Well, maybe the bridesmaids will oblige when they see their outfits.

Raph's taking groomsman Rex along for backup as he faces

the girls with seven 20 quid dresses...

-from the market.

-Are you excited to see the dresses?

We're so excited, we can't wait.

That's a very small bag, Raph.

They all fit in that bag?

The girls don't seem convinced by their flimsy frocks.

Take your time, I'm sure you'll all look gorgeous.

HE EXHALES

-Seven girls, to please all of them...

-Yes, if I got it perfect...

Even if you please four of them, I'm happy.

-Four out of seven? Aiming high.

-I am happy with this, looks good.

I think maybe the material might be a little bit not so great.

-I just really hope that Ola would like it.

-Mm.

-Thanks, girls.

-ALL:

-See you, bye.

-REX:

-Take care, nice to meet you.

-Oh, my God.

-Spandex, here we come!

THEY LAUGH

The wedding is just days away, and Ola is still troubled

by the disappointment of Raph's rushed hen night.

At the hen do I felt really sad.

I felt like there wasn't that much thought put into it,

I just wasn't impressed by anything.

My bridesmaids believe that there is going to be more thought

into the wedding if the hen do was so bad, so that might be the case.

But now the bridesmaids have seen their outfits,

they're feeling about as optimistic as Ola is.

So the guys literally turned up with a plastic bag about this big.

The bag material was thicker than our dress.

Oh, for goodness' sake.

What I'm more concerned about is, whoever he went there with,

I don't want somebody to say, "Oh, yeah, that's what the bride's like."

And it's like some massive ball gown.

Want to see my dress and my shoes, really.

-Yep.

-ASAP.

Ola will have to wait a little longer,

as both her dresses are still being made.

But while Ola's worrying,

her laid-back groom has finally been getting into gear.

There may be no dress and no venue, but at least he's bagged some rings.

Do it for 1,150.

-All right, thanks a lot, Jack.

-All right.

And not forgetting designer suits for the lads.

-What's the final offer?

-I can go down to 220 for you.

-Deal? Deal it is.

-OK.

The boys have saved a few quid on suits,

but PJ can't believe what Raph has splashed on the rings.

-1,150.

-I'm shocked. I can't... I can't...

-I can't actually believe that.

-Why wouldn't you...?

That's the one thing I didn't come to and you just let loose.

£12,000 to do two weddings, it was never, ever going to be smooth.

-Exactly, so why...?

-But this is needed, it's not an option.

Ola's wedding band needs a diamond in it.

We haven't even got the venue for the actual ceremony.

Yeah.

And we're getting quotes for prices now,

when we thought it might be free.

So we'll just have to make it work, that's it.

Two days to go, there's still no church.

Ola has no idea where or when she's getting married,

but then again, Raph doesn't know where she's getting married either.

It's really frustrating not knowing where the wedding is.

I'm thinking, "What day's it going to be,

"are we going to get a call on the day?"

-Yeah.

-Saying, "Come in, you're getting married in an hour."

We don't even know the time or the location,

where do we need to be on the day?

You're meant to be making me feel better!

-Don't worry, let's go for some breakfast.

-OK.

Ola is about to find out WHEN she's getting married at least,

with a little surprise from Raph.

I need to invite Ola to the wedding.

That's the bus stop she gets every morning to go to work,

so I've got an idea.

A rainy bus stop on a busy road? Oh, stop it, you're spoiling her.

Love it. Looks good.

Right on cue, here comes the lucky lady.

Is that her, is that her, is that her? That looks like her.

HE SQUEALS

Oh, my God!

THEY LAUGH

-I just love it, I love it.

-Why's that?

This is SO Raph, and it's like, it's Raph talking to me, I love it.

# I'm getting married, I'm getting married! #

I can't wait. Just can't wait to see her again, can't wait.

There's the future wife.

And it means everything's sorted, it means he's found a venue,

he's sorted out everything and everything's in place,

-that's what this means.

-Yeah.

-So, I'm happy.

Yeah - actually it doesn't mean that at all.

Raph is still on a desperate hunt for a church.

Just, no more than two hours. I can't see it being more than two hours.

The situation has reached crisis point,

and with the budget blown, Raph calls on Rex for help.

So wait, we've got two days left and the church... So wait...

HE SIGHS

The church bit hasn't been confirmed yet?

RAPH CHUCKLES QUIETLY

-It's great how you can find this...

-RAPH LAUGHS LOUDLY

..how you can find this so funny.

I... You need to find a church.

You need to find a church and get married in it,

that's the main thing. Quitting and it not getting done

is not an option, so let's just have our two minutes of going mad,

and let's get down to work and make it happen.

Hello, good afternoon, is that Reverend Doctor?

I was told it seats 200, is that true?

..Which is actually this Saturday. I know it's very, very short,

we're literally running around last minute.

They don't rent it out cos it's a post office now.

The guy said £200 per hour, minimum.

Can you do...150?

I think I'm just grabbing on to thin air.

Thank you, thanks a lot for this, Reverend.

-'My pleasure.'

-Bye-bye.

Finally, with just one shaky lead,

the lads head out in search of a local church.

-It's open.

-"It's open"(!) Oh, it is, it's open.

Quick, quick, quick, let's take a look.

-Do we knock?

-'Course we knock, bruv, we've just gotta be...

DOOR CREAKS

-Knock first, bruv, before you burgle.

-(There's no-one in.)

So Raph calls the reverend to see if he can perform a small miracle.

So what happened, are you getting the venue?

-OK, so I spoke to the reverend...

-Did he say yes, did he say no?

-He didn't say yes, he didn't say no.

-You STILL don't know?

-When you going to know?

-Tomorrow.

-That's the day before!

-The day before, yeah.

-So what if he says no?!

THEY LAUGH

We're doing it here!

The reverend needs a day to decide, so Raph will only know

if he has a church to get married in tomorrow.

Talk about last-minute.

One day before the wedding, one day.

And it's going to be good anyway.

It's the day before the wedding,

and Ola's finally about to see dress number one.

Along with bridesmaids Melissa and Ladi,

she's being driven to a mystery location.

Where are we? I have no clue where we are.

It does not look like a dress shop.

Let's just hope the wedding dress looks like a wedding dress.

-Hello!

-Thank you.

Raphael came to see me, he put his own design on paper,

that is what he want his wife to wear.

-So he designed my wedding dress?

-Yes, he did.

Every single detail on that dress is from him.

I can see you're really surprised!

MILLY LAUGHS

-I don't even know what to say. Like...

-That's impressive.

-Is it impressive?

-It is, yeah. You know, at least he's made that effort.

But at the end of the day, he's not a bridal fashion designer.

I just want to see it now and what... What Raph has done.

For the biggest day of her life, Ola dreamt of

a simple, elegant wedding gown to suit her sophisticated taste.

MUSIC: Teardrop by Massive Attack

Oh... Is it like a boob tube?

-Mm-hm.

-Eh...

It's just a shock, because it's not what I would want or buy.

-It's not what I would buy.

-OK.

I don't really like flowy stuff.

There's a lot going on there, to be honest. My goodness, so many layers.

-The bottom, it's really big.

-Yeah, that doesn't sound too good.

-No.

And also, I'm concerned about the top,

I would have preferred a halterneck.

-Gloves are really not me, it's too much of a princess-y...

-OK.

-..thing.

-Let's try it on and see how it looks like.

Will Ola feel any different with the dress on?

Oh-ho-ho!

-No gloves.

-Yeah! No...

-Do you like it?

At first I didn't like the boob tube, cos obviously...

-Do you think I look quite masculine?

-Definitely not.

I really think once this is taken in

-and all of that comes out, I think it's beautiful.

-It is.

-I think you look elegant, sexy.

-Take out the gloves.

Gloves, definitely a no-no, I'm not a princess. I'm not ten.

Well, the good thing about gloves is that you can always take them off.

-And once the gloves ARE off, things begin to look up.

-Looks better now.

-Yeah, those are better.

-Yeah, definitely.

-I really like the back as well.

-The back is beautiful.

I look more elegant, like...

It's not overpowering, it's simple, I think it's classy-looking.

You look beautiful. You look great.

But Ola's noticed something missing.

Where are my shoes though?

-Milly, are there any shoes?

-Uh, no yet.

I'm really, really surprised that there's no shoes to try on,

because I know how Raph's like with shoes, and I would have thought

that would be his first buy, like, just buy me some massive heels.

Let's get this going, man. You got that? Careful, careful, careful.

Shoes are the last thing on Raph's mind.

Late night in Hackney, the boys are busy preparing

the huge venue for the traditional Nigerian part of the day.

-What do you think of it?

-I think it's good.

-It's a beautiful space.

First time I seen it, you done well. What about up there?

Yeah, four seats, in case we get overspill.

-We are going to get overspill, of course.

-Aunties bring their aunties and aunties bring their uncles.

Of course, that goes without saying.

-This time tomorrow... That's it.

-I'll be sitting on a throne!

I think I've got to be on this side,

cos I'm going to be like this, "Ahhh..."

Looking at 300 guests, thinking, "Wow."

HE LAUGHS

But with just a few hours till the wedding day,

where WILL Ola be getting married in the morning?

# I want to get married... #

After three long weeks, it's finally the day of the wedding.

I think the adrenaline's kicked in, I'm just excited,

I'm just ready to get started with my actual wedding.

I just really, really want to see what Raph's done,

and I just hope I like it.

The first hint of what's to come

is when the bridesmaids reveal Raph's dresses.

He-llo.

Oh, you look really nice.

But you need to show off your dress, turn around.

Now break it down now, y'all.

-THEY LAUGH

-He-ey!

She might like what the girls are wearing,

but there's still an important part of HER outfit she hasn't seen.

ALL: Oooh!

LAUGHTER

Ola, are these what you expected?

These are not wedding shoes - I have a dress and it's white.

-But maybe he's wearing a red suit as well.

-Ooh.

What would you do if he's wearing a red suit?

If I saw him in a red suit, I wouldn't walk down that aisle.

LAUGHTER

I'd walk back up, back out of that aisle, that's what I would do.

But is there even an aisle for her to walk down?

Is it a church building, or is it going to be done by a...?

I just feel like cos it's Raph...

Oh, you think cos it's him he's going to...

He's going to take us to a church.

-LAUGHING:

-Take you to the church.

But then, it's a bit late for a church ceremony.

And Ola's not the only one wondering where she's going -

so are the guests.

But finally, Raph can tell everyone

where the Christian ceremony will take place.

It's behind the Prince of Wales pub.

Yep - round the back of a local boozer.

It was down to the wire, but Raph's reverend came through,

and he confirmed this small chapel for his church wedding ceremony.

Phew!

SALOON-STYLE PIANO MUSIC

Groomsman Rex is just relieved they've found somewhere at all.

The venue's very good and personal, that's what I like about it,

it's not showy. He could have thought of it a bit sooner,

but at the end of the day, bit more stressed

but at the end of the day, it's booked. We got it in time.

Ola's brother Aki isn't quite so sure.

I wasn't expecting this if I'm honest. It's quite small.

Well, let's call it cosy.

-LAUGHING:

-Hopefully she'll like it.

Raph's mates HAVE got him to the church -

just not necessarily on time.

We look good!

RAPH GIGGLES

Yeah, it's all good, it's all going OK. Just waiting for the bride

to get here, bridesmaids - but, yeah, it's all OK.

-Let's see you. BRIDESMAIDS:

-Aww!

-You look amazing.

-How do you feel?

-I like it, I like it.

-The necklace goes...

-You look stunning.

Yeah, I think it looks good.

OK, thank you. ..Guys, we have a car waiting for us outside.

ALL: Whoo!

En route to her first ceremony, Ola's bridesmaids make sure

she's minty fresh for that very first kiss.

You definitely need that chewing gum, cos you about to kiss yo man, girl!

Oh, yeah.

The first kiss is going to be quick. A quick peck.

It's the kisses afterwards... When you're allowed!

Across town, the cosy chapel is groaning with guests.

Raph hasn't just invited friends and family,

he's invited his whole church group, most of whom Ola won't even know.

As Ola arrives,

it appears this may not be the intimate wedding she'd hoped for.

How come all these people are outside?

I don't know who these people are or what they're doing here.

The church is so full, there isn't even room for the bride.

Isn't there space to wait inside, so I can take off my coat by the door?

Push, push, push, push. Push.

SHE GROANS

Good Lord, it's freezing.

After three weeks apart, and organising two separate weddings,

Raph is about to see his bride again for the first time.

MUSIC: For Your Love by Josh Record

# I put diamonds on my promises

# So you know that they will stay

# And on your finger is where my vow will live

# So you can see it every day

# It's all for love

# It's all for love

# I will do anything for my love. #

I, Raphael Kotun...

-I, Raphael Kotun...

-I, Olatunde Fakoya.

-And I join myself to you.

-To be a wife to you.

-From this moment forward.

-I shall love you.

-And we shall be one.

-And we shall be one.

With this ring, I thee wed.

I believe with all of my heart that this marriage is forever.

This is forever.

After being together for two-and-a-half years

without a single kiss, the moment they've been waiting

so long for is finally here.

GUESTS: Wooo!

-REVEREND:

-I can tell this is one young man in a hurry!

Now, I give you permission to kiss the bride.

GUESTS: Wooo!

That's it, that's it. Everybody, that's it.

MUSIC: Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth ft. Emeli Sande

She looked beautiful, it was beautiful.

I don't expect Ola to show, like, a big happy,

overly, massively in love kind of face, she wouldn't do that.

I know she would have been happy with the whole getting married,

and God, she looked amazing.

As the chapel clears, the couple finally get a moment alone.

-I missed you.

-I missed you too.

-It feels good.

-Yeah, yeah. It'll hit us in the morning.

Yeah, I think it'll hit us in the morning. Felt so nervous.

I'm not going to lie, I was confident walking in,

but when you get up there it's a bit different.

-Yeah.

-It's a bit different!

Cos obviously just walking in, having not spoken to you

in weeks, and walking into a ceremony, it's so much.

Yeah, definitely, definitely.

People shouting, "Smile, smile, smile."

Do you have any more surprises in store?

Oh, do I have surprises for you? I've got loads!

Do you think the day's ending? This is the beginning, just starting.

And the biggest surprise of all is that Ola is heading

to a huge traditional Nigerian ceremony, worlds away from

the small, intimate reception she always dreamed of.

En route, Raph has a plan to help thaw his frosty bride.

And it comes in a box.

Three wings and chips, please.

Happy? I'm over the moon.

-MOUTH FULL:

-So much going on... I'm too on edge, I don't know...

what to expect. I don't know what I'm doing.

As they arrive in Hackney, Raph has arranged some novel transport

to get his unsuspecting bride to her second wedding of the day.

To be honest, you know, I deserve this. Where exactly are we going?

That lit-up venue there.

-What are we doing?

-Straightforward, the best part is yet to come.

RECEPTION GUESTS: Wooo!

What Ola doesn't know is that behind closed doors, preparations are

under way for a full-on traditional Nigerian wedding ceremony.

-What? Where are you going?

-Don't worry about that, go up.

Before she gets wind of the plan, Ola is diverted upstairs,

where yet another surprise awaits her.

-ALL: Hey!

-What are we waiting for?

-Right, ladies. More surprises for you girls.

-Oh, wow.

-What is that?

-Take a look.

BRIDESMAIDS: Oh, my God!

-That looks nice.

-Oh, you've got traditional clothes.

Oh, my gosh, this is beautiful.

But w-what are we using it for? That's the question.

I-I, I'm so... I'm actually speechless, I'm so shocked.

I don't know what I'm walking into.

I don't know if I'm walking into a white wedding reception,

I don't know If I'm walking into a traditional wedding.

-You thought the surprises were over, huh?

-I know, this guy...

I don't even know what to expect downstairs. What am I walking into?

GUESTS CHATTER

-Oh, my goodness - wow!

-This is it, cousin.

-We did it, we did it.

Oh, my goodness, I feel like crying. Decor - tick. Guests - tick.

Everything - tick, tick, tick, tick.

-Raphael, what do you think, everything right?

-Yeah, spot on!

-And you was right, the gold looks better.

-Yes, better than the red.

-And I'm so proud of you.

-Thank you.

-A man planning his wedding all by himself.

-Thank you.

I did it, it's beautiful, it's perfect, the guests are here,

tables are set out, food is ready -

now I can celebrate with my friends and my family.

I can't wait, I love it.

WHOOPING

As Ola makes her way downstairs...

in traditional Nigerian dress...

the penny may have finally dropped.

Looks like I just stepped on the set of My Big Fat Nigerian Wedding.

Before Raph can find out what Ola thinks of his lavish affair,

he has to beg her parents for her hand in marriage.

All the way down.

Are you begging for her, or you are not begging for...?

I'm begging for her.

Raph's efforts have impressed Ola's family,

and finally, it looks like even his bride has been won over.

I never thought I would want a Nigerian wedding,

but just looking forward to getting in there now, doing this section,

that's what I'm looking forward to now.

As Ola leads her ladies in, Raph's big Nigerian gamble has paid off.

MUSIC: Rather Be by Clean Bandit

# If you gave me a chance I would take it

# It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it... #

And at last, the happy couple are together again.

I never thought I would want, like, a big fat Nigerian wedding,

but seeing all my friends and family together, I had a good time

because of all the touches you put in.

I wasn't expecting the outfit, the outfit is beautiful, I love it.

I'm really happy, babe, you really did well. You pulled it off.

I think Raph has done a great job in general - from A to Z

he's really surprised us.

The fact that he pulled that off in three weeks,

-I have to say, my hat off to you, Raph.

-One great job.

This is what you call a success. This is a big fat Nigerian success.

Right here. Right in front of you.

You see her smiling, laughing now, I think she really enjoyed it.

It came together in the end.

As long as she goes home with a smile on her face. That sounded...

-Huh?

-That sounded quite rude.

I'm so happy. And I'm married now.

Being away three weeks taught me loads, and it showed me

how much I love you, how much I care for you, how much I miss you.

I think what I've learnt most being away from Raph,

he makes me a better person.

You make me nicer, you make me happier...

I don't want to not have a day without you. Ever.

Ahhh...

# ..Next to me, ooh-hoo

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me... #

48 hours later, the couple have a third and final legal ceremony.

-And another chance to practise that kiss.

-You may kiss the bride.

Next time - unromantic groom Dan...

-Mi scusi.

-..plans a Shakespeare-inspired wedding abroad.

Fai matrimoni? ..They put the phone down on me!

Can this Romeo pull off a real Italian job?

Kate is devastated.

Will his grand ideas of love get lost in translation?

It's just really itchy and I'm sweating like a pig.

Or has this groom set the stage for a Shakespearian tragedy?

-TEARFUL:

-I don't... I don't want to wear this dress.

I just want it to be exactly as the way I wanted it.