MunaLuchi Bride Turned 10 This Year and We’re Toasting Their Success
Just a few days ago, MunaLuchi Bride’s Spring/Summer 2020 issue went live, and this book seriously reminds us of the September issue of Vogue. The pages are up to the hilt with breathtaking love stories (engagements, weddings, etc.) celebrating couples of color, incredibly-informative tips and style direction from Black wedding talent and artists, and - our favorite - a spread that can only be described as a love letter to MLB’s founders and groundbreakers, Chike and Jacqueline Nwobu, from the magazine’s most adoring fans and creative collaborators.
If you’re not familiar with MunaLuchi Bride, please get acquainted, especially now that we’ve been given the opportunity to learn and grow and become truer allies to the Black community. The quote below does the publication ALL the justice (well, maybe just short of that, because its legacy and longevity are much greater indicators of that power), but from an oversimplified perspective, this print and digital magazine was conceptualized by a husband and wife team who understood just how differently multicultural couples were featured when it came to love, relationships, and the biggest commitment of all: marriage. They longed to be the place where Black couples could come to see themselves in planning editorials and real wedding portraits, they wanted to give Black-owned wedding businesses a platform to show off their magic, and they hoped to inspire a sea of supportive change in the industry as a whole.
“What started out as an abstract idea has flourished into a multimedia empire. Chike and Jacqueline Nwobu, Founders of MunaLuchi Bride, sought out to create a publication where multicultural weddings were showcased from cover to cover. They saw a need for multicultural weddings and black event professionals to be celebrated, and rather than ask to be included in mainstream media, they established their own platform. It was January 5, 2010 when the first issue of MunaLuchi Bride went on sale at Barnes and Noble bookstores across the country. It was a first… a disruptor… and a catalyst for continual change in the way our weddings and events would be perceived.” ~ MunaLuchi Bride, Spring/Summer 2020
In short - they’ve been passing the mic to Black couples and colleagues for the past 10 years, and they look forward to decades and decades of continued multicultural wedding and BIPOC coverage (literal cover-to-cover inclusivity). To pay tribute to this huge milestone and honor the power couple that made it all possible, a group of friends (and members of the MLB family, The MunaCoterie) arranged a surprise commemorative photoshoot. And it was everything.
We distilled a few quotes from the brilliant minds behind this anniversary storyboard, and all we can say is that wow, what an inspiring fam mentality. Stronger and better together, so let’s absolutely get on board, buy these beautiful, thoughtful, and empowering wedding inspo+planning books, discover new talent in the wedding world, and start seeing and feting ALL colors of love.
"Without hesitation I said yes, I'd love to create one of the gowns Jackie would wear for the shoot." ~ Dress designer, Yemi Kosibah
“It is an example in perseverance to start a grassroots movement and against all odds, tell stories of love without regard to race.” ~ Nana Annan Photography
“From the very beginning you had a clear, pure, and authentic idea that was based on your passion to connect beautiful couples of colour with the very best black owned wedding vendors in the world. You worked tirelessly to make this a reality. Through the ups and at the downs you have never wavered. The truth is you have stood strong and pushed the industry forward even in the midst of so much resistance. Because of this dedication we have all won. Black wedding professionals have become one of the most sought after individuals in the world and you all started this movement.” ~ Tristan Barrocks, Felicity Moments
“Like most little girls, I dreamed of weddings and social events where I could dress up and feel like a princess. I would pour over magazines and would hardly ever see anyone that looked like me. When I first heard of MunaLuchi, I had no idea what to expect. As I spent time reading their magazines and browsing their website and Instagram feed, I saw, for the first time, people that looked and sounded just like me. I soon discovered a whole universe of amazing black creatives and wanted to be a part of this beautiful and colorful world.” ~ Linda Georges, Georges Girl Events
“I love writing a good love story, but when it is for the owners of a company who created the platform for Black love stories, I wanted to make it especially perfect. Working with them that day and all the amazing Coterie members was life changing. I’ve created a bond with other vendors who look like me, feel the same successes and failures as me, and cheer right along with me through every wedding. To me, MunaLuchi embodies Black excellence, Black professionalism, Black power. I’m proud to be a member of this amazing group of people and looking forward to growing with everyone.” ~Reverend Orsella, Serenity Ceremonies
"The experience was something like a movie ... It was an honor being able to dress Chike in our gold brocade Jacket, black tuxedo with side tabs and our Italian cotton dress shirt." ~ Ilbert Sanchez, CEO Garcon Couture
You’ll have to flip through the entirety of the 10th anniversary issue to see all the insightful reflections and gorgeousness that is the Nwobus. In the issue, you’ll also get real-time advice from MunaLuchi’s preferred vendors (complete with a headshot of each professional alongside their tips and testimonials; another thing we love about this magazine is that you’ll get to know the community, there are always faces to the names) about planning during COVID-19; proof that intimate weddings can be the best thing ever from couples who pulled it off during quarantine; and infinite inspiration from more than 20 glamorous weddings from around the globe. Plus, a perfect multipage love story centered on pop soul singer, MAJOR, and his fiancée, Nichelle.