Simon Guobadia, a billionaire Nigerian-American businessman, and Porsha Williams have now become husband and wife, making her the new Mrs. Guobadia.
The couple, who were also Real Housewives of Atlanta cast members, tied the knot in a grandiose Benin wedding, a traditional Nigerian ceremony.
On Friday, November 25, the newlyweds' first of two ceremonies—the traditional wedding ceremony—was held for Porsha Williams, 41, and Simon Guobadia, 57.
The first wedding held at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, while the second wedding — a custom American ceremony — will take place on Saturday, November 26. The Atlanta ceremony took place in front of 250 guests. Ahead of her nuptials, Williams told PEOPLE Magazine, “I am ridiculously excited. I am just so ready. I’m not even nervous. I mean, I know I’m marrying the love of my life, and it’s just going to solidify our relationship and our family bond. I’m calm and excited.” Meanwhile, Guobadia said, he just “a little nervous.” Williams said she was also “anxious” about her seven wardrobe changes she has planned between her two weddings. She said she “couldn’t turn any dresses down,” and her weddings will be “a true fashion extravaganza.” For her Nigerian wedding, Williams had three outfit changes, and even “personal chose the fabrics” for the traditional attire for her family. She said, “I should be a stylist after this!” See photos and videos below.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum, 41, and the Nigerian-born billionaire, 57, wed again in Atlanta on Saturday in a second, American wedding organized by Eliana Baucicault of Elly B events, after exchanging vows on Friday in a traditional Nigerian native law and custom ceremony.
350 people, including fellow Housewives stars Kim Zolciak-Biermann, Monyetta Shaw, Kandi Burruss, Drew Sidora, and Cynthia Bailey, attended the day's opening ceremony in a Methodist church.
Comedian Rickey Smiley, Karlie Redd from Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Quad Webb from Married to Medicine, Jennifer Williams from Basketball Wives, and T.I. and wife Tiny Harris were also present.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard performed "For Every Mountain" with a gospel choir and a 40-piece orchestra as Williams was led down the aisle by her brother Hosea Williams III while wearing a white lace Frida ballgown.
“I definitely want the Lord to be in the place,” Williams told PEOPLE ahead of her nuptials. “I want the Holy Spirit to usher us into being a husband and wife. I’m from the south, so I love being in church. I’ve never been married in a church, and Simon’s never been married in a church, so it’s going to be a new experience for both of us.”
Though they also had a ceremony the night before, the couple waited to exchange their wedding bands until they met each other at the altar on Saturday.
“We call each other ‘hubby’ and ‘wifey’ all the time, but now it’s going to be official, so I think I’m going to cry,” Williams said. “Simon says he’s not going to cry, but he’s cried at home when we just talk about our relationship, so I think he’s going to cry. I think we have a silent bet.”
In order to win the “silent bet,” Guobadia said he’s going to bring “sunglasses” with him to the altar.
“Crying? No, that doesn’t happen to a Benin man!” joked Guobadia, who grow up in the Benin City of the Edo State of Nigeria.
Standing by the couple’s side on the big day was Williams’ bridal party, consisting of her sister Lauren, who served as her maid of honor, her best friend Shamea Morton, who served as her matron of honor, and her bridesmaids.
Williams’ daughter Pilar Jhena, 3, with ex Dennis McKinley and Guobadia’s children also had a special role in the ceremony. (Guobadia has kids Quentin, Nicole, Christian, Benjamin and Ximena from previous marriages.)
“Pilar is going to be a flower girl, and her dress is so cute, I could’ve copied it for a wedding gown,” Williams said. “Then my niece, Baleigh, my sister’s daughter, is going to be another flower girl. Our daughter, Ximena, is going be a junior bridesmaid. Our sons, Christian and Benjamin, are going to walk my grandmother down the aisle. Simon’s oldest son, Quentin, is going to walk him down the aisle.”
After the ceremony, Williams changed into a gown by Albina Dyla for their reception ball held at the St. Regis Atlanta. The space was decorated in cream and nude colors. There, guests were also treated to a surprise performance by the R&B group Dru Hill.
“I really wanted to hear the song ‘Beauty Is Her Name,'” Williams said. “I have always thought about having on a wedding dress and dancing to it. And then my husband would say, ‘Beauty Is Her Name.’ I love Dru Hill and am so glad the whole group is back together.”
Williams said the cake at the reception was going to be “so tall” that she’d need a “sword” to cut it.
“If extra was a bride, it’d be me,” she said with a laugh. “I promise you I did not know that I was this extra.”
Throughout the remainder of the night, Williams changed two more times: first, for the bouquet toss, and then again for the after party. For each outfit, she also changed her wigs, all by her brand Go Naked.
“I thought, ‘Why not? It’s my last wedding forever,'” she said.
Like they did on Friday, the couple asked for guests to go unplugged for the duration of the celebration.
“It’s important for me because I’ve had another big event in my life before, and all I remember seeing was flashing lights and pictures being taken every single minute,” said Williams, who was previously married. “I just really want people to be in the moment. This guest list, everyone there was handpicked by the both of us. These are people that we care about, these are people that we love, people who have supported us, and we really want them there to feel their energy and for us to celebrate our love together.”
Williams and Guobadia’s Friday ceremony was all about celebrating the couple’s shared Nigerian ancestry. At the Four Seasons Atlanta, they were joined by 250 guests.
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