We recently sat down with Subomi, a unique entrepreneur who turned a casual dance hobby into a highly sought-after virtual choreography service for weddings. She shared her story from passion to purpose adapting through the challenges of developing a service from her hobby and the world of wedding planning.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Subomi our guest on TheOwalife Feature series with yours truly, MO.
Q: Before we get into your choreography journey, tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Subomi. I was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, and my parents moved to Ireland when I was two years old. I have lived here ever since. I always say I am Nigerian, even though I have been in Ireland for more than twenty years. Sometimes people tell me, “You are not really Nigerian,” and at the same time, the Irish do not completely see me as Irish either. So I often feel like I am somewhere in between, not fully here or there.
That mix of cultures has really shaped who I am. It is probably part of why I connect so easily with music and movement; they have always been my bridge between both worlds. I have been dancing for as long as I can remember. People joke about dancing since the womb, but that is genuinely me. My mum was the same; she loved music and had such great rhythm, so I definitely picked it up from her. Dance has always been the one thing that feels natural no matter where I am.
Q: When did you first decide to start putting your dance videos out there for people to see?
It started during COVID period in 2020. Everyone was at home and bored, and there was this dance trend going around on Instagram. At first, my friends and I were shy about posting, but one of them uploaded a video and I thought, why not? I posted too, and the feedback was so encouraging. People genuinely loved it.
From there, I kept posting consistently; sometimes I joined TikTok trends, other times I created my own cherography. My page started to grow really fast. I went from about one thousand to eight thousand followers in just a few months.
Eventually, brands began reaching out to collaborate, asking me to post for them. That was when it started to feel different. It became more about deadlines than enjoyment, and I found myself forcing content just to keep up. Somewhere along the way, I fell out of love with it.
Q: What happened?
Honestly, I just wanted to dance for vibes, for fun, so my friends could see that I could actually move. But it suddenly turned into something much bigger. I was in college when one brand reached out. They started sending me clothes, and I would post content for them.
Before I knew it, it became a business. They wanted me to post a specific number of times each week or month, and that was when I started losing the joy in it. I felt like I was dancing just to meet deadlines, not because I wanted to. Eventually, I became less consistent, forcing myself to post maybe three times a month. I completely fell out of love with it and took a long break from Instagram for almost a year. During that time, my followers started dropping, but honestly, I needed that break.
Q: How did you reignite your passion and transition into wedding choreography?
I had to push myself to keep dancing and just post without overthinking it. I started dancing with friends again and uploading whatever felt natural. That was when I realized people loved easy, fun videos. They didn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes I’d dance with my mum or do small steps in my living room, record it, give it a funny caption, and people loved it. It felt light again.
At first, I thought I wanted to go into dance fitness. I started researching it, but it required a lot of certification and planning, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it online or in person. So I let that idea go and decided to just focus on my main job and braid hair on the side.
Then one day, I posted a video called “Moves for my girlies that are snatched in aso ebi.” That video blew up, and my comment section went wild. People started messaging me saying, “I’m getting married, can you teach me and my girls?”
That was how it all started. It was never my plan to teach bridesmaids, I always thought I’d do dance fitness but when that comment came in, something clicked. I realized I could actually teach brides and their girls how to dance for their weddings. It was such a random niche, but it made sense, and hardly anyone else was doing it.
Q: As the “Bridesmaid Choreographer,” walk us through your process from the initial inquiry to the wedding day.
The process always starts with a Google Form, it’s like my blueprint. One key section I added recently is the budget field. I don’t want to overcharge anyone, and I understand that choreography isn’t something most people plan for the same way they would for a photographer. So, I ask brides to indicate what they’re comfortable spending.
Once the form is filled, I reach out via WhatsApp. I prefer communicating there because it’s faster and more personal. That’s where we confirm the details: the number of bridesmaids, the chosen song or mix, and their availability for a quick Zoom run-through if possible.
After we agree on a price, they make a 50% deposit to confirm the booking. Once that’s done, I usually start sending the first set of videos within two to three hours. I like my clients to start rehearsing immediately so they can get comfortable with the steps.
I also make sure I understand the specifics of each wedding. Not every entrance has a long walkway, some happen right on the dance floor. That helps me adapt the choreography to fit the space. I now also ask about the skill level of the bridesmaids, because when I first started, I sent out a few complex routines, and the feedback was always, “I can’t do that one.” So I keep it simple, cute, and classy, no complicated legwork.
After I send the videos, the ball is in their court. They send back their progress videos, and I give feedback, mostly positive, just to build their confidence. We go back and forth until everyone’s happy with the result.
Q: Do you ever help with music selection or mixing?
Funny enough, a bride recently asked me if I do song mixes. I tried playing around with DJ apps, but I realized very quickly that mixing is serious work. DJs are really doing the Lord’s work! So, no, I don’t offer that as a service
However, I do help brides by choreographing their dance first and then telling them which parts of their two chosen songs should be mixed and where the transition should happen. I’ll guide them on what to tell their DJ so it flows perfectly.
Q: What songs are currently popular for bridal entrances, and do you have any unique suggestions?
With You by Davido is the winner, I’ve choreographed it four or five times already. People love it. A unique one I enjoyed was 4Dayz by Kiss Daniel, which turned out so beautifully for a first dance.
Do you choreograph for groomsmen too?
Yes, but usually it’s the bride or maid of honor who requests it. Groomsmen are funny, they don’t like doing too much. They want their glasses, maybe a stick, two steps, and vibes. Sometimes they freestyle halfway through.
Q: What’s your key advice for brides currently planning their wedding entrance?
Invest in it, even if it’s not with me, invest in choreography. It’s once in a lifetime, and the videos will always make you smile. Also, choose timeless songs you actually love not just trending tracks for TikTok. It’s your memory, not content for others.
Q: Lastly, what are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far, and how do you juggle this with your other roles?
One major lesson I’ve learned is that comments are data and data is gold. I constantly update my Google Form based on feedback from clients. For instance, I’ve added sections asking about bridesmaids’ skill levels or whether they’ll be holding fans during their entrance.
As for juggling everything, I work full-time in healthcare insurance, and I braid hair on weekends. So yes, it’s definitely a three-in-one package but I love it. Every part of what I do feeds into another, and I’m grateful for the balance.
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Subomi’s journey is a reminder that passion can evolve in the most unexpected ways. What began as a simple love for dance has become a growing niche that celebrates brides, friendships, and joyful memories. Through her choreography, she’s helping bridal parties step into their moments.
You can connect with Subomi on Instagram @xx_subomi_xx and TikTok @subomi25 to see her latest bridal choreography videos and behind-the-scenes clips.
