Ghanaian traditional weddings are renowned for their vibrancy, color, and glamour. They are a celebration of dance, music, family, and exquisite Kente fashion. In recent years, Ghanaian weddings have become a canvas for storytelling and cultural expression through attire.
“Traditional dress may be defined as the ensemble of garments, jewelry, and accessories rooted in the past that is worn by an identifiable group of people”, according to the encyclopaedia. This means every group of people have their distinct traditional outfits that define who they are.
This article delves into the heart of Ghanaian bridal dresses and wedding traditions, exploring the significance of Kente cloth, the evolution of styles, and the roles of the bride, groom, and guests in this vibrant cultural celebration.
Beautiful Ghanaian bride, Elikay, looking splendid at her wedding to Govnor in 2023. Gold jewelry, intricate beadwork, and symbolic motifs add to the regal and elegant look.
The Essence of Kente Cloth
Lately, almost every couple is going by the Akan traditional marriage ceremony attire code, where both the bride and groom adorn themselves in exquisite fabrics known as Kente in Ghana and as Kita cloth in Céte d’Ivoire. The Kente cloth is made of handwoven silk and cotton.
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Often, Ghanaian couples, the bride and the groom, wear matching Kente for their traditional wedding. You can blend Kente with other fabrics, like Ankara, lace, and brocade.
The most important feature of a kente cloth is its pattern. For the occasion, it is often brightly colored and patterned or embroidered, along with gold jewelry to accent the attire.
Interestingly, Kente is a unisex attire, as both men and women drape it in a different way. Men use it as an ancient Greek toga across one shoulder and around the body. Women wear a two-piece kente: one forms a wrap-around skirt (2 yards long and 45 inches wide piece of fabric) and another one is used as a shawl.
Colors hold symbolic meaning for couples. For example, gold means wealth or royalty, pink means calmness and tenderness, blue represents the sky and means love, harmony, and good peace, and maroon means protection from evil.
Kente Styles
- Kente can be made as suits and gowns, making them universally acceptable.
- As for the bride, she can choose to make a skirt and blouse, long gown or any other style she likes with her Kente fabric.
- A typical Ghanaian bride will wear her kente as a full gown or dress or in a form of a skirt and top which many normally refer to as ‘kaba and slit’.
- In other instances, the gown may be styled and wrapped depending on which tribe the bride belongs to.
The Bride's Attire
For the Ghanaian bride, the wedding attire is more than just a dress; it is a manifestation of cultural pride and personal style. The Ghanaian traditional wedding dress is vibrant and colorful, covered with intricate designs. They are usually characterized by the following:
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- Kente Cloth: Both the bride and the groom wear this exquisitely woven fabric, which comes in a plethora of colors and patterns, each with a distinct symbolic meaning. The bride can wear her kente as a gown or as two separate pieces, a top and a skirt, while the groom can wear his as a toga or as a wide-flowing rove known as an Agbada.
- Duku: This is a wrapped-up headscarf worn by the bride. It matches the color and fabric used to make the wedding dress.
- Embroidered Fabrics: Delicately embroidered fabrics are also used to make traditional wedding gowns in Ghana.
- The bride also wears a traditional headdress that resembles a crown, called a tekua. Also, Brides are adorned with a tekua, a traditional, crown-like bridal hair-dress.
Modern inspirations have given rise to contemporary wedding gown styles in recent years, which elegantly combine tradition and cutting-edge flair. The bride’s clothing tells a story visually by signifying her ancestry, her family, and the start of a new chapter.
Gone are the days when couples, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and guests adhered to a single, uniform style of attire on wedding days. In the 21st century, the landscape of wedding fashion has evolved, embracing a rich tapestry of styles that reflect individuality, cultural significance, and personal expression. This shift is particularly evident in the vibrant and diverse realm of Ghanaian weddings.
200+ Kente Wedding Styles For Traditional Ghanaian Wedding (Including The Fashion Designers)
The Groom's Attire
The groom’s attire at a Ghanaian wedding is a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary flair. Traditional Ghanaian grooms may opt for clothes made from the same fabric as that of the bride.
A groom rocking the royal Kente cloth for his traditional wedding.
Here are some styles:
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- Batakari: This is a loose-fitting broad smock worn by men of certain ethnic groups in Ghana with intricate embroidery, complemented by Kente accessories.
- Agbada: This is a flowing outfit that resembles a gown, worn with trousers and a matching cap.
Alternatively, modern grooms might choose a tailored suit in vibrant colors, paying homage to tradition with subtle cultural elements like Kente lapel pins or cufflinks. The groom’s outfit, like the bride’s, is a statement of identity, reflecting his connection to cultural roots while embracing the evolution of wedding fashion.
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
Bridesmaids play an important role in any wedding, as they support the bride and participate actively in all the wedding rituals. As such, they also have to look good! In Ghanaian traditional weddings, the groomsmen all have roles to play. Some of these include supporting the groom and participating in the rituals.
Beautiful bridesmaids at a traditional wedding ceremony pictured with the bride.
Bridesmaids:
- Their outfits are made from Kente cloth.
- The colors that their outfits are made from must match the overall color scheme of the wedding.
- In some cases, each bridesmaid wears a duku (headscarf).
- The bridesmaids all wear traditional beaded jewelry matching the color scheme.
Groomsmen:
- Smocks, shirts, or tunics made from Kente cloth.
- Attire that matches what the groom is wearing.
- Hats or caps that match their outfits and bear cultural significance.
- Traditional necklaces and bracelets.
Guests' Attire
Ghanaian wedding guests contribute to the visual spectacle with a kaleidoscope of colors and diverse styles. For guests attending a Ghanaian traditional wedding, any formal attire is appropriate. Wedding ceremonies become a canvas of colors, patterns, and styles that reflect the unity of diversity, creating a visually striking and harmonious atmosphere.
You can choose kente cloth in colors that represent good tidings for the couple, or you can just choose a brightly colored and ornately designed outfit that will fit right in with the theme. If you’re unsure, ask someone at the wedding party for their advice.
Women often showcase the beauty of traditional African prints, including Ankara and other indigenous fabrics, while men may don richly patterned Kente or opt for contemporary suits with cultural accessories.
Women
- Kente dresses
- Matching head wraps
- Beaded Jewelry
- Aso Ebi (a specific fabric selected by the couple for all their attendees)
- Boubou dresses
Men
- Kente cloth outfits
- Agbada (a flowing 2-piece outfit)
- Dashiki (a loose-fitting tunic)
- Matching caps or hats
- Beaded necklaces
- Embroidered outfits
Ghanaian Wedding Ceremony Traditions
Typically, the marriage ceremony will take place at the bride’s home or any other suitable venue. Live music performed by traditional “adowa” groups or bands will be played before the ceremony.
During the ceremony itself, members of both families will sit across from one another, and spokespersons assigned to each party will engage in friendly conversation. The bride’s family will be seated to welcome the groom and his family, who come in bearing the items on the marriage list, or “aye-yo-dee” gifts; a long line of family members comes with gifts in their hands or on their heads.
Ghanaian wedding customs include the bride offering her consent three times when asked for her hand in marriage as a sign that she has not been coerced into marriage; although this tradition predates modern weddings, it is still observed today. Following her acceptance, the bride is introduced to the groom’s family.
In Ghanaian tradition, the marriage is considered sealed when the groom offers the father drinks during the wedding, such as palm wine or Schnapps. This custom is known as Tiri Nasa.
Ghanaian Wedding Reception Traditions
Following the traditional and sometimes the church service ceremony, there will be a reception with food, music, and dancing where guests can dance to traditional Ghanaian music, savor local cuisine, and enjoy each other’s company as they celebrate the newlyweds.
The bride and groom will go around greeting and thanking each of their guests for attending, and personalized wedding favors like chocolates, mugs, or pens are given out.
The groomsmen or other guests will “compete” to throw money at the couple at the end of the song during their first dance; this helps to provide the newlyweds with funds for their new life while also offering a lighthearted and friendly competition for the guests.
The couple will cut their cake and deliver speeches; occasionally, guests who have traveled a distance will be offered separate events following the wedding, like a luncheon.
Advice from a Bride
Alice, who recently had a 2-day Ghanaian Traditional Wedding and Modern White Wedding, shares some advice for future brides:
“Weddings are a lot of work and can be taxing on a couple. Thus, it is imperative that you commit every single decision you make to God for approval and direction, or else you will find yourself lost, confused, and disapproved. Staying organized through spreadsheets will be your saving grace in keeping both yourself and your vendors accountable throughout the process. And lastly, DO NOT GIVE INTO THE HYPE. Many of us have dreamed of the day that certain fashion designers we have admired from afar would be the ones to bring your vision to life. However, if I have learned anything from this process, it is that the designers we hold in high esteem will not be the ones to bring tears of joy to your eyes. It will be the ones you did not expect. So do your research, look for honest reviews, and trust the underdog.”
Alice and her husband Derek were very intentional in wanting to showcase their Ghanaian culture but with a new-age twist. They entrusted all local Ghanaian designers with the entire bridal party attire for both the traditional and church wedding.
Their traditional wedding showcased the vibrancy of the Akan culture; family members adorned their bodies with complementing kente outfits, folklore stories told through adowa dancing, the immersive tastes of Ghana through local food and drinks, followed by a presentation and acceptance of the dowry for the bride. They left no stone unturned, ensuring guests experienced a traditional wedding with no limits!
Alice's wedding style was without a doubt ‘everything chic’. She wanted it to scream originality in every area, from the high-elaborate floral stage set-up to the dual runners encapsulated by a circular dance floor, to the customized tables.
Her wedding dress was everything regal: off-the-shoulder, satin, bright white, and elevated with a beaded bodice accent. She opted for a multi-faceted look that would be transitional from the ceremony to the reception. Sima Brew created a perfectly fitted mermaid gown that was concealed by a voluminous princess-cut overlay skirt with an extra-long train.
The best memory from their wedding was their first dance as a family; Derek, Alice, and their daughter.
With the help of her Maid of Honor, they journeyed from Toronto, Canada to Accra, Ghana to ensure that every detail was handled with care. Though there were a few disappointments, God was faithful in bringing new talent their way, and thus they journeyed back to Canada with everything in tow.
Some key vendors from Alice and Derek's wedding included:
- Bridesmaid MUAs: Ms Philly 21| Class Makeup | Bella B | The Glam Life Co.
- M.C’s: Mr.
