Nigerian wedding traditions and customs are colorful and festive, filled with music, food, and dancing! Nigerian weddings are renowned for their vibrancy, rich cultural heritage, and grandeur.
Whether you're attending a Nigerian wedding as a guest or are one of the honored couple, you've probably spent a good deal of time wondering what to wear. Picking out an outfit can be tricky since Nigerian wedding attire varies between regions and tribes. According to wedding photographer Chi-Chi Ari, "most Nigerian weddings are high fashion affairs, and people show up like it's a red carpet."
To help you prepare for an upcoming Nigerian wedding, here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about Nigerian traditional wedding attire.
What Is Nigerian Wedding Attire?
There are an estimated 371 tribes in Nigeria, each with different customs and traditions. This means that Nigerian traditional wedding attire looks a bit different for every couple depending on their background. Many tribes, however, take part in the Yoruba practice of wearing Aso-ebi, or "family clothes."
According to Ari, Aso-ebi is a chosen fabric that's sent to relatives, close friends, and members of the wedding party. Guests who are not given Aso-ebi may be invited to take part in something called the "color of the day." According to Feyisola Ogunfemi, event planner and owner of Statuesque Events, the color of the day can help guests decide what to wear to a Nigerian wedding.
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"During an introduction or traditional marriage, where the families are not considered joined just yet, there generally is a different color decided for the family of the bride and the family of the groom. Those who opt for a Western celebration with a religious ceremony and reception might choose just one color of the day to show unity between the families," she explains.
In advance of the wedding, a Nigerian groom is required to write a letter of intent to the bride’s parents. This letter is symbolic of a proposal and is presented to the bride’s family.
Before the ceremony can begin, the bride and her family will typically provide the groom and his family with a list of dowry requirements. In other words, the groom and his family are required to provide the bride and her family with all the items on the list before the engagement can be official. The dowry can contain anything from fruit, candy, and clothes to a new car.
Most Nigerian American couples have two wedding ceremonies - the first is cultural and contains most of the traditional Nigerian elements. The second is typically a religious ceremony.
During the ceremony, it’s essential for the groom to prostrate. The groom, typically along with his groomsmen, will lay flat on the ground with their faces down at the feet of the bride’s family. This is symbolic of the groom honoring the bride’s family for raising his future wife. Throughout the ceremony, the groom has to earn the love and honor of the bride’s family and this is one way he does it.
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Traditionally, Nigerian weddings won’t have a guest list. An Alaga, traditionally a woman, is a Nigerian wedding ceremony officiant, or emcee, whose job is to heckle the groom and his friends as entertainment for the wedding guests. It’s a pure delight to watch in person.
Food for the party after the ceremony is typically provided by the family of the bride. Traditionally, the entire meal is prepared by the bride’s mom and her family, in her home kitchen. Most importantly, Nigerian weddings are fun! We LOVE creating weddings rich with cultural traditions!
Traditional Nigerian Wedding Attire by Tribe
Each of Nigeria's numerous ethnic groups has its own unique wedding attire. Here's a glimpse into some of the most prominent styles:
Igbo Traditional Wedding Attire
"As an Igbo woman who had a traditional wedding, I can say that choosing attire was one of my favorite parts of the celebration," says Ari. Igbo traditional wedding clothes for brides usually includes two to three outfit changes throughout the day.
"We often start in a blouse made from traditional fabric, called George, which is styled with Nigerian wedding jewelry like coral beads. Later in the day, the outfit may evolve into a more contemporary style designed with lace fabric and a regal gele (head wrap) that is perfectly sculpted-still rooted in culture but showing off the bride's personal style," she says.
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At Igbo weddings, the bride receives a cup of wine from her parents before she’s been given a glimpse of her groom. With her maidens, she must go now and look for the groom who will be hidden within the crowd. When she finally finds her husband, she will get down on her knees and present the wine cup. The husband must drink the entire contents and replace the empty cup with money.
In terms of men's Nigerian wedding attire, Ari reveals that the groom typically begins the day wearing an isi agu top, which is a richly patterned shirt featuring lion head motifs.
Yoruba Traditional Wedding Attire
"Yoruba traditional weddings are known for their richness and detail, and as a former Yoruba bride, I can attest to this," says Dami of By Dami Studios. "When sporting traditional Yoruba wedding attire, brides wear a buba (blouse), iro (wrapper), gele (head tie) and ipele (a sash draped across the shoulder), all cut from aso-oke, which is a traditionally woven fabric. Grooms wear agbada-a grand, flowing robe-with a fila (cap). Everything is color-coordinated and soaked in tradition and elegance," she explains.
Hausa Traditional Wedding Attire
According to Dami, Hausa couples are the most grounded in tradition, so their attire hasn't changed much over the years. Hausa traditional wedding attire usually features intricate embroidery and detail.
"Brides typically wear beautifully tailored dresses with matching gele-style head wraps, and they sometimes incorporate henna designs on their hands and feet," she explains. Grooms go for traditional baban riga (a flowing robe) with a cap called hula," she says.
Key Elements of Traditional Nigerian Wedding Attire
If you've never attended a Nigerian wedding, deciding on an outfit might seem like a daunting task (especially if the dress code includes terms you're unfamiliar with).
Fabrics
"Nigeria has a wide range of rich, elegant fabrics-like lace, Aso Oke, George, damask, tulle, silk and sequins-and weddings are where they truly shine," Ari explains. "It's a full display of artistry, culture and personal flair." If you're shopping for Nigerian wedding attire online, keep an eye out for the fabrics listed above.
Accessories
"Nigerians love pomp and circumstance," Dami explains. If you're attending a traditional Nigerian wedding, you can expect to see statement jewelry, traditional Nigerian wedding beads, hand fans and headdresses. "Men might carry walking sticks and wear beaded necklaces and embroidered caps," she adds.
Nigerian brides wear a traditional, ornate headpiece called a Gele. The bridesmaids and families also follow suit and wear a Gele to honor the cultural traditions of the day.
Aso-Ebi
Aso-Ebi directly translates to “family clothes”. Nigerian couples choose what their guests wear by assigning a color for the bride’s family and a separate color for the groom’s family.
Modern vs. Traditional Styles
According to Ogunfemi, not every couple sticks to their tribe's customary clothing. Some couples opt for more modern interpretations of Nigerian traditional wedding outfits, while others skip traditional garments altogether. Multicultural weddings, on the other hand, may fuse elements of Nigerian wedding attire with that of another culture.
"While we all have our traditional roots, we also love to celebrate and embrace other cultures' fashions," says Ogunfemi. If you're attending a modern Nigerian wedding that doesn't require you to wear traditional attire, Ari's advice is to dress to the nines.
Nigerian Wedding Attire for Couples
According to Dami, couples at traditional Nigerian weddings will usually make several outfit changes throughout the event. "For the traditional ceremony, they'll wear the cultural attire of their specific tribe or ethnic group, then for the white wedding, you'll see the bride in a gown and the groom in a tux, just like in Western weddings," she explains. "It's like a fashion show and a love story all at once."
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Nigerian Wedding Guest Attire
"Nigerians love fashion and we don't hold back for weddings," says Ari. "You'll see people show up in both traditional wear and formal English wear, always styled to perfection." According to Ari, Nigerian wedding guest outfits continue to evolve. "Each year brings bolder choices, fresh silhouettes and new ways to interpret tradition," she explains.
Wedding guests who are not given a traditional Aso-ebi are encouraged to take part in the color of the day. While it isn't required by any means, it's a great way to honor the couple's heritage (and avoid sticking out among other guests). Consider wearing an evening gown or a tuxedo in a color that the couple requests.
Remember, when it comes to Nigerian weddings, you can never be overdressed.
Where to Buy Nigerian Wedding Clothes
"Nigerian wedding attire is generally made to order and not sold ready to wear," Ogunfemi explains. That said, there are plenty of small businesses on Etsy that can help you dress for your upcoming event.
Here are some options:
- Etsy Shops: Many Etsy shops specialize in Nigerian wedding attire for ladies and men. Some shops are known for providing quick responses to customers.
- African Ensembles: This Etsy shop has everything you need when it comes to Women's Nigerian wedding attire.
The Money Dance
As soon as the married couple hits the dance floor, guests will “spray” them with money - which symbolizes many blessings. The more times a couple dances, the more money they can expect to receive. Make sure to bring some cash to a Nigerian wedding to participate in this meaningful and fun rite.
Nigerian Wedding Food
The bride and groom aren’t expected to handle the catering for their big day. The bride’s mother is responsible for the food and ensuring all guests are fed and happy! While each tribe has their own distinct cuisine, they can all agree on the importance of food at a Nigerian wedding.
Whether you're drawn to classic tradition or contemporary chic, you’ll find everything you need to dress with confidence and grace at any Nigerian wedding celebration.
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