How to plan a wedding on a budget in Ghana
So he went down on one knee and popped the question and you said yes. However the jittery sensation starts to fade away when it comes to how to plan a wedding. This is the hardest decision that you will ever make in your life. Everyone wants glitz and glamour at their wedding but with the economic times we are in, this only remains a fairytale. So what will you do if finances can’t grant you the wedding of your dream? Well you have to budget down. Here are some tips on how to plan a wedding without necessary breaking the bank.
How to plan a wedding
First let’s start with the essence of the whole hullabaloo; it is about getting joined in holy matrimony with the one you love. Once this is clear we can move towards some testimonials of couples who didn’t spend a dime when it comes to the Ghanaian wedding. It is not about being stingy but wary of the times we live in. Plan a simple wedding and you are guaranteed of saving up on a lot to start of your married life on a good note.
And this is word to all future couples who are planning to call people to their fundraising and committee meetings to fund their wedding; it is becoming ubiquitous and a little bit unbearable. Also for couples who take loans for the big day, you need to get your priorities straight in life. Who said that a simple Ghanaian traditional wedding won’t make you the talk of town? Here are some options you can make and still have the wedding ceremony that will linger in the minds of people.
Plan a wedding on a small budget
The planning aspect has to include the costs of the food, venue, and accommodation of the guest, honeymoon, payments for services and other costs such as hiring cars. Here is a budget for a wedding in Ghana with tips on some alternative ways that can be undertaken. Save up on these tips.
Wedding planners in Ghana
The first step on how to plan a Ghanaian wedding is to select a wedding planner. And before you start thinking of agencies that will reap you off, take time and go through your contacts list on your phone. Do you remember your aunt who is notorious for organizing the end of year party? What about your sister who just had a wedding and by the looks of it didn’t go big on the big day? What about that loud mouthed friend of yours who always chirps ideas on some amazing wedding plan?
The idea here is to save on the costs of hiring a professional wedding planner who will probably do the same job as the contacts on your phone. You can also arrange a committee with some of the selected friends and families and hand them a budget estimate. Remember they are your family they can work with anything you got. No more stressing of where the finances will come off, you has the human resource right in your hands. This way you can focus on looking beautiful on the big day.
Ghanaian traditional wedding dresses
You are probably thinking what type of dress will I wear on the wedding day? Well it doesn’t have to be the one you saw while window shopping that costs an arm and leg. What about the dress your mother wore to her wedding? You are thinking that it is outdated and out fashioned and catch you dead in that over-sized traditional wedding attire that probably have some holes. Well this does not have to be the case. You can take it to the tailor and have more embroidery added with the latest Ghanaian wedding dress styles and stitches to cover up the patches. In a matter of hours it would be looking brand new.
You can also choose to hire a Ghanaian weddings gown for the D-day. There are many businesses in Ghana that hire out some of the wedding gowns to the couple to complete their dreams. It is cost efficient and you can rent it out for a couple of hours before you jump into that sexy dress as you head for the honeymoon. You can choose from a wide array of different traditional Ghanaian wedding gowns that suit and blend in with your persona. And with a good bargaining power you can land on a good deal.
Wedding guest dresses
It goes without saying that the braid maids have to adorn a matching outfit that will be full of pomp and color. Since it is a close tighten affair you can agree with the chosen braid maids to each contribute to the purchase of the dresses. You can also make a wedding theme for example a green affair to show your love and care for environmentalism. Also guests that made the list can also be advised before the wedding to pick out outfits that go with the theme. They can play around and show their creativity when it comes to the different designs in the Ghanaian African wear for engagement.
Ghanaian wedding hairstyles
Uniformity is everything when it comes to making the wedding a master piece. There are many styles you can choose for the hairstyles such as up do, twist out or afro. Some of the common hairstyles that are in use include the roman hair slide, the minimalist style, lace, dreadlocks with buds and statement flower pin. For the naturalists, they can go for the different short hairstyles for wedding with a hint of flowers to make it look more dapper. For the groom a good, clean shaven head is vital. Extensions have always been a saving grace on this big occasion. Going natural is always the better option.
Wedding cakes
It probably won’t be a wedding without the cake. The cake is the sealing deal for the matrimony and over the years it has revolutionized. With all the tutorial videos on YouTube it is next to possible to bake your dream cake. Train with your close friends who have experience in this field as save the costs of order one. You can also ask for assistance from members of the congregation at the church. There are always connections and you end up with the best wedding cake that you dreamt of.
Wedding invitation cards
The days of printing hard copy cards and erecting them on every electric pole are over ever since the invention of social media. I mean many people spend time on their phones than looking in their mail boxes for wedding invites. Photoshop invitation cards that go well with the theme of the wedding and sent it to your contacts on Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram. Remember that old alumni group on Facebook that you rarely keep in touch with? Surprise your former friends and get an altogether meeting as they attend your big day. You can never go wrong with social media.
Wedding photographers
Pictures of the wedding will be the highlight of the ceremony and a stroll down memory lane few years later when the kids are now in the picture. Do you really need a professional photographer to capture the light moments of the wedding? From the kiss on the alter, to the cutting of the cake, as you break down a leg and how much fun each guest had in the party, it is just light moments that can be captured by your stubborn young brother who is always talking about pursuing a career in photography. Nurture his talents and show your belief in his talent.
Cost of wedding rings in Ghana
It has just synced in that if you get that 3 karat diamond ring then some parts of the wedding gown must be omitted. Why don’t you just visit the nearest pawn shop and ask for a gold plated ring or a silver ring at a pocket friendly price. Remember nobody will be interested whether if it is real gold on your fingers. You can save up after the wedding and surprise your spouse with that dream diamond ring that she has been bugging you about. But for now it is time to agree that there is a lot that is weighing on your plate to create room for fancy jewelry.
Wedding rings in Ghana come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials. They are everywhere even hawkers on the streets can be seen selling them off. It is not about a matter of being cheap but conscious, the future holds possibilities for investing in the ring. There are instance where the couples inherit the rings held by their grandparents which were kept as souvenirs. These are relics that have an important meaning and have a long history that runs deep in the families. So before hitting that jewelry shop up, visit your grandmother and rock that unique ring that has been there for a while.
READ ALSO: Best African wear for wedding in Ghana
Ghanaian traditional wedding list
Gate crushers are the reason why the expenses of a simple Ghanaian wedding can shoot up. It is high time to also be professional and adopt an invite only invitation so that at least you can have an estimate for the expected number of guests for the wedding checklist in Ghana. There is no need of hosting a large company of people with whom you share no connection with. Ghanaians love weddings as many see it as a potential for free food and booze. Remember it is your day and your loved ones, the rest can hear it from folk stories. So how will you ensure that the people you invited are the one who turned up?
The wedding reception program
This is usually at the entry of the church or the designated area of the wedding. You can employ the use of security to keep gate crushers and other free loaders from the event. All guests are supposed to show up with the invitation cards at the event. They are then accorded with tags which are worn to show that they are legit members. The wedding reception is a professional code of ensuring that you are close to your loved ones on your day. It is also the perfect place to check if the guests did get the memo on the dress code for the event.
Wedding makeup for the bride
Did you see Meghan Markle’s makeup during the royal wedding? It was down to earth simple. Also her sister in law Kate Middleton stepped out with her own makeup for the wedding day. Meghan Markle had a touch of concealer under her eyes with hints of light pink shade. So what I am trying to get at? If royalty still keep it simple on their wedding who are you to break the bank on makeup kits? Astonish everyone as you do your own makeup and keep it simple and natural as possible. Not only will it save you time you will also feel comfortable in your own skin.
This also applies to Muslim wedding, a bit of detail of makeup goes a long way in making you general outlook dope in the shortest time possible. With all the fake eyebrows and eyelashes it is good to stick to the cultural beauty looks. You can also make use of African made beads to accentuate the look for more cultural look. You can never go wrong with African attire; it has been there for some time and by the looks of it is not going anywhere. You can also blend in the wedding colours with the makeup for you and the bridesmaids which complement the theme even more.
Food service wedding plan
Let’s keep it real; we all look forward to the food experience in the event. We are Africans and we love our food. But sometimes we look into too much the buffet experience that we forget the extra cost it bears on the wedding couple. But all in all you can go for the foods that describe the Ghanaian culture. Who will forego the delicious Ghanaian style banku, jollof rice along with some beef stew served with some chilled out drinks. No need to hire a crew of professional chef; take advantage of your mother and her friends who have the talent in preparing traditional Ghanaian cuisine.
Wedding decorations in Ghana
Wedding decorations are the hallmark of each wedding ceremony. You can make a lasting impression of your wedding whether it is in an elegant church, an old garden or a sandy white beach. Flowers have been used for a while but you can impress it with some candles along the altar as you line up the aisle. You can also throw in some potted plants from home or your friend’s place thus cutting down on the costs. You can also beautify the venue by throwing down some flower petals. Balloons are a perfect way to light up the wedding especially when it comes with different shapes and sizes.
READ ALSO: How to plan a wedding ceremony on a small budget
Source: YEN.com.gh
