Before you book a venue, print invitations or order aso ebi, you need a date. In Ghana, the choice can affect everything from the weather to the price of your venue and how many guests from abroad can attend.
Rains and harmattan
Southern Ghana has two rainy seasons: a major one, usually from around April to July, and a shorter one later in the year, around September to November. Heavy downpours can disrupt outdoor ceremonies, flood roads and delay guests. From around December to February, the dry harmattan wind brings dust and haze, especially in the north. Mornings can be cooler, but dust affects photographs, outfits and guests with breathing problems.
December and calendars
December is popular for weddings because many Ghanaians abroad travel home for Christmas and the festive season. It is also the busiest and most expensive time for venues, vendors, flights and hotels. Book early. Consider Lent, Ramadan and other religious periods, which may affect whether your church or mosque holds weddings, or whether guests are fasting.
Check family calendars for funerals, festivals and other weddings. In Ghana, Saturdays are also popular for funerals, which can clash with wedding dates for relatives.
Guests and dates
If many guests live abroad, consider school holidays and flight prices. Give them plenty of notice. Friday weddings or dates outside peak periods may be cheaper, and vendors may be more flexible. Some couples choose a small weekday registry wedding and a larger celebration later. Your preferred venue may already be booked on popular dates. Have two or three possible dates in mind when you enquire.
Some couples choose an anniversary of when they met or a date that is special to their families. Just check that it does not clash with major events.
Plan B and time of day
Whatever the season, prepare for weather: tents, fans, umbrellas or an indoor backup. Once you have a date, think about the time. Morning ceremonies avoid the worst of the afternoon heat, while late-afternoon receptions can move into cooler evenings. In the rainy season, heavy showers often come in the afternoon, so an earlier start can reduce the risk.
You will write this date on anniversary cards for the rest of your life. Choose it with care, but do not wait for a perfect day. The weather will change; the promise will not.
