In Ghana, the invitation is only the start. Within days of getting one, guests are at the market buying fabric and sending pictures to their seamstress. The question “what style are you sewing for the wedding?” is as common as “are you going?” Here is a guide to the styles guests wear, and how to get them right.
Follow the colours on the card
Many Ghanaian couples choose colours for their wedding, and the invitation will often say so. For the traditional engagement, families sometimes choose a specific cloth that relatives and close friends buy and sew. In Nigeria this is called aso ebi, and the practice has spread across West African weddings. Wearing the family cloth marks you out as part of the celebration and makes for striking group photos.
If no cloth is chosen, wear the colours named on the card. If none are named, pick something festive but avoid white, which is usually reserved for the bride at the white wedding, and avoid looking like part of the bridal train.
Lace styles for wedding guests
Lace is the safest choice for a Ghanaian wedding guest. It looks formal, photographs well and suits both the engagement and the reception. Popular lace styles for women include the kaba and slit with a peplum, a mermaid gown with sheer sleeves, an off-shoulder dress with a fishtail hem and a two-piece top and skirt. Cord lace, French lace and beaded lace are the most common fabrics.
Men can wear lace too, usually as a long-sleeved shirt with trousers or as an agbada at Nigerian or northern Ghanaian weddings. A lace shirt in the couple’s colour paired with plain trousers is a simple, smart option.
Kente styles for wedding guests
Kente is mostly worn by the couple and close family at an engagement, so guests should check before wearing it. When the family has chosen kente or invited guests to wear it, women often go for a kente kaba and slit, a kente top with a plain skirt, or a dress with kente panels. Men wear kente as a wrapped cloth, a smock or a shirt.
Because kente is expensive, many guests use it sparingly: a kente sash, collar, sleeves or trim on an otherwise plain outfit. This nods to tradition without the cost of a full outfit.
Ankara and printed styles
Ankara, the wax print fabric sold in markets across West Africa, is a good choice for daytime engagements and outdoor events. It is cheaper than lace and kente and comes in endless prints. Wrap dresses, jumpsuits, flared skirts with fitted tops and shirt dresses all work well. Men can wear ankara shirts or matching ankara shirts and trousers.
Ankara is usually too casual for a formal evening reception, so keep it for the engagement, a garden wedding or the after-party.
Western-style wedding guest dresses
For the white wedding and reception, Western-style dresses and suits are common. Women wear cocktail dresses, maxi dresses and jumpsuits; men wear suits, often in navy, grey or a colour that matches the theme. A church ceremony calls for covered shoulders or a light shawl, especially in conservative congregations.
Many guests attend the church service and the reception in one outfit, so choose something that works for both. A plain dress can be dressed up for the evening with jewellery, a lace jacket or a change of shoes. If the couple’s colours are known, a tie, pocket square, clutch bag or headwrap in those colours is an easy way to join in without sewing a whole new outfit.
Practical tips before you sew
Give your seamstress time. Two to four weeks is the minimum for a straightforward outfit; beaded lace and complex designs take longer, and seamstresses are busiest in December and around Easter.
Plan for the heat. Outdoor engagements in Ghana can be hot, so choose breathable fabric and avoid heavy layers. Comfortable shoes matter too, since engagement venues may be compound houses with sand or uneven ground.
Finally, think about the dancing. If you plan to join the couple on the floor, choose a style that lets you move. A tight mermaid hem looks beautiful in photos and much less so when you are trying to dance to highlife.
