How to Plan an African-American Wedding

African-American weddings often include vivid colors, elaborate costumes and meaningful rituals. And best of all, brides are considered the cultural universe in Africa since they represent the link between ancestors and unborn generations. A tradition that all cultures should embrace!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Wedding Invitations
• Wedding Gowns
• Wedding Planner Book
• Brooms
• Wedding Albums
• Champagne
• Wedding Bands
• Catering Services
• Live Band And DJ Rentals
• Wedding Programs

1. Select traditional wedding garb such as tunic-style gowns and headdresses made out of African fabrics. Kente cloth is a popular material used today, especially in West Africa. The weave and patterns represent different symbols. Ask about the meaning behind some of the fabrics that you pick.
2. Incorporate African colors, such as red, green and black, into the wedding decorations and outfits.
3. Order wedding invitations that reflect your African heritage. Consider selecting something neutral but with ethnic accents such as a paisley border or gold trim.
4. Invite a gospel singer or gospel choir to sing at the ceremony.
5. Arrange for a drum to be played during the ceremony. The drummer should match the music to the tone of the ceremony.
6. Invite African dancers to come down the aisle ahead of the bride to create a dramatic entrance for her.
7. Appoint a warrior, or best man. He will walk ahead of the groom, holding a shield in front of him to protect the bonding of the bride's and groom's families.
8. Show respect for elders by making them an honored part of your ceremony. For instance, you might ask an elder to pour a libation during the ceremony, which is the pouring of liquid in honor of one's ancestors.
9. Get a real taste of marriage during the ceremony. For example, you may be asked to try hot pepper to remind you of hot moments to come, and kola nuts for hard times.
10. Hold hands with your spouse as you stand at the altar and when you both walk back down the aisle together. This custom is a variation on one used by some tribes in which the couple's wrists are bound together with plaited grass.
11. Include the ritual of jumping the broom at the end of the ceremony. This tradition stems from when slaves were forbidden to marry and instead created this symbolic gesture to cement their union. It represents the sweeping away of the past and the welcoming of the future.
12. Ask your clergyman to explain or narrate the ceremony events to the guests so they understand the significance of each activity.
13. Decide on a menu of African food for the reception. Consider such options as chicken, plantains, yams and banana fritters.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that wedding rituals may vary from region to region in Africa since there are more than 1,000 different tribes, all with their own traditions and customs.