Continuing our series on what the current restrictions mean for all British couples, we are THRILLED to have a wonderful piece written by Chioma Alade of @studiochiweddings luxury and style-focused planning and styling service, on what the stripped back micro wedding guidelines means for British couples wishing to have their traditional African ceremony and wedding. She also plans and caters for couples from many backgrounds, so it also includes a little advice for those with a culture of African discent but also beyond. Those where the big party and the sense of gathering and close contact rituals are key to the fun, the love, the meaning, the joy and pomp and ceremony of the milestone of beginning your marriage. Thank you Chi and also for letting us use your gorgeous photos from your (pre covid!) traditional Nigerian wedding, at Walthamstow Town Hall shot by Lao Karun Photography, to illustrate your part of the article.

We are also delighted to have some words and images from Nkechi Abani of NK Abani Photography, a photographer of Nigerian heritage who has shot many a traditional West African Wedding (it just so happens this article has taking a Nigerian angle!) - who gives a little more info on some the hundreds of rituals that may take place at a West African Weddings, as well as her advice for couples at these trying times.

She is also one of our approved suppliers on the new Talent Directory, and we will also be featuring her work in another article with another Talent directory member, Simply Asoebi, on an upcoming feature on the significance of these wonderful fabrics for brides on their wedding day.

If you are a future Bride or Groom reading this, congratulations on love! In this time I think I can speak for everyone when I say that our priorities have been illuminated. Collectively, we now have a greater sense of what is important and who we want to celebrate with for the rest of our lives. For many couples in the UK the current situation has brought a stall to the wedding plans they first imagined. Or upon getting engaged it has ushered in some uncertainties about where the confetti will land. The who can come, what will happen, where it can happen and the why’s can all be well, overwhelming.

In fact, this very article has been re-jigged a few times! As a design led wedding planner and designer based in London I deal with brides and grooms from all cultural backgrounds. But have seen couples who have different wedding traditions outside of western cultures have particularly challenging times. Of course, there are alternatives and we will get to them. But first they have had to come to terms with the fact that if they want to get married this year it is likely not going to look the way they had imagined.

I will use myself as an example. I got married four years ago. I am Nigerian, from the Igbo tribe, my husband is also Nigerian is from the Yoruba tribe. For clarity ‘Nigeria’ is a colonial country name. However real African ethnicities are rooted in tribal identities which have existed before colonialism. This is where it has gotten tricky....

In Nigerian culture and many other cultures to be honest a traditional wedding is JUST as important, if not far more important than a legal wedding. In I and my husband’s cultures, the absence of our cultural marriages means that by tradition you are not married at all! Some you can see taking place here.

I had a traditional wedding with about 250-300 people. Totally separate from my other Church wedding day and reception. My Church wedding day had 600 guests. These numbers are very normal in our culture, and we really knew all of our guests. West African families tend to be a lot bigger. I am one of four siblings; my husband is one of five!

The very presence of people, a live band, all of our families being around, its all part of it. An Igbo bride’s wedding involves four separate events. Each very important. The grand finale in Nigeria would involve hundreds of people and still tends to draw similar crowds in the UK. Weddings are exuberant, grand and colourful affairs. A huge cause of celebration in our culture with everyone wanting to join in! The average Nigerian wedding I see has a budget well over 45k which is much different from the UK 28k approx average. Asian weddings, have similar traits and guest counts. And like us, large supplier lists......

Right now couples and the wedding industry alike are excited that there is something on the table with the governments ruling on 30 guests in a bid to keep the current situation at bay. However, taking into account the sharp contrast diverse cultures are used to, how do cultural weddings and ceremonies move forward? Whilst still honouring the traditional rites of marital passage? Many couples are postponing but there are so many that do not want to waste another day not being married to each other. Both are ok. You must do what is right for you. So if you’re a ‘let’s do it now’ couple planning a cultural wedding, how do you do it?

1. Hire a planner.

It may seem like you do not need one with fewer guests but with tricky government restrictions in place, they are essential right now to ensure you adhere to all guidelines and keep your wedding guests safe. They also have access to the best of the industry, and that little black book will come in very handy right now.

2. Book vendors who fulfil more than one service.

Statically Black and South Asian couples have bigger families. In order to save those precious family spots, any supplier who needs to stick around should ideally fufill more than one service. If you need hair and makeup on hand throughout the day, find someone who does both. Most cultural weddings involve ceremony officiants that guide you through all the steps. Percussian instruments played by bands feature in many African, South Asian weddings and Middle Eastern weddings. Could a celebrant work with one member of a band to give the richness our ceremonies need absolutely. There are also some dual functioned teams! External catering companies that also provide drinks? As most of our suppliers are external and may not be a part of your venues team, you have to be creative!

3. Champion social distanced services in support of the wedding industry!

Can suppliers set up one at a time before the wedding guests arrive so that teams do not meet each other and lower your count so you can utilise it on guests and support the wedding industry? Far safer and you can have more of the things you love! Can suppliers drop off their goods for setup by the family with instructions? The government have allowed for in house catering suppliers to be exempt, but we know that it is unlikely a gorgeous stately home is going to rustle up jollof rice, jerk or butter chicken. If venue in house teams have diversity in mind and are willing to welcome to partner and have socially distanced additions to their menu’s? This could be incredible.

4. Consider creating your own intimate wedding venue!

Know anyone with a big backyard? Hire a marquee, and two-three wait staff. Have all the suppliers that can drop off their goods drop them in front one at a time. Many cultural weddings have family only parts of the marriage process at the brides home anyway. Take advantage of this opportunity to have an intimate celebration of your love. And let’s face it, this situation also excludes us having to invite those people we didn’t really know or want to come anyway......

5.Styling goes Virtual!

When it comes to cultural outfits, many designers and stylists have gone vertical. A zoom call and measuring tape could be your best friend. Have a designer virtually show you how to measure yourself for their outfits and have the pieces courier delivered. Look up Instagram pages like Closet Africa for inspiration. Hire a stylist like The Wardrobe Manager, if you need multiple quotes and multiple outfits and don’t have a clue where to start. Many South Asian designers also have ready to wear collections that are beautiful! It is vital we support artisans during this time and your 2020 wedding still deserves that new feeling!

6. Smaller weddings, Big impact.

One thing I notice about weddings from diverse cultures is whether they use pale or vibrant colours, the visual impact is always a wow! That doesn’t need to change. Have your florist design an incredible backdrop installation for your ceremony. Fantastic arrangements for your tables! It will be the background to your day and photograph's. Don’t relinquish all the beauty in 2020. You may be having your party next year, but why not make your marriage a multiple spectacle!

7. Book your 2021 wedding …..now!

2021 is likely to be the most popular year for weddings on record. Book quickly to avoid disappointment with your dream suppliers. Our books are filling up quickly!

Thank you so much Chioma, sound advice a real honour to show these images by Lao Karun Photography

with Events Royale Decor, you can see your style eye through out!

You can contact Chioma on chioma@studio-chi.com

And find her at Studio Chi Weddings and on insta @studiochiweddings

Please read on to see Nkechi Abani Photographer’s brilliant images and a little more info on the important ceremony moments, and her advice on navigating these trying times when planning a wedding.

“Ok let me firstly say, I am not a total expert in Nigerian weddings, and of course there are many different cultures and dialects within Nigeria, so not one way is correct! But I will say - West African traditional weddings are filled with fun, love, party jollof, dancing uncles, dollar men and colourful aseobi aunties adorned with headscarves. As a Nigerian diasporan, I understand the cultural significance of the traditional wedding, thus knowing what is important to capture on the day.

**Bride and Groom, sitting together during their Traditional Yoruba Ceremony**

**Bride is holding up the groom's hat, she is about to place on his head. This is a traditional in many Yoruba Traditional Weddings.**

As with many other countries around the world, Nigeria is split up into different tribes with their own unique dialects and traditions, this extends to weddings too. This means that although I may be shooting a traditional Nigerian wedding, the traditions may not be the same, with different things holding real importance. Some ceremonies I have photographed have been carried out completely in Yoruba or Igbo, so having an understanding and researching the culture of my west African couple is important to me.

**Bride and Groom sitting after getting married during their Traditional Igbo Ceremony.**

**Bride is carrying a cup of Palm wine, searching for her groom who is hidden somewhere in the room. This is a tradition within the Igbo cultural wedding.**

As many brides and grooms have been left with their wedding plans frazzled due to the Covid-19 quarantine, I have tried my best to make sure to accommodate new dates, and sometimes new venues, without passing on extra costs to my clients. My best tip for couples looking for a new wedding date is to ask your venue for a selection of new dates, then send those dates to all your vendors. You shouldn't choose your date before doing this, so you can retain the use of all the non-refundable deposits you have already paid down for your day.

Groom prostrating in front of the brides family as a sign of respect. They will do this a number of times during a traditional Yoruba wedding, however, this is a universal way of greeting elders in any setting.

**Bride in Pink, Bridal entrance, she is hidden from the groom, similar to how a bride would where a veil at a Traditional English Wedding. She is dancing in with her entourage of ladies.**

Traditional Weddings are usually very large affairs, with up to 400 people in attendance to celebrate the couple's union. With 400 guests as a ball park figure, the current 30 guest government restriction is no easy feat for our brides and grooms to plan around! Saying that, you don't actually need that many people present to hold your traditional wedding and I have a few suggestions:

Do your traditional wedding in your house or a family members house with a large back garden, to allow for social distancing.
Hold an intimate ceremony with just the immediate families. This may open your budget up to spend more on decor, details etc.
Stream your wedding. Use facebook/youtube/instagram live to stream your wedding day for your guests to join in on the celebrations virtually.

I know my suggestions may not work for everyone, so if you have people shielding you couldn't imagine your wedding day without, postpone it! You will be married for the rest of your life, what is one more year of waiting!

Whatever you do, whether it is a small event next month, or a mini concert next year, stay safe, enjoy your day and I wish you the best in married life.

P.s Don't forget your photographer counts as part of your 30 people, but it will be worth it ! 😄”

Contact NK at nkabani@hotmail.co.uk

And find her NK Abani Photography and at @nkabani

British African Weddings, 30 people, now what?

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