An African elegant african dresses for weddings, is a celebration that transcends the constraints of time and space. As such, it requires a bespoke dress. One that is at once unique and traditional. For centuries, weddings have been a source of fashion and cultural inspiration, and new styles are born of each new generation. As the father of the modern wedding, the bespoke suit, has become commonplace, so too has the adoption of African dress. It has never been more popular than it is now, due to the influence of pop culture and social media. To celebrate this trend, we have put together an extensive guide to help you select the perfect dress for this significant moment. All You Need To Know If you are unfamiliar, an African wedding is a celebration that combines the socializing and teaching of children with the joy of the family and friends. It begins with the engagement and continues through to the vowels and celebrations that follow. Traditionally, the groom chooses which fabric for the wedding dress and it is the bride's job to make it fit her body type. Whatever your shape, we have a wedding dress that will fit your needs. The choice is truly personal. A lot of preparation goes into an African wedding. From choosing the location to picking out the outfit, it's essential to get everything right. As a newlywed, you may be overwhelmed by the process and have no idea where to start. That's why we've gone ahead and curated this comprehensive guide. So you can focus on enjoying the moments and take care of the details. The Timeline Of An African Wedding There's lots that could go wrong with an African wedding, but thanks to modernity and smartphones, most of these can be avoided. The chances of things going wrong are greatly reduced. This is mainly due to the fact that the internet and social media have made planning so much easier. Nowadays, you can research anything and be armed with the facts in seconds. This is especially beneficial when planning an African wedding. By taking the guesswork out of the equation, you can be confident that everything will go according to plan. Here's a rough timeline of what you can expect at an African wedding. We've divided it into segments for better clarity. Pre-Engagement Phase If you and your partner have been dating for some time and you're both aware of the milestone that is the engagement, then this phase can last a year or more. During this time, you'll have plenty of opportunity to scope out wedding venues and outfits, as well as do your research on the culture. This is also a good time to begin thinking about the wedding party and who you'll want to invite. It's important to keep in mind that the guest list for an African wedding can be very small. This is to respect the culture and the sentiments of the couple being honored. Sometimes it can be only the immediate family and close friends. However, it's increasingly becoming the norm for couples to have a larger wedding party. One of the most important traditions during this phase is the engagement party. This is where the couple to be married meets the guests for the first time and celebrates with food, drinks, and entertainment. It's an opportunity for the guest to get to know the couple and their personalities. While this may not seem like a crucial part of the wedding process, it's a tradition that has stood the test of time. Thanks to social media and online forums, engagement parties have become extremely popular. So popular in fact, that they've practically become an obligation. This is great news if you want to have a traditional wedding but don't feel like you have the time to plan a formal engagement party. Another important factor to consider is the pre-wedding nutrition. It's an old adage in the marriage advice world that the bride loses her appetite on the day of the wedding. While this may be true, it's also common for the groom to suffer the same problem. Many African weddings begin with a ritualized breakfast, where guests are served traditional dishes, such as ackee and saltfish, eggs, spicy peppers, and rice. This gives the newlyweds an opportunity to get to know one another, while celebrating their heritage. There's also lots of evidence to suggest that this is an important step for both partners to take. Studies have shown that eating a healthy diet, especially prior to the wedding day, can increase a man's fertility. So it's not all about the bride, after all. During The Engagement Phase If you're in the fortunate position of having an engagement with a beautiful and intelligent partner, then this phase could last a matter of months. During this time, you'll need to be sure to celebrate with lots of romantic dinners, movie nights, and surprises. The biggest milestone during this phase is the proposal. When the time comes, you'll need to be prepared to recite a poem, play a song, or give a memorable speech. Before the ceremony, you could also choose to give each other a special present, as a token of your commitment to one another. This can be something as simple as an engagement ring, or a whole honeymoon package. Whatever the present, make sure to give it on your wedding day, as a sign of your undying love. Wedding Day The wedding day is a celebration that marks the end of the engagement phase and the beginning of a new union. Naturally, it's a joyous occasion, filled with happiness and celebration. However, it's also a time for the couple to reflect and look back on the journey that brought them here. The bride walks down the aisle in a beautiful dress, usually white, red, or ivory. The groom wears a suit, and guests are seated for the ceremony. A lot of the speeches are centered around the theme of unity and the couple's commitment to one another. After the ceremony, guests join in a festive reception that features food, music, and dancing. The wedding dress is usually chosen to be something simple but elegant, as the couple's families, friends, and acquaintances will have the opportunity to see them tie the knot for the first time, in the presence of God. After the wedding, there will be lots of photographs taken, lots of friends and family coming together, and plenty of food and drinks. The fun will likely continue until the early hours of the morning, with some guests staying in bed, for a full day of rest. This is, after all, a wedding dress guide, and not a sleepwear guide. Fabrics To Avoid and What To Look Out For If you're lucky enough to be chosen for an African wedding, then you're in for a treat. The fabrics that are traditionally preferred are beautiful and breathe life into the outfit, as the saying goes. These are some of the most popular choices for women: silk and satin, lawn, and crepe. For the men, it's more of a tailored look, with suit styles preferred over traditional shirts and ties. If you have a specific body shape or size in mind, then take that into consideration when choosing the dress. The tailor can help you make the right measurements and suggest fabrics that will compliment your body type. If you're blessed with wonderful genes and have a wonderful figure, then the choice of fabric is completely up to you. As mentioned above, it's the tradition for the groom to choose the fabric for the wedding dress. If you're lucky enough to be chosen to wear a suit, then it's an excellent choice as it will be the most versatile and can be worn to numerous events, such as parties and weddings. If you aren't the type to wear a suit, then perhaps lace or lawn is more your style. These fabrics are the most easy to care for and cleanse as well, so if you have a regular bathrobe, then perhaps these are the ones you'll want to select. If money is no object to you, then go for the finest quality and make sure to put in the care instructions, so it doesn't tear or fade during washing. Once you've chosen the fabric, it's time to look for the design. One that is unique to you and your partner's personalities. If you love a classic look, then go for a white wedding dress. It's simple but elegant, not to mention a great fit for those with larger figures. If you're on the other hand, if fashion is more important to you, then go for a floral print or choose kakis and purples, since these are the colors of the African flag. If you plan on wearing a hijab, then green is the perfect choice, as it is the national color of Iran. This is a great way to represent both cultures.
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