Franklin Dean
Nigerian weddings are bursting with food, music, colour, and dancing. Many couples have two weddings: a cultural ceremony followed by a more Western-style celebration. There are more than 250 ethnic tribes in Nigeria, each with its own wedding traditions, but there are some common customs. For example, it is customary for guests to ''spray'' the couple with cash on the dance floor, usually dollar bills, to shower them in blessings. There may also be multiple outfit changes, smaller ceremonies, and rituals. The wedding reception program starts with the entrance of the bride and groom, usually announced by the best man or maid of honour. They will then make their way down the aisle or to the dance floor, where they will be met by their guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bride's attire | Traditional Nigerian dress, a Gele (ornate headpiece) |
| Groom's attire | Fila |
| Guests' attire | Aso-Ebi (guests wear colours chosen by the couple to represent the bride's and groom's families) |
| Food | Jollof rice, meat skewers, fufu, palm wine, Guinness, champagne, spirits |
| Drinks | Alcoholic drinks such as red and white wine, palm wine, Guinness, champagne, and spirits, or non-alcoholic drinks |
| Cake | Cutting the cake is a traditional part of the reception |
| Music | DJs, live bands, group dances |
| Money | "Spraying" or "money spray" where guests throw money at the couple or stick it to their heads |
| Gifts | No specific gifts, but guests should bring a small amount of cash to "spray" the couple |
| Schedule | A program or schedule of events is common to keep everything organised |
| Bridal party | Introduced by the emcee or DJ, usually accompanied by music |
| Newlyweds' entrance | Grand entrance with an announcement or fanfare, such as music |
| Dowry | The groom provides the bride's family with a list of items, which may include fruit, candy, clothes, or a new car |
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What You'll Learn
The grand entrance of the newlyweds
Step 1: The Arrival of the Newlyweds
The bride and groom will typically arrive together or the groom may enter first and wait for the bride at the front of the room. This is the moment when they are formally introduced to the guests for the first time as a married couple. This step is usually accompanied by music or a special announcement by the emcee or DJ, creating a festive atmosphere.
Step 2: Announcement and Introduction
The best man, maid of honour, or another member of the wedding party will announce the newlyweds by their names. The emcee may also share a brief overview of the couple's relationship and their journey to the wedding day, adding a personal touch to the introduction.
Step 3: Entrance to the Aisle or Dance Floor
After being announced, the newlyweds will make their grand entrance to the aisle or dance floor, where they will be greeted by their guests. This is often a joyous and celebratory moment, with guests cheering and congratulating the couple. The couple may also be "sprayed with money," a Nigerian tradition symbolizing prosperity and blessings.
Step 4: Taking Their Places
The newlyweds will then make their way to the head table or their designated seats, marking the conclusion of their grand entrance. This is when the guests will usually take their seats as well, transitioning into the next part of the reception program.
Step 5: Transition to the Next Program Segment
As the newlyweds take their places, you can smoothly transition to the next segment of the reception program. This could be the cutting of the cake, the first dance, or another activity as per the couple's preferences and cultural traditions.
Remember, the key to successfully anchoring this part of the reception is to ensure that the grand entrance is well-coordinated, energetic, and reflects the joy and excitement of the occasion. It is a memorable moment for the couple and their guests, setting the tone for the rest of the celebration.
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Welcoming the guests
Nigerian weddings are known for their food, music, colour, and dancing. They are usually large, lavish affairs, with hundreds of guests. The number of tribes in Nigeria means that no two weddings are exactly alike, and each tribe has its own unique traditions and customs.
The bride and groom's entrance is often one of the most anticipated moments of the entire event. They are usually announced by the best man, maid of honour, or another member of the wedding party, and they make their way down the aisle or to the dance floor, where their guests are gathered. The couple may enter together, or the groom may enter first and wait for the bride at the front. After entering, the couple is formally introduced to the guests, and they may be announced by name, or the announcer may provide a brief overview of the couple's relationship. This introduction is a celebratory and meaningful moment, setting the tone for the rest of the reception.
The bridal party and wedding party are also introduced to the guests. The emcee or DJ calls out the names of the members of the bridal party (such as the maid of honour and bridesmaids) and the wedding party (such as the best man and groomsmen). This part of the reception is typically energetic and accompanied by music. It is a way to honour the couple's close friends and family members who have played a special role in their lives and wedding.
Nigerian weddings often have a mix of traditional and Western elements. Some weddings have two parts: a cultural ceremony followed by a more Western-style celebration. It is common for the couple to change outfits multiple times throughout the day.
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Introduction of the bridal party
Nigerian weddings are bursting with food, music, colour, and dancing! There are more than 250 ethnic tribes in Nigeria, and each has its own unique wedding traditions. However, there are some common customs and elements that are often included in Nigerian wedding receptions.
The introduction of the bridal party and wedding party is typically done by the emcee or DJ. They will call out the names of the members of the bridal party, such as the maid of honour and bridesmaids, and the wedding party, such as the best man and groomsmen. The bridal party and wedding party will then enter the reception venue and take their places, usually accompanied by music. This part of the reception is fun and energetic, honouring the couple's close friends and family members. The order in which the members of the bridal and wedding parties are introduced may vary, but it is common for the newlyweds to be introduced last.
The entrance and introduction of the bride and groom are one of the most anticipated moments of the entire event. The couple will usually be announced by someone such as the best man or maid of honour. They will then make their way down the aisle or to the dance floor, where they will be met by their guests. The emcee may simply announce the couple by name, or they may provide a brief overview of the couple's relationship and journey to the wedding day. The entrance usually involves some form of announcement or fanfare, such as music. After the couple has entered the venue, they will usually take their places at the head table.
The introduction of the bridal party is a celebratory and meaningful moment in a Nigerian wedding reception, setting the tone for the rest of the festivities. It is a way to honour the couple's loved ones and give them a chance to be recognised and celebrated.
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Cake-cutting
The cake-cutting ceremony usually takes place shortly after dinner. The emcee or master of ceremonies (MC) announces the cake-cutting and the band may play a quirky tune or revisit the wedding song. The MC can say something like:
> "How is everyone doing tonight? I hope you’ve saved room for something sweet because it’s time for [Couple] to cut the cake! If the happy couple could make their way over to the cake, we’ll start this dessert party!”
The MC can then invite the guests to gather for photos:
> "Don’t they make a perfect pair? Let’s gather for some great photo ops while they get set to make the first cut."
The couple then cuts the cake, and the MC can invite them to feed each other a bite of cake:
> "And now, I invite the Couple to feed each other a bite of cake. I promise there won’t be any smashed faces tonight!"
Finally, the MC can invite the guests to enjoy some cake and refreshments:
> "Now, friends, family, and honored guests, please enjoy some cake and refreshments. We’ll take a brief intermission before we continue our celebrations."
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Money spraying
During the money spraying, the emcee or DJ will typically play energetic music to get the guests excited and encourage them to participate. The money spraying is usually one of the first events in the Nigerian wedding reception program, after the introduction of the bridal party and the entrance of the newlyweds.
The newlyweds' entrance is a grand and celebratory moment, often involving an announcement or fanfare. The couple may enter the venue together or the groom may enter first and wait for the bride at the front. After their entrance, the emcee or another member of the wedding party will introduce them to the guests, providing a brief overview of their relationship and journey to the wedding day.
The money spraying is a fun and interactive tradition that allows guests to show their support and best wishes for the couple. It is also a way for the couple to cover some of the costs associated with the wedding. While some people may question the etiquette of throwing money, it is a well-loved tradition in Nigerian culture and is often one of the most memorable parts of the reception.
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Frequently asked questions
An anchor, or emcee, is responsible for introducing the bridal party and wedding party to the guests. They also make an announcement or fanfare for the grand entrance of the newlyweds.
The reception usually begins with the guests arriving at the venue and being greeted by the newlyweds. Then, the bridal party and wedding party are introduced by the emcee or DJ, accompanied by music. The bride and groom then make their entrance, either together or with the groom entering first. After this, the couple takes their places at the head table. Other common events include the first dance, cake cutting, and the "spraying" of money.
"Spraying" is a Nigerian wedding tradition where guests throw money at the couple or stick it to their heads as a way of showering them with blessings and good wishes. The money is collected by the bridesmaids and is intended to help the couple start their married life together.
Nigerian weddings often involve multiple outfit changes, group dances, and rituals such as the kola nut ceremony. The bride's family typically provides the food, which is catered by the bride's mother and her friends. Alcohol may or may not be served depending on the religion and traditions of the couple. It is also common for the couple to have two weddings: a traditional Nigerian wedding and a more Western-style or religious ceremony.
As the anchor, you may be expected to wear traditional Nigerian attire such as a Gele (a headpiece) or Fila. It is best to communicate with the couple or wedding planner beforehand to confirm the expected attire.
