The Marriage Of Edna And George Appiah

This weekend, Edna and George Appiah are getting married. The couple met 4 years ago in Toronto, Ontario. They have been dating for a year and have been courting for three years. After 3 years of saving up, George was finally able to save up to buy Edna’s dowry from her parents. George went to his mother to tell his mother that he was ready to marry Edna as is customary in the Akan tradition. His mother then told his father and George’s father was able look into Edna’s family to determine if there was anything that was unsatisfactory. After finding nothing bad about Edna’s past or her family, George, along with his father and older family members ask Edna’s father to ask for her hand in marriage. The bride’s family then does their own investigation

This includes buying a trunk or two for the bride full of clothes, jewellery and underwear. This also includes alcohol that George has to buy for Edna’s family and money that has to be given to Edna’s mother, father and brothers. All these items/money are exchanged during the traditional marriage. The bride and groom typically wear the same fabric of clothing as pictured above. During the traditional marriage, the bride and groom are not allowed to see each other. Although they have planned to wear the same outfit, a show of bringing out different women for the groom to choose from is given. After two women are brought up and rejected by the groom, the third woman is usually the bride and the groom chooses and confirms that is the woman he wants to marry. Edna’s father then asks her three times whether she is sure if she wants to marry George, she answers yes and George puts the engagement ring on her finger and prayers are said. George is then allowed to kiss and hug her. An elder in the room then gives the couple marriage advice. After the traditional wedding the couple can choose whether they want to have a church wedding or not. Edna and George have decided to have a church wedding the day after the traditional

All bridesmaids dresses are royal blue with a sash and the groomsmen suits are black with a royal blue tie. After the wedding, comes the reception which is completely different. First the couple along with their bridal party enter the reception hall and this is called their first entrance. The couple dance with their bridal party and are seated. Then there are speeches made by the bride’s parents and grooms parents. Other family members are also allowed to make speeches; all speeches are made during dinner time when all the guests are eating. Dinner can be anything, the couple can choose to serve traditional food and in this case, Edna and George chose to do so. After dinner, the couple have their first dance and invite wedding guests to the dance floor as well. While guests are dancing, the bridal party goes to a backroom to change for their second entrance. After the second entrance, the dance floor is opened for the rest of the night. Guests are invited to go outside the hall to give their gifts to the couple. Gifts are taken in forms of cash. The guests put down their name and number and the amount of cash that they gave the couple down on a paper so that the couple may be able to call and give thanks to