Want to know the average cost of a typical traditional wedding in Ghana? From decor, catering, photography/videography, rings, and more, here’s a breakdown of things you’ll pay for as a couple.
Weddings in Ghana are more than just celebrations; they are joyous occasions that bring families and communities together to honor love, tradition, and cultural heritage.
According to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly‘s official website, there are three types of valid marriage recognized by Ghanaian law:
- Customary marriage,
- Marriage under the Marriage Ordinance and
- Islamic marriage under the Marriage of Mohammedans Ordinance.
What is a customary marriage? Customary marriage (also known as the traditional wedding) is the most common form of marriage in Ghana. This is a very important element in various traditions in Ghana.
It is right to know that a traditional marriage alone is good to consider two adults husband and wife legally. Interestingly, in Ghana, it seems we copy blindly as we marry the same person twice, a practice of the Westerns. For some funny reasons, after the traditional marriage, we also do the church marriage (ordinance).
Despite this becoming normal and socially accepted in society, if you’re a couple on a budget, consider the white or church (ordinance) ceremony optional, but make sure you put your best into planning your traditional wedding, especially by including a budget-friendly reception right after the customary marriage.
Whether in the bustling city of Accra or the vibrant streets of Kumasi, Ghanaian weddings are steeped in customs and rituals that reflect the rich diversity of the country’s people and traditions.
However, planning a traditional wedding in Ghana, particularly in major cities like Accra and Kumasi, can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to budgeting for the various expenses involved. To help couples navigate the complexities of wedding planning, we’ve compiled a moderate budget breakdown for traditional weddings in Accra and Kumasi, based on insights from experienced wedding professionals in the industry.
Decor
Decor is an essential aspect of any wedding, setting the ambiance and tone for the celebration. For a moderate-budget wedding in Accra or Kumasi, couples can expect to spend between 15,000 to 20,000 Ghanaian cedis on decor for 100-150 people. This includes floral arrangements, table settings, and other decorative elements to transform the venue into a beautiful and memorable space for the ceremony and reception.
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks are another significant expense for traditional weddings in Ghana. For a modest buffet-style meal for 150 people, couples can budget around 7,500 Ghanaian cedis, while drinks can cost approximately 1,500 Ghanaian cedis at 10 cedis per head. Additionally, finger foods can add another 2,000 Ghanaian cedis to the budget, providing guests with delicious appetizers and snacks throughout the event.
Photography and Videography
Capturing precious moments from the wedding day is essential, which is why couples should allocate a portion of their budget to photography and videography services. A moderate budget for photography and videography, including pre-wedding shoots, can range from 5,000 Ghanaian cedis, with an optional 1,000 Ghanaian cedis for a 30-page A4 photo book to preserve cherished memories.
Attire
The bride and groom’s attire is another significant expense for traditional weddings in Accra and Kumasi. Depending on the size of the bridal train and groomsmen, couples should budget a minimum of 3,000 Ghanaian cedis each for the bride and groom’s kente attire. Additionally, bridal teams and groomsmen may incur additional expenses for their clothing, depending on the arrangements made.
Entertainment
Live music and entertainment are essential elements of Ghanaian weddings, adding energy and excitement to the celebration. Couples can expect to spend around 2,000 Ghanaian cedis for a live band and another 2,000 Ghanaian cedis for a DJ and PA system to keep guests entertained throughout the event. There is a huge cost that comes when you opt for an artist’s performance.
Other Expenses
There are several other miscellaneous expenses to consider when budgeting for a traditional wedding in Accra or Kumasi. These include hairstyling for the bride, an MC for the event, appreciation gifts for family spokespersons, and gifts and money for the bride’s family as part of the bride price tradition. Couples should also budget for gifts for guests, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs, totaling approximately 15,000 Ghanaian cedis.
Optional Expenses
For couples looking to add extra touches to their wedding day, there are several optional expenses to consider. These may include lighting and smoke fog effects, ushering services, emergency power backup, and customized wedding rings. While these expenses are optional, they can enhance the overall experience and create lasting memories for the couple and their guests.
Breakdown of the cost of a typical Ghanaian Traditional Wedding
A videographer who has been in the wedding sector for years has shared a fair estimation of the cost of a typical traditional wedding in Accra.
According to him, the breakdown of a moderate budget for traditional weddings in Accra includes the following:
- Decor for 100-150 people (minus location, assuming it will be done in the bride’s home) – 15k to 20k
- Food (very modest Buffet Style) @ 50ghc per head for 150 people – 7,500ghc
- Drinks @ 10ghc per head for 150 people – 1,500ghc
- Finger foods – 2,000ghc
- Photography + Videography (includes prewedding) – 5,000ghc+ 30 page A4 Photo book (Optional) – 1,000ghc
- Dresses (depends on the size of your bridal train/groomsmen) – budget 3,000ghc minimum each for bride and groom’s kente (depending on the arrangement, the bridal team and the groomsmen can purchase their clothes)
- Live band – 2,000ghc (day rate)
- DJ/PA System – 2,000ghc (day rate)
- Hairstyling for bride – 4,000ghc+ depending on hair
- MC – 1,500ghc
- Appreciation to family spokespersons (okyeame) – 500ghc
Other miscellaneous costs
- Gifts and Money for lady’s family (bride price and stuff) – 5,000ghc minimum (might vary depending on the lady’s family)
- Gifts for guests @ 20ghc per head for 150 people – 3,000ghc (includes branded mugs, pens, key holders, etc)
- Misc Costs – 2,000ghc (people will be running a lot of errands for you, transportation, etc)
- Honorarium for officiating minister – 500ghc
- Makeup for bridal team – 3,000ghc minimum
- Cocktails – 3,000ghc
- Cake – 1,500ghc
- Kete Group – 3,000ghc
Optional
- Lighting and smoke fog – 2,000ghc
- Ushering (conversely can get friends and family to do it)- 2,000ghc
- Emergency power – 1,000ghc
Rings options (@rings4lessgh)
- 9k gold – 8,850ghc
- 10k gold – 9,850ghc
- 14k gold – 11,950ghc
- 18k gold – 13,650ghc
- Silver – 1,000ghc
- Diamond – 3,800ghc
The average cost of wedding vendors in 2024 for 200 guests per Ghanaian wedding planner
A wedding planner in Ghana called xceedmac (who plans and coordinates luxury, classy, and elopement events) has revealed an update on the cost of wedding vendors in 2024.
Per the popular wedding planner, in a post, they shared about the rates of wedding vendors, they noted that the outrageous prices attached are just the “average cost.”
“These are the “average” costs I see as a wedding planner in Ghana for 200 guests. Of course, some weddings can be done for less and some will cost way more,” the Instagram caption reads.
Per the wedding planner, the average cost of wedding vendors in 2024 amounts to over Ghc240,000, and is as follows:
- Planner: Ghc10,000
- Coordinator: Ghc5,000
- Venue: Ghc15,000
- Photographer: Ghc5,000
- Videographer: Ghc5,000
- Caterer: Ghc50,000
- Decorator: Ghc90,000
- MC: Ghc4,000
- DJ: Ghc4,000
- Cultural troop: Ghc2,000
- Fans: Ghc500
- Bouquets: Ghc1,000
- Mixologist: Ghc8,000
- Stationary: Ghc7,000
- Makeup and Hair: Ghc8,000
- Outfits: Ghc30,000
What is the average cost of a traditional wedding in Accra, Ghana?
The average cost of a traditional wedding in Accra, Ghana, can vary greatly depending on factors such as the number of guests, the venue, the type of food and drinks served, the traditional customs and rituals involved, and other personal preferences.
Per a report by TheKnot, customary marriage costs around Ghc4000.00 ($891.00) and a white wedding (ordinance) costs about Ghc15,000.00 ($3,335.00).
Also, the cost of your wedding, depending on the social status of the individual, can range from $1000.00 to $20,000.00, depending on what one wants.
However, it’s important to note that weddings are significant events in many cultures, and the costs can be substantial. It’s always a good idea to consult with local wedding planners or individuals familiar with traditional Ghanaian weddings to get a better understanding of the potential costs involved.
For more information on how much the bride, groom, and their families pay for a typical Ghanaian traditional wedding today, click here for a decade-long case study.
Conclusion
Planning a traditional wedding in Accra or Kumasi requires careful budgeting and attention to detail to ensure a memorable and enjoyable celebration. By allocating funds to key expenses such as decor, food and drinks, photography and videography, attire, entertainment, and other miscellaneous costs, couples can create a beautiful and culturally rich wedding experience that reflects their love, heritage, and traditions.
Keep in mind that all these prices are highly generalized, some vendors are more expensive than others. If you want a stress-free experience surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones, I’d advise you to go the route of engaging a wedding planner.
