Colorful Kente I Do's: I Do Ghana!

Kente cloth has its origin with the Ashanti Kingdom, and was adopted by people in Ivory Coast and many other West African counties. It is an Akan royal and sacred cloth worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings. Over time, the use of kente became more widespread. However, its importance has remained and it is held in high esteem with Akans.  Read more here

I Do Ghana! Amma Mama

I stumbled onto this great post, I Do Ghana! Couples in Ghana use Kente cloth in great abundance for their wedding day.  The patterns and colors of the cloth have a wide range of choices for each couple to choose from.  The result is that each wedding has a dynamic, colorful, result.  See more from this post here.

 

African Wedding Documentary

I looooove how they explain the tradition of their culture and how important a wedding is to the African community.

African Wedding Doc (subs) from Davy Charles on Vimeo.

African Traditional Wedding Invitation From Bibi

My Only Suga- Traditional Wedding Invitation 

 

Forever Ma Be Be: Traditional Wedding Invitation

 

If your wedding is culturally inspired, you'll want your invitations to reflect that style.  Bibi invitations is the company to make your dreams come true.  They are unique and offer you culturally stylish invitations for your wedding or any special event.

Invitation will be sent digitally to you to print at home or at your local print shop. This is fast, convenient and saves you money.

For more information go to Bibi Invitations. 

Arab Cultural Festival 2012: Sudanese Wedding Dance at Union Square

 

From the 2012 Arab Cultural Festival

Solomaon + Mimi: An Ethiopian Wedding Tradition

I have become obsessed with wedding videos, don't know why, maybe I am looking to express my inner Spike Lee.  What ever the case, I find the best and want to share that with you.  

This is the Ethiopian Wedding of Solomon + Mimi done by Black Label Films.  I love the celebration, the magic, the color, and it's attention to style.  This film begins looking like a traditional western style wedding, but it quickly lets you know that the tradition is not western but undeniably Ethiopian.  Love Love Love the men walking as they support the groom, which is one of many scenes that take my breath away.  I hope you enjoy.

Solomon + Mimi : An Ethiopian Wedding Tradition from Black Label Films on Vimeo.

Dar Es Salaam/Tanzania

"Juma my security guard got married", Maarten Smeenk

African Wedding from Maarten Smeenk on Vimeo.

Traditional Edo Wedding

Traditional Weddings (Edo)

Hair/Beads By Esohe: Beauty Lounge

Looking Down Looking Up

PBN Photography

Halter Dress: Cassandra Bromfield

Jewelry: U Jewerly

Make up: Beat It CC

Model: Chrystal Okorie

Testing Testing 1 2 3

Some background shots of a test shoot, February 2, 2012.  You can see more African Print dresses here.

The Afrocentric Bridesmaid

This is Marvette, who created this video after receiving her dress for an Afrocentric wedding in November 2011.  I had not seen her in person so I held my breath hoping she would only have to do little alterations.  It fit perfect.  I was further complimented when she sent me this video.

Afrocentric Accessories

I am always on the look-out for great accessories for the wedding day and beyond.  I found these on Etsy.com and they are perfect for an African themed wedding.

Sankofa Child

Three Five Eighty Five

Beyond Jewelry

Jealous....In A Good Way

I saw this video via facebook.  I was immediately WOOOOOWED and envious that they created these funky, cool, dresses, along with a clever video.  Vlisco has been around since 1846, but they are never out of style.  Interesting that this Dutch company creates African Print fabric, but I'll leave that discussion for another day.  The video is worth 31 seconds of your life.

Vlisco

Nikita

Photos By Keston Duke

In April I worked with a fabulous team for The Natural Bride 2011 Photo Shoot.  We were honored to be on location at Malene B's home.

This video highlights one of our models Nikita, she is wearing an African print halter gown which is also available short. Although the dress can be created in one pattern, it is the mixtures fabric give it so much texture.  Perfect choice for an Afrocentric style wedding.

Nikita from Cassandra Bromfield on Vimeo.

The team who created the look

Gown

Cassandra Bromfield

Headpiece and Accessories

Beauloni Style

Hair

Khamit Kinks

Make-up

Jewel Whinfield 

An Explantion

So happy to have found this video.  Weddings are more than tulle, good food, and perfect shade of blue.  It is a community that is made stronger through a union of two.

African Marriage Customs from Halaqah Films on Vimeo.

African weddings are a family affair and involve the combining of two lives, two families, and sometimes even two communities! There are many different wedding traditions in the African continent and no two are exactly alike.Marriage is sacred in Africa and beyond because it solidifies relationship that enrich communities and nations by bring forth new life and new hope. The union of man and woman is a celebration of the natural continuity of life. Marriage is the only known incubator for the raising of balanced socially functional children.
However, in all the communities the bride plays a very special role and is treated with respect because she is a link between the unborn and the ancestors. A bride might eventually bear a very powerful child. In some areas of East Africa the grooms family would even move to the brides village and set up a whole new house there.

Black Is Beautiful

These BEAUTIFUL BLACK lace like henna designs.  The patterns are so intricate it is hard to believe it is done by hand.

Lace sample resources

Vintage Black Lace Fabric

Ebay

Vintage Rag Trader 

 

African Print Inspirations

If you are planning an African inspired wedding, you can be subtle or bold, but African fabrics and prints can be used in a bold way and/or with just a hint of ethnic faboulousishness.

From Bottom left Clockwise:

• Beaded Cuff: Tribal Mango
• Brown and Black Purse: Urban Knit
• African Inspired Pump: African Inspired Clothing
• Multi Colored Sandal: Ecrater
• African Print Strapless Dress: Soon to be available on Vintage By Cassandra
• African Print Purse (2): Pawalli
• African Beaded Bracelets: My Favorite Things/Paper Magazine
• African Print Sneaker: Ohema Ohene
• African Print Bow Tie: Girl Faux Pas
• Africa Is The Future T Shirt: AITF or BaaBa Maal
• African Print Shirt: Jolly Fishing
• Cowrie Shell Pin: Cabcomp/Etsy

He's Called Mr. Gele

I am trying to figure out how these glorious sculptures of fiber do not tip over.  Segun Gele is the wrap master of fibrac and as you can see will make you stand straight and walk proud.  Just what your Grandmother ordered.  Segun Gele Number 1

The Kwanzaa Wedding Featuring Iwa L'ewa Dancers

When the Kwanzaa Bride (Audrey Davis) got married she knew it would be a grand celebration.  Audrey is the assistant director of Iwa L'ewa Heritage Dance Ensemble and they have danced in celebration for many couples.  This time would be her chance to be anointed through dance.   

While it is grand and exciting to watch them, they also want you to be in on the fun.  We were all (guests) invited to learn a new dance and participate.  It is a wedding not a performance.  Later I asked Audrey, if they must have created this just for you.  She said "No, this is how we do it.  We do it big.  Now I know what my brides are feeling.  They made me feel so special".

Babylon

Babylon Productions

This video from Babylon Productions comes out of Toronto, Canada.  I don't know the origins of the dance but I think it is beautiful.  Enjoy

Not African But African Inspired

This couples' African Themed wedding made a wow with decor, African Dancers and Drummers, and even the menu.


"The reception was held in the Moyo tent and tables were decorated with brightly colored flowers and petals, tin lanterns and blankets over the back of their chairs to ward of the evening chill. The couple were seated at the head table in elaborate wrought iron thrones. Guests were treated to a scrumptious African buffet, tribal entertainment and even face painting."

I was surprised that the couple made such a statement and the website doesn't explain why, but I am glad they did. It looks like it was so much fun.

See More at Wedding Moments