Wedding ceremonies are not just ceremonies but experiences. From the venue selection, decor, and music to the type of food served create experiences that couple and their guests cherish for life.
To immerse her guests in Ghana's culture and give them the perfect gift on her big day, a Ghanaian bride came up with the idea of making customised beads for her guests. The idea further developed into giving the guests local names in what turned out to birth the 'Beads Wall'.
Ghanaian wedding planner, Myrtle Weddings who planned the wedding and decorator RiStyled tapped into culture and creativity to design an experience set to live with the foreign guests for a lifetime.
For the uninitiated, the day you were born in Ghana gives you an automatic name. Although it slightly differs from the different ethnic groups, there are similarities.
For what's common in the country, Sunday borns are Kwasi and Akosua, Monday borns Kojo and Adwoa, Tuesday borns Kwabena and Abena, Wednesday borns Kwaku and Akua, Thursday borns Yaw and Yaa, Friday borns Kofi and Afia with Saturday borns being Kwame and Ama for boys and girls respectively.
Channeling a creative way to make the over 40% of wedding guests who were visiting Ghana for the first time feel a sense of belonging, the team who handled the wedding ceremony not only united hearts but also bridged cultures, as guests enjoyed an unforgettable celebration in Ghana.
Central to the celebration was the captivating beads wall, a masterpiece that did not only serve as a visual spectacle but also as a conduit for cultural immersion. As guests entered the venue, they were greeted by a mesmerizing display of beads.
Guests were asked about the day they were born to determine which bead accessory they got.
These customised name beads were complimented that with virtue beads that had Adinkra symbols for when the day of birth beads was finished.
Adding to the allure, the virtue beads with Adinkra symbols embodied powerful virtues or moral lessons. From wisdom to resilience, guests were encouraged to select beads that resonated with their values, creating a personal connection to Ghanaian culture. RiStyled designed the 'beads wall' which had the day of birth on the bead accessory or Adinkra symbols for guests.
Sharing the experience on social media, Myrtle Weddings disclosed:
"Afua and David had about 40% of their guests being first-time flyers to Ghana. They were intentional about the memories they wanted to have about Ghana," she said.
"We absolutely loved to see them wear it while they partied and enjoyed the night," she highlighted around the guests picking a bead based on when they were born.
"Know your audience and be international about the gift that will make them appreciate your day forever," she advised.
The cultural journey did not end there as disclosed by Myrtle Weddings on how the guests enjoyed the celebrations. Throughout the celebration, guests were treated to a sensory experience like no other, with traditional Ghanaian and Jamaican cuisine, music, and dance enticing their senses and igniting their spirits.
The bride, Myrtle Weddings and designer RiStyled not only orchestrated a wedding but also a celebration of unity, diversity, and cultural exchange.
