Ghanaian Traditional Wedding Attire: A Guide

Ghanaian traditional wedding attire is about family as much as fashion. The couple, both families and the guests often dress in chosen colours and cloth. This guide walks through each part of the celebration, what people wear, and how to plan your outfits if you are ordering from abroad.

Customs differ between Akan, Ewe, Ga, northern and other communities, and between families. Always ask the families what they expect. The bride's family usually leads.

The parts of a Ghanaian traditional wedding

The knocking. The groom's family visits the bride's family to announce their intentions. It is often small and formal. The groom's side usually dresses neatly in kaba and slit, fugu or smart traditional wear.

The engagement, or traditional marriage. This is the main ceremony. The groom's family brings the gifts the bride's family has listed, and the families agree the marriage. It is colourful and full of music, and it is where the couple wears their finest cloth.

The church or civil wedding. Many couples also hold a church or civil wedding, often in a white gown and suit. Some hold it the same weekend, and some months later.

What the bride wears

For the engagement, many brides wear kente, often as a kaba and slit or a fitted gown. Kente is heavy and structured, so it suits sculpted shapes, corsets and trains. Lace, beads and stones are often added.

Many brides change outfits during the day, moving from kente to lace or wax print for the party. Gold jewellery, beads and a head wrap or headpiece complete the look. Our kaba and slit guide covers fabrics and measurements.

What the groom wears

Many grooms wear a full kente cloth, wrapped over one shoulder in the traditional way, with sandals. Others wear a kente-trimmed suit, a tailored kaftan, or a fugu smock. Our fugu smock guide explains that option.

The groom's cloth usually matches the bride's, either the same kente or colours woven to go together.

Matching kente for the couple

Matching cloth is one of the most important orders for the wedding. A weaver can weave a woman's cloth and a man's cloth from the same design, or make two related cloths. Handwoven kente takes time, so start early. Ask for photos of both cloths, front and back, before they ship. Our guide to real kente cloth shows what to check.

If a weaver gives the design a name, ask what it means. Many kente names come from proverbs, and couples often choose one for its message.

What families and guests wear

Families often choose one fabric or colour for their side, sometimes called a family cloth. Relatives buy it and have their own outfits sewn. Guests are often told the colours in advance.

• Women: kaba and slit, wax print dresses or lace, in the chosen colours.
• Men: fugu, kaftans, wax print shirts, or a cloth wrapped in the traditional way.
• Guests without traditional clothes: formal evening wear is usually welcome. Ask the family.

Avoid black and red unless the family asks for them. They are colours of mourning in Ghana.

When to order Ghanaian traditional wedding attire

Wedding season in Ghana peaks from November to January, the same time many people travel home for December. Weavers and tailors get very busy.

• Three to four months before: order handwoven kente for the couple.
• Two months before: order tailoring for the couple and close family.
• Six weeks before: confirm guest fabric and send measurements to tailors.

Ask every maker for a ready date and how they ship. Since August 2025, parcels into the United States owe import duty.

Find weavers and tailors for your wedding

Derbaba connects couples with weavers and tailors in Ghana. You contact each maker directly and agree the price, timing and shipping with them. Derbaba takes no payment and no commission.

Browse Ghanaian clothing, or send us your date and the number of people and we will find a maker who can handle it. For an overview of every garment, read our guide to traditional Ghanaian clothing.