WHAT TO WEAR TO AN AFRICAN WEDDING: AS A GUEST
African weddings can vary wildly from celebration to celebration, but it can be intimidating to find the right outfit as a guest. There’s a lot to consider in terms of being respectful, while also feeling and looking confident in your outfit.
Our wedding venue at our London Hotel, Holiday Inn Brentford Lock, hosts hundreds of weddings a year, specialising particularly in Asian and African weddings. Seeing so many happy couples celebrate their union at The Waterfront, we’ve become experts in cultural weddings.
Flamboyant prints, captivating gowns, colourful fabrics and stunning adornments – when it comes to what to wear as a guest to an African wedding, you can trust that we know what we’re talking about.
Struggling to find the right look? Read on to discover more.
Long skirts and dresses
While many African weddings don’t adhere to such strict traditions or modesty as some traditional Asian weddings, there are still expectations of your outfits respecting the bride and groom’s beliefs and customs.
Short skirts, dresses, or shorts should be avoided unless you’ve checked with the happy couple in advance, or it’s clearly stated that they’re happy for you to do so.
Long dresses are seen as a symbol of femininity and add a touch of elegance to your outfit. Dresses aren’t mandatory, however, and matching sets of maxi skirts with chic blouses are often seen worn by female guests at African weddings.
Accessories
Accessories are a big part of African wedding outfits and head accessories can perfectly finish or accentuate a look. They’re also an important part of the heritage of many African nations.
There’s a variety to choose from, with many more closely associated with certain regions of Africa or cultures than others, so it’s a good idea to do your research if you’re not familiar with them.
Many headwraps can be made to match your outfit, meaning you can perfectly coordinate, or choose a style that contrasts your look. Experiment with tying it differently to find a style that suits both your outfit and you best.
Doeks are often seen as being more informal and versatile, while geles can be more intricate, making them better suited for formal or regal events.
Colours
Black is usually avoided in African weddings, however, in more modern times many African weddings are bucking tradition and even the wedding party can be seen in black clothing.
It’s best to talk to the bride and groom before committing to this look but if you’re determined to wear black, mixing in some vibrant colours or prints will help you avoid standing out and balance the solum nature of the colour. African weddings are about celebration so make sure your outfit reflects that.
Traditionally, you’re going to see a lot of colours and bold prints in the clothing at an African wedding, for the wedding party and the guests.
Practicality
Many African weddings will have a lot of dancing (with parties often making use of the large space at The Waterfront for a dance floor!) so your footwear should be appropriate for the activity. Guests can either wear comfortable shoes (like flats for women) or bring a change of shoes to swap into after the ceremony has concluded.
Follow the dress code
Just like other weddings around the world, there may be a dress code for an African wedding, and it’s considered distasteful to ignore this.
There may be dress codes associated with the customs and traditions of the African couple which may vary wildly depending on the region or country they’re from. For Nigerian weddings, you might have Asọ-Ẹbí which is a dress code or style traditionally worn by the Yoruba people which might be used at a wedding to identify certain groups connected with the couple or celebrant.
They may also choose a dress code that’s individual to the tastes of the couple and reflect what they enjoy.
Unless you’re close to the couple and informed beforehand all of this information should be communicated prior to the wedding, usually in the invitations. Remember to read it and follow it as closely as you’re able to.
Do I have to dress traditionally?
Attending an African wedding does not necessarily mean you have to purchase traditional African outfits. The caveat to this is if it’s mentioned on the invitations that this is the preference of the couple!
It is sometimes a nice gesture to show respect for the culture and the African wedding you’ve been invited to if you choose to embrace the traditional style of dress. There’s a rising trend of blending African and British styles as well as mixing contemporary styles with traditional elements, opening up African wedding attire to encompass so many more options!
As long as what you’re wearing is respectful and doesn’t stand out or divert attention away from the bride and the groom, then it’s fine to wear what you’re most comfortable in.
The aim of any wedding guest attire should be for you to feel comfortable and to be happy with how you’re dressed. If you feel confident then go for it!
We hope you have a wonderful time as a guest at the next African wedding you attend. If you’d like to learn more about cultural weddings, we’re experts at Holiday Inn – Brentford Lock, hosting many cultural weddings at our gorgeous venue, The Waterfront. Check out the rest of our blog for more information.