It’s 2024, and everyone is getting creative. From making your own wedding invitations to styling your venue and even planning every detail yourself, couples are embracing the power of planning a DIY wedding. Gone are the days when you needed to hire professionals for every aspect—today, more and more couples are choosing to take on the responsibility themselves and make their big day uniquely theirs.

As challenging and overwhelming as wedding planning might seem, many couples are doing it effortlessly. Think it’s impossible? Well, Weddors, the all-inclusive wedding planning tool, says it is! So grab your pen, your favorite wedding mood board, and let’s dive into the magical world of DIY wedding planning in Ghana.

Understanding Ghanaian Wedding Traditions

Ghanaian weddings like we know are mostly filled with culture and traditions and while modern influences have brought some changes, the essence remains the same. Starting with the knocking ceremony (kokooko). This is when the groom’s family formally visits the bride’s family to ask for her hand in marriage. where the groom’s family formally visits the bride’s family to ask for her hand in marriage. 

The list usually includes items like the bride price, clothes for the bride’s mother, bottles of schnapps, fabric (often kente or other traditional cloth), and other symbolic gifts. Many couples hand this list over to their wedding planners, who take care of purchasing, packaging, and presenting these items. However, wedding planners often add their own costs to the budget, making this process quite expensive.

For a DIY approach, you’ll need to set aside a realistic budget for the items on the list while involving family members or friends to help with wrapping and arranging everything. This not only saves money but also adds a personal touch to the process.

Setting a Realistic Budget

A DIY wedding can definitely save you money, but it’s easy to go over budget if you don’t manage your finances carefully. The key is to start with a detailed budget and track every cost involved. 

It’s important to weigh the costs and decide where you can cut back. While some of these categories are important for creating the wedding of your dreams, they can be adjusted or eliminated entirely if your budget is tight. 

The goal is to focus on what truly matters to you and your partner and make those elements shine. Begin by listing all the key areas that make up a wedding. Here are some essential categories you’ll need to consider:

1. Venue:

Choosing a venue is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make. You could host your wedding at a family compound, a private garden, or even rent an event space. Each option has its pros and cons in terms of cost, availability, and logistics. 

For example, hosting at a family home may be free but will still require additional costs for decorations and seating arrangements. Renting an event space can offer more convenience but may come with a higher price tag. Call around to compare prices and check for hidden fees (like security, cleaning, or rental time limits) so you’re not caught off guard.

2. Food and Drinks:

Food is a big part of any wedding celebration, and in Ghana, local favorites like jollof rice, kelewele, and sobolo are a must! However, this is one area where you can save or even eliminate costs. 

Preparing the food yourself (with the help of family and friends) can save a significant amount of money, but it comes with the stress of planning, sourcing ingredients, and cooking. If you’re looking to cut costs but still want to serve delicious food, consider simplifying your menu or reducing the number of courses. 

Alternatively, you could ask family members to pitch in with dishes instead of hiring a caterer. Keep in mind, catering services can add up quickly, especially if you’re also providing drinks like palm wine or soft drinks.

3. Décor:

Décor plays a huge role in transforming your wedding space, but you don’t have to splurge on professional decorators. Simple DIY options like artificial flowers, balloons, fairy lights, and cultural elements like raffia can go a long way. For example, you might want to skip elaborate flower arrangements and focus on creating beautiful centerpieces with affordable materials. 

Buying items in bulk from markets or wholesalers and coordinating with family or friends to help decorate the venue can save you money. Just remember, you can always cut back on the complexity of the décor if you need to.

4. Clothing:

In planning a DIY wedding, your attire is as important as the wedding itself. Wedding attire can be expensive. However, with a DIY wedding, you have the flexibility to customize your outfits to fit your budget. You could buy fabric yourself and work with a local tailor to create affordable, one-of-a-kind designs. 

For your bridal party, consider coordinating outfits and sourcing fabric to ensure everyone has something stylish without breaking the bank. If traditional attire feels out of your budget, you could also opt for a simpler wedding dress or ask friends and family to help with the tailoring.

5. Furniture & Rentals:

If your venue doesn’t provide chairs and tables, you’ll need to rent them. While this can be an added expense, it’s one that can be managed with careful planning. For example, if you’re renting chairs and tables for 100 guests, it’s worth calling around to different rental companies to compare prices. 

Many companies offer discounts for large orders, and you might even find a venue that includes these items in their rental fee. Keep in mind that you may not need to rent everything. You can also cut costs by borrowing items from friends or family, like a sound system, instead of renting one.

6. Sending Invitations:

Creating your own wedding invitations is not only a fun and budget-friendly option but also allows you to add a personal touch that reflects your style and cultural heritage. With tools like Canva, you can easily design your invitations, even without professional graphic design skills. 

The best part? You can incorporate your own themes to make your invitations unique and meaningful. The takeaway here is that wedding invitations can be tailored to your taste and budget. Whether you go for a fully digital approach or decide to print a few special copies, you can create something that feels uniquely yours without exceeding your target budget.

7. Capturing the Memories:

One of the most important parts of any wedding is capturing the beautiful moments, and in Ghanaian weddings, there are plenty of memories to cherish. Hiring a professional photographer is often the go-to choice for many couples, but it can come at a high cost. 

However, if your budget is tight, there are creative and affordable ways to still get great photos without sacrificing quality. Consider asking a friend or family member with photography skills to help out. 

If you have someone close to you who has experience with cameras or photography, you can save quite a bit by having them capture the big moments. You can also offer them a small token of appreciation after the wedding, like a gift or a thank-you card, to show your gratitude.

Ultimately, the key is balancing your desire for high-quality photos with the need to stick to your budget. So if you go the DIY route or hire a pro, the important thing is to ensure that the memories of your special day are captured in a way that reflects the love and joy you share.

Final Thoughts

Planning a DIY wedding can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an incredibly rewarding experience. A DIY wedding in Ghana allows you to infuse personal touches, preserve some cultural traditions, and customize every detail to reflect you and your partner’s unique style. While it can save money, it’s important to stay organized and mindful of your budget to avoid unexpected expenses.

The beauty of planning a DIY wedding lies in its flexibility—you can make adjustments along the way, prioritizing what’s most important to you while trimming costs in other areas. But, if you find yourself overwhelmed by the process or would rather leave some things to the experts, don’t worry! Weddors is here to support you with our wedding planning tools, designed to help you stay on track and organize everything with ease. 

With Weddors by your side, you can be rest assured that your wedding day will be nothing short of magical, all while keeping your finances in check. If you’re ready to take the next step in planning your wedding, subscribe to our wedding planning kit or book our services today! Let us help you create the perfect celebration without the stress.