Nearly 40,000 marriages are recorded each year in Kenya. And before these weddings take place, extensive planning must go into making the event that many of us have dreamed of since childhood, one to remember.
Important on the list of things to plan is a guest list filled with our loved ones and supporters, the color themes that will mark the occasion as uniquely yours, and the food and decor, to name a few.
These are some of the elements that go into this year’s Spring wedding essentials which include renewed color palettes, rustic dining, and events spaces inspired by nature.

Wedding color groups and families “Contrasting Color Schemes”

For the past few years, wedding planners have advised brides and grooms to choose a maximum of two or three wedding colors. The thinking behind this has been similar to the idea that too many cooks spoil the broth, with too many colors ruining the balance of the flower, decor, and bride and groom’s outfit colors. However, what this Spring’s trend of picking sets or palettes of colors suggests, is that there is harmony and balance in selecting the right colors together.

Think of a range of tones of browns, or a range of tones of pink or other pastel colors.

To add pops of floral color to the affair, Nicol Carelse, Guest Relations Manager at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront advises to “Celebrate all of the floral abundances this season promises to hold by adding flowers to your hair. Floral touches can become overwhelming, so a simple, yet pretty way to do this is to insert flowers into a flower girl’s braids, glue fresh flowers onto the bridesmaid’s hair clips or pins, and for the bride to don a delicate flower tiara.”

Less-frills catering

Inspiration from this trend comes from the reality that many couples are having to have smaller weddings due to rising living costs. This means that it also makes sense to think of reducing catering costs with a wedding plan while ensuring that dishes served on the day are just as special, unique, and delicious.

A way to do this is to have bowl food served to each table, with guests serving themselves. For a typical Kenyan-style menu, this could include one table being served bowls of roast tikka chicken, soji, biriyani, potatoes, and veg, Ugali (Cornmeal Staple), Irio (Mashed Peas and Potato Mix), Githeri (Beans and Corn), Pilau (Spiced Rice), Wali wa Nazi (Coconut Rice), Sukuma Wiki (Collard Greens / Kale), Nyama Choma (Roasted Meat), Matoke (Plantain Banana Stew), Chapati (Flatbread), Kachumbari (Tomatoes and Onions), Bajias and passing the dishes around to each other for self-service. For an Italian theme, a bowl service could include layered eggplant parmigiana, mozzarella, basil, and tomato salad, grilled seafood, or a delicious beef or lamb ragu with freshly baked bread and homemade butter for guests to mop up the ragu sauce. Desserts can also be served self-service style on a separate table.

Guest gift bags

Happily, for anyone that has ever taken home a piece of fruitcake as a wedding keepsake and found it in the freezer a decade later, this Spring idea focuses on useability.

Spring-inspired gift bags that guests can take home to use could include items such as a Spring floral-scented soap and items that speak to the newness and growth of both Spring and a new marriage union. This could include a young plant or bags of seeds that should be planted in spring, such as marigolds, poppies, petunias, begonias, and dahlias, which when planted in Spring will grow to yield a lovely summer bloom.

Natural feel settings and destinations

Spring is about enjoying the wonders of nature and across South Africa there are many. While this trend of weddings in nature settings does not necessarily mean that weddings have to be outdoors, the decor and setting should be inspired by all of the woods, plants, and earthly abundance that the season has to offer.

“With our hotel being positioned literally on the edge of Cape Town’s Atlantic Ocean or Diani in Mombasa blending in with nature, we’re seeing an increase in these types of weddings. The element of nature and options for fresh air and space are there, but the wedding parties themselves are smaller,” says Carelse. “Wedding parties are looking to create a sense of intimacy with their guests by booking smaller tables, banquet style, for example,” she adds.

Take inspiration from the bright colors, abundance, and fresh foods of the season to plan a memorable Spring wedding to remember when planning your wedding this year.

Photo and video courtesy of Mayowa & Demi lade’s White Wedding

Content courtesy Bella Naija Weddings, Samantha Bridal, I Africa & NFH

Expert Answers To Your Biggest Etiquette Questions

There are certain rules everyone who has ever attended a wedding knows  don’t wear white unless you’re the bride, for example. Others, are a little less obvious, say deciding if you can wear black to a wedding or whether you should buy a gift from the registry or go rogue with your own idea. Plus, in the modern era of nuptials, there are things like Instagram and social media to consider, which aren’t addressed by the traditional gospel of guest etiquette.

With wedding season on the horizon and the invitations pouring in, the concerns of what to do and what not to do as an attendee at someone’s big day are even more pressing and relevant (especially since you’re likely thinking about what dress to wear now). For the final word on all things wedding etiquette related, it’s best to turn to the pros. Enter: Anne Chertoff, the wedding etiquette expert at Beaumont Etiquette and co-founder of its renowned Plaza Finishing Program, which has revived the art of etiquette for a modern crowd, offering lessons in professional networking, digital communication, social graces, and other revamped matters of decorum and propriety.

Here, Chertoff lends her considerable know-how to answer all your questions about how to be a good wedding guest, from the proper way to RSVP (which is not to just text the couple a week before the big day, just FYI), and bringing a plus-one (don’t bring the guy you met randomly at a bar last weekend), to the gift (is it ever okay to not get one?), the dress code, and the dos and don’ts for the day of.

The RSVP & Plus-One

It’s best to RSVP in the format requested on the invitation  but no matter how you do it, always RSVP.

“A guest should RSVP in the format the couple requested, either via a reply card you drop in the mail or their wedding website, because it is probably the easiest way for the couple to keep their guest list and RSVPs organized. However, the most important thing is to let the couple know that you are or are not attending, so an email, phone call, text or in-person reply will do. Don’t assume that the couple will check their Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram messaging often enough to read your reply. Text, email, a call or in-person would be better.”

Don’t assume you get a plus-one, and don’t bring just anyone as your guest.

“A couple will indicate on the outer or inner envelope of their wedding invitation whether you’re invited with a plus one or not. The envelope would list both names of those invited or one name and “and Guest” on the envelope. A guest who is not sure if they’re invited with a plus one should ask the couple if they can bring someone with them. If you are invited to a wedding with a plus one you should bring significant other or someone close to you who you are sure to have a good time with.”

You can politely ask for a plus-one, but respect whatever answer you’re given.

“If a couple did not invite a guest to their wedding with a plus one, the guest may feel comfortable enough in their relationship with the couple to ask them if they may bring a plus one to the wedding. They should make the request in person, if possible, or over the phone. The couple may have made a list of guidelines as to how they determined which guests were invited with and without a plus one based on their wedding venue’s capacity and their budget. If the answer is that a guest cannot bring a plus one, then the guest should respect their answer and not show up at the wedding with a plus one.”

Only bring your children if they were explicitly invited.

“If you’re invited to a wedding with your children you can bring them if you want to. It is not appropriate to bring your children if they were not invited. Their names should be listed on the outer or inner envelope, but if you’re not sure if your children are invited ask the couple.”

It’s OK to decline being in the bridal party, even if you still plan to attend the wedding.

“It is okay to decline the invitation of being in someone’s wedding party. Some people may know or think they won’t have the time to give for pre-planning and pre-party events, and others may not be able to afford all of the pre-wedding activities. It’s better to decline the invitation than to accept and then not participate. But if you do decline, let the bride or groom know why you’re declining and make it clear that you’re looking forward to celebrating with them on the big day.”

The Dress Code

Yes, you can wear black! Just choose a style that’s suitable for the particular time and place.

“Black is perfectly acceptable to wear to a wedding. The style of the dress should reflect the time of year, time of day, and wedding’s location. For example, for a formal or black-tie wedding a woman may wear a black floor-length gown, but at a beach wedding she may wear a black dress that’s shorter and flowy, and at a rustic or vineyard wedding a black lace dress would be appropriate.”

Don’t wear white (obviously), but also try not to wear the same color as the bridesmaids.

“Unless the couple is planning a white wedding dress code, guests should avoid wearing white, ivory or a similar shade to a wedding. If a guest knows what color the bridesmaids are wearing they should avoid wearing the same color dress.”

Avoid anything too casual or too sexy.

“If the wedding ceremony is being held in a house of worship, it would be appropriate for a guest to choose something that isn’t too sexy, or at least wear something to cover their shoulders if the church or synagogue requires a more modest look in their chapel or sanctuary. In general, guests should also avoid flip-flops, athleisure wear, denim and shorts which are most likely too casual for a wedding’s setting.”

Always pay attention to the dress code  and when in doubt, ask.

“It’s important for guests to look to the time and location of the wedding as well as a style of dress listed on the invitation or on an insert card, such as black tie or formal attire, and follow the directions listed. If the couple asked everyone to wear black tie it would be in appropriate for a guest to arrive in a sundress, suit without a tie or shorts. And it’s okay to ask the couple, a parent of the couple or a member of the wedding party for clarification if a guest is not sure what they should wear.”

The Gifts

You don’t have to select your gift from the registry.

“A couple will create a wedding registry to help their friends and family find a gift for them. The registry is comprised of what they want or need. But a guest does not have to shop for a wedding gift off the registry. A guest should find a gift that they think the couple will enjoy and that is within their budget.”

You should always get a gift, but how much you spend is entirely up to you.

“It is customary for a guest to send a wedding gift to the couple, however it is at the guest’s discretion to decide how much he or she wants to spend on the wedding gift. If you do not attend the wedding it is not expected that you send a wedding gift.”

If costs are adding up, consider going in on a gift with others for pre-wedding events like the bridal shower or engagement party.

“It is expected that a guest at an engagement party and bridal shower bring a gift with them to the party. It is up to the guest to determine what they want to bring item and budget-wise. A guest does not have to bring a gift to a bachelorette party. It’s not uncommon for a group of guests to chip in and give the couple a group gift at these types of events too.”

It’s convenient to send your gift directly to the couple’s address, especially if it’s a destination wedding.

“It’s entirely up to the guest if they want to bring the gift with them or have it delivered to the couple’s home their address would be included in their wedding registry. A couple will expect that some guests will bring gifts to the wedding and they will have made arrangements on how they are to be collected and brought home or to someone’s home if they won’t be heading home after the wedding. If the wedding is a destination wedding it is advisable not to bring the wedding with you because it will be more difficult for the couple to ship their wedding gifts home from their wedding destination, especially an international destination.”

The Ceremony & Reception

Don’t skip the ceremony, even if you’re running late.

“It’s always better to show up to at least part of the ceremony even if you’re running late. If you are late, you should enter the ceremony venue quietly as to not disrupt the ceremony if it’s already begun. If you know that you won’t make the ceremony at all, you may want to call and let someone know so if the couple asks for you they can tell them that you’re running late.”

Absent specific direction, you can sit on whatever “side” you want at the ceremony.

“Seating at the ceremony, if not directed by an usher, is up to the guests’ personal preference. A guest can determine where to sit based on how close to the aisle or altar he or she wants to be. That may be determined when he or she arrives and which seats have already been filled. Also, a guest may determine where to sit based on where other friends or relatives are already sitting so they can all sit together if they desire to do so.”

It is never appropriate to switch table assignments at the reception.

“It is not appropriate for a guest to reconfigure the seating chart that the couple worked so hard to put together. After the meal, it is okay for guests to mingle with other guests at the different tables.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2L5csKjI4e/?utm_source=ig_embed

Social Media

Posting to Instagram is usually OK  just stay out of the way of the photographer.

“Some couples encourage guests to use their phones to take photos and videos and post them on social media. Others will request a phone-free wedding. A couple can ask someone, such as their officiant, to make an announcement before the ceremony or post a sign that they don’t want guests using their phones. Or they may encourage guests to use a custom hashtag when they post so they can see all the fun pictures their guests took at the wedding.

Above all, if you are going to use your phone, try to not get in front of the couple’s professional photographer when he or she is trying to capture special moments, such as standing in the aisle as the couple walks down the aisle.”

Here is a video presentation i come across online, that real inspired me on how to wear black to a Kenyan wedding

Content courtesy of The Zoe Report , Bella Naija Wedding, Polka Dot Paper Shop, Coco weddings Venues ,Kenya Weddings & Nairobi fashion hub