The Nigerian Traditional Ceremony
We are so excited to celebrate our marriage through two meaningful ceremonies that honor both of our backgrounds and families. Since many of our guests may be experiencing a Nigerian traditional wedding for the first time, we wanted to share a little about what to expect!
Day One: Traditional Yoruba Engagement Ceremony
Our first celebration will be a traditional Yoruba wedding ceremony, also known as an Engagement Ceremony or Introduction Ceremony. In Yoruba culture, marriage is not just the union of two people, but the joining of two families and communities.
This ceremony is joyful, vibrant, symbolic, and full of tradition. You can expect:
Music, dancing, and lots of celebration
Colorful traditional attire
Family introductions and blessings
Cultural rituals and symbolic exchanges
Plenty of laughter, energy, and audience participation!
One of the most meaningful parts of the ceremony is the formal introduction between families, where elders play an important role in offering prayers, guidance, and blessings for the couple’s future together.
You may also notice traditions such as:
The groom and his family formally greeting the bride’s family
Symbolic gifts and offerings
Traditional Yoruba prayers and expressions
Moments where guests are encouraged to cheer, dance, and celebrate alongside us
A Fun Tradition: “Spraying”
One tradition you may see during the celebration is called “spraying.” During special dances, guests gently place or “spray” money onto the couple as a way of celebrating, honoring, and wishing prosperity and happiness on the newlyweds.
If you would like to participate, small bills are traditionally used (many guests bring $1 bills), but please know this is completely optional. We mainly want everyone to enjoy the experience, celebrate with us, and have fun!
Attire
Guests are encouraged to dress in festive, colorful formalwear. Nigerian weddings are known for being lively and fashionable celebrations, so feel free to embrace bold colors and joyful attire if you'd like!