Popular Formats, Tips and Advice for a Successful Traditional Engagement and White Wedding in a Day (Checklist)
When planning a combined wedding reception for a same-day traditional engagement and white wedding, there are a few tips and advice that can help you make it successful. If you’ve not been to this type of wedding, it’s hard to imagine how to make it work seamlessly. Use this checklist (below) to help you know everything to consider and put to check when planning both a traditional and white wedding on the same day.
For couples who are planning this on their own (without a wedding planner), there will be many questions, such as: should it be the white wedding first or the trad first? How do you move from the traditional engagement to the white wedding reception activities or vice versa? What kind of decoration will work for the same venue for the two types of Nigerian weddings? So many questions… I have answers below to give you clarity on how to plan both your traditional and white wedding on the same day.
Important Consideration Before The Combined-Wedding-Reception Date
Do not include the time-consuming customary marriage rites (engagement list and dowry payment), if you plan on having your trad’ and white wedding on the same day. Ensure to paid the bride price and presented the engagement list before that day (latest the previous day).
That way, your combined 2-in-1 wedding day would be strictly for the things that are not time-wasting, and also to send a proof of bride price payment to your church if they requested it. Later, in this post, I’ll explain more about scheduling the bride price and engagement list at least a day before or weeks or months previously.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s go into the tiny details to check when looking for how to organize the double wedding reception program and more. There are 2 popular formats of flow of events within a 2-in-1 Nigerian wedding (explained down below):
FORMAT 1 & SAMPLE PROGRAM: Religious/ White Wedding First and Traditional Engagement Later on Same Day
To make this type of wedding reception work, you need to make a few considerations when scheduling and timing the program of events. Here is a checklist of 19 ideas for merging your traditional and white wedding in one day:
#1. Fix the reception venue close to the white wedding location, so that you and guests can quickly transit to commence the 2-in-1 wedding reception. If the venue between the church wedding ceremony and reception is far apart, the time required for everyone to arrive te reception would not be too long. If the venues are far apart, the transition time would cut into the reception program time and guests will definitely complain;
- RELATED POST: How to Find and Choose a Wedding Reception Venue
- Nigerian Wedding Reception Planning Checklist
- Wedding Day Coordination Planning Tips
#2. Keep the Entire Event Short, if you don’t want guests to leave before the end. Don’t go over 4 hours for both events, and one should flow into the other, with a good DJ making it seamless;
#3. Start early, and make sure the entire 2-in-1 event will not let the whole day (which annoys guests). Sit with your MC (emCee) to schedule an interval of activities to be short-short. Find out more tips on how to avoid being late at your own wedding;
#4. Order of Program (Example): Here’s how I have seen many couples structure their program of events for the traditional and white wedding on the same day: Couple go from church and dance into the reception venue > A few minutes of MC introducing and opening the event > Couple cuts the wedding cake (non-trad cake) > The Toast – guests toast to the couple > Couple have a short dance, and dance to the outside to leave and change into traditional attire AND while this is going on, cakes and small chops are served to keep guests busy before couple returns > the trad part of the occasion starts and leads to program end.
EXTRA NOTES:
- To ensure that their wedding day dress-change(s) will be fast, the couple should book a hotel room near the reception venue. Better still, they can book a venue that has a bridal suite or changing room that can be used for a quick change of outfit.
- The bride should have chosen a double-duty hairstyle and makeup (see details below); the initial event activities before outfit change should be very quick so that the bride’s makeup will still be fresh, as there may not be enough time or money to have fresh new makeup done.
- If the couple likes, they can also have a small, inexpensive traditional wedding cake in addition to a white wedding cake. Some couples who only made one cake serve guests small chops when they go out for a dress change, and later cut and serve the wedding cake, which could be the traditional-themed cake.
#4. Hire a good Master of Ceremony (MC) that is conversant with your indigenous traditional wedding process, OR hire 2 MCs – one for the trad part of the event and one for the white wedding reception part. You can find a good MC and other vendors by following our tips on where and how to find good Nigerian wedding vendors.
#5. Carry Important Stakeholders Along Let your people (parents and relatives) know in advance to keep the traditional engagement activities shorter than normal because you still have the white wedding reception program later. It won’t work if someone has to always run around to whisper to someone to round up in the middle of their activity. let key participants know weeks in advance, so they can plan for a shorter program;
#6. Keep the Trad Part Within 3 Hours or Less: Plan for the traditional engagement part of the reception to last not more than 3 hours, and schedule it to start not later than 8 am;
#7. Involve Relatives in Drafting Trad Engagement Program: Sit down with your relatives who would be key persons (in the traditional engagement) to draft a flow of activities for 3 hours or less;
#8. Involve the MC: Sit with your MC to draft out a list of activities for the white wedding part of the reception party. That way, they will easily flow in directing activity flow at the reception. If your MC does not know you that want the reception to not last longer than 3 or 4 hours, s/he will drag on and on with the usual MC jokes. So, let them know what you want;
#9. Go through the traditional wedding part of the program with the Master of Ceremony (MC) you hired to give them some familiarity. If the MC is from your tribe or familiar with your culture, they will have no problem with the program, and will even offer useful suggestions;
#11. Create the Program of Events and Send it Out for Printing: Still with your MC, merge the two separate program (the trad part and the white wedding part), to get the day’s program of events that you can go and print copies for wedding guests;
- Yoruba Traditional Wedding Program of Events Ideas and Tips
- Overview of Igba Nkwu (Igbo Traditional Wedding) Flow and Process
#12. Choose a Venue Decoration that Will Work for Both Wedding Ceremonies: A neutral theme venue vibe will work for both types of wedding receptions. So, opt for non-traditional-themed venue decoration. Keep your venue decoration not too traditional, so that it will look appropriate for a white wedding reception as well as for a traditional wedding.
Generally, white wedding type of venue decoration also looks appropriate for a trad’ wedding setting. You don’t want confusing backgrounds in your wedding pictures. Instead, you want your white wedding pictures not to be behind a trad wedding decor.
Here’s a hack: If you have enough space, you may want to decorate a wall, especially for trad wedding pictures and also where to display a traditional wedding cake, if you have one. But also adding a traditional-oriented decoration is optional, as a simple decoration will work for both types of wedding reception;
#13. Wedding Cake: Keep your wedding cake design simple and in neutral colours (no strong colours), so that the same cake can go for both types of reception. The reason for merging both the traditional and white wedding on the same day is to save money on cakes and every other thing.
If you like the two different cakes idea, a wedding cake money-saving idea that you can use is to split your wedding cake budget into two and make two small cakes (one for the trad and one for the white wedding) instead of making one single big wedding cake.
- Beautiful Wedding Cakes for Inspiration (Pictures)
- Costly Wedding Cake Mistakes and Tips to Avoid Them
#14. Choose a Double-Duty Hairstyle that will work for both: Because you may not have time to change your hairstyle between the two weddings, choose a hairstyle that will work for your white wedding veil and also for your traditional wedding gele and/ or traditional beaded headpiece;
- 20 Trending Igbo Traditional Wedding Hairstyles
- Latest Wedding Hairstyles for Nigerian Brides
- Natural Hair Bridal Hairstyle Ideas (Pictures)
- Latest Bridal Gele Styles You Should See
#15. Choose a Double Duty Makeup, especially eyeshadow and lipstick colour: As with hairstyle advice above, choose a simple but nice makeup that will double for both the trad and white wedding reception. However, have someone on-ground to touch-up and freshen your makeup after the church wedding when you have an outfit change into your trad wedding outfit;
- Amazing Before and After Nigerian Wedding Makeup Pictures
- How to Do Your Wedding Makeup Yourself (Video Tutorials)
- How to Apply Fake Eyelashes Yourself (Video)
- How to Find and Choose the Right Bridal Makeup Artist
#16. Music – Have Your DJ Create Separate Playlists for Each Reception Part: Ensure to let your DJ and/ or live band know to switch to the appropriate songs for each type of wedding reception. It is a good idea to have them come up with two different songs playlist a few days before your wedding day, and you should have a listen to vet it;
#17. Food and Drinks: Should be the same as what is served at any Nigerian wedding reception;
- Party Jollof Rice Recipe and Secrets
- How to Make Doughnuts (w/ Recipe for 100+ pieces)
- How to Make Crispy Samosa from Scratch
#18. Venue Organization and Clearance: It will be a good idea to have people on the ground to clear the venue of some or all of the traditional wedding items before the white wedding reception starts, or at least move them aside so that they don’t show in the white wedding pictures. Because you’re using the same venue for the trad and white wedding reception, ensure to let your people or vendors move things quickly when one type of wedding is transitioning to the other.
Click NEXT PAGE for the rest of the program
Good day,thank you so much for this good article.
pls is it possible to do introduction, engagement ceremony and nikah on the same day….
Yes, it is as you can see in this post above. Please read the post to the end to see sample program of events that you can use or tweak to use on your own day.
Hi,Please,my traditional and white wedding ceremony is coming up by next 3 months and no proper preparation has started,please,how do I go about it ,as we’re trying to cut down on expenses..
Hello Tammy, I know how you must be feeling – where to start from panning in a short time-span. You’re not alone. Here’s my response:
-3 Months Planning: I’ve had many brides say the same and I made a post specifically with a checklist for planning a wedding in only 3 months (click). Please use that post as your wedding to-do list. You’ll also find additional tips in there just for planning this type of wedding.
-Tips to Cut Down Expenses: I’ve written a couple of guides on different things you can do to cut down wedding expenses, including keeping the wedding small, sticking to your budget, cutting down your guest list, using a cheap type of venue, reusing some old fashion accessories (instead of buying new). I don’t want to repeat myself, so you should check the posts I did on everything about planning a small wedding to save cost.
Finally, don’t worry too much. Just start now to check things off your wedding to-do list, and everything will fall in place.
Hope that helps. Happy wedding planning!
Hi, thanks so much for your time and Nice response,. Can a pastor come to the traditional marriage day and join the couple and the couple will exchange vows with ring without going to church .
Then later can do registry. To register their marriage.then after that the traditional marriage reception start is it possible
Hi Untouchable, welcome here.
Can a Pastor come to your trad marriage location? That is possible if it’s a pastor that you know personally. In that case, you’ll have to ask that your pastor-friend first to see if they will agree.
You may also reach out to your friends or relatives who are close to Pastors. See if they can get any of their close Pastor-friends to attend your traditional wedding.
I want to do church marriage , how much does pastor collect to organize a wedding for a non member in Nigeria.
Hi Untouchable, most Churches here do not charge a fee; they usually require that the couple attend a pre-marital counselling session and then they’ll get scheduled to a wedding date. You’ll have to first contact the particular church you want to have your wedding at, or contact a few Nigerian churches and ask for their process.
Hope my response helps.
I could not find the program format for trad first then white wedding on the same day.
Hi Favour, it’s here ==> Sample Format: Trad First then White Wedding
Please ma my wedding it’s coming up this may and my husband wanted to cut down on cost cause he’s far from me an so it’s he’s family……. so I we taught of having a court wedding but the only recognized court wedding it’s in lagos court an I an my family base in ph
So we taught on having our traditional wedding by 10am then follow up our white reception were by doing it once then go to the court later to sign
But how do I combine this program please
Hello Ruth. Here’s my reply:
-Your plan is in order – that is: Traditional Wedding, followed by a Wedding Reception. That is perfect. Many couples do it that way, and choose to have only trad wedding and reception. If you need ideas on how to do your program of events, I gave a sample within the above post: FORMAT 2 & SAMPLE PROGRAM: Trad in the Morning and White Wedding in the Afternoon (Program Timeline). *NOTE that it is on page 2 (go to end of post and click NEXT to go to that page).
-The court wedding is usually a private event, and does not require a party or guests (only a few witnesses), and so it can be done at any date after your Traditional or Religious wedding. Many couples do their registry wedding much later, and that’s okay.
I think that the way you plan to combine your Trad and reception is okay.
Reply if you have further questions. Happy wedding-planning!
Can somebody do the court wedding first,before going for the traditional wedding?guide me on how to go about it,am planning for my wedding celebration,though I have paid the bride price,I don’t want to spend much,but at least I want to do something,to perfect the marriage
Hi Peter, welcome and thanks for reading.
Yes, you can do the trad before the court wedding. A friend of mine did it like that.
Hope that helps.
Hi Stella-
Thanks so much for the article, it is so helpful! I am based in the US (my family is Creole and African American) and am marrying a Yoruba (American born) man. We are trying to figure out the best way to host a two in one day/ ceremony which honors both cultures.
What do you find the most popular and most successful formats are for 2-in -1 day? We were initially leaning towards hosting this way white wedding ceremony> white wedding reception (brief)> bride/groom/family change to native attire> re-enter for traditional ceremony + reception.
Recently we found out another format traditional engagement > bride/groom/family goes back to rooms to change and prep for white wedding (4+ hours)> white wedding ceremony > reception (mixed)
I would love to know which formats you find most successful, the best experience for bride/groom/guests? Thank you so much
Hi Kristen, congrats on your upcoming wedding, and thanks for reading.
Because the traditional wedding was the only type of wedding in Nigeria, and still is legally recognized, the more popular format (when having a 2-in-1 combined wedding reception) is to start with the Traditional Wedding ceremony => have the White Wedding ceremony after => and then a combined/ mixed Reception Party.
*In the past, that was the only format that couples used. However, these days, some couples choose to have a white wedding first only if their white wedding timing and schedule was not flexible or convenient. The norm is Traditional wedding first.
By the way, in pages 2 and 3 of this post, I already shared 2 of the most popular formats, with detailed flow of events (sample program of events anyone can copy to use as-is or tweak)), we see used by Nigerian couples when planning a 2-in-1 Traditional and White wedding reception. You may want to look at that for ideas.
Hi Kristen, we have very similar situations. I am Nigerian and getting married to an African American man. We are trying to make sure we have the best of both cultures. We are yet to decide the best format, but I’m leaning towards trad first, then the white wedding. I wish I could find more information on the setup of both formats so I can make a good choice.
Hi Beth, thanks for reading, and leaving a comment.
Did you check out the sample formats/ setup I shared in the post (above)? You may not find a perfect layout or flow of events for your liking, but what couples do is to tweak any format to suit their situation. It’s easier to work with your wedding MC (Master of Ceremony) on this, when you show them a sample, tell them what you want and ask for their ideas.
–FORMAT 1 – WHITE FIRST
–FORMAT 2 – TRAD FIRST
Happy planning!
Hi, how would one address invitations to signify white and trad in same day?
Hi antonia, there’s no one-way to do it.
Most people do it by specifying listing each event and specifying the time they’re taking place (on that same day). For example:
Traditional Wedding – 7am at the Bride’s Family Residence
White Wedding – 10am at St. Peter’s Cathedral
Reception – 12pm at Sheraton Hotel
You may add by saying something like: the reception party follows immediately after the traditional wedding.
Note that some people choose to do the traditional wedding after the White wedding – there’s no right or wrong way, choose the flow that is convenient to you.
Is a must that traditional wedding must be done in the brides house,what if you want it outside not the brides,home,is it ok?
Hi Cynthia, some couples choose to have the Traditional Marriage rites in the bride’s family home, with only close family members in attendance. Then, they have the after-party of the traditional wedding at a posh location outside the bride’s home, where their friends and other guests are invited to.
Yes, it is a must (and the tradition) in most Nigerian states and villages. This rule or tradition did not start today. It’s called ‘Traditional Wedding’ for a reason, and it’s not a wedding PARTY but performance of marriage rites in the way your ancestors have always done it.
The only people that can answer your question or say whether it is okay or not to host a traditional wedding outside of the bride’s family home is the bride’s parents –
I don’t know why a groom, his parents, bride or her family would want the Traditional Wedding to hold outside the bride’s family home. In most Nigerian cultiure, it is considered that a bride is hiding something if a groom tells his parents and extended family that his traditional wedding will be hosted outside the bride’s family home.
SUMMARY: If the bride’s family agrees to your outside-bride’s-home’-location, then you win. IF not, consider splitting your traditional wedding into 2 parts – the intimate event at home with only family members invited; and the after-Party with traditional wedding vibes, for friends and other guests.
Hope that helps.
I know this post it older but its extremely helpful.
I am in the U S planning a 2 in 1 . Or a traditional American and yoruba reception.
Your example doesnt include the dining. The venue I have will be hosting the ceremony and reception.
Do you think its possible to do white ceremony , introduction , meals, toast, cut cake and re enter with yoruba dance / outfit change ? Trying to figure out how to go about doing so. Thanks
Hi Ade, thanks for the feedback.
-ON FLOW OF EVENTS: Yes, it is possible to start with the white wedding ceremony and transition to the traditional Youruba Wedding celebration events. People do that, and you too can. Feel free to design your own to suit your vibes. There’s no one-way of doing it. What I shared is the popular ways that couples do it.
Feel free to tweak my suggested flow of events to make it YOU, that’s the essence of bringing your personality into your wedding.
-ON DINING: My example does not include dining because most couples in Nigeria have a clue of what to serve their guests. Here, the wedding cuisine is usually centered around the popular wedding food in Nigeria plus some local, traditional foods. That is not an area that people struggle to plan, as the local caterers always provide guidance.
You said:
-Your venue will be hosting the ceremony and reception. My question is: should you not provide them an idea of what to serve your guests? I believe that your venue event planner/ manager expects you to do so.
Your Nigerian guests expect to eat what they expect at Nigerian weddings, and you also want to cater to your non-Nigerian guests. So, look through your guest list to determine where your majority of non-Nigerian guests are from and then sit down with your venue to let them know what YOU WANT to serve your Nigerian guests and what you want to serve your non-Nigerian guests.
MENU LIST IDEA: Most non-Nigerians love Jollof rice, which is a popular Nigerian wedding food. Coleslaw and moin-moin is also popular to be served with Jollof rice. Usually, swallows (Eba, Semo or Pounded Yam) are served at Nigerian weddings, and the popular soups are Egusi soup and Vegetable soup.
Finger foods is a staple at Nigerian weddings, and so you may also want to include the popular ones like: spring rolls, puff puff, samosa.
Finally, remember that what makes a Nigerian wedding unique, and Nigerian, are: the food, the music. I am glad that you are doing that.
All the best, and hope that helps.
Thank you for replying.
Sorry if I was confusing I was asking more of WHEN in the ceremony n wedding breakdown IS the eating. Not the kind of food . Meaning transition of attire etc would be after dining ? If that made sense. I just didnt know exactly what portion to fit in dining while merging the two.
My menu option is actually limited to venue in regards to what they serve since they do not allow outside catering and the price is per plate. Since i am incontract cannot change the place. But all will still be a good time !
Hi Ade, thanks for coming back to clarify your question.
>MENU Time – When? Here’s the usual flow: Cake cutting >Small Chops served >Dancing >Menu (Eating) time.
*The Dancing Time would be a series, and extended time, of dancing: Couple alone > Couple with Parents >Couple with Groomsmen and Bridesmaids
>Change of Attire Transition – When? The right time for Yoruba wedding couples to change into a second outfit is after the bride has worn her ring, and after the cake has been cut. On the way out for an outfit change, the couple take quick pictures before returning back to the reception venue.
*This exact question was asked by an Europe-based bride and answered in this article on Youruba Traditional Wedding Programme Flow FAQs.
You seem to have your wedding plans nailed down, and I believe that it will be a memorable and fun day for you and your families.
I hope that helps.
This article is really helpful.
Continue with the good work you’re doing and remain blessed.
Thank you, Nnenna.
Thanks so much for the write-up.
Pls can traditional engagement ceremony and reception be done in the same hall. If yes how will the traditional engagement decorations look like
Hello Elizabeth, thanks for the feedback.
I guess you meant white wedding reception.
Yes, both traditional engagement ceremony and white wedding reception ceremony can be done in the same hall. In that case, it would be best to go for a venue decoration in the middle (not very cultural and not very white-wedding-like).
Or you can just do a normal white wedding decoration so that you can use it for both. Many brides go for this option as it is does not require doing too much.
Another way is: after the traditional wedding ceremony part, you plan to have people remove the strictly-traditional decoration elements while you and your groom go have an outfit change.
Hope that helps.
Am Really Blessed via This Well Packaged Same Day Wedding and Traditional Marriage Information. Thanks for Sharing.
Indeed, you are blessed. Thanks for reading, and also for leaving a comment.
Very good article. And pls, the page to download budget calculator does not exist. I need to download it. How can that happen?
Thanks, Tomiwa. I will check that. But I’ll be putting up a new version of the calculator soon – which is more user-friendly and interactive. If your wedding is not too far away, I could leave you a comment to let you know when it’s live.
Good day, great writer,
Thank you so much for this eye opening wedding planning article.
You are inspiring.
However, you asked the reader to
“Also, check down below (method 2) for the program of events ideas when having the trad first and a white wedding later the same day”, bu article as such. Kindly state t I have searched through the website, and have not found any article as such. Kindly post it. I have learnt so much.
Hello Victor, thanks for your feedback. I’m happy to know that you find this post helpful.
It is here: combined program of event ideas
I believe the reason you did not see the sample program of events was that you did not read to the end of the post. This post runs into multiple pages and you can go to the NEXT page(s) by clicking NEXT link found at the end of the article.
Be sure to follow the NEXT-NEXT links to read all the post pages, in order to get the full benefit.
Enjoy!