Planning a December wedding in Ghana

December is when many Ghanaians abroad come home, and a lot of them come home to marry or to attend a wedding. That makes it the easiest month to gather the whole family, and the hardest month to book.

What books up first

• Popular venues and churches, especially on Saturdays.
• Well-known photographers, decorators and MCs.
• Hotel rooms and short-let apartments near the venue.
• Car hire, and seats on flights from London, New York, Toronto and Amsterdam.

Aim to have the venue, photographer and decorator booked 9 to 12 months ahead. Ask vendors whether they charge more in December; many do.

Weather and roads

December is dry, but the harmattan can bring dust and haze from late November. For an outdoor ceremony, plan shade, keep drinks cool and cover food. Accra traffic is heavy in the festive season: give guests realistic times and a map link on the invitation.

For family abroad

• Send the date early so people can buy tickets before prices climb.
• Plan in your own currency too: My wedding can show the budget in pounds, dollars, euros or Canadian dollars.
• Add a livestream link to the invitation for those who cannot travel.
• Give relatives abroad a job on the plan, such as the guest list, so they can help from where they are.

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