When somebody else’ happiness is your happiness, that is love. – Lana Del Rey
The African culture is so beautiful because of its adaptability. With the way Africans are taking culture seriously, especially those in the diaspora, being African is now the new cool.
Here’s an awesome opportunity to join the cool gang especially if you’re a bride to be and you want a bridal shower that would stand you out and get people using your party as a reference point.
Ladies! It’s high time you got introduced to an African themed bridal shower.
When setting up an African themed bridal shower either for yourself or a beautiful friend, there are things you should put into consideration;
Guest List:
Except the party is a surprise, you have to ask the bride-to-be to pen down the guests she wants to celebrate with during her shower. You don’t want that chick she doesn’t like to turn up and ruin her mood.
Location:
This comes second because the number of guests determines the venue you’ll use whether small or large. Now, since it’s an African themed party, pick a location that will blend with the decorations you’ll use, indoor or outdoor.
Decoration:
Whoever is in charge of decoration should use materials that are locally made. Local materials like Ankara, Kente, Aso-Oke and many others can be used to wrap furniture, lay the table, flowerpots and other materials. Materials like palm fronds, Calabash, local beads can be used as well.
Dress Code:
Everyone on the guest list should go African all the way in their dressing. Please include this specifically in the invitation card that will be distributed. Do a follow-up call if needed.
Menu:
Remember it is a bridal shower, not a feast. Local finger foods, snacks and drinks like Akara, Puff-puff, Cashew nuts, Groundnut, Palm-wine, Zobo, Kunu can be used. You can make research to find out foods from other African countries that can be used. To take it to the next level, serve them with local utensils.
Gifts:
Guests coming with gifts can have them wrapped in local materials. Giving such a celebrant a gift in a raffia palm bag is not a bad idea. You can get beautiful gifts for brides that are locally made.
Music:
The music should reflect African culture. Afrobeats, local sounds and rhythms from local artistes can be played. There are scores of them that cannot be exhausted for the duration of the bridal shower.
More ideas could speak in the local language understood by most of the guests and then have someone interpret in English for others. Better put, find a compere who can handle a mix of the local language. Also, games can be locally themed. Like outdoor games played during childhood. You can also ask questions about the history of the local people. That way people will not only leave entertained. They will leave informed too.
It’s a free world! Why would you want to limit yourself by doing what is normal? Go ahead! Be creative and rep Mama Africa!