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Brides in Washington are fortunate with the abundance of resources available, says Sylvia Small, an importer and distributor of African clothing. "In this area we have a big influx of people from different African nations, so we have access to food, jewlery and just about everything African." How easy it is to plan such a wedding depends on how Afrocentric you want to go. Some couples opt for a complete African wedding with all the trimmings: garb, rituals, food and music. Others might decide to add touches of Afrocentricism, by selecting to have a Jumping the Broom ceremony, libation, special music or traditional clothing accentuated with Kente cloth. To have an all-out African wedding you'll need some experts – like Judith Hunter of Columbia. She offers a 20-minute Jumping the Broom ceremony for brides, the traditional West African ritual in which the couple jumps over a broom to symbolize the leap into their new life together. She and a partner will actually come to the wedding or reception and conduct the ceremony. "I think people are just focusing on their own culture and they also see it as an opportunity for spirituality." Her Jumping the Broom Bridal shop also sells souvenir brooms that can be inscribed with the couple's names and given out as keepsakes at weddings. When planning an African-centered wedding, the location, elements of the ceremony, clothing and food are especially important. Location can be a challenge because some churches won't allow such weddings because they view it as pagan. If you're not able to find a church, consider having an outdoor wedding or renting a hall. Finding someone to officiate can be difficult also. "Clergy can be hard because not everybody knows how to conduct this kind of ceremony," says Linnyette Hall, president of the Association of Minority Wedding Professionals and the owner of a bridal consulting business out of Baltimore. She recommends finding a minister who is more liberal and willing to accept the blending of a traditional and an ethnic ceremony. Rev. Willie F. Wilson, pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church, regularly conducts African-centered ceremonies at his church. Wilson, is also author of "The African Wedding Manual," which is available through the online African Wedding Guide. The book outlines the various elements of an African-centered ceremony. There's even a section instructing ministers what to do. The taking of spices, pouring of libations, the music and overall atmosphere are key elements of Afrocentric ceremonies. "To really get the feel, drums are important," says Hall. "That is something you can go into the African community and find someone who is well-versed in it. Check your local cultural center, university or high school music program to find drummers, or ask around at local restaurants or stores owned by Africans. Another place to try would be nightclubs that specialize in world music. As for food, Hall recommends putting yourself in the hands of a knowledgeable caterer, like Calypso Jazz International Cuisine in Upper Marlboro, which has been operating for eight years and is accustomed to African-centered weddings. "If you want traditional African cuisine or African American cuisine, or a blending of the two, you've really got to find a good caterer." She recommends selecting your menu, based on the wedding. Is your wedding more traditional or more African-centered? "Africa is a large continent and you have foods and traditions from different parts," says Denise Thorne, co-owner of the company. Most of the people who came here as slaves came from West Africa so most people will go for West African style cuisine." West African foods are very similar to foods we eat in the south," she says. Chicken, fish, plaintains and yams are typical foods. Thorne, who is from the Caribbean and grew up watching her mother and grandmother cook, cautions couples to be careful when requesting "authentic" foods because to be enjoyed the palette must be acclimated. "It won't really be authentic unless you're from that region," she says. Hall recommends always using a licensed caterer. "That's because the reception takes up a good portion of the budget and you want it to be done well."
Tony Anya of Anyiam Creations International (www.yalich.com/anyiam) in Langley Park, Md., designs traditional and contemporary wedding attire. "When it comes to Afrocentric weddings, most of my clients confuse traditional African attire and Afrocentric. "I try to make sure they understand what they want," he says."Most of the brides want the Afrocentric because it's more contemporary and has a touch of African style. Traditional African attire is more of a one-size-fits-all type of style," he explains. As a designer, Anya has done everything from creating styles from a customer's drawing to transforming traditional European wedding gowns, such as adding touches of African fabric or cowrie shells. "Once we get through what the couple really wants I can usually do whatever they request," he says. But he advises couples to allow at least three months for a custom, African-inspired design. Vanessa Williams Snyder, a Washington journalist, is editor of the online African Wedding Guide.
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Men's white broacade lapel Agbada with gold and green embroidery, $525, and white and gold bridal gown with detachable train, $2,300, give the traditional bridal ensemble a new look.
(Photos by Anderson Ballantyne, and courtesy of Nigerian Fabrics & Fashions, Brooklyn, N.Y., and MelaNet's Online African Wedding Guide)
Inspired by North African finery, the Queen Nefertiti crepe satin gown with collar embellished in gold embroidery sells for $1,150 and the man's gold aso-oke Khemetic ensemble with ankh embroidery sells for $525.
