Ghana Gazette

THIS WAS THE WEDDING OF MISS GHANA (ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO) AND ONE OF OUR MEMBERS. It was a massive wedding, with the entire chapel (including recreational hall and overflow) full. We saw more hats, and elegant dresses, and wonderful suits - as they all met to wish the new couple well. Miss Ghana (Benita Sena Golomeke) joined the church about six months ago at which time she was dating a returned missionary (Stephen Kwaku Okity-Duah). He is a very close friend of Aloysius (see previous blog) - and the two were married very closse together. She is a fashion designer and it definitely reflect in her outfit and her bridesmaids

Sorry the head of the lady, or more accurately the hair dressing of the lady next to me interfered with Stephen's picture, but they really are a wonderful couple. One interesting thing at both weddings, it is fashionable for the bride to be late - at the first it was about an hour and a half - at this one about 55 minutes. For much of that time the groom sits in his chair at the front and waits (hopefully not worries) the arrival of his bride. All the customs were the same for this wedding as for the other except for the number of photographers - there were at least two doing videos, and another 7 or 8 flashing stills. They will never live long enough to see all the pictures that were taken. It was a great media event, as Miss Ghana is reverred.
This picture of the bride and groom, best man and bridesmaid, included also two former Miss Ghanas who were in attendance - they are the two on either end of the line. The hat, dress of the one on the left was the fashion of the day. One note of interest, Sunday the entire wedding party arrived for church at the Tema Chapel and stayed for all the meetings. Apprently this custom is carried out to bless the marriage of the new couple, so many of them learned a little about the Church on their Sunday visit to the Tema Ward. All of the group pictures taken for the wedding were taken on the steps of the Accra, Ghana Temple.
This is the entire wedding party - 7 bridesmaids and 7 "best" men. We were invited as well to attend the reception - must have been 600 people there - held outdoors, at night (thanks for the mosqito spray) and all the traditions followed: Chairman appointed, popping of champagne, first dance, toast and replies and a wonderful meal served. We left about 9 PM but they told us the next day it went on until about 11 PM. A wonderful occasion.