How to get married in Uganda (The Wedding Reception)

In our last two blogposts about having your marriage in Uganda, we took you through marriage traditions and the legalese involved for which we believe you are now well-conversant. 

This third and last blog in our ‘how to get married in Uganda’ series today navigates nitty-gritties around wedding receptions in Uganda. Being the gist of Ugandan weddings, you have to get it right.

Before we take you to the reception, however, let’s take a quick stop over at what happens right before the bride and groom get to the wedding day. 

Bridal showers and Bachelor Parties

Within a few days leading up to the wedding, brides have bridal showers where girlfriends meet up to party with the bride one last time as a single woman and offer any final tips for marriage. The groom on the other hand will have bachelor party to do exactly the same though we are told these don’t usually go according to plan. These two sets of parties in Uganda have also become quite elaborate ceremonies with no less than 80 people hosted (usually) on the eve of the wedding.

It’s after these ceremonies that both bride and groom present themselves in Church (about 80% of Ugandans confess Christianity) for their ceremony. In Uganda, the wedding ceremony is usually an affair for closest family members and friends. Rarely does it draw even half the numbers at your reception. While planning for it therefore be careful delaying it hoping for more people to join you.

Vows and Photography

Traditional marriage vows are the most common at Ugandan weddings though the trend is changing as many young people are embracing writing their own vows. When vows are done, preachers usually take to the podium to give the couple their first sermon as a married couple. Typically, the wedding ceremony will last between one to two hours. 

When completed, the couple will stay behind for some photos with their ceremony guests after which they will choose the means of wedding transport they prefer to head to their wedding reception or another place to take a few more photos before the reception. 

Reception Programme

Receptions in Uganda are usually late afternoon affairs starting between 3-4pm mainly because Ugandans tend to be poor timekeepers. It is also the reason why wedding receptions in Uganda tend to go late into the night. There is no harm though in starting your reception early but prepare to be a little stern with your guests to make it on time. 

Typically, the reception follows a three-hour timeline that a good Emcee will do well to execute as follows;

1. Arrival/ Sitting of the guests

2. Drinks served

3. Opening Prayer

4. Arrival of newlywed couple (accompanied by dancing)

5. Speeches (Friends+ Siblings)

6. Food is served

7. Music and Entertainment

8. More speeches (Employers + Parents)

9. Couples change dresscode

10. Cutting Cake (and distribution)

11. Couple gives speech

12. Couple receives gifts from well-wishers

13. Couple’s first dance

14. Dance floor is opened

15. Departure at leisure

Couples typically interchange these 15 items on the reception programme in accordance to their preference but most Ugandan wedding reception timelines will take a format similar to the one above. The devil, however is usually in the details.

Arrival of the couple

For example, the arrival of the bride is sometimes quite elaborate depending on the theme or the culture of the couple. Some prefer to be ushered in with a dance from their culture. Others prefer a fully blown worship session while others just simply want their favourite song played and the they dance to it as they get to their wedding stage. The Emcee could also spice up the entry of the bcouple with a few stunts of his own. 

Giving Speeches

Speeches are yet another dramatic affair at Ugandan weddings. They can be as short as 2 minutes or as long as 2 hours. There are certain parts of this country whose people are known for long winding speeches. They typically invite each clan member to speak and everyone who participated in raising the child getting married. Emcees need to beware and manage such speakers otherwise the function can become a speech contest. 

Food

Typically the food served at Ugandan weddings is the local food; a buffet made up of Uganda’s rich cultural dishes selected according to the couple’s preferences. It is accompanied by drinks that are either juices or soft drinks. Alcohol is also served, both the traditional drinks and the bottled lagers. 

While guests are served, it’s common to have either a live band or traditional dancers entertain the guests. Sometimes some soothing music is played in the background to accompany the meal.   

The Cake

When speeches are complete and food is served, Ugandan couples (typically the bride and her entourage) change into the changing dress which gives comfort to dance and cut the cake freely. 

In Uganda, weddings are well-decorated. Cutting them is typically accompanied by champagne or party poppers. The couple cuts the cake while bridesmaids serve it.

A tiered cake is usually cut and served at the wedding while smaller cakes are given away. Most couples give away upto 6 cakes. One to each of the parents, one to each employer, one to the organizing committee and one to the church or a special team or person for special recognition.

Receiving Gifts

Gift giving is common practice at Ugandan weddings. From kitchenware to household appliances like TVs and Hoofers, to toiletries, lotions and soaps, there is no limit to what can be gifted to a newly married couple. Clothes and money too. Some Ugandan cultures even donate cows to newly married couples. Thank God, most of these are not brought to the reception but transferred by the giver to the couple’s chosen location whenever the couple is ready. Lately, Ugandans reserve a table for gifts to avoid overwhelming the couple with receiving each gift. 

Wedding Entertainment

Entertainment at Ugandan weddings runs throughout the function and can take on several forms, from traditional dances to comedy or circus acts. Typically, however, most Ugandans simply settle for a Deejay and his wedding music selection. Lately, live bands are also becoming a common sight. Entertainment runs throughout the wedding reception at intervals typically managed by the Emcee.  

The Dance

The crowning event for the wedding reception after the couple gives its speech is usually the dance. Ugandan couples take to the dance floor for the first dance as a must. Many of late even go for dance practice to prepare meticulously for this first dance.

Other couples and friends then join the couple on the dance floor after dancing to their first song. When the dance floor is opened, the official function usually is coming to its end and guests do go around to greet the couple and leave at leisure.

Incidentally, as unceremonious as that sounds, it is usually how Ugandan wedding receptions wind up. If there is an afterparty, the Deejay or Emcee will announce its location and the time it kicks off. Guests will either head there directly or will go home to cool off and join in afterwards. 

And there you have it, we hope you enjoyed this series, let us know what else you want us to write about Ugandan weddings in the comment section and we shall embark on it. We are sure you are now ready to get married in Uganda. 

Find out more from us if you need wedding planning tips at planner@nyomplanet.com.