A Ghanaian traditional marriage highlight, made as its own project
The traditional marriage, often called the engagement in Ghana, is where the two families formally agree to the union. The groom's family presents the items the bride's family asked for, the families talk through their spokespersons, and the bride is brought out and asked whether she accepts. Customs differ between ethnic groups and families. To get a highlight of it, upload only this day's footage as a WeddingEditor project, list the moments and people, and WeddingEditor's AI editing makes a Highlight Reel of about 5 minutes or a Social Teaser.
The edit is made only from what you filmed and follows the notes you write.
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Last updated October 2026
How to get a highlight of the traditional marriage
- 1
Upload this day as its own project
Create a project for the traditional marriage and upload the files from every camera: the arrival of the groom's family, the seated exchange, the items, the bride's entrance, the prayers and the celebration afterwards. Every file has to finish uploading, or be left out on purpose, before checkout.
- 2
List the moments and the people
Name both spokespersons, the parents, any elder who prayed or poured libation, and the bride's outfits. In the moments question list the consent, the presentation of items and the entrance, in order. Use the avoid question for anything the family asked you not to show.
- 3
Receive the highlight and send notes
For this Ghanaian event film, buy One Wedding or use a plan credit and start processing; it typically takes 24 to 72 hours. Watch the edit in your project, download the 1080p MP4, and use either of up to two revision rounds by email if something is missing.
Moments of the traditional marriage to list
Write these into the moments question in the order they happened.
The groom's family arrives
The procession of the groom's family carrying the items and drinks, often singing or accompanied by drummers.
Greetings and introductions
Each side introducing its members through the spokesperson; a short piece shows who is who.
The items presented
The listed items, such as drinks, cloth, jewelry or a Bible, being brought forward and checked.
The stand-in brides
In some families, young women are presented first as a playful test before the real bride appears.
The bride's consent
The bride being asked, in front of both families, whether she accepts the drinks and the marriage, and her answer.
Blessings and celebration
Prayers or libation, the couple greeting the elders, and dancing once the marriage is agreed.
What happens at a Ghanaian traditional marriage, in order
This is a common shape. Customs vary between ethnic groups, regions and families, so confirm the order with the couple.
1. Arrival and greetings
The groom's family arrives, often in matching cloth, and is welcomed by the bride's family. The two sides greet each other formally through their spokespersons.
2. Stating the purpose
The groom's spokesperson explains why they have come, often referring back to the knocking ceremony that came before.
3. The items
The items requested by the bride's family are presented and checked. What is asked for, and how much is made of it, differs widely between families.
4. The bride and her consent
The bride is brought out, sometimes after stand-in brides, and asked publicly whether she agrees. Her acceptance is often marked with a drink or by accepting a gift.
5. Blessings and celebration
Elders or clergy bless the couple, there may be libation or prayers, and the families celebrate together with drumming and dancing.
A highlight, not the whole day
A traditional marriage can last for hours. WeddingEditor makes one Highlight Reel of about 5 minutes or one Social Teaser from it.
Parts of the traditional marriage and what to note in the preferences
| Part | What it looks or sounds like | What to note in the preferences |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Groom's family walking in with the items, singing or drumming | "Open on the groom's family arriving in blue kente." |
| Spokespersons | Two elders talking across the canopy, often with laughter | "Keep one exchange; the bride's uncle is in brown cloth." |
| Items | Drinks, cloth and gifts carried forward | "Two or three shots of the items is enough." |
| Consent | The bride asked and answering, cheers from both sides | "Must include her answer and the cheer." |
| Celebration | Drumming and dancing, the couple greeting elders | "End on the couple dancing with both mothers." |
What is a Ghanaian traditional marriage?
A Ghanaian traditional marriage, also called a customary marriage or engagement, is the ceremony at which two families formally agree to a marriage, usually through spokespersons, with the presentation of agreed items and the bride's public consent.
It is not the knocking ceremony, which is the earlier visit announcing the intention to marry, and it is not the church or civil wedding that many couples hold separately.
Ghanaian traditional marriage video questions
Can I get a highlight of just the traditional marriage?
Yes. Make a project for that day alone and upload only its footage. The church wedding can be a separate project with its own edit.
How much of the negotiation will be kept?
As much as you ask for. Most highlights keep one or two exchanges between the spokespersons and the bride's consent; say which in the moments question.
The speeches were in Twi. Will that matter?
The recorded sound stays as it is. Because the AI editing may not understand the language, describe roughly when the important speeches happen and who gave them.
Does WeddingEditor decide what is appropriate to show?
No. It follows the notes you give. Family protocol, such as whether libation may be shown, should be agreed with the family and written in the avoid question if needed.
What does it cost to edit the traditional marriage?
It is one project: One Wedding is $119 one-time for one wedding, or use one plan credit.
More for Ghanaian weddings
Keep the bride's answer and both families' joy
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