Document text
Our wedding budget
Traditional marriage list and white wedding in one plan, and what to put aside each month
Couple: [OUR NAMES]
Wedding date: [WEDDING DATE]
Guests: [NUMBER OF GUESTS]
1. Budget
Item How many Price each Total
Knocking ceremony (drinks and envelope) 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Marriage list items and bride price (as the bride's family asks) 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Traditional ceremony: canopies, chairs, decor, MC 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Kente, kaba and outfits for the couple 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Food and drinks for guests [N] GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Church or registry and reception venue 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Gown, suit and rings 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Photo and video 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
DJ or band, and the cake 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Invitations, souvenirs and transport 1 GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT]
Total GH₵ [TOTAL]
We save: GH₵ [AMOUNT] a month, from [FIRST DATE] to [LAST DATE] — [N] payments.
2. Monthly plan
Date Put aside Saved by then Done
[DATE] GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] GH₵ [AMOUNT] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
3. Traditional marriage list
The bride's family gives the list, and it differs between families, towns and peoples. Write theirs here; the items below are only a common start.
Stage Item Budget Got it
Knocking (kɔkɔɔkɔ) Drinks for the bride's family (schnapps or gin, wine, minerals) GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Knocking (kɔkɔɔkɔ) Knocking envelope (cash) — the amount the family names GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Bride price (cash, the amount the family names) GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Engagement ring and Bible GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Cloth for the bride (wax print, kente — pieces as listed) GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Jewellery, shoes, bags, headgear GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Suitcase or trunk with toiletries and personal items GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Cloth or money for the bride's mother GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Cloth or drinks for the bride's father GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Money or drinks for the bride's brothers GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Drinks for the extended family and elders GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
Engagement list Other items on the family's list GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
[ITEM] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
[ITEM] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
[ITEM] GH₵ [AMOUNT] ☐
4. Checklist
When What Done
12 months before Agree the budget together; talk to both families about the dates ☐
10–12 months Knocking ceremony: the groom's family visits the bride's family with drinks ☐
9–10 months Ask for the marriage list; agree who buys what ☐
8–9 months Book the church or registry and the reception venue ☐
6–8 months Choose kente and kaba fabric; book the seamstress and the photographer ☐
4–6 months Book caterers, canopies and chairs, DJ or band, MC ☐
3 months Invitations out; marriage counselling at church if required ☐
2 months Buy the items on the list; give notice of the marriage at the church or registry as they require ☐
1 month Final fittings; confirm guests, food numbers and transport ☐
The week Traditional ceremony, then the white wedding; envelopes and souvenirs ready ☐
After Thank-you visits to both families; pay any balances ☐
5. Who pays for what
Item Groom's side Bride's side Agreed
Knocking drinks and envelope ☐
Marriage list and bride price ☐
Traditional ceremony ☐
Church and reception ☐
Food and drinks ☐
Kente and outfits ☐
Our rules
One budget for both days, agreed before we promise anything.
Ask the family for the list early and buy in good time.
Every payment to a vendor in writing — receipt or MoMo reference.
Anything left over goes to our first home.
Our own amounts: the examples are not market prices. The marriage list belongs to the bride's family; the items here are only a start. The monthly plan runs from today to the month before the wedding; the last payment adjusts.