Igba Nkwu Nwanyi — the wine carrying
The Traditional Wedding
The day two families become one. Kola is broken, prayers are said, and Diana finds Pascal in the crowd with the cup of palm wine. Come in your finest colour.
Date
Sunday, 3 January 2027
Starts
11:00 (Lagos)
Venue
The reception hall, Enugu
Dress code
Igbo traditional
Counting down
RSVP closes 30 November 2026
What happens, and why
Igba Nkwu Nwanyi
Igba Nkwu Nwanyi is the heart of an Igbo marriage. After the kola nut is broken and prayers offered, the bride's father hands her a cup of palm wine. She must find her husband among the guests, kneel, and share the cup with him. When she leads him back to her father, the marriage is recognised by both families. Guests traditionally spray money and cheer her on — please do.
The order of the day
How the day runs
- 11:00
Arrival & kola nut
Guests seated. The eldest man of the family breaks the kola and prays over the day.
- 12:00
Presentation of the bride price list
The two families read and settle the list together.
- 13:00
Bride's first dance
Diana comes out with her age grade, dancing.
- 14:30
Igba Nkwu — the wine carrying
Diana searches for Pascal with the cup of palm wine. Spray money.
- 15:30
Blessing of the couple
Both fathers bless the marriage. The families exchange gifts.
- 16:00
Feast
Nsala, ofe onugbu, jollof, isi ewu, small chops. Palm wine throughout.
- 18:00
Cultural dance & masquerade
Atilogwu troupe and the family masquerade.
- 20:00
Dancing until we are tired
Live highlife band.
Where to sleep
Beds we have held for you
Nike Lake Resort
Enugu · 20 min from the venue
Enugu's grandest address, sitting on its own lake — the one the state uses for its own guests. Pool, spa, several restaurants, full standby power. Where we are putting the family and anyone travelling far.
from ₦180,000 a night
Golden Royale Hotel
Enugu · 12 min from the venue
Modern, quiet and very comfortable, a short drive from the venue. The pick for guests who want something calmer than the lake.
from ₦150,000 a night
Modotel Enugu
Enugu · 8 min from the venue
A long-standing Enugu favourite in the GRA, closest in of the three. Smaller, so it books out first.
from ₦135,000 a night
Before you ask
Questions about this day
Warmth, noise and a lot of food. Read the cultural notes on the Traditional page — they explain the wine carrying, which is the moment everyone comes for. You will not be expected to do anything except cheer and eat.
Not rude, but it will make you stand out for the wrong reason. Wear colour — the deeper the better.
Yes, please. The RSVP is what we count for the catering, the seating and the Akwa Otu, and it is the only list the organisers work from.
Your invitation states how many seats are held in your name. If you would like to bring someone extra, message the organisers before the RSVP deadline and we will do our best.
Your Akwa Otu. The two nights at a partner hotel are on the family, and the celebration itself is our gift to you. The order summary breaks down every line before you pay.
No — please arrange your own flight to Enugu. Once you land we take over: someone meets you at the airport, and your car to and from the hotel is on the family.
Go to 'My booking' and enter the reference from your confirmation email together with the email address you booked with.
Your card details never touch this website. Payment happens on Paystack's own secure checkout page, and we only ever receive a confirmation that it succeeded.