Igba Nkwu Nwanyi — the wine carrying

The Traditional Wedding

The day two families become one. Kola is broken, prayers are said, and Diane 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 Eneje Family Compound, Enugu

Dress code

Igbo traditional — deep jewel tones

Counting down

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

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.

On what to wear

Ladies: george wrapper, blouse and coral. Gentlemen: isiagu or senator, red cap welcome. Please avoid white — that is for the second ceremony.

The order of the day

How the day runs

  1. 11:00

    Arrival & kola nut

    Guests seated. The eldest man of the compound breaks the kola and prays over the day.

  2. 12:00

    Presentation of the bride price list

    The two families read and settle the list together.

  3. 13:00

    Bride's first dance

    Diane comes out with her age grade, dancing.

  4. 14:30

    Igba Nkwu — the wine carrying

    Diane searches for Pascal with the cup of palm wine. Spray money.

  5. 15:30

    Blessing of the couple

    Both fathers bless the marriage. The families exchange gifts.

  6. 16:00

    Feast

    Nsala, ofe onugbu, jollof, isi ewu, small chops. Palm wine throughout.

  7. 18:00

    Cultural dance & masquerade

    Atilogwu troupe and the compound masquerade.

  8. 20:00

    Dancing until we are tired

    Live highlife band.

Getting to the venue

The Eneje Family Compound

Independence Layout (placeholder address — confirm with the family)
Enugu, Nigeria

Ground transport on the day

  • Shared shuttle — Enugu

    Enugu hotels → The compound

    ₦25,000
  • Private car with driver — Enugu

    Akanu Ibiam Airport (ENU) → Anywhere in Enugu

    ₦120,000
  • Airport transfer — Umueri or Asaba

    Umueri (ANA) or Asaba (ABB) → Your hotel in Enugu

    ₦85,000

Where to sleep

Beds we have held for you

All travel & stay

Nike Lake Resort

Enugu · 20 min from the compound

★★★★★

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 compound

★★★★

Modern, quiet and very comfortable, a short drive from the compound. The pick for guests who want something calmer than the lake.

from ₦150,000 a night

Modotel Enugu

Enugu · 8 min from the compound

★★★★

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.

Only your travel: flights, accommodation, ground transport and the package fee you select. The ceremonies themselves are our gift to you. The order summary breaks down every line before you pay.

Of course. The packages exist because several guests asked us to handle it. If you would rather arrange your own trip, simply RSVP and skip the booking step.

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.