I thought that this was forever lost -- the original was badly damaged by the elements. However, here is a copy of E's and my marriage plan, which I found on an old hard drive -- half a year before the event. Most of it had by now been well discussed. This post is about what made it distinctively African:
• LOBOLA: Of course, lobola. Translated, the bride price -- yet it is far more than that. In my experience, one receives most if not all of the lobola back, through generosity.
• INVITES: We had to accommodate limitless people somehow. This is African tradition.
• RETINUE: We deliberately went "European" here, with a modest retinue. African retinues may be large.
• ORGANIST: We didn't have one. We had traditional African singing (and African dress, for decoration).
• AFTER-CELEBRATION: Much of this was provided as a gift, by African tradition. In fact, half of the "European" reception was a gift.
• HONEYMOON: Originally, my new wife would mourn her parting from the family. However, we ultimately went "European", going on honeymoon soon after the wedding.
• TOTAL COST: This was greatly reduced, compared to the cost of a European wedding, mainly because the African family was deeply involved, and "I am because we are."
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