Together with their families
Are getting married
24 October 2026 · Kigali, Rwanda
Coco Loco Love for Naasei(Nana Osei-Bonsu)
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.Song of Solomon 8:7
Strictly by invitation
22 October 2026
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DAYS
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HOURS
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MINUTES
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SECONDS
Two days of joy, seven days of adventure in a country of a thousand hills
Three ceremonies, two families, one forever. We would be honoured to have your presence.
Ceremony 01
Knocking Ceremony · Yoo shibimo
An intimate Ghanaian and Rwandan family tradition, bringing the two families together. Wedding guests do not need to attend.
Address and directions shared privately with family.
Ceremony 02
Introduction
A celebration of our heritage and the beginning of our journey.
Get DirectionsCeremony 03
Holy Matrimonial
Uniting our hearts before God and our loved ones. Reception at 6:00 PM — let’s celebrate love, joy and togetherness.
Get DirectionsPlease be seated 30 minutes before each ceremony. The 22 October knocking ceremony is private to family.
Two cultures, one celebration
In Ghana and Rwanda, marriage joins not just two people, but two families. A little context for the moments we will share.
Ghana
In the Ga tradition, asking for a woman’s hand brings two families together. Spokeswomen lead a warm, often playful exchange before the couple give their consent and receive the families’ blessings.
Representatives of the groom’s family bring drinks and gifts to ask permission to enter and announce their intentions. The exchanges celebrate the bride’s value and the bond between the families.
The families welcome one another, pray and present the marriage items. The bride is asked for her consent and the groom confirms his intention. Blessings, rings and a Bible mark the couple’s commitment, followed by photographs and greetings.
Rwanda
A delegation from the groom’s family formally asks for the bride’s hand. Through conversation, gifts and blessings, the families honour their heritage and welcome the couple into a shared future.
The groom’s family visits the bride’s parents with wine and gifts to make the request official. Once the families agree, preparations for the marriage begin.
Family representatives ask for the bride’s hand and affirm that she will be cherished. The agreed marriage gifts are presented; historically the dowry included cattle, while today families may agree on money and gifts.
Rwandan wedding traditions also describe the bride’s arrival, the union, settling into the new family and visits between the families. These are cultural background, rather than a separate schedule of events for our wedding.
Dress code
We would love the day to look as beautiful as it feels. If you would like to coordinate, our wedding colours are:
Sage green and white are reserved for the bride and groom. Guests are kindly invited to wear cream and beige/khaki.
Introduction / Gusaba · Saturday, 9:00 AM
Rwandan or Ghanaian traditional attire. Kente, fugu, kaftans, kaba & slit, or Rwandan imikenyero are all welcome.
Holy matrimony & reception · Saturday, 4:00 PM onwards
Family and friends, ladies and gentlemen alike, are welcome in cream and beige/khaki, and their different shades. Kindly leave sage green and white for the bride and groom.
Ladies: a long, elegant dress in your favourite single colour. Gentlemen: a polished, gentleman's look.
Groomsmen wear white kaftans with sage green pocket squares or kente sashes for the traditional wedding, and beige/khaki suits or kaftans for the white wedding. Bridesmaids wear sage green dresses for the white wedding.
Venues
Join us at the bride’s family home for the knocking ceremony, and Impinga Village Hotel for Saturday’s celebrations.
The Knocking · Thursday, 2:00 PM
The address and directions are shared privately with family. Wedding guests do not need to attend this intimate ceremony.
Parking details will be shared once confirmed.
Traditional & White Wedding Ceremony
KK 518 Street, Kicukiro, Kigali, Rwanda. Saturday’s reception is at the same venue.
Open in Google MapsKindly respond by 12 October 2026
We would love to know if you can join us. Seats are reserved for named guests; requests for an additional guest are subject to confirmation.
With Gratitude
Having you celebrate this special moment with us means the world to us. For friends and family who wish to honour us with a gift, details are shared below. Kindly use your name + ENC as the reference.
Gift Details
Your journey
Everything you need to arrive comfortably and settle into your stay in Kigali.
Airport transfers are arranged for wedding guests. Share your flight and accommodation details with your RSVP. In the Arrivals Hall, look for the EDWARD & CLAUDINE 2026 sign. Keep your hotel’s address, booking, invitation and contact details on your phone.
The supplied travel guidance lists visa-free stays of up to 90 days for ordinary Ghanaian passports and a yellow fever certificate for arrivals from Ghana. Carry your passport, original vaccination card, return ticket and accommodation confirmation in hand luggage. Confirm current entry rules before flying; leave single-use plastic bags at home.
Book your own accommodation in Kicukiro, near the wedding venue. Options include Impinga Village Hotel and Kigali Comfort and Classic Stay Apartment on KK 494 Street (Signature by Izuba U3 on Airbnb). Yego, Move or a hotel-arranged driver can help with transport. Arrange your early Saturday journey in advance.
Bring wedding outfits, walking shoes, a light layer and rain protection for October showers. Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc, UTC+2 and 230V / 50Hz power. Pack an adapter, phone charger and power bank. Use roaming, an international eSIM or a local SIM with an unlocked phone. Keep some cash for small purchases; ATMs and authorised exchange bureaux are available in Kigali. For trekking, add waterproof boots, long neutral clothing, gloves and a reusable water bottle.
Between the celebrations
Coffee, culture and a little adventure — enjoy the city at your own pace.
Spend free time at Kimironko Market, Kigali Cultural Village, Rwanda Art Museum or Kandt House Museum. A visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial calls for time and respect. Try Rwandan coffee, brochettes and isombe; dining options include Repub Lounge, Nyurah, Meza Malonga, The Hut and Poivre Noir. Lake Kivu is an option for a longer stay.
Explore the city, shop, enjoy cafés or unwind with a spa treatment during the day. For an optional evening out, Riders Lounge at Kigali Heights is one suggestion. Check the current schedule, arrange your return transport in advance, keep your belongings secure and avoid travelling alone late at night in unfamiliar areas.
Respect Rwanda’s clean public spaces and local rules. Ask permission before photographing people, follow restrictions at memorials and dress respectfully at religious or cultural sites. Give the Kigali Genocide Memorial the time and respect it deserves.
Optional experiences
For guests wishing to add a little more to their time in Rwanda. Confirm arrangements and availability before booking.
Sammy Safari at Serenity Adventure Safaris arranges Akagera visits on 22, 23 or 25 October, departing between 5 and 6 AM. Transport is US$100 per person, plus park entry: US$100 for international visitors or US$50 for African nationals. Under-12 entry is US$50 or US$30 respectively. Confirm current prices and payment instructions with the operator before booking.
Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park is an optional excursion. October permits are about US$1,500; the US$500 promotional African rate does not apply from June through October 2026. Minimum age: 15. Report for briefing at 7:00 AM and consider staying near Musanze or Volcanoes the night before. Viewing lasts up to one hour, in groups of eight; keep the required distance, do not use flash and do not trek while ill.
Joe Mettle performs at BK Arena on Sunday 25 October at 5 PM, as noted in the original guest guidance. Indicate interest on your RSVP and confirm tickets in advance.
21–28 October 2026
A flexible guide for your stay, not a fixed schedule. Everyone arrives and leaves on different days; choose what works for you.
Wed · 21October
Arrive, meet your airport pick-up, settle into your accommodation and enjoy dinner.
Thu · 22October
The private family knocking ceremony takes place at 2:00 PM. Other guests can enjoy Kigali or an optional Akagera safari, departing between 5 and 6 AM.
Fri · 23October
Make time for sightseeing, shopping, local food or an optional Akagera safari. A Friday evening out is entirely optional.
Sat · 24October
9:00 AM traditional wedding · 4:00 PM white wedding · 6:00 PM reception. All three celebrations take place at Impinga Village Hotel.
Sun · 25October
Relax or choose an optional Akagera safari or gorilla trek. The guest guide also notes Joe Mettle at BK Arena at 5:00 PM; confirm the event and tickets before planning your evening.
Mon · 26October
Depart according to your flight, or begin an excursion if you are extending your stay.
Tue · 27October
More sightseeing, quiet moments or excursions — choose what suits you.
Wed · 28October
Final departures, with airport drop-offs arranged around your flight. Share your departure details with the transport coordinator.
Good to Know
Here to help
For help with the celebrations or your visit, please reach out. Ornella, the bride’s sister, can also be contacted through the family.
Our Beginning
Two hearts, two families, and the coming together of Ghanaian and Rwandan heritage.
Our wedding honours both cultures, celebrates our faith, and brings the people we love together in Kigali.
With the families of Jacques Mageza and James Osei-Bonsu Okyere, we look forward to beginning this new chapter surrounded by your love and blessings.
Edward & Claudine
Moments
From our earliest memories to the promise of forever — every chapter led us here.
Where It Began
Flourishing in Love
Honouring Our Heritage
Unapologetically in Love
The Beginning of Forever