Wedding Season Schedule

Enshoshila (Praise Night)

6:00 pm - 11:30 pm

Semi-Formal: Ethiopian traditional wear, tuxes and gowns are welcome, and so are suits and cocktail dresses.

"Enshoshila" is a cultural pre-wedding ceremony specific to the Gurage tribe of Ethiopia. Celebrated two days before the wedding, it is held separately for the bride and groom at their respective parents' houses. Each family can bless and support their soon-to-be-married child individually. The event will primarily be about worshiping God in praise / song singing session and indulging in Ethiopian traditional cuisine. It serves as a joyous prelude to the main ceremony, where bonds of kinship and community are strengthened and celebrated.

Wedding Rehearsal

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Garden Attire: Wear sundresses, floral prints, suits in lighter hues.

This event is primarily for the wedding party, and plus ones are welcomed. The wedding coordinator and the venue reps will take us through how the wedding day will unfold.

Vow Ceremony

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Semi-Formal: Tuxes and gowns are welcome, and so are suits and cocktail dresses.

Location TBD

Melse (The Return)

5:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Black-Tie & Ethiopian Traditional Wear: Wear floor-length gowns or formal cocktail dresses, tuxes with black neckties or bowties.

Melse or "The Return" is a vibrant post-wedding celebration in Ethiopian culture, often held one or two days after the wedding. It is a time for the newlyweds to wear traditional attire, such as the habesha libse & kaba, and to be celebrated by friends and family in a more relaxed and intimate setting. Guests enjoy traditional music, dance, and an abundant feast, creating an atmosphere of joy and cultural pride. The Melse serves as a bridge between the formal wedding day and the lighter festivities to come.

Kilikil (The Mixer)

6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Garden Attire: Ethiopian hybrid attires, sundresses, floral prints, suits in lighter hues, and fun prints.

Kilikil or "The Mixer" is a lighthearted closing event to the Ethiopian wedding festivities, typically held a few days after the wedding. It’s an informal gathering filled with playful banter, teasing songs, and humorous performances by friends and family. The mood is casual and fun, offering everyone a chance to laugh together, share inside jokes, and reflect on the week’s celebrations. It’s a beloved tradition that ensures the wedding journey ends on a note of warmth, humor, and togetherness.