What are the different types of marriage in Ghana?

In Ghana, marriages are usually understood in three main forms. Customary marriage follows the traditions of the couple's family and ethnic group. It often involves the payment of bride price, the pouring of libations and the exchange of gifts between families. This ceremony is deeply important socially and spiritually, even if it is not the legal step on its own. Religious marriage takes place in a church or mosque and includes prayers, hymns and blessings from a minister or imam. Many couples hold both a customary and a religious ceremony, which is common in Ghanaian weddings. The statutory marriage is the civil legal marriage. In Ghana this is done at a register office or by a marriage officer. For a UK wedding, the legal marriage must follow UK law. A customary or religious ceremony alone may not be legally binding in England and Wales. Couples often have a short civil ceremony at a register office or approved venue to make sure the marriage is legal. Some couples do the Ghanaian cultural ceremony first and the legal one later, or combine them on the same day. If you are unsure whether your ceremony will be recognised, ask the register office or your place of worship before you plan. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK and the local register office for the current position.