Sending Money for a Wedding in Kenya: Planning and Transfer Guide
Kenyan weddings involve multiple events and expenses. Whether you're getting married, helping a family member, or contributing to a relative's wedding, here's how to plan and send money efficiently.
Understanding Kenyan Wedding Costs
Wedding Components
| Event | Typical Cost (KES) | USD Equivalent |
| Dowry/Bride Price | 100,000-1,000,000+ | $800-8,000+ |
| Traditional Wedding | 200,000-500,000 | $1,600-4,000 |
| Church Wedding | 100,000-500,000 | $800-4,000 |
| Reception | 300,000-2,000,000+ | $2,400-16,000+ |
| Bride's Dress | 30,000-200,000 | $240-1,600 |
| Photography/Video | 50,000-200,000 | $400-1,600 |
| Venue | 100,000-500,000 | $800-4,000 |
| Total Range | 900,000-5,000,000+ | $7,000-40,000+ |
Timeline of Expenses
- 6-12 months before: Venue booking, major deposits
- 3-6 months before: Dowry negotiations, attire
- 1-3 months before: Caterers, decorations, invitations
- Wedding week: Final payments, tips, emergencies
Sending Money for Different Expenses
Dowry (Mahari/Bride Price)
Characteristics:
- Often large lump sum
- May be negotiated over time
- Sometimes paid in installments
- Cultural significance varies by community
Best Transfer Method:
- Under $5,000: Wise or Sendwave to family
- Over $5,000: OFX for better rates
- Send to family member who will manage negotiations
Ceremony Deposits and Payments
Typical Approach:
- Send to family coordinator
- They pay vendors with receipts
- Final payments closer to date
Family Contributions (Harambee)
If contributing to relative's wedding:
- M-Pesa is standard
- Send to family M-Pesa account
- Or to designated harambee coordinator
Cost-Effective Transfer Strategies
For Total Budget Under $5,000
Use Sendwave or Remitly:
- Send in stages as needed
- Direct to M-Pesa
- Low fees add up less
Example: $3,000 total
- Sendwave: ~$45 in fees (1.5%)
- Western Union: ~$135 in fees (4.5%)
- Savings: $90
For Total Budget $5,000-$20,000
Use Wise or OFX:
- Better rates for larger amounts
- Can send to bank account
- More tracking for big payments
Example: $15,000 total
- Wise: ~$100 in fees (0.7%)
- Bank wire: ~$600 in fees (4%)
- Savings: $500
For Budget Over $20,000
Use OFX with custom rate:
- Call for personalized rates
- Lock in rate in advance
- Plan transfers around best rates
Sending Schedule Strategy
Recommended Approach
- First Transfer (40%): 3-4 months before
- Venue deposit
- Major bookings
- Second Transfer (30%): 1-2 months before
- Caterer payment
- Decorations
- Attire
- Third Transfer (20%): 2 weeks before
- Remaining vendors
- Final payments
- Emergency Buffer (10%): Wedding week
- Last-minute needs
- Tips and unexpected costs
Managing Money from Abroad
Options
Option 1: Trusted Family Coordinator
- One person manages all payments
- You send, they pay vendors
- Regular updates and receipts
Option 2: Wedding Planner
- Professional handles logistics
- You pay planner, they manage funds
- Less family burden
Option 3: Your Own Kenya Account
- Open Kenya bank account
- Transfer money ahead of time
- Pay vendors directly
Communication
- Weekly or biweekly budget updates
- Photos of receipts
- Spreadsheet tracking all expenses
- M-Pesa statements as proof
Common Expenses Breakdown
Budget Example: Mid-Range Wedding (KES 1.5M / ~$12,000)
| Category | Amount (KES) | % of Budget |
| Venue & Catering | 500,000 | 33% |
| Dowry | 200,000 | 13% |
| Photography | 100,000 | 7% |
| Decorations | 100,000 | 7% |
| Attire | 150,000 | 10% |
| Music/Entertainment | 80,000 | 5% |
| Invitations | 30,000 | 2% |
| Transport | 50,000 | 3% |
| MC & Coordination | 50,000 | 3% |
| Miscellaneous | 240,000 | 16% |
Tips for Diaspora
- Budget 15-20% buffer â things cost more than expected
- Get quotes from multiple vendors â prices vary widely
- Consider off-peak dates â better rates
- Book early â popular venues fill up
Dowry Negotiation Considerations
What to Expect
- Varies by community and family
- Cash, livestock, or both
- May be negotiated over months
- Cultural significance important
Financial Planning
- Discuss range with family early
- Budget conservatively (higher end)
- May be paid in installments
- Keep separate from wedding budget
Harambee Contributions
If Organizing Harambee
- Set up M-Pesa collection number
- Use Paybill for tracking
- Send contributions directly to coordinator
- Keep records for accountability
If Contributing
- Send via M-Pesa for instant delivery
- Include your name in reference
- Confirm receipt with organizer
Tax and Documentation
Keep Records Of
- All transfer receipts
- Vendor invoices
- Gift vs. loan clarity (for large amounts)
- Any business-related expenses
For Large Transfers
- Be prepared to explain source of funds
- Document relationship to recipient
- Keep exchange rate records
Conclusion
Sending money for a Kenyan wedding:
- Plan ahead â know total budget early
- Send in stages â spread transfers over months
- Use the right provider â Wise/OFX for large amounts
- Have a coordinator â someone managing payments on ground
- Budget buffer â weddings always cost more than planned
With good planning, your wedding celebrations can be memorable without transfer fees eating into your budget.
Compare rates for wedding-related transfers with our calculator.