Honoring Habesha Tradition
Ethiopian & Eritrean Wedding Décor Done Right
Columbus is home to one of the Midwest's largest Ethiopian and Eritrean communities, and Habesha weddings here are known for exactly what they should be known for: elegance, tradition, and celebrations that continue across multiple days. Events By Maryam designs decor for every chapter of a Habesha wedding — the formal reception following the church ceremony, and the Melse, the second-day celebration where the couple and wedding party appear in traditional kaba and habesha kemis against a backdrop of gold, green, and rich cultural detail.
For the main reception, we create the luxury Habesha families expect: dramatic stage and sweetheart settings, floor-to-ceiling drapery, gold accents, fresh florals, and lighting that photographs beautifully. For the Melse, we shift to tradition — warm tones, woven mesob-inspired elements, traditional patterns, and a setting where the buna (coffee ceremony) corner can take its rightful place at the heart of the room.
We understand the details that matter: the his-and-hers throne seating, the space needed for eskista dancing, the head-table arrangements for large wedding parties, and the way a Habesha guest list has a wonderful habit of growing — so we design layouts that stay elegant at real-world capacity.
Our Habesha Wedding Services
From Church Reception to Melse Night
Reception hall transformation with stage, throne seating, and drapery. Melse decor in traditional colors and patterns. Coffee ceremony (buna) corner styling. Head table and VIP family seating design. Entrance and walkway decor for the couple's grand arrival. Centerpieces, lighting, and full-venue floral work. We serve Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim Habesha families, and we adapt every design to your family's specific traditions. See also our African wedding services.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Habesha wedding decoration cost in Columbus?
Habesha wedding decor in Columbus typically ranges from $2,000 to $7,000. A reception-only package with stage, drapery, and centerpieces usually runs $2,000-$4,500. Adding full Melse decor for the second day typically brings a complete two-day package to $4,000-$7,000 depending on guest count and design complexity. Contact us for a free custom quote.
Do you decorate the Melse as well as the reception?
Yes - we design both. Many families book the reception and Melse together as a two-day package, with the reception styled in modern luxury and the Melse styled in traditional gold, green, and cultural patterns, including a dedicated coffee ceremony corner.
Do you work with both Ethiopian and Eritrean families?
Absolutely. We serve the full Habesha community in Columbus - Ethiopian and Eritrean families of all faith backgrounds - and we design around each family's specific traditions.
Can you set up a traditional coffee ceremony corner?
Yes. The buna corner is one of our favorite details to design - traditional seating, woven elements, and styling that makes the coffee ceremony a centerpiece of the celebration rather than an afterthought.
