That sounds like the Ghanaian traditional wedding , especially in some Akan/Ashanti ceremonies, where the groom is playfully presented with a line of “decoy” brides before the real bride enters. In the version described by wedding guides, the groom is asked to identify his bride among the women, but it is staged as a joke and everyone already knows who the real bride is.

What it is called

In practical terms, it is part of the traditional marriage engagement ceremony , not a separate wedding type. The “line of women” moment is a humorous bridal reveal used during the ceremony to tease the groom and entertain the families.

How it works

  • The groom’s family arrives first and formally asks for the bride’s hand.
  • Gifts and bride-price items are presented and negotiated.
  • Then a few covered or hidden “fake brides” are brought out to test the groom.
  • Finally, the real bride appears and the marriage is completed with blessings and ceremony.

Important nuance

This is not a universal Ghanaian custom. Ghana has many ethnic groups and marriage traditions, so the exact sequence can vary by family, region, and community. In some places, the teasing decoy-bride moment is common; in others, it may be skipped entirely.

TL;DR: It’s the Ghanaian traditional engagement/marriage ceremony , often in Akan or Ashanti custom, and the “choose his bride from a line of women” part is a playful decoy-bride ritual.