how to plan a Wedding in Nigeria ; wedding planning in Nigeria is a big deal compared to any part of the world, in fact, among the countries with elaborate weddings, Nigeria is in the list.

FUN FACT: To plan a standard wedding in Nigeria, you must spend about 1million – to 2 million naira.

of course, there have been cases where people plan a wedding below that but you have to know the tips and tricks to do that. I have an ebook about planning a wedding below 1million

But for my Ghen Ghen Brides, you can always plan your wedding with whatever budget you want. The maximum budget i have seen a couple spend on there wedding is $250 million, and some people spend more or less. So remember, do not go above your budget. Like we always say, cut your material according to your size.

The first step to planning your Nigerian dream wedding successfully

Find a man! lol. and make sure your are engaged too. *winks* 

okay, let’s get serious.

Decide what kind of ceremony you want to have and for how many days. In Nigeria, weddings are usually for 2-3 days or more, but these days some prefer to do it in one day.

Nigerian weddings involve The traditional wedding, church, or white wedding (for Christians) or reception party

For Muslims, it would be the traditional wedding and the Muslim wedding, where the clerics say some prayers, commonly combined. The Nigerian Muslim wedding is usually combined with the Traditional wedding but in recent times, many Muslims have adopted the white wedding culture and held a separate occasion for that

The standard way would be: introduction, engagement (traditional), bachelorette, white wedding reception, and after party. whew! so you see, a Nigerian wedding is a whole festival

But what’s not to love about Nigerian weddings?

When you have decided the type of ceremony you will be doing and how long you want your wedding to last,

3 days straight ; that means you will have your engagement a day before, church and reception the following days and another day for your bachelorette.

2 days ; your wedding is between 2 days, you can have your white wedding and reception same day and engagement or traditional wedding a day before

1 day ; you can fix your ceremonies within a day; in this instance, you have to be disciplined with your timing , probably engagements can be in the morning and white in the afternoon around 10 a.m., / 1 p.m., depending on your church ( make sure you agree on timing with your cleric or pastor/host) then you can hold the reception later in the afternoon until the evening. If there is going to be an after party, you can make it 7 p.m.–10 p.m., depending on your guest and location

THE NIGERIAN WEDDING INTRODUCTION

Nigerian wedding introduction is when family members of the couple come together to meet themselves for the first time. In most cases, the bride’s family welcomes the groom’s family to their home, and the family introduces themselves by name and status. Whatever the rite of passage of each culture is displayed, food is served by the bride’s family. it is like a family gathering where they get to know themselves before the introduction. even the introduction is sometimes done with the TRADITIONAL OR ENGAGEMENT PARTY.

THE NIGERIAN ENGAGEMENT PARTY

The Nigerian engagement party is that part the families and oldies look up to because it is mostly one of the most interesting parts of the wedding and the groom spends more money. My men won’t like this. ‘LOL’ I mean, after spending money at the introduction, in some cultures where you have to pay for this or that, you still have to pay at the engagement party, i know a tribe that particularly starts collecting money from the entrance of the venue, usually hosted by the local host, a.k.a. ALAGA

this part of the ceremony is where the family of the groom pays the bride’s price, extended family members are introduced, groom’s family presents gift to the bride’s family and official handing over is done by the bride’s family. Most of the time, music, food, attire, decor, and atmosphere of the event radiate tradition

THE NIGERIAN WHITE WEDDING

this is the sacred part of the ceremony, which usually includes blessings, prayers and admonishments. are Christians, the venue is usually in the church, In most cases, the couple would have held premarital counseling from the host church before the wedding and the wedding day is the final event where all the blessings is sealed by family and friends

for Muslims, it is usually same pattern of cleric prayers and admonishment, but in this case, for Muslim weddings, it can be done in any venue or even along with the engagement party

these days, the white wedding is done in a venue and the pastor is invited to the locations

THE NIGERIAN WEDDING RECEPTION

Oh! the best part, ‘lol’ in fact, is that some people miss the other event and would rather be here. I mean, I do that too. *winks* who doesn’t like good food, Some people believe a Nigerian wedding without a reception is a church service.

I mean, it is my event, and I can do whatever I want. Don’t let anyone push you to do whatever you don’t want to do; it is your day. Act as you want!

Receptions are usually the most expensive part of the event, and I believe it is the same everywhere. This is where all the party and the food reign—the dance! and what is a dance without money spraying aunties and uncles on the dance floor, i have heard bride’s say the reason they can’t overlook the reception part of the event is where they get the money they have spent on their wedding

10 steps to planning a successful Nigerian dream wedding

1. Decide your ceremony pattern ; like i mentioned in the introductory part of this blog, you need to decide with your partner how long you want your wedding to last( how many days is it going to be), what kind of ceremony are doing, prioritize which one of the events is compulsory for you, discuss your ideas, look up decor and themes, and understand your event structure or pattern unless you’re hiring a planner. Still, it is advisable to have an idea because it makes it easier to answer the wedding planner’s questions during consultations
2. Understand your wedding budget: decide hw much you want to spend for the whole event, inclding miscelenous, at this point except you already have the don’t depend on uncle chinedu or sister bola and starts adding the funds you have not received to yur budget, your budget should be based on you and your partner’s budget, then compare your budget with the kind of ceremony you want to plan if it is feasible or not, at this stage you can consult with a friend or family member who has gone through this stage, yu can also reach out your wedding planner. i also do consultation for a small fee.
3. Sorting venue; You can decide to book your venue with or without your wedding planner, but most times it is advisable to book with your planner. But I assure you, the thing you want to lock down is your event space. You don’t want to go and book your event and hear it has been booked. Hence, when you have finalized your ceremony pattern, date, and budget, the next thing is to book the venue that works for your ceremony type and the number of expected guests. When choosing an outdoor event, consider the season and weather. Most times, when you put together the calculations to rent an outdoor space and the other rentals, it might be more than renting an indoor space or even a little difference.
4. Hiring vendors ; The next phase is to start sourcing for vendors. Check for their past work and quality of service. If their budget works for you, it is advisable to talk to more than one vendor so you can compare and choose the one that works for you. Also, make sure the location works for you. You want to work with vendors that are assessable, whether on the phone or in person. If you’re hiring a wedding planner, be sure to get this covered. You can request to see the vendor’s work, depending on the planner’s terms.
5. Couples look; Research inspiration for you and your partner’s outfits for the day. An app like PINTREST is a big deal when it comes to inspiration. Book your attire designers and your makeup artists. Make a list of everything you need to complete your look and source for popular markets like Lagos Island or Onitsha Market. You can also order from your favorite online vendors. you can also contact me for my top-notch vendor list
6. Reach out ; If you are planning to have a bridal train or groom men and whatever, as well as ebi girls and all, it is time to reach out to your close relatives and friends who you want to be in your train. Also,  if there are any friends and family you expect to hold an important role in your event, it is best to reach out to them. You can send out your invitations and invites here. Please use this wedding timeline to structure your plans., Here
7. Guest experience ; Unless included in your wedding planner’s agreement, plan your guest accommodation, especially for friends and close family who might be traveling. It is advisable to put another family member in charge in order to ease the stress. Also,  follow up on your bridal train to ensure that they are getting prepared with attire and an overall look. You can leave it to someone you trust to cover this for you.
8. Checklist; Recheck and confirm that your plans are going smoothly, you can check this blog for more on checklist for my checklist template, contact me, its free
9. Self care ;Rest, rest, rest. You don’t want to appear at your event and look like you have been beaten overnight. Rest well so you can look your best, delegate duties if you’re not hiring a wedding planner, visit a spa, and take the necessary vitamins.
10. Enjoy your day ; lastly enjoy your day, have fun and be happy! from me to you CONGRATULATIONS!!!

FAQ

1. How do I start planning a wedding in Nigeria?
   • To begin planning a wedding in Nigeria, you should first set a budget, create a guest list, and choose a date. Afterward, you can start looking for venues and vendors. read my blog post
2. What is the average cost of a wedding in Nigeria?
   • The cost of a wedding in Nigeria can vary widely depending on factors like location, guest count, and the type of ceremony. On average, a wedding in Nigeria can range from five hundred thousand naira – millions of naira but to plan your wedding measure your idea with your budget or consult with a wedding professional you can send a mail to me too.
3. What are the popular wedding traditions in Nigeria?
   • Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage, and wedding traditions vary by ethnic group. Common elements include traditional attire, ceremonies, and dances. Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa weddings have distinct customs that are worth exploring. the most popular would be payment of bride prices and exchange of wedding gift by groom and bride’s family.
4. How can I find the right wedding venue in Nigeria?
   • To find the perfect wedding venue, consider your budget, guest count, and preferred location. You can also seek recommendations from friends and family or use online directories and wedding planning websites.
5. What are some popular wedding venues in Nigeria?
   • Nigeria boasts numerous beautiful wedding venues, including luxury hotels, event centers, gardens, and historic sites. Some popular venues include Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, The Dome in Abuja, for Lagos locations ikeja and Lekki is said to have the highest number of locations , by the time you are reading this post i should already have a location list on my blog
6. How do I choose the best wedding vendors in Nigeria?
   • To find reliable vendors like caterers, photographers, and decorators, read reviews, ask for recommendations, and meet with potential vendors to discuss your needs and preferences. reach out to me via my mail click the contact us menu here
7. What are the legal requirements for getting married in Nigeria?
   • Legal requirements for marriage in Nigeria include obtaining a marriage license from the local registry, fulfilling age and consent requirements, and adhering to any customary or religious rites, depending on your faith and culture. at ikoyi registering for example all you need is to go n a monday, make payment, register and go for your wedding on agreed date with aleast two family memebers or adult for consent.
8. What are some popular Nigerian wedding themes and trends?
   • Nigerian weddings are known for their vibrant colors and cultural influences. Themes like “Aso Ebi” (matching attire), traditional vs. white weddings, and destination weddings are trending in Nigeria.
9. How can I create a wedding budget and stick to it?
   • To create a wedding budget, list all anticipated expenses and allocate funds accordingly. Consider prioritizing items that matter most to you and your partner. Use budgeting tools and apps to help you stay on track.
10. What should I keep in mind when planning a destination wedding in Nigeria?
    • Destination weddings in Nigeria can be beautiful but require careful planning. Consider logistics, accommodations for guests, and local customs. It’s also essential to visit the destination in advance.
11. What are some tips for a stress-free wedding planning process in Nigeria?
    • Delegate tasks to trusted friends or family members, stay organized with a wedding planning checklist, and communicate openly with your partner. Consider hiring a wedding planner to ease the workload and reduce stress.
12. How far in advance should I start planning my wedding in Nigeria?
    • It’s advisable to start planning your wedding at least 12-18 months in advance, especially if you have specific dates, venues, or vendors in mind. This allows ample time for bookings and preparations. use my checklist here
13. What should I do if I need to reschedule or postpone my Nigerian wedding?
    • If you need to reschedule or postpone your wedding due to unforeseen circumstances, communicate with your vendors and guests promptly. Review your contracts and policies for rescheduling, and consider purchasing wedding insurance for added protection.