HOW TO ORGANIZE AN AFFORDABLE
WEDDING
It is the goal of any couple to put together
a wedding, and a decent one at that.Isn't
it?
How much does a typical Nigerian
wedding cost? Let say between N1 Million
and N2.5 Million. Right? Some go for
higher. If you are unfortunate to have
greedy parents in laws, 'your own don
finish'. I know a young man who had a list
of that ran into N4 Million. That didn't
cover the Traditional marriage and white
wedding. The man in question bolted...lol.
Young people interested in marriage go
through a lot. I know of one who finished
marrying and then had to hide for months
because his creditors were looking for him.
I wonder what kind of honey moon he
had? Another husband suddenly turned
very lean just after his wedding...when i
asked him what was wrong he just said,
"Men, the wedding o."
With poverty everywhere, and parents in
laws refusing to compromise on their very
long lists, a tactic must be developed so
that every single young man in Nigeria
who wants to marry can.
Is it possible to put together an affordable
wedding in Nigeria? Of course , it is. Here
are some ideas.
1. MARRY A WISE WOMAN. Marry a woman
who knows that wedding is for just a day
and that marriage is for a life time. Marry
a woman who knows that no matter how
glamorous your wedding turns out,
someone else will do a better one.Marry a
woman who has the guts to look into her
parent's eyes and say, "I want to get
married !" and mean it. Be choosy about
the kind of wife you marry. Don't marry a
liability.
2. GO TO THE RIGHT HOME TO PICK YOUR
WIFE.Be careful what home you go to pick
a wife. Some parent in laws are not just
worth it, especially the demanding ones. If
their daughter cannot talk to them and
things are sorted out, you have an issue.
3. DISCUSS YOUR BUDGET WITH YOUR
WIFE.Tell your wife about your budget.
4. ASK FOR HELP.Don't be afraid to ask
your committee of friends for help.It is
pride to think you can do it all.
5. STICK TO YOUR BUDGET.
6. DO A JOINT WEDDING.Joint weddings
are cheaper. These days pastors join
several couples on the same day, isn't that
so? How about doing a joint reception with
a couple that may agree. It would be fun
and lovely. You will cut on hall and
decorations.You will also cut on food. You
two can both have one MC. Everything still
remains the same. Wedding trains will be
different.Both couples will each have their
lovely chairs on the platform. Their cakes
will be different too. The space for their
parents would be different. The camera
men would be different...but there will be
one central camera man. The wedding
program would be the same. Fun, right?
Yeah! Some Catholic churches are already
encouraging these to help couples cut
down on cost. I was in one that had 3
weddings at the same time.Well
organized.It was fun..It was different!
7. RECEIVE GIFTS...DON'T GIVE GIFTS.
Where did we get that culture that the
couple must give gifts to guest? Rubbish!
You are to collect and not give. Go to a
typical Nigerian wedding and see the rush
for gifts!
8. DO A WEEK DAY WEDDING. Imagine
doing a wedding on a Wednesday by 4pm?
Yeah. Only those who love you will be
there.
9. USE YOUR CHURCH PREMISES FOR
RECEPTION. I think that is a brilliant idea.
10. DO A TRADO AND REGISTRY AND THEN
WHITE LATER. Not a bad idea too. The
most important thing in marriage is your
parental consent and the recognition of
your marriage by he Federal Republic of
Nigeria. Church celebration can come
later.But please don't forget to involve
your pastor in your Trado and Court.
11. ALWAYS SAVE FOR AFTER THE
WEDDING. Don't borrow and make sure
you have something to feed your wife.
12. USE AN OPEN SPACE WITH CANOPIES,
RATHER THAN HALLS. obviously that is
cheaper.
13. FEED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
Look, the truth is that not everyone eats
in a wedding. The people who truly love
you, may not have time to eat. So focus on
a few guest and don't worry about people
who complain that they did not eat in your
wedding.

Number 13, why would u invite more people than you can afford to feed, instead reduce the number of invited guests.
as for me My wedding day is my wedding day, there is no how I am sharing the reception with someone else, I'll happily slash my budget if we can't afford it. Nowadays, people do trad and white wedding in the same day to cut down costs, instead of what u suggested.
Bottom line is cut your cloth according to your size.