This thread is for intending couples, especially brides who have picked (or about to pick) their wedding dates and planning their weddings themselves. .

Here, we are going to be discussing the different facets of wedding planning. From the colors of the day to entertainment, food, drinks, EMCEE, DJ, location of wedding, wedding dresses, reception hall etc.

The main aim is for would be brides to get pointers as to how to plan their weddings effectively; Where to get some wedding stuff at affordable rate, recommendations of DJ, EMCEE, caterers and the likes, what colors to use and how to combine these colors etc.

Married peeps in the house, especially the recently married ones can help give some tips so we learn from their experience.

Who says you can't plan your wedding yourself?

Come in, let's plan together! This is gonna to be fun I promise.

*I know this should be on the Event section, but that section is dead is not so active. So Mods, please leave this here. Thank you.

When is the day so I can start preparing my stomach ahead of time......

Now, lemme kick start this. . .

My wedding is in exactly 3 months from now (on my birthday) and the planning has been both exciting and Exhausting! I'm the only girl in my family, so no much helping hands. My brothers couldn't be bothered with the nitty grities. All they want to know is how much drink will be served and what kind of music will be playing.

Anyways, we've decided not to go over the top financially as there is life after wedding, though my family thinks otherwise. "Whose wedding is it anyways"?

Now to the planning proper. . .

We've booked the reception hall, picked out colors and styles, went window shopping for some wedding stuff. I'm still very undecided as to whether to buy my dress physically or to order online. The few dresses I like are online, but most people advised against it.

Madam Chaircover, help a sister out ooo. I know you have a wedding store. Please help with the address and the things you sell.

bellong: When is the day so I can start preparing my stomach ahead of time......

Abeg, don't come and finish my food with your big stomach.

Oya, give your own tips jor.

Phema:

Abeg, don't come and finish my food with your big stomach.

Oya, give your own tips jor.

Finish ke, 15 plates of rice and 50 wraps of pounded yam are enough for me.....

Congrats in advance. I also did the wedding celebration on my birthday.....

As for the planning, my simple advice is that for the day, have people that will manage every aspect of the program. For example, somebody in charge of food, another drinks, another to coordinate activities, etc.. With this, you know who to hold responsible for failure in any areas...

Have a budget and stick to it....

bellong:

Finish ke, 15 plates of rice and 50 wraps of pounded yam are enough for me.....

Congrats in advance. I also did the wedding celebration on my birthday.....

As for the planning, my simple advice is that for the day, have people that will manage every aspect of the program. For example, somebody in charge of food, another drinks, another to coordinate activities, etc.. With this, you know who to hold responsible for failure in any areas...

Have a budget and stick to it....

That one don reach me serve half of my guests na.

Thanks for the tips. Appreciated.

Phema,
Could you please include prices/costs or estimated prices/costs. This will go a long way in helping some people to plan their budget.
NB
Am still single, but seriously considering the Gift I am with now. 2014 shall not pass me by, In Jesus Name. Amen

@Phema, why are people advising against ordering your clothes online?

@eagle.eye, I like that 'gift' concept..abeg, do d tin sharpaly and stop wasting time jor

Hmm, I like where this is going oo...

Sorry, no tips (yet)

Congratulations to Phema & all the soon-to-be brides oo!

eagle,eye:
Phema,
Could you please include prices/costs or estimated prices/costs. This will go a long way in helping some people to plan their budget.
NB
Am still single, but seriously considering the Gift I am with now. 2014 shall not pass me by, In Jesus Name. Amen

Well, there are different prices for different items ooooo. The main thing is to cut one's coat according to one's material.

Went window shopping last week and saw traditional wear materials for as high as 50k for 5yards and also one for 10k for 5yards. So you see, it's all about your budget. But bear in mind that the higher the price does not always equal a better quality or fit.

We have decided to settle for something very decent but affordable. Don't want to go breaking the bank for the wedding jare.

As for your "gift", it shall come to pass. Just be yourself, no pretense, no desperation and you will see things falling in place.

alutacontinua: @Phema, why are people advising against ordering your clothes online?

@eagle.eye, I like that 'gift' concept..abeg, do d tin sharpaly and stop wasting time jor

Most people that ordered said the dress wasn't as beautiful as it was online. Some of them had to go on a spontaneous shopping to get another one.

I will try some dresses again next month, if i still can't find anyone I like, I will order online.

Phema:

Well, there are different prices for different items ooooo. The main thing is to cut one's coat according to one's material.

Went window shopping last week and saw traditional wear materials for as high as 50k for 5yards and also one for 10k for 5yards. So you see, it's all about your budget. But bear in mind that the higher the price does not always equal a better quality or fit.

We have decided to settle for something very decent but affordable. Don't want to go breaking the bank for the wedding jare.

As for your "gift", it shall come to pass. Just be yourself, no pretense, no desperation and you will see things falling in place.

Yeah, I understand there different prices for different things and location also matters.
I am based in the east, but I just need to start projecting the cost. Like someone said in another thread, "wedding is the beginning of the journey". And you concurred by saying "there is life after, the wedding".

theLORDreigns: Hmm, I like where this is going oo...

Sorry, no tips (yet)

Congratulations to Phema & all the soon-to-be brides oo!

Thanks babes

eagle,eye:

Yeah, I understand there different prices for different things and location also matters.
I am based in the east, but I just need to start projecting the cost. Like someone said in another thread, "wedding is the beginning of the journey". And you concurred by saying "there is life after, the wedding".

Yea yea. Cost of things also depend on your location. My wedding will be taking place in Benin, so things like hall, decor, DJ and EMCEE will be cheaper than say, Lagos.

I got a very nice hall with chairs, tables and generator for about 50k. Same hall will go for at least 300k in Lag. Only downside is that it is owned by a Church and they have insisted there won't be alcohol brought into the hall, neither will there be non gospel music (na this one I no gree). How the hell will we dance to "Lift Him up, higher"?

The caterer I found has insisted on charging per plate or we buy the things she will need to cook and then pay her off. Don't really know which is better.

Where are all the intending brides na?

Phema:

Yea yea. Cost of things also depend on your location. My wedding will be taking place in Benin, so things like hall, decor, DJ and EMCEE will be cheaper than say, Lagos.

I got a very nice hall with chairs, tables and generator for about 50k. Same hall will go for at least 300k in Lag. Only downside is that it is owned by a Church and they have insisted there won't be alcohol brought into the hall, neither will there be non gospel music (na this one I no gree). How the hell will we dance to "Lift Him up, higher"?

The caterer I found has insisted on charging per plate or we buy the things she will need to cook and then pay her off. Don't really know which is better.

Where are all the intending brides na?

I think it will be more expensive paying per plate. Buy what she will need for the cooking, and pay her for the services rendered.

eagle,eye:

I think it will be more expensive paying per plate. Buy what she will need for the cooking, and pay her for the services rendered.

I second this..... Meanwhile, you guys have to make good agreement with the caterer to the satisfaction of the guests

eagle,eye:

I think it will be more expensive paying per plate. Buy what she will need for the cooking, and pay her for the services rendered.

Thanks. That means we will have to provide plates, pots, spoons, ushers etc. Was thinking it will be less stressful to contract the whole food ish out.

Let's see then. . .

Phema:

Thanks. That means we will have to provide plates, pots, spoons, ushers etc. Was thinking it will be less stressful to contract the whole food ish out.

Let's see then. . .

In that case, ask for her per plate price and compare the cost with private plans....

Sometimes, the per plate do fail because you may end up having more guests than planned for. The caterer will not give a damn about who don't get served once the budget is exhausted....

Thanks Bellong. Its #850 per plate of rice which consists of rice, salad, meat and fish. Will have to negotiate and possibly take out one or two toppings.

Phema: Thanks Bellong. Its #850 per plate of rice which consists of rice, salad, meat and fish. Will have to negotiate and possibly take out one or two toppings.

Phema,
How do you know exactly the number of guests that were served?
She could serve 140 guests and 'aproximate' the number to 200 guests.
So I think, if you don't mind the stress, you rent plates and cutleries and buy your own food stuffs, then she gives you a lump sum for her services.

All the best Phema! Congrats

chaircover: So we are not allowed to comment abi

congratulations to all those getting married and I will def be right behind bellong eating pounded yam and j/rice

Aaaawwwww, Chaircover, please comment away. . There's so much to learn from you. Abeg, start by providing your wedding shop address and the items you sell, especially the ones on sale.

Flytefalls and eagle.eye thanks a lot!

Phema
There are LOTS of gospel artists songs that you can rock too - U need to check online radio praiseworldradio for a full day and you'll find great songs they also have downloadable songs so ur DJ can stock up There's FLo rocks, OKeysokay,Provabs,PITA NOSA Obiwon etc.

About wedding dresses, the issue with ordering online is delivery time and the fact that U may still need to make adjustments. on the other hand if you buy directly from the shop you can see what ur buying.
What looks good online for the model doesn't mean it will look good on you

chaircover:

To be honest it all depends on how much stress that you want to go through. I quite like the per plate idea, so long as the caterer is experienced, honest and reliable.
If you are very organized and have plenty of time and you are on ground, you dont really need a wedding planner. . . add the money you save from that to your honeymoon fund

Yea. I think I prefer the per plate arrangement. A family member will be delegated to make sure the caterer serves the agreed number of plates.


Madam Chaircover has stylishly refused to gimme her shop address because I don't have plenty money

salsera: Phema
There are LOTS of gospel artists songs that you can rock too - U need to check online radio praiseworldradio for a full day and you'll find great songs they also have downloadable songs so ur DJ can stock up There's FLo rocks, OKeysokay,Provabs,PITA NOSA Obiwon etc.

About wedding dresses, the issue with ordering online is delivery time and the fact that U may still need to make adjustments. on the other hand if you buy directly from the shop you can see what ur buying.
What looks good online for the model doesn't mean it will look good on you

Thanks hun. Didn't know about that. Hope I find songs I like.

As for wedding dresses, i will only buy online if i can't find what I want.

Thanks again.

Congrats dear..

Congrats phema!

I will like to add that the best realistic advice u will get is from married folks cos they ve been there. Seen good planning gone wrong and viceversa.

I will give my two cents anyway.
Its better u shop for ur gowns and accessories in bridal shops than online. There r u seeing and tasting d package b4 buying. Its cheaper too.
Don't pay per plate. U will be shocked the kind of half a plate they will put and still charge u per plate. Instead bargain to buy things and they will cook BUT make sure u provide a supervisor else more than half of ur foodstuffs will disappear into thin air.

Assuming its ur family house and u hv enuf space, I will suggest u do it at ur house. It saves cost too.
One thing we fail to understand (especially ladies)is that after the wedding, life starts. Most marriages start their first quarrel immediately after d wedding bc of some outrageous xpenses that will soon be regretd.
Pls be wise in ur planning.

All d best
(My gele is intact, benin here I come!)

Before I forget, I need the address in Benin..... This food must not pass me by.............

Phema: This thread is for intending couples, especially brides who have picked (or about to pick) their wedding dates and planning their weddings themselves. .

Here, we are going to be discussing the different facets of wedding planning. From the colors of the day to entertainment, food, drinks, EMCEE, DJ, location of wedding, wedding dresses, reception hall etc.

The main aim is for would be brides to get pointers as to how to plan their weddings effectively; Where to get some wedding stuff at affordable rate, recommendations of DJ, EMCEE, caterers and the likes, what colors to use and how to combine these colors etc.

Married peeps in the house, especially the recently married ones can help give some tips so we learn from their experience.

Who says you can't plan your wedding yourself?

Come in, let's plan together! This is gonna to be fun I promise.

*I know this should be on the Event section, but that section is dead is not so active. So Mods, please leave this here. Thank you.

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