₦airaland Forum

Any 2015 brides to be left?

Or is it officially 2016 bride time?

That would be a bride's worst nightmare.

I'm shivering just thinking about it.

That's why you really need a back up plan for everything.

kaffydal:
Good afternoon great pple of a great country,plz my bestie traditional wedding is coming up early next year we are stil confused abt d color,she loves mint green buh we don't know which other color wil go with it although i choose peach or fushia pink and grey color.
One major problem we are facing is how to combine d color for decoration, cake,for couple,sweet ladies and for Bride's elder sisters....we don't want everything to look matchy matchy....plz help me and my sister from anoda parent

Create a color palette with mint, various shades of pink, teal, yellow, and neutrals like brown, gold and champagne to create a cohesive visual theme that isn't too matchy matchy.

Ooh I´m a fan of sparkles so I love sequin dresses. I think sequin dresses are best in a neutral or metallic color like gold or silver.

prissyluv:
Thanks for taking out time to answer me dear.
I dont really know which one is which.lol A friend suggested 'net' material. Besides the bride is paying for the material.

I agree with Droyal. Satin screams wedding lol. So your bridesmaids would probably never wear the satin dresses again. Look into chiffon, lace or mesh dresses.

anumide:
is it possible to have a wedding that costs less than 200k?
all I want is a registry wedding and a traditional wedding.

It all depends on the size of your wedding. Keep your guest list small.

HumbledbYGrace:
I am so looking forward to the special day though we haven't decided which month or day yet but 2016.....here comes #Naija'sdaughterinlaw.

We planning for an intimate traditional wedding and then let our Pastor bless the rings in church after, I really don't know where to start especially planning a 'Yorubian traditional wedding' as I am from Southern Africa, any ideas please?

Thanks.

Hi Humbled,
How exciting.

So do you are you having your Yoruba trad in South Africa or Nigeria? Are you or your hubby Yoruba?

Nimi22:
Everybody had refused tp answer my question. Ok.
Cc Chiefwedslolo.
chosenpraise

Hi @Nimi22

Sorry I didn't see your post.
I think these shades of green look amazing with red! Look at the links below (with gold, white accessories too):

https://www./427560558351692754/
https://www./427560558352194327/
https://www./427560558348654416/

So your sis should go with a soft, feminine medium green to pair with bold red accents.

ClassicQueen:
Honestly i am as confused as you i dont even know where to start from. The married women should please help us with this question. Thanks

Hey ladies!! @classicqueen @jashar

What are you confused about with starting?
I know there is a lot going on so I don't blame you all. lol.

There a lot of wedding timeline checklists out there to get you started. Do a search and find one you like to keep you organized.

I'll share the checklist that I am using for myself to plan my own Nigerian wedding. It has helped me to stay on track and not stress out too much. You can look at it here: http://www.chiefwedslolo.com/blog/nigerian-wedding-planning-timeline-checklist/


If you are still feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a wedding planner!

Hope this helps!

Ify

missade:
Hello everyone!

My wedding is next month and I'm super excited. The trad and white is in Lagos. Let me say that everything is expensive in Lagos
Decent halls start from around N400k! The prices for Decorations, makeup, all depend on how high end you want them.
What I learnt is to have a super realistic budget taking into consideration what you want the wedding to look like and all. Then make sure you stick to it or else, you will spend much more than expect.

My colours are Royal blue and Yellow; Champagne gold and peach.
Wish me a successful wedding but I prefer a successful and fulfilling marriage

May the good Lord keep us all and establish our marriages, Amen.

@missade

Yes we are so here on the budget. Please be realistic about your budget ladies!!!

Shininstar30:
Pls friends help am confused on colours to use for my white wedding coming up in December.

@Shininstar30

Use colors that you love. what are your favorite colors?

@classicqueen

Thanks for starting this thread! You are so right.

I'm actually a 2016 bride myself. And yes, I hope my fellow 2016 brides have started planning already. Lol

Let me read through the thread!!

Ify

Can2012:
Helloooooo my elders, e ku ikale o. Wedding coming up mid November and nothing has been sorted out yet. Below are my questions make una biko, abeg, ejo, please chip in anywhere you can. Thank you.

1. Yoruba couple: is there a way of doing away with the outrageous aso-oke of 100k upwards that will probably never be worn again?

2. It's just the traditional wedding and reception. I want white predominantly and I want it classy.
Bride in all white native, teal beads, shoes and purse. Groom in white outfit and teal cap.
Guests in teal and white.
Decor white and teal with touches of green on centre pieces.
Seems to me like everything might be too matchy matchy and bride and groom would look too much like the guests (I don't mind though) Guess this is where the aso oke comes in. Does anyone have any suggestions per colour adjustments or additions?


3. Rocktation, mentioned Jahlobia gardens to someone else earlier (thanks for this) does any one else know any other sensibly priced outdoor venues? I'd like the green background of the gardens to complement the white and teal outfit/decor.

4. Although it's a traditional wedding, would it make sense to have a first dance and dance to John Legend's "all of me"?

Thanks guys
With regards, Currently Flustered Human

To avoid matchy matchy consider having an ombre effect. Maybe use w different shade of teal for you and the hubby, the guests, and the decor. Teal comes in many shades.

Also the same for the white. Consider bright white, ivory, and off white. Other good neutral color ideas you can bring as accent colors are gold, cream, and champagne.

You can dance to all of me if you want lol. Maybe mix it in with a Nigerian slow love song as well so the elders won't get too upset.

CharmyBliz:
hello pls how can one combine traditional wedding and white wedding and reception on same day. please i'll need d order of arrangements. thanx

@CharmyBliz

Plan for a long day, but it can be done. I think it's worth it because you will save a lot having your wedding in one day instead of 3 different weddings and have to book each vendor 3 different times. That's expensive.

I'll say have your white wedding ceremony first. Keep it sweet and simple. Shouldn't be longer than 30min-1 hour.

If possible, find a place where you can have your ceremony and reception in the same building, such as church hall, mosque hall, or some other venue that allows both ceremony and reception. For my wedding, I'm having my ceremony right outside of my reception hall. No extra driving required!

Next, start your reception for the white wedding. I would start serving appetizers/lunch/dinner and drinks so your guests won't starve. lol.

Then do all of the white wedding procedures, like first dance, parents dance, cutting of cake, garter, bouquet toss.

Now, it's time for your trad wedding reception. You, your groom, and bridal party should go change outfits into your traditional wear while everyone is eating cake.

Come back out, and do the traditional wedding rituals of your culture.

You can change again for the 3rd time if you want to wear another outfit.

Have fun!

What song are you using for your first dance?

esperanza:
Hello Everyone.
I desperately need help with securing an outdoor location for my wedding in October in Abuja.
Shooting range in Kado was an option but I was told that FCDA no longer has any hand in the processes involved in securing it.
I also need an affordable camera man and videographer.
Please help!

Hey @esperanza,

Have you looked into the Harrow Park in Abuja for your outdoor ceremony venue? I saw it on Bella Naija. It looks really pretty.

I have a few Abuja photographers and videographers listed here if you are still looking for wedding vendors: http://www.chiefwedslolo.com/nigerian-wedding-vendors/nigeria/abuja.html

I think I know of a few more. I will try to find them and add more later this week for you.

I hope this helps!

christybabe:
pls how do I combine yellow, blue and pink colour, it's my color of the day, I wanted my chiefbridesmaid to wear a pink gown, then my bridal Train girls will wear yellow and blue.. or does anyone has a better way that i should combine it.. thanks.

@christybabe yellow, blue, and pink color combo will have a nice contrast.

Your train girls can definitely wear yellow and blue.
I recommend something like a bold yellow head tie or jewelry with a dark blue dress.
Examples below:
https://www./427560558347579242/
https://www./427560558347572395/
https://www./427560558348822511/
https://www./427560558349774704/
https://www./427560558351677118/

Or you can try an all soft yellow dress with medium or dark blue head tie, hand bag, and jewelry.
Examples here:
https://www./427560558351677122/
https://www./427560558350852241/
https://www./427560558348174588/
https://www./427560558348587861/


Also, you can try half and half. Like, your girls can wear a blue top with yellow skirt.
Example here:
https://www./427560558351523138/

For your chiefbridesmaid, pick a shade of pink like hot pink/fuchsia. It will look beautiful against the dark blues and bold yellows of the bridesmaids dresses.

Examples here:
https://www./427560558350785218/
https://www./427560558346431998/

lawvlypearl:
Finally! My wedding is coming up next weekend....your prayers goes a long way...thanks for the advice,tips,suggestions...was really helpful having a thread like this. Thank you all

Pearl, my dear, I pray your wedding was beautiful and of course with a beautiful marriage to follow.

Please come back and share the details after the honeymoon.

costlyb:
Pls my pple how do i combine royal blue and fuchsia pink for my white wedding.pls i need suggestions on what colour d BMs and the Chief ll wear and then asoebi and men on suit. Thanks

Hi check out these pinterest boards for blue and pink ideas!

It's a very popular and pretty combo!

https://www.pinterest.com/chiefwedslolo/blue-nigerian-weddings/

https://www.pinterest.com/chiefwedslolo/pink-nigerian-weddings/

What exact troubles are you ladies having combining colors?

megan1:
I went to the church thinking i was early n was told i could have come 2 months earlier . Thanks for the advise to start early, time is flying so fast.

Ha. The church I was considering told me I was too early because it was 1 year away. Lol smh

Venues are kind of important and probably should be reserved first. Of course I'm doing it early.

Welcome Miss Ade!

I love the purple/yellow combo. They contrast each other very well.

I pinned a few yellow/purple combos on my pinterest board here: https://www.pinterest.com/chiefwedslolo/purple-nigerian-weddings/

missade:
So glad I found this thread!
I'm a 2015/2016 bride My dad is yet to give a specific date but it's btw Nov and Jan next year. By August, we'll have the specific date at the intro

@onegai, I didn't know the Catholic Church required the bobo to be baptised!

I have started planning by checking out different vendors. We have a budget we will work with.

@evina, I keep procrastinating with the waist training, u just motivated me. But it requires u to also work out.

I'm also lost for the colours to use. We thought of purple and yellow. Any ideas?

blaizze:
;D2015 groom

Haha grooms are welcome too! How is the wedding planning going?

Yes please start early. I'm starting early and I'm saving so much money and stress.

Say No to African time when planning your wedding! Lol

megan1:
Congrats all.Thanks for the great job.

My wedding is this december and sometimes i feel like I'm preparing too early. i have only gotten reception venue (haven't booked yet).

i am still confused about the colours. i feel i should slow down in d planning and start properly in june as i'm thinking too often. i don't know if the feeling is common among brides

Any advise is welcome

Shininstar30:
My church wedding coming up dis year and I don't know where to start

Well first get your church and pastor/priest secured with a date and time for your ceremony. Do you have that yet?

@onegai I am glad it worked out. I was worried.

Does anyone want a small Nigerian wedding?

Do such things even exist?

Herzumpther:
Please I would appreciate if anybody can help me with pics of bridal maids. I mean styles.

@Herzumpther

I post pictures of bridesmaids dresses on my Pinterest board here: https://www.pinterest.com/chiefwedslolo/nigerian-bridesmaids-dresses/

You might see something you like! Hope this helps.

Quoting again in case people missed it. So much gems in this post!!

Onegai:
Nigerian Weddings are something else. May I share some insight into what you should and shouldn't do

Make a Budget

Once you two have decided to marry, sit down and list out what you need and how much you're willing to pay for it. That way, you can control spending. e.g

Bridal clothes N10,000
Hall N100,000
Food N50,000
etc. It will check you from overspending because every vendor you meet out there will do their best to urge you to go above your budget. If your gown is budgeted at N75,000, INSIST ON FINDING A GOWN IN THAT RANGE OR CHEAPER. Same with makeup, if your budget is N25, 000 stop wasting your time, his/her time and saliva trying to beat a N40, 000 makeup artist down. They won't budge so better look for something in your price range from the get-go (I don't punish myself looking at a designer's website or Instagram page when I can't afford it).

Negotiate Your cake. Yes you want that 7 layer amazement but can you afford it? Nope, order 3 layers and ask your baker to use dummy. Then ask
for a price reduction based on that (since she's not baking 7 cakes it should be cheaper).

Your hall should be somewhere that has parking and security. Especially if you're in Lagos. I don't want to attend your reception and lose my phone.

Add 50 extra guests to every list you make. Nigerians will carry their friends, cousins and all sorts to your wedding and be upset if they don't eat, not minding if the IV said "Mrs Uche Toyin" only not Mrs Uche Toyin and co.

1 month to your wedding is not the time for you to start changing your skincare or diet. I've seen bride's say "oh I'm gonna look lighter on my wedding day". Start 3 months in advance so if you react you have enough time to heal your skin.

Let your family know your budget and be careful of family adding their own expenses to it. My mum went and ordered my traditional clothes. I swear they cost N250,000 (just one outfit, unsewn, no jewelry or shoes or gele added!!) then told hubby and I to please repay her. I sharply negotiated and said I would return the wrappers back to her (since it was george) afterwards, borrow gele and purse from her and pay for the laces. Let your family know "omo that is beautiful, but I cannot afford it, unless you are gifting it to me". Same thing happaaened with my hall (my family was picking a hall of N1.5mil, I quickly redirected them to somewhere cheaper before they asked us to pay).

Be careful of friends or aunties who know someone that can do something e.g "I know a decorator, I know a wedding planner, I know a DJ" etc. Hate to break it to you but those people who come recommended by your friends will rarely be cheaper than professional strangers (the family friend's printer was more expensive than the wedding store I approached) and even worse if they mess up, you can't vex too much (because they came recommended by family). I'd rather hire a professional wedding vendor, negotiate and pay them and be able to dictate to my heart's delight. I've been priviledged to meet some topnotch people in the wedding industry so knew whom I wanted to do want before I even got engaged.

Watch out for unnecessary expenses

My hubby wanted champagne (the good stuff, not Moet) plus 3 bottles of wine on each table at the reception. I made him see it was unnecessary, limit the fancy stuff to those who will gift you well and spray you nicely, not that uncle and his 10 kids you only see during family occassions when there's food. You have to be strong-minded and say "NO THIS IS A WASTE".

OTHER SOURCES OF WASTE are:

Bridal shoes: please buy silver shoes that you will wear a million times after.

Jewelry: rather than buy, I went to a relative's store and borrowed a few pieces, to return the next day. Who go know?? Same with your veil and if someone has married recently and they used fake flower bouquet and kept it, swallow your pride and ask them for it. Buy a can of Spray paint for N350 and spray it your wedding colours or nicer pastel colours. Voila, it's new.

Gown: especially if you're planning on changing during the reception, abeg make one gown cheap. Even better, rent the white gown.

Drinks: please limit the fancy stuff to your VIP. Be real, your friends ain't gonna spray you or gift you jack (that's if they even buy asoebi). Save that nice wine for the uncle who will cut you a N200,000 cheque.

Decorator: No, you don't need chivari chairs, you don't need your name on a centre rug lining the walkway, you don't need a specially decorated table for your bridal train, cut it out of your budget. Even mood lights, ask for fewer lights to be used and reduce your budget. Be strong-willed.

Video: How many of you have watched a wedding video recently? So why are you paying for it??

Music: If I pay a DJ more than N50,000, that's a waste. I've seen N20,000 DJ who did a better job than some MAC-wielding N150,000 DJ.

MC: my hubby thought a fancy MC would make the night more interesting. I reminded him that he couldn't remember the jokes Ali Baba cracked a few months ago at an event, so why spend so much on something he may not remember the specifics of, just that he will say "I think I remember the guy was funny"?

Wedding IVs and Programmes: the only people who will keep them after are your mum, his mum and parents of unmarried kids. Everyone else will fling them. At the wedding store I went to, the saleslady kept insisting "I think you deserve N400 per IV, it's not too much for you" I thanked her for her flattery and said N40,000 for 200 or more IVs was my budget and if I couldn't get cheaper, I would send out nicely printed letters and take my business away from her. She stopped her nonsense immediately. My mum wanted pictures of us in the IV, I stopped it (totally unnecessary and not classy).


WHAT YOU SHOULD SPEND ON

Photography: after your gown cost N180,000, you now hire N40,000 photog who shoots nonsense and the beauty of your gown is lost

Food: If you don't feed people (and feed them on-time) they will sit down and watch you whilst you dance. No spraying money. Do you want that?

Music: if your crowd is Yoruba, hire a band. You will enjoy it more. Good music means a happier crowd.

Wedding Coordinators: mine was a straightfaced man. So if he said "please sit down drinks are coming", people felt ashamed to be making a fuss. Plus he had assistant wedding coordinators (I don't like ushers, they are usually uni girls who have no courage to be strong and get overruled by aunties). He also called all the vendors beforehand and the 2 mothers and gave them instructions. Everyone else he ignored that day.

There is a vendor for every budget. If the vendor you are speaking to keeps saying "I can't do this for your budget" don't negotiate, thank them and go away to find a vendor in your budget.


Remember there is Life after Wedding. Any monetary gifts you receive during wedding planning, I recommend putting it in your savings account and don't say "oh now that I have extra, let me add to my budget".

Be firm. Have fun!

Hey Ladies, sorry, it's been awhile. I had a busy week. Just confirmed that I will be a 2016 bride now!!! But I will post in this thread since I have to plan this year anyway, lol.

So what's your guest list size looking like My parents think my guest list size is going to be too small but I want an intimate wedding.

Herzumpther:
I can't wear the makeup on the pics you've posted so far. I won't be able to use my door out of shame. I might even faint before I get to my gate. I'm only cool with lips gloss and powder. Will I be able to do only powder and lip gloss? I can't do more than that o.

Ha, if all you want is gloss and powder, ask one of your stylish friends to help you with a natural bridal look! It might not be worth paying for a make up artist then! Might as well save some money girl!

Evina:
Pweetiebabe amen oh!

I wanted to point out the need for brides to also prepare spiritually!

Also, let's share pre wedding beauty regime
What are you gurls doing to look really radiant on that day.

Cc
MarvellousGod

Start drinking water and working on that skin now ladies! It takes some time for the results to show. I hear drinking natural carrot juice makes the skin glow. I'm going to give this a try soon.


I'm gonna start hitting the gym when it gets warm out again because I see all the brides on Bella Naija with snatched waists and !!! I want one.

Pweetiebabe:
My wedding is this may, everything is set----the reception hall, invitation, clothes, make-up artist, bridal hair stylist etc...... Just few things left am happy and patiently waiting and praying for that day... ... I pray the Lord will make that day a succes

Aww, I'm glad almost everything is set!!! Now, you can relax a bit. This is my dream to have everything done early. We shall see what happens. lol.