It's funny how everyone wants to follow thread and have a big wedding.
I will be writing on the topic below.
What is something everyone looks stupid doing ?
In Nigeria weddings are much more than the joining of the bride and groom. It's a family affair, it's a joining between two families becoming one. It's also a time we get to meet and bond with family members we have not seen for awhile.
Weddings in Nigeria are usually colorful (with different shades of asoebi), beautiful , entertaining, lively, engaging, and so on. The number of guests in attendance are usually between the range of 200 -1000. Nigerians have this etiquette that no one should leave their wedding hungry, so there's usually different types of food ranging from Jollof rice (you sure want to try this if you are not a Nigerian), fried rice, swallow, small chops like samosa, spring rolls, puff puff, sausage roll, spicy meat skewers and the list goes on and on.
Because of all this and more, a lot of people have been put under unnecessary pressure when planning their wedding. Trying to keep Up With The Joneses, people borrow money to wed (why on earth will someone even think of that?)
Few days ago, a friend of mine, who is preparing for his wedding in a few months time, called me to seek my counsel on some things concerning his wedding preparation. One of it was, his bride to be wants him to transport her family to and fro from the state where they reside (Adamawa state; somewhere in the northern part of Nigeria) to where the wedding will take place (Kogi state; a State in the middle part of the country). We are not talking about two or three persons oo, we are talking about may 20 persons (it was reduced to this number after plenty argument between them). Those from Nigeria will agree with me that the distance from Adamawa to Kogi State is quite long. With the removal of fuel subsidy and the hike in fuel price, that's a lot of money. So, he was planning to borrow money for that, with the hope of paying back with the money people will spray at them during reception. I told him to tell her he doesn't have the money and won't do it. My reply might sound harsh right? Wait, let me explain this to you. This is someone whose monthly salary is not more than fifty thousand naira. He isn't just going to transport them, he is still going to accommodate and feed them and he is yet to complete some of the traditional marriage rights. With the amount of money he was planning to borrow his two years salary will not be enough to pay it off. If it's someone that has the money and capacity to do it, and you are willing to, why not do it but we are talking about someone that doesn't have the money.
I know of some persons personally, who their wedding photo album is still with the photographer, almost a year after their wedding; some are yet to pay the tailor that made their dress. Some people are still owing the make-up artist that made them up on their wedding day.
I think people need to be content with whatever they have. Plan your wedding within your means. There's no need trying to impress people that don't really care about you. No matter how elaborate your wedding is, someone's own will be far better than yours the following Saturday. Yours is just a sample they need to remodel theirs.
People should learn to cut their coats according to the size of their material.
Personally I don't think borrowing to plan your wedding is a good way to start your marriage.
THANK YOU FOR READING TO THE END 🤗