Every lady's dream is to get married to the man of her dreams, more like a man she completes, after all, we were all made from the man's rib haha.
It didn't come as a shock to me when my husband decided we take dating to the next level which is marriage, if you come from my part of the world, Nigeria, and especially from the east and southern part, you would know how cumbersome wedding expenses can get. So a lot of planning, saving, and understanding is needed among the couples and their families especially that of the bride.
Image is mine
So far, it's been eight years in this blissful journey and 10 years of friendship, with it's ups and downs, I'm still ever grateful I took the right decision with this one.
We both decided to do what we could afford and not go into debt just to impress friends and family because the real marriage is after the wedding party, and my husband isn't the type that depends on or looks up to others for help, especially when it is so personal, he has a taste in things, won't settle for less, so he makes sure he has a budget set out and fulfills what needs to be done.
I've seen situations where couples go to the extent of collecting loans just to impress their friends, and the real marriage fails just after one year due to this very same reason, if you are not ready or capable yet, it's better to hustle with a supporting partner, that will make life easier after marriage and not force you to go beyond your finances into debt.
quick shot during knocking of door
Marriage follows some important steps, before D-day, known as knocking on door, this is when the
groom to be come with his family to make their intention known to the bride's family, after which they ask the bride if she agrees to get married to the groom, of course, I know my bobo na, and I said yes, next phase is when he comes next for the list containing the bride price, to be frank, it is usually exorbitant from where I come from Akwa-Ibom state because he will settle the entire village people, this is done to make sure that the man values his wife, / introduction and if he wants to do anyhow, he will remember how he stressed to get married, not all families are strict though, as the main aim of every family is for their children to have a happy home, so it is slightly negotiable to a fair price for everyone.
On the wedding day, I felt like it was the most celebrated day of my life, as all the attention was focused on me, I'm not much of a planner so I let my mum do what she is good at, putting the right people in place or food, drinks, decoration,s, and music If left for me and my husband, we don't mind having only a few people in attendance, but you know that isn't possible in our country, wedding is a family ceremony, lotem onnnn people I haven't met in my life came, and I had to maintain a smiling face all through, his friends and mine, brought more fun during the couple entrance, at the reception, hubby is the dancer, and I was the shy one, not anymore though, Its amazing because the first day we met he told me I was his final bus stop, I didn't take him serious then, and formed my hard to get as usual, I remember him whispering to me during the reception if I recalled him telling me I was his final bus-stop,incase you were wondering what couples whisper together during their wedding, this is one of them.
So far, so good, we've been standing strong by God's grace and I'm ever grateful I chose the best man of my dreams to spend eternity with.
All images used in this post are mine.