When it comes to celebrating a wedding, Nigerians are known for not holding back on offering the best food and drinks, renting a spacious hall, and spreading the word about the event through friends.
While Nigerian weddings are often viewed as a chance to celebrate with the couple and enjoy free food, the reality is that they are financially demanding. Planning a wedding in Nigeria is not cheap.
There are many stories of couples who, after spending millions of naira on elaborate weddings, secretly spend the first few years of their marriage repaying loans taken out to cover their wedding expenses.
Given the economic challenges in the country, it’s essential to secure your financial future. If you hope to one day stand at an altar wearing a suit or bridal gown, here’s an insight on how to plan a wedding with a budget of N500,000 or even less.
VENUE:
Regardless of the size, a wedding needs a venue. Many couples make the mistake of allocating a significant portion of their budget to renting a hall or a luxurious garden space.
To cut venue costs, choose a location that costs little to nothing. For example, if you are a Christian, you could use a church or its surroundings. If that’s not possible, consider an open field, your family house or your partner’s, or a place with a spacious compound.
Simply rent canopies and work closely with the decorator to make the venue attractive.
FOOD AND DRINKS:
No couple wants their guests to leave without eating or drinking to their satisfaction. However, being on a budget means there are limits to how much you can provide.
To cut costs, consider not hiring a caterer and instead have family and friends do the cooking. Another way to save is by serving only one meal. For example, you could offer guests jollof rice and meat with a bottle of Coke.
ENTERTAINMENT:
This includes the Master of Ceremony (MC), Disc Jockey (DJ), and technical equipment like microphones, a generator, and speakers.
To save costs, ask an outspoken friend to be the MC and hire an affordable DJ who charges no more than N20,000. Alternatively, you can create a playlist of exciting songs.
GUESTS:
The key to staying within your budget lies in the number of guests you invite.
With a budget of N500,000, you cannot accommodate more than a hundred guests. Limit your guest list to around 50 people and enforce a strict invite-only policy at the entrance.
SECURITY AND TRANSPORTATION:
To avoid disorderliness at the venue, consider hiring ushers from affordable agencies. If this doesn’t fit your budget, ask one or two friends to guide guests to their tables and collect gifts.
The same principle applies to the transportation of guests and items.
DECORATION:
Even on a budget, your wedding shouldn’t look cheap. Invest a significant portion of the N500,000 in hiring a good decorator who can elevate the look and feel of the venue.
WARDROBE:
While it’s important to consider your wedding outfit, try not to go overboard. Instead of buying a designer suit or gown, opt for a simple white dress or suit from a thrift store. Properly accessorize, and you’ll look great without breaking the bank.
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