Don’t get it twisted love is a beautiful thing. He liked it. So he put a ring on it. Congratulations!! It is indeed fulfilling to find that one person you plan to annoy for the rest of your life. This engagement/wedding planning season will help you figure out each other’s quirks before the two of you get married. This is not to put a damper on your engagement, but when the celebration and well wishes from family, friends, and social media are over, you need to get to planning your dream Nigerian wedding immediately.
There are two types of Nigerian weddings you would be planning this period; the one inspired by Pinterest and the one you can actually afford. Our advice? While planning your wedding, do not build a mountain of debt that could get you and your partner started on the wrong foot.
Some brides-to-be become bridezillas spending their big day secretly wanting to punch everyone they’ve ever known on the face. The stress of not having an ideal wedding planning checklist makes many brides want to throw in the towel and elope with the beau. But that doesn’t always work out as there would be too many family and friends they would have to answer to. So the only way out is getting a wedding planning guide that is ideal for the Nigerian wedding culture – this is where we come in. We want our brides relaxed on their big day and hope this list helps.
The ideal Nigerian wedding planning guide…
#1. Have a “wedding planning date” with the boo
Unless you plan to be lord of the rings, then this meeting is a necessity. This is where you set dates for introduction, traditional, court, and white weddings. Then you create a budget and decide who is bringing what, draft a guest list, decide on your bridesmaids and groomsmen, aso ebi and other key elements of the wedding.
This may require several dates to iron everything out, but the earlier you get started, the better. There’s so much to do, so get to work.
#2. Delegate responsibilities to family and friends who are willing to help
Whether you’re working with a professional wedding planner or not, you’ll have a lot to handle. So get a wedding planning checklist – buy one, print one from the internet, or develop yours based on all you need to cover for your own unique wedding.
Take on the responsibilities you and only you can do. And as for the rest, delegate. Hopefully, you have family and friends who are willing to ease you off the stress. This will give you more time to research online for your wedding dress, hairstyle, wedding decoration, introduction, traditional marriage outfits, and the endless list that will make up your dream wedding.
Getting all hands on deck will also give you time to continue building your relationship with your groom – you don’t want to become strangers by the time the wedding day arrives.
#3. Start shopping as soon as possible
Start shopping for your wedding dress, traditional marriage fabrics, and everything non-perishable, and save yourself a well-deserved nervous breakdown that comes with last-minute runarounds. Shopping is more fun when you are not desperate to buy because you’re under pressure. These vendors feed on your desperation and would gladly double the price.
#4. Establish a skin care routine
It is never a good idea to leave this till the last minute. The earlier you get a skincare routine in place, the better. You don’t want an uneven skin tone or breakouts on your big day. So let’s make something very clear, and that should be your skin. This routine starts with sunscreen because, best believe it, you’ll be 50 shades of “I should have worn sunscreen” on your big day if you skip on this.
You should add an exercise and other self-care routines to this.
#5. Vendor sourcing
Do your exhaustive research! Lockdown venues, wedding dress, videographer, photographer, makeup artists, caterer, cakes, etc. These vendors should all be listed on your planning checklist. If you’re planning your own wedding, include all necessary information in your vendor table so that anyone can help you follow up with your vendors if things get busy.
#6. Start sewing your clothes
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If you have encountered the stereotypical Nigerian tailor, you will understand why you need to devote a lot of energy to this. There have been stories of brides in ill-sewn clothes or dresses with threads flying out and zips parting ways while some have heard the “madam I’m sorry, my grandmother died…” lyrics.
This is a crucial part of planning a Nigerian wedding, so ensure you stay in touch with your tailor and visit regularly. Anytime you visit your tailor, and you’re asked to leave and not worry, stay put and demand that your outfits be produced so you know what stage of metamorphosis they are currently on. Remember you’re the center of attraction and slay you must on that day.
#7. Send a playlist to the DJ
If you don’t want to be surprised on your big day, then own it. It’ll be great to create the wedding ambiance you have dreamed of. Be sure to send your desired playlist to the DJ well ahead of time, specifying which songs should be playing at key moments. Make your first dance memorable by dancing to your favorite songs.
#8. Book spa and beauty treatments for you and your bridal party
This is beyond fun, and it is therapeutic. It is like having your own little corner of the world to disappear to, and also, this will help ensure you and your girls will be serving it hot on your day with a blinding glow. Fair enough? Do not use any unfamiliar creams or mask on your face a few days to a week before your wedding. You can’t risk a crazy breakout. Your village people won’t be responsible for this one.
#9. Book wedding day hotel / transportation
65% of your big day would be fantasizing when you can lie down again, and that’s after taking out the bobby pins, waist trainers and revealing your real face with the help of cleansers and wipes. So make sure both you and your guests already know where you’d be sleeping after the event. You don’t want to start worrying over that after the reception. We can all agree that you have bigger fish to fry on your wedding night. *Wink*
#10. The bridal survival kit
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Pack an “emergency kit” for the wedding day which may include: safety pins, tissues, cosmetics, hairspray, needle and cotton threads, headache pills, mints, and any other premeditated item you think you just might need, then hand it over to your maid of honor. Not all heroes wear capes, you know?
#11. The big day
The day we have all been waiting for is finally here. The only thing you need to do is to look beautiful and be happy. You have worked too hard for this day not to be enjoyed. Eat a good breakfast! Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready.
If you know Nigerian weddings, then you know there will be plenty of aunties and uncles dishing different kinds of marital advice. Listen. Smile at them, then do whatever you want to do anyway (so long as it’s on the right path).
A wedding is a party, not a performance. If you are married to the one you love at the end of the day, then everything went perfectly. I hope your wedding turns out as good as what you pinned on Pinterest.
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