Wedding Planning! It can be tasking. That is a given. After all, you want your big day to have it all – food, drinks, dances, laughs, and even tears (of joy). Above all, you want wedding pictures that will be able to take you back on that memory lane. Without a doubt, the effort you put into your wedding preparation will be worth it.

With that said, many couples have found it challenging to make appropriate preparations for their big day. Are you facing that challenge? If so, you are in the right place. This post discusses 5 super tips to use in planning your Nigerian wedding.

1. Your Budget – it always comes first.

Let’s face the fact – Nigerian weddings are expensive. From my research, an average wedding in Nigeria ranges from N600K to over N3 million. And that’s just average. Let’s not delve into the price of luxurious weddings. Yes, even if you plan for a low-budget wedding, you may end up getting carried away. And that’s why a proper wedding budget is needed.

The budget is that part of your wedding preparation that’s totally up to you. Of course, nobody can tell you how much to spend on your big day. That decision is solely yours and should be based on your needs, wants, and income. Truth be told, many couples have thrown flashy weddings beyond their earnings. And the result? Debt. Without a doubt, you don’t want to fall into debt before your marriage kicks off. And that’s why you need to be strict when drafting your budget.

While you need to be strict, you also have to be realistic. A major cause of the price of Nigerian Weddings is the high cost of goods and services. You have to make adequate provisions for your guest count. What’s more, you may need to pay for rentals. The cost of these is no joke, not to talk of the cost of your wedding photographer.

Discouraged? You shouldn’t be. It is best to prepare for the worst with your wedding budget. I would also advise you to get a wedding planner, but that’s a topic I’ll dive into some other time. When you do so, you may end up saving much more than you expected. Yes, with a realistic budget, you are on your way to having your dream wedding.

2. Time also matters

Time matters for everything. And your wedding is no exception. Good timing equals a successful event. And so, many couples have put this into consideration when planning their wedding. When talking about timing, there’s one major thing to keep in mind – you!

What may be perfect for someone else may be wrong for you. Your working hours may be another’s resting hours. And your vacation season may be another’s working period and vice versa. Hence, you have to select a time of the year that’ll be perfect for both you and your partner.

That being said, you also need to put your guests into consideration. Don’t forget to take into account the seasons. After all, you don’t want your lovely day to be ruined by unfavorable weather conditions. With all that in mind, select a time of the year to match your interests. And start booking your vendors as early as possible.

3. Venue – it also dictates your event’s success

Where and When? These two questions are necessary when planning your wedding. As seen above, good timing equals a successful event. This is also true for your location. And like timing, it’s totally up to you.

Many couples have chosen their dream location for their wedding venue, while others have considered it best to rent a venue closer to home. Whatever you decide, keep in mind your guests, your vendors, and your budget. After all, distance equals more expenses.

That being said, do not forget that your wedding day is your special day. So, choose a location that you are 100% comfortable with.

4. Don’t forget your wedding program

Is this really necessary? Of course, it is. A common mistake made by couples is that they forget to plan their program ahead of time. And so, they have someone else do it for them on the spot. Personally, I think it’s your job to plan how your day plays out.

Food and drinks alone can’t make your wedding a success. And that’s why you need to make a detailed list of events for that day. After all, you do not want your guests dozing off during your big day. Hence, you have to keep it lively.

From cutting the wedding cake to letting loose on the dance floor, your wedding day ought to be fun from start to finish as you want it. It should be memorable for you!

5. Go for a documentary wedding photographer

After your big day, what’s left? There will be times when you wish you can go back and relive that day. That is when your wedding photos come into play. Hence, you need to opt for a photographer who can convey your wedding story naturally as it happens. Is that really possible? Yes! That’s the work of a documentary wedding photographer. To learn more about this, check out our article on documentary wedding photography.

As a documentary wedding photographer, Ash Robin is ready to take you back on that memory lane through your wedding pictures. So contact us, and let’s get started!

Conclusion

True, wedding planning may be tasking. However, the benefits it brings are well worth it. While you may be looking to get a professional wedding planner to cover your big day, it’s still necessary to know the hooks yourself. That way, you’ll be able to work hand-in-hand with your planner to make your day better. We hope you find the 5 super tips to use in planning your Nigerian wedding useful.