Tips on How To Pull-Off A Low Budget Nigerian Wedding
The wedding season is upon us and we know planning the Nigerian wedding of your dreams entails a lot of heart wrenching expenses. Expenses that some can afford but some on the other hand may not particularly be able to afford (at least without incurring serious dept).
Cut your coat according to your size
I write this for the latter. My dear couple-to-be, cut your coat according to your size. I particularly know it can be very tempting. Most people would love to have their weddings talked about all over the internet but not everyone can afford the wherewithal for such. So here are some tips to keep you in check, pull-off a low budget wedding and still feel satisfied.
Photo from www.rte.ie
First of all, you need to know your budget. How much do you plan to spend at the most including funds for emergency and unexpected situations. It is very vital that you have this in mind before you kickoff your wedding planning so you don’t get distracted and dissuaded along the line. The wedding industry has rapidly become a booming industry so best believe a lot of suggestions would emanate from people would profit from it one way or the other. Stay woke.
You want to constantly remind yourself of what is most important and avoid getting absorbed in the thrill of less important issues. What am I talking about? The reason you are planning a wedding in the first place is to mark and consecrate the beginning of a union between you and the love of your life in the presence of the people that matter most to you both. So yeah, that’s what matters the most- the wedding ceremony. The reception is just a celebration of it. Also, avoid unnecessary expenses like renting a limo, or hiring a band as opposed to a DJ.
Avoid unnecessary expenses like renting a limo, or hiring a band as opposed to a DJ
Ensure you set a date and start planning your wedding 3–6 months prior to that date. This is very salient. Remember, only very rich people plan their weddings last minute. Money answers all. Enlighten your parents (on your plans for a small wedding) in good time as well so that they don’t inform and invite the whole world.
So, how does number of invited guests affect your low budget? Of course you know that what would cost you the most is having to cater for your guests. Make things easier for yourself by drafting a strict guest list that commensurate with your budget, ensuring your wedding reception invitation states STRICTLY BY INVITATION and strategising effective ways to avoid uninvited guests from slipping in.
Less than Five Naira (N5) per wedding invitation
Since you’re inviting close friends and relatives, you could also save money on printing invitations. Send out emails or SMS. You can do this with Lush Plans for less than Five Naira (N5) per invitation. Another advantage of using Lush Plans is that it allows you to track when your guests respond to your invitation and the number of guests that will be attending all while being cheap and easy to use.
Some people would advice that you set your wedding on a Sunday -specifically during service hours to prevent uninvited guests, lol). It’s never that deep, please.
Now since you know you are entertaining a strictly limited amount of guests, you can easily find a nice, small hall or venue to house the reception party. Also make efforts to see to your church, reception venue and hotel and within close proximity. You don’t want your guests stuck in traffic.
You don’t have to buy a new wedding gown
You don’t have to buy a new wedding gown. What for? You’re not going to wear it again and you most probably will not hand it down to your daughter so let’s be real: It’s a waste of money. There are beautiful wedding dresses that are up for rent at very affordable rates.
Souvenirs half the time get misused or thrown away so try not to invest too much in them. You can delegate the responsibility to a distant relative to substitute a wedding gift or something.
The two things I would advice you only really invest in (good quality but find the cheapest) would be the bride’s makeup artist and the wedding photographer. You know why.
I hope these tips have been pretty helpful. If they weren’t, there are apps and platforms such as the Lush Plans App that provide you with wedding packages of different prices for free. That saves you the hassle of trying to work with a budget all on your own. Thank me later.
Good luck!