Why Do Nigerians Spend So Much on Weddings They Can’t Afford?

[Cait 😝]

 

Weddings in Nigeria are more than just a ceremony, they’re a full-blown event. From the aso ebi, to the hall, to the food and the live band, it sometimes feels less about the couple and more about the spectacle. But here’s the big question: why do so many people throw weddings they clearly cannot afford?

One reason is pressure. In a culture where appearances matter, nobody wants to be the one with a “small” wedding. Families compete, friends compare, and suddenly it’s not about love anymore, it’s about proving you can “do it big.”

Then there’s societal expectations. For some families, a wedding is not just for the couple, it’s for the entire community. Uncles, aunties, neighbors, colleagues, everyone has to be impressed, even if the bride and groom end up in debt after the party.

And of course, social media doesn’t help. We live in an age of Instagram highlights where everyone wants their wedding to “trend.” People spend money they don’t have trying to recreate celebrity-style ceremonies.

But here’s the irony: after the confetti settles, reality kicks in. Bills pile up, debts linger, and the same guests who came to eat and dance move on with their lives. The couple is left to deal with financial stress before the marriage has even started.

At the end of the day, love should be the focus, not the show. A wedding lasts one day, but the marriage is for life. Maybe it’s time we asked ourselves: is it worth going broke just to impress people who will forget by next weekend?

• This topic was modified 3 months, 2 weeks ago by Cait 😝.

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