Introduction.

Planning a wedding is an exciting journey, but let’s face it, it can also get expensive. In Nigeria, where weddings are often a grand affair, it’s easy to feel pressured into spending way beyond your means.

But here’s the good news: you can have a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank. With a budget of N500,000, it’s possible to plan a celebration that’s intimate, special, and true to your style.

Let’s dive into how you can make this happen.

Why a Budget-Friendly Wedding is Important

Weddings mark the start of a new chapter in life, and while they’re a significant milestone, the financial strain can lead to unnecessary stress.

Many couples borrow heavily or deplete their savings for one big day, leaving little room to invest in their future.

A budget-friendly wedding ensures you start your marriage on a solid financial footing. After all, life after the wedding day matters just as much as the day itself.

How Do I Plan a N500k Wedding?

1. Set Your Priorities

First, identify what’s most important to you and your partner. Is it the venue, the food, or the photography?

Focus on your top three priorities and allocate most of your budget there. For example, if great photos are a must, set aside enough to hire a skilled but affordable photographer.

2. Keep the Guest List Small

The fewer people you invite, the less you spend on food, drinks, and seating. Aim for an intimate guest list of close family and friends. For instance, with 50-100 guests, you can save significantly compared to inviting 300 people.

3. Choose an Affordable Venue

Skip the five-star hotels and consider alternatives like family homes, community centres, or outdoor spaces.

Many churches and mosques in Nigeria also allow members to use their premises at no cost or for a small donation.

4. DIY Where Possible

From decorations to wedding favours, there are plenty of ways to save by doing things yourself. Enlist the help of friends or family who have creative skills.

For instance, a cousin who bakes could provide the cake, or a friend who loves photography might offer to take your pictures as a wedding gift.

5. Go Digital with Invitations

Instead of printed cards, consider sending digital invites through WhatsApp, email, or social media. This not only saves money but is also quick and convenient.

6. Simplify Your Catering

Food is often one of the biggest expenses at Nigerian weddings. Instead of offering a buffet with countless options, stick to a few crowd-pleasers.

For instance, a small menu with jollof rice, small chops, and soft drinks can be both affordable and satisfying.

7. Rent or Borrow

From chairs and canopies to your wedding dress, renting is often cheaper than buying. Some couples even borrow items like jewellery or traditional attire from family members.

8. Negotiate

In Nigeria, almost everything is negotiable. Don’t hesitate to haggle, whether it’s the cost of makeup, music, or decorations. Vendors are often willing to work with your budget if you know what you can afford.

Sample N500k Wedding Budget Breakdown

Here’s an example of how you might allocate your funds:

Item	Estimated Cost (Naira)
Venue (outdoor space)	50,000
Decoration (DIY & rental)	30,000
Catering (100 guests)	200,000
Outfits (couple)	70,000
Photography	50,000
Music/Entertainment	30,000
Miscellaneous	70,000

Total: N500,000

Adjust these figures based on your priorities, guest count, and location.

Gbemisola’s Story

Love is a beautiful thing, no doubt, but marrying the love of your life is now harder than ever in this economy.

It is easier to say “I love you,” but it is harder to exchange vows in front of family and friends these days.

Why?

The rising cost of inflation. It is sad to say that inflation affects love.

Getting married in Nigeria is unbelievable these days. Who would have thought you needed a fortune to host your dream wedding? We recently spoke to a lady who says if you can’t afford your dream wedding, elope.

Yes! Elope!

Before you scream, read her point of view on this as she shares her own wedding experiences.

What is your name, and what do you do?

My name is Gbemisola Oyindara Johnson, and my husband is Stephen Gboyega Johnson. I am an executive assistant and CSR specialist; my husband is an engineer.

You both have G in your name. That is cute. I can’t wait to ask. How did you guys pull it off?

We just went with the idea. We went to court and picked a restaurant for reception. We invited only the two people to sign as witnesses.

We initially told them we were going for drinks to celebrate his birthday. However, we drove them to the wedding registry and got married.

You tricked them! How did they react?

They were alarmed. Both initially refused to act as witnesses. ‘Please, I can’t sign now,’ they both yelled.

‘What will I tell your parents when they find out?’ One of them said.

We pleaded with them until they agreed, but only if we told our families as soon as possible.

We did the court wedding. Later in the day, there was a small reception at a restaurant, which we invited a few more friends to attend.

Why did you elope though? Was it because of the wedding costs, or were you pregnant?

No, it wasn’t because of wedding costs or pregnancy. We had a N500k wedding budget that we stuck with. I also had no plans to have children just yet.

I just didn’t like big weddings. I don’t know how people cope with all that stress.

If I see somebody at the wedding, I’m thinking, How did the flowers get here? Four years prior, I watched his older sister get married. Simply put, the entire experience was extremely overwhelming.

So you wanted a simple wedding.

Yes, we wanted something simple. Fortunately for me, he was also down for a simple wedding. So we did it.

You mentioned you had a wedding budget. How much was it?

N500,000

N500,000?

Yes. It was easy.

How did you pull that off?

We spent the most money at the restaurant, which served a buffet.

We paid N120,000 for our ten friends in attendance and for ourselves. The photographer collected N100,000. The court fees weren’t much. Everything we spent at the registry totalled N30,000.

Didn’t you guys do a white wedding?

No. The following morning, we went to church for Thanksgiving. We bought something for the church worth N50,000, and that was it.

Wow. Did you guys wear a wedding dress or a suit?

No. We just wore regular boring clothes. I wore a shirt, pants, and shoes; we drew no attention.

Both of our outfits cost N30,000. We did not do the traditional wedding, so everything was much simpler.

You didn’t do the traditional wedding. How did you guys manage that?

We simply sent the bride price to the families after informing them. Everything totaled N200,000.

Wow. How did the families take the whole thing?

True to their words, our friends didn’t tell our families. After a few months, we told everybody. His mother was worried about my family’s reaction.

‘What if they say we kidnap their daughter?’ His mother had said. We assured her that there wasn’t anything to worry about.

My family complained bitterly. I told them that the noise they made didn’t change the fact that I was now a married woman.

You are a strong woman. How was the honeymoon?

Honeymoon? We didn’t do honeymoon. After the weekend shenanigans, I was back to work on Monday.

When did you tell your colleagues?

When the first signs of my pregnancy appeared.

That should be months later! What they did say?

They were surprised that I was pregnant. Someone asked me: ‘Are you pregnant?’ I nodded. She said: ‘You got married.’ I nodded.

‘So when, when? she asked.

‘Much like this year.’ I said.

‘You got married and didn’t tell us.’ She was upset. I told her not to be offended and that our reason was that we didn’t want a big crowd at our wedding.

Wow. That is amazing. Is there something you and your partner wished you guys did differently?

Yes. I wish we started saving for the wedding months prior with a savings app like Jollof+. We would have gotten a bigger space for the reception and eaten more food.

Do you regret your decision to elope?No. It was the best decision we ever made. If I had the same opportunity, I would do it all over again.

Thank you for sharing your story with us

It was my pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity to share.

Credit – jollofplus.ng

FAQs

1. Can I have a traditional and church wedding within this budget?

Yes, but it requires careful planning. Consider combining the traditional and church ceremonies into one day to cut costs.

2. What about a wedding cake?

Instead of a large, elaborate cake, opt for a smaller one-tier cake or cupcakes. Alternatively, a friend or family member might be willing to bake as their gift to you.

3. How do I handle family expectations?

Communicate openly about your financial limits. Most families understand when you explain your priorities and reasons for keeping the wedding small.

4. Can I have a destination wedding on this budget?

A local destination, like a beach or resort nearby, might be possible. However, the logistics of travel and accommodation for guests can quickly exceed your budget.