Musings of An Analytical Mind: My Perspective On Nigerian Weddings

Musings of An Analytical Mind: My Perspective On Nigerian Weddings

Can I be "Tush" and have a wedding theme?

Yes you can dear!
As an educated and modern "bride-to-be", you would most certainly have tried to Google "how to plan your wedding, "wedding decor ideas", even downloaded planning apps and all manner of ideas they may never fly in Nigeria.

In all this research, you would have come across the phrase "wedding theme" and further research made you understand that it an "oyinbo wedding" thing.
You are thinking! "Who is going to allow me bring all this weirdness into my wedding? " Definitely, your mum and relations won't take it from you. They want to have the wedding done the way everybody does it, no more no less.

Now as the bride, it's your day, we all know that and it has to be a special day for you and your partner. You really want to have a theme, so everything can be looking all "tush" and in that foreign pattern you have always dreamed of.

What can you do?
First, you have to realise that your first consideration in creating a theme for your wedding, especially in Nigeria is the COLOUR OF THE DAY.
I like to call it the "colour theme" of the day. Whether you like it or not, a wedding with a colour code is already themed.
To give it a little spice, you can search for the origin of these colours or things associated with them, and create a great wedding theme.
This is actually one of the easiest ways to theme a nigerian wedding, without putting off parents and relatives.

Another way to theme is using items peculiar to our environment. You cannot have a summer or winter themed wedding in Nigeria, doing that would only make you look like you are trying too hard to prove a point.
Great and easily accessible items and ideas like flowers, lights, butterflies, some shapes, cultural items, night theme, can make lovely wedding themes.
The fact that most event decorators mix up light and flowers doesn't make it wrong, being specific about what you want to predominate in the decor would potray your theme properly to your guests.

Bringing a city to life in your wedding reception can make a great theme too. It could be Paris, Vegas or even a city in Nigeria that inspires you.
The decor would include duplicated landmarks from these cities.
In all, having a wedding theme isa great idea, even greater when you have a very creative wedding planner and event decorator.
Whatever it is you want to theme your wedding with, remember to be realistic, creative and keep it simple!
Don't choke your guest in the name of having a theme.
Still confused? Or you have a great idea you wanna bring to life? Holla. Cheers.

Help! I am getting married!!!!

"HELP! I am getting married!!!"
So the pomp and pageantry of your "fairy tale wedding- proposal" is over! DING!
The families have met each other to introduce themselves traditionally, DING! DING!!
The wedding date is fixed! HELP!!!! A wedding is officially happening!
The question on your mind; "where do I start from? what do I do? who do I speak to first? How do people do this thing sef? "
Then you browse in panic through the pictures on your phone or tablet, that you have been saving from bellanaija or naijaweddings. The pictures of different things from different weddings don't look like they are making sense at this time. You begin to make a mental list of friends that just recently wedded, at least they should have a clue on where to start from.
Babe! This is the point where you need to relax. It's just a day or 2 of ceremony, it shall come to pass. The two major times a bride to be gets the panic attack is first at the start of planning and then a few days to the wedding. So this first panic is very normal. The best thing to do is relax, anxiety would not get anything done.
The first step is to be honest with yourself. How much time can you spare to "run around" and get things done?
If you are a career lady with a tight schedule, please employ the services of a wedding planner and save yourself the headache, heart ache, and disasters that follow.
A good wedding planner already has a guideline from start to finish on how your wedding plans should play out. He or she has a time-table of what you should be doing at every time and when you should be doing it. You are not allowed to worry about anything, all you need to do is drop cash as each step of the way demands and show up for your already-fixed appointments. And of course, show up as the bride on your wedding day.
On the other hand, if you have the time to "DIY" (do it yourself), you need to brace yourself up for the challenges, it would stress you out, but you would be fine.
You would need to do the following;

- Get a very handy note book and pen that would be with you always (dedicated to the wedding plans).
- Gather as many contacts for vendors as you can.
- Make enquiries and choose the ones that suit you (quality and cost).
- Match them with a list of all the things to be done, pertaining to the wedding.
- Try your possible best to work within a budget, prioritise your expenses.
- Get a "D-day coordinator" to execute your detailed plans.
- Don't hesitate to seek help, if you need to.
- Try and stay calm and relaxed as much as you can. You won't achieve anything by being mad or aggressive.
- Don't be a bridezilla! Everything can't be perfect, don't dwell in that illusion or else you would be perfectly disappointed. Set all your plans in motion, tidy them to details, put people in charge and leave the rest.

If you still feel confused, then maybe all you need is a session with me (Lol).
Always remember, It would all come to pass! Don't panic! Have a splendid "beginning". Cheers.