Planning a Wedding in Nigeria: What to Know Before You Go

Nigerian weddings are celebrations on a grand scale: family, color, music, food and ceremony, often over more than one day. Ore and I are both from Nigeria, so this is a world we know well. My own traditional wedding there had 3,000 guests and an Alice in Wonderland afterparty, and it taught us a lot about planning big from far away.

Honor the traditions

Many couples have a traditional ceremony, such as Yoruba, Igbo or Edo, and a white wedding. Each has its own customs, attire and order of events, and the details matter to families. We plan these with care, from the program to the aso-ebi and gele.

Plan for the scale

A guest list of hundreds, or thousands, changes everything: seating, catering, security, power and flow. Early planning keeps a large celebration feeling smooth.

Let the afterparty have its own story

Mine had its own theme, with a floral clock arch, “Eat Me” and “Drink Me” favors and a dessert table, so guests moved from the ceremony into a completely different world. A second concept lets the day keep evolving.

Think about the favors

Souvenirs are part of the Nigerian wedding experience. Personalized favors, desserts and small gifts that match the theme make guests feel remembered.

Rely on trusted vendors

Quality varies, and being abroad makes it harder to judge. We work with a network of vendors we know and trust in Nigeria, which makes planning from the US feel secure.

Support your guests’ travel

Many guests fly in from the US, the UK and beyond. Share dates early, suggest accommodation and plan how everyone will move between events.

Style the whole look together

Outfits, gele, jewelry and shoes take time to source and tailor, and they should work with the decor and palette.

We plan celebrations in New Jersey and New York, across Europe and in Nigeria. If you are dreaming of a wedding at home, Let’s Begin.