Let’s be sincere for a second: weddings in Nigeria are not any joke. They’re not simply ceremonies; they’re full-blown productions. And on the middle of all of the drama, tears, and “awwww” moments stands the bride — the star of the present, the main woman, the primary character.
However right here’s the half we have to speak about (don’t roll your eyes but): Nigerian brides are dropping hundreds of thousands on marriage ceremony clothes they’ll actually put on for at some point. Only one.
The Strain to “Do It Massive”
In at this time’s marriage ceremony scene, it’s not sufficient to put on a reasonably gown. Oh no. The gown must be a assertion piece, one thing that may “shut down Instagram” and have individuals speaking for weeks. Designers know this, photographers know this, and naturally, the brides themselves know this.
Instantly, spending ₦2 million — or much more — on a gown doesn’t sound that loopy… till you keep in mind you’ll be able to’t precisely put on it to the workplace on Monday.
Learn Extra: Weddings Are Turning into Too Aggressive — Can We Breathe?
Instagram vs. Actuality
Right here’s the factor: most of those clothes aren’t even snug. They’re heavy, stiff, generally not possible to stroll in, and don’t even get us began on what number of assistants it takes simply to “prepare the practice.” However that doesn’t matter, as a result of as soon as the photographs hit Instagram, the bride has “shut it down.”
And let’s be actual, a giant a part of the spend is for the Gram. The captions, the reels, the pre-wedding hype. It’s such as you’re not simply getting married — you’re producing content material.
In the meantime, the Visitors Are the Actual Stars
Humorous sufficient, half the time, friends find yourself stealing the highlight. Asoebi kinds are on level, gele sport is unmatched, and somebody’s cousin has sewn a gown that would move for couture. Subsequent factor you understand, the bride’s ₦2 million robe is competing with a ₦70,000 asoebi. Ouch.
Can We Speak About Sustainability?
Right here’s the half no one desires to say out loud: most of those clothes find yourself in storage, by no means to see daylight once more. They’ll’t be reworn (what Nigerian bride will repeat a marriage gown?), and even reselling them is hard.
So principally, we’re burning hundreds of thousands for at some point — cash that would have been invested in a honeymoon, furnishings for the brand new dwelling, or, hey, even a small plot of land. However no, the gown “should slap.”
Are Brides Really Completely satisfied About This?
Some are. To be honest, it’s their big day, and in the event that they wish to spend that a lot, who’re we to complain? However many brides later confess they want they hadn’t gone overboard. Between household contributions, stress from buddies, and the fixed bombardment of celeb weddings on-line, it’s exhausting to know the place private selection ends and societal stress begins.
To dig deeper, Glamcityz requested a couple of Nigerian brides to share how they felt about their marriage ceremony gown splurge after the massive day — right here’s what they advised us:
I liked my gown, however wanting again, I don’t assume it was definitely worth the stress. I may have spent half the quantity and nonetheless seemed superb.
Chioma, married in Lagos
Truthfully, I wore it for lower than 10 hours. By the point reception began, I had already modified. Generally I’m wondering why I paid a lot for simply footage.
Amaka, married in Abuja
The unhappy half? My gown is in a field beneath my mattress now. I preserve telling myself I’ll promote it, however who desires to purchase one other lady’s marriage ceremony gown?
Bisi, married in Port Harcourt
If I needed to do it once more, I’d put more cash into my honeymoon and fewer into the gown. Recollections last more than lace.
Seyi, married in Osogbo
If I’m being actual, I went overboard due to stress. Everybody saved saying ‘your gown have to be a show-stopper.’ I didn’t even ask myself if I wished that
Jessica, married in Imo
So What’s the Answer?
We’re not saying don’t put on a fantastic gown. Please, slay. However possibly it’s time to rethink the tradition of extra. Do brides actually need three totally different marriage ceremony clothes (conventional, white, and reception)? Do they should import robes from Paris when an area designer can create magic?
Or — dare we are saying it — is it time to normalize renting marriage ceremony clothes? (We are able to already really feel the side-eyes, however let’s be actual, it is smart.)
On the finish of the day, Nigerian weddings will all the time be dramatic, glamorous, and excessive — and we love that. However possibly, simply possibly, brides don’t have to go broke on a gown that may by no means see daylight once more.
In any case, a marriage is at some point. The wedding? That’s speculated to be without end.
