Planning a wedding in Lagos - the ceremonies, vendors and the paperwork

A Lagos wedding is often three events: a traditional engagement, a religious ceremony, and a legal marriage at the registry. Each has its own planning, and the reception that follows can be the biggest of all.

The ceremonies

• The traditional engagement, where the families meet and the bride price and gifts are presented, run by the families and an alaga (master of ceremonies).
• The religious ceremony: a church wedding or a Nikkah.
• The legal marriage: at a marriage registry, or in a church licensed to conduct statutory marriages. Only a statutory marriage gives the certificate most foreign governments and some Nigerian offices want.

Getting married in Nigeria

Vendors

Venue, caterer, decorator, photographer and video, DJ or live band, MC, make-up artist, cake, and the aso ebi fabric seller. For each:

• See past work and talk to a recent client
• Get a written agreement: what, when, how many guests, the price, and what happens if they fail to deliver
• Pay in stages, with the balance after delivery where you can
• Confirm a week before, and again the day before

Vendors who do not show, or deliver much less than promised, are a common Lagos wedding story. The agreement is your protection.

Consumer rights

Aso ebi and guests

Choose the aso ebi early so guests can sew in time, and sell it at a fair price. Expect more guests than you invited; plan food and seating with a margin.

Going to an owambe Tailors, hair and barbers

The day itself

Traffic and late starts are certain. Build in time, assign a trusted person to deal with vendors, and plan guests’ transport and security, especially for a late finish.

Festivals in Lagos