Let’s be sincere for a second: weddings in Nigeria aren’t 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 principle character.

However right here’s the half we have to discuss (don’t roll your eyes but): Nigerian brides are dropping thousands and thousands on wedding ceremony attire they’ll actually put on for in the future. Only one.

The Stress to “Do It Large”

In as we speak’s wedding ceremony scene, it’s not sufficient to put on a fairly costume. Oh no. The costume must be a assertion piece, one thing that can “shut down Instagram” and have folks speaking for weeks. Designers know this, photographers know this, and naturally, the brides themselves know this.

All of a sudden, spending ₦2 million — or much more — on a costume doesn’t sound that loopy… till you bear in mind you may’t precisely put on it to the workplace on Monday.

Learn Extra: Weddings Are Becoming Too Competitive — Can We Breathe?

Instagram vs. Actuality

Right here’s the factor: most of those attire aren’t even comfy. They’re heavy, stiff, typically 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 images 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 Friends Are the Actual Stars

Humorous sufficient, half the time, visitors find yourself stealing the highlight. Asoebi types are on level, gele recreation is unmatched, and somebody’s cousin has sewn a costume that might move for couture. Subsequent factor you recognize, 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 person desires to say out loud: most of those attire find yourself in storage, by no means to see daylight once more. They’ll’t be reworn (what Nigerian bride will repeat a marriage costume?), and even reselling them is hard.

So principally, we’re burning thousands and thousands for in the future — cash that might have been invested in a honeymoon, furnishings for the brand new house, or, hey, even a small plot of land. However no, the costume “should slap.”

Are Brides Truly 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, strain from pals, and the fixed bombardment of celeb weddings on-line, it’s exhausting to know the place private alternative ends and societal strain begins.

To dig deeper, Glamcityz requested a number of Nigerian brides to share how they felt about their wedding ceremony costume splurge after the massive day — right here’s what they instructed us:

I liked my costume, however trying again, I don’t assume it was well worth the stress. I may have spent half the quantity and nonetheless seemed wonderful.
Chioma, married in Lagos

Actually, 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 costume is in a field underneath my mattress now. I preserve telling myself I’ll promote it, however who desires to purchase one other lady’s wedding ceremony costume?
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 costume. Recollections last more than lace.
Seyi, married in Osogbo

If I’m being actual, I went overboard due to strain. Everybody saved saying ‘your costume should be a show-stopper.’ I didn’t even ask myself if I wished that
Jessica, married in Imo

So What’s the Resolution?

We’re not saying don’t put on a lovely costume. Please, slay. However possibly it’s time to rethink the tradition of extra. Do brides really want three completely different wedding ceremony attire (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 wedding ceremony attire? (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 costume that can by no means see daylight once more.

In any case, a marriage is in the future. The wedding? That’s speculated to be perpetually.