A typical Nigerian wedding is an all-out fun affair. The best foods, outfits, and music… In fact, the best of everything can be found in Nigerian weddings. It is not just a bright and colourful affair, it is the coming together of two families as one.
In other words, Nigerians take weddings seriously. Some Nigerians are known for investing in their weddings more than the actual marriage, but that is a story for another day. Today, this article shall discuss Nigerian wedding traditions that sound weird but they are fun and so extra. They are the very fabrics of the Nigerian wedding culture, despite the fact that they can be annoying sometimes.
Without wasting more time, let us take a closer look at the top 6 Nigerian wedding traditions that are wild, beautiful, and so extra.
Top 6 Nigerian wedding traditions that are wild, beautiful, and so extra
1. No guest list
A typical Nigerian wedding does not have a formal guest list. It is the more, the merrier. This is not to say there are no formal invitations. In fact, many intending couples are known for spending so much money just to print invitations and send them out to chosen guests. At the end of the day, those invitations do not matter because most of those guest will have multiple plus ones.
To make matters worse, there will also be gatecrashers, mostly those who are there for the food and gossip. In other words, when you are organising food for a Nigerian wedding, cook for an entire community because that is what you are going to find at the venue.
2. Multiple weddings
Who told Nigerians that you must have more than one wedding to feel married? The answer is not farfetched from culture and religion. Most Nigerians are either Christians or Moslems. This means a typical intending Nigerian couple will do the traditional wedding first (that is compulsory) and then do a religious wedding, according to their faith.
Then some couples go ahead to do court wedding, which can be simple or elaborate depending on their financial status. Some even do more than that. A case is Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo’s daughter, Priscilla Ojo’s wedding to Tanzanian artist, Juma Jux. The couple had a whooping total of eight weddings as part of the JP2025 celebration. Surely, this should be considered for the Guinness Book of Records for most weddings by a couple.
3. Bride price
If you are from Eastern Nigeria, you will know that a wedding is not complete without the payment of bride price… and it is usually not cheap. As a matter of fact, Igbo girls from Imo, Anambra and some parts of Abia States are considered to be among expensive brides in the country.
It is a norm for the groom to present gifts and other wedding rites which can cost him a lot of money. Some grooms empty their bank account and even go borrowing so as to be able to afford to marry their brides. It may sound painful, especially considering the economic situation in the country, but this is a tradition that was originally introduced with the aim of showcasing how a bride is valued in the family. In other words, the higher the bride price, the higher the value and respect the bride has in the family.
4. Matching outfits for guests
Also known as aso ebi in Yoruba which means “family clothes”, couples choose and distribute same colour and design of outfits for their guests to sow and wear to their wedding. This is a way to distinguish a bride’s family from the groom’s family. These days, aso ebi is not restricted to the celebrants’ families. It now extends to other guests who are able to buy the clothes.
Aso ebi is now considered an avenue for invited wedding guest to contribute financially to a couple’s wedding. These outfits are mostly sold to the guests, although some are given out for free. Either way, you are assured of a colourful wedding where guests turn up dressed to the nines with the same outfits.
5. Money spraying
Money spraying is an age-old Nigerian wedding tradition that is being curtailed today, unfortunately. Authorities now describe it as “desecrating or disrespecting the naira.” However, money spraying is one of the highlights of a Nigerian wedding. It distinguishes a wedding for the wealthy and wedding for the poor.
Money spraying determines if truly money na water. This is where guests show off their wealth by spraying cash on the guests, especially on the dance floor. It is usually a wild and fun affair, with many wealthy guests adding an extra flair while spraying money. This tradition is not going to end anytime soon as far as Nigerians are concerned.
6. Dance! Dance! Dance!
Music and dance is a huge part of a typical Nigerian wedding tradition. If you are the groom and bride, be ready to dance until you drop. There is no room for dulling. No wonder there are numerous Nigerian wedding songs. Ada Ada, Golibe, Ifunanya, No One Like You, Ada Ugo, Oruka, African Queen, Iyawo Mi and many others are some of the greatest hits when it comes wedding songs in Nigeria.
So, finding the perfect playlist for your wedding is definitely not a problem. The question is do you have the energy to dance? While the couple are definitely the center of attention, guests are not left out too. They will hit the dance floor and shake their bodies to the rhythm of the songs.
Conclusion
Nigerian weddings are colourful, fun, loud and extra. There are no dull moments at these events. The massive turn ups, food, dressing, bride price, money spraying and gyrating on the dance floor can be enough entertainment for a normal person. But Nigerians are generally not known to be normal. If it is not loud and colourful, then it is not a wedding and there has to be redo.
But these are what make us a unique and diverse people. With a population that is approaching 300 million, what do you expect really? Just go to a Nigerian wedding and enjoy yourself.
