Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has urged young couples to resist the pressure to organise expensive weddings, warning that elaborate ceremonies can create financial and emotional strain that follows them into married life.
Kadiri, who has been married for seven years and has two children, shared the advice in a video message posted on her Instagram page, where she questioned the growing expectation that couples must hold multiple ceremonies to prove their commitment.
She encouraged intending couples to prioritise their relationship and financial stability rather than spend heavily to satisfy family members, friends, and society.
The actress argued that the pressure surrounding weddings could affect couples mentally and emotionally, particularly when they are already anxious about the responsibilities that come with marriage.
She said her decision to avoid an elaborate ceremony contributed to the stability she has enjoyed in her marriage, contrasting her experience with cases of couples who separate shortly after their weddings.
Kadiri explained that people could date for years, build relationships, and live together happily before marriage, only to experience a significant psychological shift after the wedding ceremony. According to her, the expectations attached to the event can make the transition into married life more difficult than necessary.
She said couples should consider whether the demands of planning a large wedding are worth the stress, especially in a country where many families already face financial challenges. For her, the ceremony should not become an additional burden at the beginning of a marriage.
Offering practical advice, Kadiri suggested that couples keep their traditional marriage rites small by inviting only a few relatives to witness the payment of the bride price. Those who wish to hold a white wedding, she said, could invite about 30 guests to a court ceremony, receive prayers from a pastor, celebrate modestly, and return home.
She maintained that couples did not need to organise several elaborate events to establish the legitimacy or future success of their marriages. Instead, she encouraged young people to make decisions based on their circumstances rather than follow traditions or social expectations they could not comfortably afford.
Beyond wedding expenses, the filmmaker urged parents to reconsider the pressure they place on their children to become successful quickly and provide financial support for their families. She argued that the younger generation needed a change in expectations around achievement and money.
Her comments come amid widespread discussions about the rising cost of weddings in Nigeria, where traditional engagements, court ceremonies and white weddings can place considerable demands on couples and their families.
