Live abroad but planning to get married at home (Nigeria)?

Do you live abroad but want to get married at home? Congratulations!!! You've just decided to plan a destination wedding! 

Destination weddings are fun - especially if you are going back home to get married. You get to leave your home-away-from-home to get married in an environment that is exciting, different and culturally rich. Planning a wedding from a distance may seem a little challenging, but if well planned is usually well worth it. You get to re-immerse yourself in the local culture; the people, the language, the food, the clothing, the music... ohhh the music - the Nigerian music industry is growing by leaps and bounds! Absolutely love the video below - "Obi Mu O by Obiora Obiwon"


Since you are so far away, you'll probably have very little control over most parts of the wedding planning process - and may have to rely on friends and family to help you with a lot of the running around. 

However, you can still be involved by clearly communicating your vision for your
wedding to friends and family, asking them for vendor recommendations and also asking them for tons of pictures of the aso-ebi, venue, invitation cards etc. so you can contribute to the selection process.

A couple of other things to consider if you'll be coming home to get married are:

Research the culture: If you and partner are not from the same tribe, make sure you both find out from your families what will be expected of you. Every culture has a set of 'rules' - especially when it comes to weddings. Make sure you are aware of the 'rules' so you don't step on any toes by mistake.

Guest invites/Seating arrangements: A typical Nigerian wedding is usually a big affair. There will be a few guests that you know, and tons of friends and family that you don't know or haven't seen in years. Make sure you personally invite those that are closest to you, and arrange for them to be seated close to you at the reception. This way you won't feel like a guest at your own wedding.

Food/Music: Clearly communicate to your friends and family what your preferences are when it comes to food and music. Also confirm that the vendors will be able provide it. This is your opportunity to enjoy authentic Nigerian food and music before heading back -  so don't drop the ball on this one! :)

Relax and Enjoy: You may face a lot of challenges during the whole process, just make sure you focus on the most important things - In other words, don't sweat the small stuff.


As a side note, if you choose to hire a wedding planner to do the running around for you, make sure they check-in with a trusted friend or family member on a regular basis. Scheduling teleconferences (e.g. Skype) with the wedding planner and your family member may not be a bad idea - regular check-ins with the wedding planner will help you determine whether or not your wedding plans are on track, or if you need to start considering alternative plans. 

Have fun planning your wedding, and give yourself a lot of time to plan!

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