Let’s be honest for a second: weddings in Nigeria are no joke. They’re not just ceremonies; they’re full-blown productions. And at the center of all the drama, tears, and “awwww” moments stands the bride — the star of the show, the leading lady, the main character.
But here’s the part we need to talk about (don’t roll your eyes yet): Nigerian brides are dropping millions on wedding dresses they’ll literally wear for one day. Just one.
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The Pressure to “Do It Big”
In today’s wedding scene, it’s not enough to wear a pretty dress. Oh no. The dress has to be a statement piece, something that will “shut down Instagram” and have people talking for weeks. Designers know this, photographers know this, and of course, the brides themselves know this.
Suddenly, spending ₦2 million — or even more — on a dress doesn’t sound that crazy… until you remember you can’t exactly wear it to the office on Monday.
Read More: Weddings Are Becoming Too Competitive — Can We Breathe?
Instagram vs. Reality
Here’s the thing: most of these dresses aren’t even comfortable. They’re heavy, stiff, sometimes impossible to walk in, and don’t even get us started on how many assistants it takes just to “arrange the train.” But that doesn’t matter, because once the pictures hit Instagram, the bride has “shut it down.”
And let’s be real, a big part of the spend is for the Gram. The captions, the reels, the pre-wedding hype. It’s like you’re not just getting married — you’re producing content.
Meanwhile, the Guests Are the Real Stars
Funny enough, half the time, guests end up stealing the spotlight. Asoebi styles are on point, gele game is unmatched, and someone’s cousin has sewn a dress that could pass for couture. Next thing you know, the bride’s ₦2 million gown is competing with a ₦70,000 asoebi. Ouch.
Can We Talk About Sustainability?
Here’s the part nobody wants to say out loud: most of these dresses end up in storage, never to see daylight again. They can’t be reworn (what Nigerian bride will repeat a wedding dress?), and even reselling them is tricky.
So basically, we’re burning millions for one day — money that could have been invested in a honeymoon, furniture for the new home, or, hey, even a small plot of land. But no, the dress “must slap.”
Are Brides Actually Happy About This?
Some are. To be fair, it’s their special day, and if they want to spend that much, who are we to complain? But many brides later confess they wish they hadn’t gone overboard. Between family contributions, pressure from friends, and the constant bombardment of celebrity weddings online, it’s hard to know where personal choice ends and societal pressure begins.
To dig deeper, Glamcityz asked a few Nigerian brides to share how they felt about their wedding dress splurge after the big day — here’s what they told us:
I loved my dress, but looking back, I don’t think it was worth the stress. I could have spent half the amount and still looked amazing. Chioma, married in Lagos
Honestly, I wore it for less than 10 hours. By the time reception started, I had already changed. Sometimes I wonder why I paid so much for just pictures. Amaka, married in Abuja
The sad part? My dress is in a box under my bed now. I keep telling myself I’ll sell it, but who wants to buy another woman’s wedding dress? Bisi, married in Port Harcourt
If I had to do it again, I’d put more money into my honeymoon and less into the dress. Memories last longer than lace. Seyi, married in Osogbo
If I’m being real, I went overboard because of pressure. Everyone kept saying ‘your dress must be a show-stopper.’ I didn’t even ask myself if I wanted that Jessica, married in Imo
So What’s the Solution?
We’re not saying don’t wear a beautiful dress. Please, slay. But maybe it’s time to rethink the culture of excess. Do brides really need three different wedding dresses (traditional, white, and reception)? Do they need to import gowns from Paris when a local designer can create magic?
Or — dare we say it — is it time to normalize renting wedding dresses? (We can already feel the side-eyes, but let’s be real, it makes sense.)
At the end of the day, Nigerian weddings will always be dramatic, glamorous, and over the top — and we love that. But maybe, just maybe, brides don’t need to go broke on a dress that will never see daylight again.
After all, a wedding is one day. The marriage? That’s supposed to be forever.
