Planning & Resources





The Ògùn Traditional Wedding Checklist

Photo Credit: Linda Ikeji Blog

 

Are you marrying into a family of ògùn indigenes and you're trying to get everything right. Ògùn people are one of the most delightful party-loving people, so all you have to do is throw a memorable one. But before the party, there's appeasing the family of the bride.

Here's a checklist of what to present to the bride and her family when visiting.

  • Yoruba Traditional Cloth (Aso-Oke)

  • Ankara

How To Keep Guests Engaged At Your Wedding Reception

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Truly, most wedding guests loathe the idea of wedding ceremonies (church or mosque) as opposed to wedding reception parties. Since there's every possibility that food and even the couple may arrive at the venue late, quite a number of guests come to the reception at a later time. If you're concerned about keeping the interests of your guests, here are 6 ways you can save them from boredom. 

 

8 Reasons To Have An Outdoor Wedding

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When you think of an outdoor wedding, do not just assume that it’s a destination wedding because there are a lot of venues in Nigeria that could provide the basis of a perfect outdoor wedding ceremony and reception. If you want to escape the cliché carnival wedding vibe and have something a bit different, consider these reasons:

It is Intimate

Four Things You Should Never Body Shame Your Spouse For

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Nobody is perfect- this means our bodies are not perfect either.

To love someone is to accept them wholeheartedly into the bosom of your heart regardless of the color of their skin, their physical features, and behavioral shortcomings. Even though physical attraction remains important in relationships, it evolves due to the changes we have in our bodies resulting from a variety of factors. If perfect love can cancel out all imperfections then it should be easy avoiding these four areas of body shaming:

 

6 Awesome Fitness Habits For Future Brides

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Being fit and well does not only refer to having sculpted muscles and a tight midsection, but it means a whole lot more. It is when you are in the right state of mind, health, and overall well-being. It involves you having the right nutrition, doing regular exercise and a good dose of rest. We are in a fast-paced world and a lot of future brides may not make enough time to stay fit except when it is life-threatening or they need to fit into their wedding dress. Here are six awesome fitness habits for future brides:

5 Simple Steps To Choosing An Engagement Ring

Photo Credit: Instagram @theknotrings

 

Now that you've successfully found that perfect person just for you, it's only right to make them yours forever. In theory, searching for the right ring is just as easy as taking an evening walk in the park. However, it can get overwhelming when you have so many factors to consider. 

In this article, we will be showing you the easy steps you need to get an engagement ring befitting for your partner: 

 

Consider Your Price 

How To Keep Your Food Safe At An Outdoor Wedding

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Having an outdoor wedding has its perks. However, the downside to it can be unbearable if it isn't properly managed. When it comes to your party food, you want to make sure you're extra careful about its safety and that of your guests. 

 

5 Unique Tips For Proposing In The New Year

Photo Credit: Instagram @extraweddings

 

The new year has always been heralded positively. If you're planning to propose to the love of your life this new year, you're making one of the best decisions in your life. 

 

6 Things You Never Knew About Traditional Weddings

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Imagine having a Nigerian wedding without enjoying the magnanimity that is traditional weddings. From the colors to the burst of tradition to the music, you get to experience the beauty of an African fairytale beginning. All of this excitement brings even newer discoveries. If you never knew much about traditional weddings, here are some interesting facts that will wow you:

 

5 Reasons Why Your Financial Habits Should Change After Marriage

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When you finally get settled with your spouse, one of the things you both have to consider is your spending habits. Since you're now spending the rest of your life with your other half, finances can easily become one of the major issues in your marriage. Here's why you should rethink your financial habits once you're married.

5 Unique Wedding Bands For The Groom

Unlike his bride, the groom seldom gets as much attention when it comes to his ring. However, this really should not be the case. Just as your bride, wedding bands can be tailored uniquely to your personality. If you’re a little confused about what kind of wedding band to get, we will be listing out some suggestions in this article. Here are five unique wedding bands for the groom.

The Rustic Wedding Band

Looking for something out of the ordinary? Then you should try out the rustic wedding band. Not only does it have an antique feel, it certainly looks like an accessory you will constantly drool over.

Photo Credit: greenlakejewelry.com

 

7 Acts Of Support For Your Bride

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Being part of a bridal party is a huge job especially for friends who will have two weddings; traditional and white. The hustle and bustle leading up to the wedding day especially in Nigeria is quite an ordeal and is not for the faint-hearted. Here are seven acts of support that you can provide to the bride on her big day:

 

Moral support 

10 Perfect Wedding Day Gift Ideas

Birthdays and Christmas presents have come and gone, now what do you give as the perfect gift to your future spouse to mark your special day?

Here are ten perfect wedding day gift ideas to consider giving your husband or wife on your Wedding day:

 

 

From The Groom

 

1. A Piece of Jewelry: What’s her favourite stone and metal? Gift her with an amazing piece of jewellery while letting her know that no diamond could ever shine brighter than her smile. This piece could be a bracelet, necklace or earrings.

Photo Credit: Amazon

 

 

  

 

Baby Shopping Guide For A New Parent

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Babies are adorable and every single thing about them can be so intoxicating. They are so loveable that we tend to always do everything and anything for them because who would not? As much as we want our babies to look good, smell good and feel good, we tend to go overboard when shopping because at the end of the day you will realise that you have spent a lot and the baby did not necessarily need half of what you purchased. 

5 Creative Traditional Wedding Decoration Ideas

  • A Blend of Africa and the World

Having the best of both worlds is not a bad idea. You design your hall with a few western decorations and make your cutleries, seats and other wedding props African. For example, you can cover your table with beautiful colored linen (depending on your color code) and replace western cups, plates and spoons with calabashes (or any local cutlery), gourds and wooden spoons.

Photo Credit

 

Being African is colorful and beautiful. Right before there were white weddings, the traditional wedding existed.

Exceptional Ways To Thank Your Bridal Party

Your bridal party is undoubtedly one of the groups that made your wedding a success. Most times, they would have sacrificed financially, mentally and even emotionally, to make sure they make your day is amazing.

It is, therefore, not a good thing to not thoughtfully thank them or show appreciation.

If you are looking for ways to thank your amazing bridal team, here are nine exceptional ways to do so.

Quick Skincare Routines for New Couples

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The periods before and after the wedding can take a toll on the skin and general wellness of the body. So it is necessary to have some simple routine that will leave your skin glowing.

Here are some quick skincare routines that work:

 

  • Morning and Evening Face Wash

Wash your face twice every day. The rewards are real and relieving. Washing your face regularly helps reduce the oil buildup on your face, and it is the first step to having a smooth and clear skin.

 

Ibibio Traditional Wedding Guide

 

photo: travel.jumia.com

Have you ever wondered about the colourful traditional wedding ceremony of people from Akwa Ibom? Like all other cultures, there are some special rites so if you are planning on getting married soon and you are of this tribe, or marrying a beautiful Ibibio woman, prepare yourself to take these steps:

 

Ndidiong Ufok: To know the house

This is commonly known as the introduction or “knowing the in-laws”. The groom to-be visits his future bride’s family house to state his intention of marrying her. He normally makes this trip alongside a few men and wine/special drinks. The father of the bride may choose to accept or reject his proposal; if it is accepted, a second meeting is arranged to proceed with the marriage process.

Nkong Udok/Usong: Knocking on the door

Next, the man visits the future bride’s family again to formally express his readiness to marry their daughter and get that bride price checklist! This stage is common amongst different traditional groups such as the Yoruba and Igbo people but the bride price may differ. The man normally makes this journey with elder men in his family and a few alcoholic drinks; the specific bride price is negotiated and given to him to deliver on the day of the wedding or any agreed time in order to take his wife. The bride price list usually has items which will be useful to the bride’s immediate and extended family.

Uno Mkpo: To give something

This is the day that the gifts are delivered to the bride’s family and is recognised traditionally as a consideration of intention to marry the bride.

 

8 Step Guide To Having An Interfaith Wedding

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Interfaith marriages are legal in Nigeria. However, couples often face resistance and hostility, both from family members and religious leaders. Occasionally both Muslims and Christians feel pressure to convert to another's faith in order to avoid fallouts and possible conflict in the future. Those with experience of inter-faith marriages say couples often face a variety of difficulties. In Islam, men are allowed to marry "people of the book", Christians and Jews. But Muslim women are not allowed to marry outside their faith.

Gift ideas for Your Mother-in-Law

Photo credit: aromatique.com



Perfume

Invest in her collection of rich scents: the kind of scent that makes peoples’ heads turn when she walks past. No, she isn’t too old to entice her husband so go for classics like Chanel No. 5 or Flower by Kenzo depending on your budget.

 

Newlywed with no idea of what to gift your mother-in-law with this holiday?
Or have you just run out of ideas for your spouse’s dear mother? New Year

Factors to Consider for a Destination Wedding

 

A destination wedding is a choice for couples who want an intimate wedding
and an adventure. Destination weddings are a trend in Nigeria, and will
continue to be a popular choice especially for celebrity couples tying the
knot.

Below is a list of factors to consider:

For more help deciding, also check out our detailed Pros and Cons to destination weddings

Affordability

How To Make Extra Money After Your Wedding

 

Let’s face it, going through the motions of planning a wedding and walking down the aisle will give you enough project management experience to start your own business. With all the money spent to make your day the best, here are a few avenues you could use to get them back:

Write a Book

5 Ways to Calm your Nerves on Your Wedding Day

 

The most important day in your life could also be the most stressful day you’ve ever experienced; one of such is your wedding day. Brides tend to want to know and see to certain things on their big day and end up being stressed. And at times it’s just an overdose of excitement that makes it so difficult to be calm. ( very Understandable)

However, it is essential for a bride to stay calm and chilled for every reason; it’s your wedding, you don’t want to sit back to check out your wedding pictures and see yourself looking like Cruella de Vil. This is how to;

#ENIOLA17: From "Bro" to "Boo"

BRIDE:

I just never thought I could date Dipo Alawiye,  he looked like a heart breaker with a mission to me, I mean why bother wasting my time, while putting my heart at risk of being smashed and grounded into powder and blown into the water under third mainland bridge, run for your life baby girl.

Also, he was my family friend 's childhood friend,  so I thought it would be smart for me to "brother zone" him. Oh well, the zoning worked for one year and four months, I literally called him "brother Dipo", lol...

 

Habits That Hinder Weight Loss

 

The journey to weight loss can sometimes look like a long lonely journey. You put in so many efforts by registering at the gym to lose weight, you also follow a diet plan, but your weight still increase.
Do you know that your weight gain can be as a result of few bad habits? Yes, some of these bad habits can hinder your weight loss. Here are some of such.