A new report by Cowrywise has revealed that young Nigerian couples now spend an average of ₦13 million to organise a wedding.
The report titled Simplified Issue 12: The Cost of “Yes, I Do”, released on October 12, 2025, examined financial spending across the proposal, traditional wedding and white wedding stages among young working couples in the country.
According to the document, there is no fixed average cost of a Nigerian wedding, as spending ranges from ₦200,000 for small, intimate events to ₦20 million and above for luxury celebrations.
The report stated, “There is no fixed ‘average’ cost of a Nigerian wedding. Spending can range from as little as ₦200,000 for small, intimate ceremonies to over ₦20 million for luxury celebrations.”
It noted that spending levels depend largely on factors such as guest count, location and family expectations.
The report added, “These estimates vary widely depending on guest count, location, and family expectations.”
The report showed that the white wedding and reception account for about 70 per cent of total wedding expenses, while the traditional ceremony takes about 25 per cent, and the proposal stage represents 5 per cent of the total cost.
It also found that the average cost of the white wedding is ₦8.9 million, while the traditional ceremony costs an average of ₦3.3 million. The average cost of the proposal stage was estimated at ₦600,000.
For catering, the report estimated that feeding around 200 guests costs between ₦2 million and ₦3 million, depending on the menu and serving method. It highlighted catering, venue rental, photography, videography, outfits and decoration as top spending categories in white wedding events.
The report stated, “The White Wedding/Reception is the largest financial commitment, consuming a staggering 70% of the entire budget.
It further warned that high wedding spending can affect couples after marriage, adding, “Overspending on weddings can jeopardise long-term goals such as saving, investing, and building wealth together.”
The document recommended that couples should limit wedding expenses to 10–15 per cent of their combined annual income, saying, “As a rule of thumb, we believe that individuals should not spend more than 10%–15% of annual income on weddings.”
It encouraged early financial planning and budgeting, stating, “Starting early: Build a savings plan early.” and advised couples to consider buffet catering, weekday weddings and renting outfits to reduce costs.
The report also noted, “Choosing cost-efficient options can reduce costs by up to 30%.”
It added that savings systems, such as ajo and digital savings platforms, are useful for reducing financial pressure during wedding planning.
