Fatshimetry
Marriage, a sacred union between a man and a woman which transcends the boundaries of the simple marital bond to become a grandiose and intergenerational celebration. In Nigeria, this tradition has transformed over the years, going from a relatively intimate experience to an event halfway between a carnival and a Christian revival.
Modern couples often find themselves faced with a dilemma: the size of the wedding. While some dream of an intimate ceremony, others aspire to a grand celebration. Adebusoye Kunle, CEO of KLALA Photography, points out that preferences often diverge within couples, sometimes creating tension.
Even public figures like Banky W and Adesua Etomi expressed their desire for a low-key wedding, before succumbing to the general craze for spectacular weddings. So what pushes couples to opt for lavish unions, despite their initial intentions?
Our parents play a key role in this evolution. For many, an extravagant wedding is a symbol of success, proof that their children have reached an important milestone in their adult lives. In their eyes, a wedding is not just the union of two people, but a celebration of family and community.
Today’s weddings also serve as a springboard to strengthen family and social bonds. The more sumptuous the ceremony, the more it offers the opportunity for family, friends and acquaintances to reunite and renew lost ties.
Societal expectations and family pressures also exert considerable influence on marriages. Women, in particular, are taught from a young age to become good wives and mothers, which reinforces the importance placed on the marriage ceremony.
Ultimately, lavish weddings are a reflection of our aspirational society, obsessed with image and prestige. Social networks have exacerbated this trend by creating an unspoken competition between future brides and grooms to organize ever more grandiose and glamorous unions.
However, it is important to remember that the very essence of marriage lies in love and commitment to each other, beyond any extravagance. No matter the size of the ceremony, the essential thing remains the solidity of the union between two beings who commit to walking together in life.
In short, marriage is much more than a simple celebration: it is the symbol of an eternal commitment, sealed in the warmth of emotions and the support of family and friends. Whether it is a small, intimate gathering or a grandiose ceremony, the essential remains unchanged: the love and complicity between two souls who unite to form an inseparable whole.