When it comes to wedding owambes, give it up for the Yoruba people—they don’t play! But let’s not leave out the Igbos and Hausas because, trust me, they bring their A-game too. One thing that guarantees a lit wedding in Nigeria? A well-planned wedding checklist!
From breathtaking decorations to mouthwatering small chops, you need a wedding checklist to keep everything in check.
Planning a wedding is no joke—it comes with stress, wahala, and partial memory loss if you don’t jot things down. You might even forget to invite that important big uncle or your mum’s best friend (and you know how Nigerian mums can be!). Worse still, imagine leaving your Hugo 18Karat Yellow Gold Wedding Band at home on your big day—eeish!
Sounds funny, right? Until it happens to you. But don’t worry, with a well-detailed Nigerian wedding checklist, your day will go as smoothly as your Coco 18Karat Rose Gold Bracelet on fresh skin.
Whether you’re a wedding planner or a bride handling things yourself, relax—I’ve got you covered! Here’s the ultimate Nigerian wedding checklist to help you plan a glamorous wedding and its owambe without stress.
Why do I need a Nigeria Wedding Checklist?
If you’re a busy person juggling a million and one tasks daily, you’ll agree that a checklist is your best friend—it saves you from last-minute wahala except you enjoy working under pressure.
With a solid checklist, you can arrange your tasks by priority—important ones at the top, and less urgent ones at the bottom. That way, even if you don’t tick off everything before the deadline, you can take a break and rest assured that major things have been handled.
Now, when it comes to wedding planning, my dear, the to-do list is often long! From sending out invites to dressing the bridal train and making sure ‘jollof reach everybody’, there’s always so much to do.
The kind of wedding you’re having also determines your prep, but one thing is sure—without a checklist, you are likely to miscalculate or leave lots of stones unturned.!
A wedding checklist is your ultimate save-me-from-disaster list. It covers everything—what to buy, what to do, and who to call before, during, and after the wedding.
If you are just starting a career as a wedding planner, or you just want to plan the wedding yourselves as a couple, a wedding checklist ensures nothing is forgotten on the big day.
Imagine dancing out of your reception hall, all smiles, only to realize you forgot to book a hotel for your wedding night… well, just avoid it with a checklist!
What Should I Consider Before Preparing a Wedding Checklist in Nigeria?
Curating a wedding checklist in Nigeria starts with identifying what type of wedding you’re planning! Is it a colorful traditional wedding with the whole village coming through? Or a simple white wedding with the classic “yes, I do” moment? Or maybe a cool court wedding followed by an intimate reception? Your decision influences your checklist.
And if you’re aiming for a glamorous wedding, your to-do list will stretch longer than the Third Mainland Bridge! A quiet wedding, on the other hand, will have a more manageable checklist—but don’t be deceived, there’s still work to do o!
Before you even start writing your checklist, you need to figure out what’s most important to the couple. If you’re a wedding planner, your first task is to find out what the couple wants.
If you’re the bride or groom, you need to sit down and prioritize what matters to you, your spouse, and—let’s not forget—sometimes, both families too. Yea, it's your wedding but your parent's party.
Your checklist will also be shaped by the people you're inviting! It's not just about who’s coming, but who’s coming and where they’re sitting—you don’t want that awkward aunty who doesn’t talk to anyone sitting next to your fun-loving friend who’s always dancing!
Finally, the stage of wedding planning matters too. A wedding that’s two weeks away will need an entirely different checklist from one that’s nine months out. You won’t be stressing over last-minute fittings if you’ve got months to go, but if it’s almost time—you need to hasten up!
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How to Prepare a Wedding Checklist in Nigeria
So, you've thought about everything and you’re ready to dive in? Holla! It’s time to get your wedding checklist in full gear! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a simple guide to kick things off:
#1. List out all the events for your wedding
First thing’s first—what’s on the agenda? Are we talking about a traditional wedding? White wedding? Court wedding followed by an epic reception? Or even a pre-wedding bachelor/bachelorette party?
You need to know everything, from the big moments to the smaller, less obvious ones. Think: Will there be a welcome party? When and where is the after-party? Write it all down!
Getting this all sorted helps you create a list of what’s needed for each part of your wedding. No surprises!
2. Identify the venue of each event
Omo, if you’re planning a wedding in Nigeria, the venue is everything. The location for your events will help you decide what activities you can have, how many guests you can invite, and what you’ll need to bring or buy.
Is your reception happening at a fancy hotel or an outdoor garden? Will you need tents? How far is it from the church or registry? Nail down the venue before you go further—trust me, it makes your checklist 100 times easier.
#3. Consult with all stakeholders
Let’s be real: A Nigerian wedding isn’t just about the couple; it’s about the families, too! Make sure you chat with the bride, groom, and—don’t forget—both families. Find out what’s most important to them. For example:
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Bride, what’s your dream dress?
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Groom, where will you get your suit?
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Do you have an in-house designer or are you buying off-the-rack?
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What about the bride’s accessories? Earrings, hair, shoes, etc.?
Get these answers early so you know exactly what to put on the list. It helps avoid last-minute stress!
#4. Start breaking down each event into smaller details
Okay, now you have a general idea of everything happening at the wedding. But don’t stop there—let’s break each event down and get specific about what each part needs.
Here’s where you start getting organized with your categories:
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Before the wedding:
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Engagement party
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Traditional wedding
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Bride’s outfit
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Groom’s outfit
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Bridal train
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Page boy (he’s important too!)
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Ring sets
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Asoebi (don’t forget this, na big deal!)
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Guest list
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Purchasing souvenirs
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Printing invitations
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Meetings with vendors (caterer, photographer, decorator, etc.)
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Securing event venues
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Eve of the wedding:
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Pre-wedding party or rehearsal dinner
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Final fitting and touch-ups
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Bride/groom pampering (facials, mani-pedis)
Wedding Day (Church or Court):
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Wedding attire is ready and packed
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Makeup and hairstyling
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Wedding license and documents
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Transportation and logistics
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Follow up on vendors
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Wedding Reception (Day or Night):
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Food (types, tasting, quantities)
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Drinks and wine
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Wedding cake
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Entertainment (DJ, live band, games)
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Guest seating arrangements
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Program Schedule
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Souvenirs
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After Wedding Night Party
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Venue and food for after-party
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Special night treats for newlyweds
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Honeymoon Planning:
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Book flights
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Pack luggage
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Hotel reservation
The more you break things down, the more organized everything will be. Each of these categories will spawn a whole bunch of sub-tasks. Don’t skip anything, no matter how small it seems!
The trick is to keep expanding your list until everything is covered, from the pre-wedding jitters to the honeymoon vibes. Na so wedding stress go dey leave you, little by little!
Check out the Top Engagement Rings for you
Do I need a budget to prepare a wedding checklist?
Before you start drafting a wedding checklist, my dear, lock in the budget! This is the foundation of everything.
If you’re a new wedding planner, one of the first things you must discuss with your couple during your initial meetings is their budget. Without this figure, planning becomes a guessing game—and trust me, you don’t want surprises when it comes to wedding expenses
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The choice of venue
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The scale of events (small & intimate or grand owambe?)
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The type of food & drinks
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The guest list (because, let’s be honest, Nigerian weddings can turn into carnivals!)
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The couple’s stylists, designers & outfits Simply put, money beats the drum!
So, before you start mapping out that 2025 wedding checklist, sit down with the couple, discuss their financial comfort zone, and plan accordingly.
Weddings can be expensive, but how expensive depends entirely on your checklist!
A sample traditional Wedding Checklist in 2025
Traditional wedding checklists are often less than a glamorous white wedding checklist in Nigeria. However, this will still be determined by who is getting married and their budget.
For some tribes in Nigeria, the traditional wedding ceremony acts as an official engagement and introduction of both families. This is often obtainable in Christian homes who will still want a white wedding party.
The sample list below may vary depending on the culture and couple involved as well as their budgets.
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Set wedding budget
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Choose wedding date
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Create guest list
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Book wedding venue
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Hire a wedding planner (if needed)
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Select bridal party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc.)
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Shop for wedding dress and groom’s outfit
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Buy bridal accessories (shoes, jewelry, veil, etc.)
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Arrange the groom’s accessories (shoes, cufflinks, tie, etc.)
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Plan and order Asoebi
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Send out invitations
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Book makeup artist and hairstylist
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Hire a photographer and videographer
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Book caterer and plan menu
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Order wedding cake
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Arrange drinks and cocktails
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Hire DJ/live band
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Book MC for the event
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Secure decoration team
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Plan traditional wedding (if applicable)
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Organize engagement list and bride price items
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Book accommodation for out-of-town guests
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Arrange transportation for the couple and bridal party
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Plan bachelor/bachelorette party
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Schedule pre-wedding photoshoot
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Buy wedding rings
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Finalize wedding program and timeline
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Set up security for the event
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Book honeymoon destination and accommodation
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Confirm vendor bookings and payments
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Do the final dress fitting
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Pack a bridal emergency kit
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Confirm seating arrangement and table plan
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Get marriage license and required documents
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Plan and prepare for after-party
Conclusion
Organization and preparedness are key to achieving outstanding results. Whether you're a budding wedding planner or a bride-to-be organizing your wedding, recognizing the value of a checklist is important.
A wedding checklist in Nigeria is a great tool that ensures everything unfolds seamlessly. While this list may not be completed in one sitting, every addition and tweak you make brings you closer to your dream wedding. Use this sample guide to craft your personalized wedding checklist for 2025.
