Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has advised young couples against organising lavish weddings, warning that the financial and emotional pressure could affect their marriages.
Kadiri gave the advice in a video shared on her Instagram page, where she explained that elaborate wedding ceremonies could place unnecessary stress on couples before they begin married life.
According to the actress, the pressure to organise grand celebrations could affect couples’ mental health and increase their fears about marriage.
She said some people could date for years without problems but begin to experience difficulties after their wedding, adding that the ceremony itself could contribute to the change.
Kadiri, who has been married for seven years, said her decision to avoid an elaborate wedding was one of the factors she believed had contributed to the stability of her marriage.
She noted that some couples spend months adjusting to married life after their wedding, particularly when they place themselves under pressure to meet societal expectations.
The mother of two encouraged intending couples to keep their ceremonies simple and affordable rather than spending heavily to impress guests.
For traditional marriages, she suggested inviting a few close family members to witness the payment of the bride price. She also recommended a small court wedding with about 30 guests, followed by prayers from a pastor and a modest celebration at home.
Kadiri said such arrangements could help couples avoid unnecessary financial burdens and focus on building their marriages.
She also expressed concern about the pressure surrounding marriage ceremonies in Nigeria, where some couples feel they must organise engagement, traditional, court and white weddings to secure a successful marriage.
However, she made claims that some couples experience difficulties having children because of people they invite to their weddings.
Beyond marriage ceremonies, the actress urged parents to stop putting excessive pressure on their children to become successful quickly and provide money for the family.
She called for a change in societal expectations, saying the younger generation needed to address the pressure placed on people to achieve financial success within a short period.
