Connect with us

Relationships

Eight tips to plan your dream wedding on budget

Published

on

Planning one’s dream wedding requires a lot of stress and money. But considering the current situation of things, it won’t be nice to go into debt just because you’re getting married.

Below are tips for having a memorable wedding on a budget.

  • Plan and prioritise

As you already know, if you fail to plan you’re planning to fail. So, first thing, you and your partner should plan and have a budget talk.

How much do you both have for the wedding? How much are you willing to spend? This will guide you on how to spend.

After establishing the amount you intend to spend, list out your priorities. Have a list of the things you and your partner feel must be available on your wedding day — things you won’t want to compromise on or cut off.

Having a budget and priority list is a good step to having your memorable day on a budget.

  • Marry on a weekday

It might sound weird but it isn’t. After all, no law states that Saturdays are the only day to get married. So, having your wedding on a Friday, Wednesday or any other day of the week will help you cut costs on a lot of things like guests, food items, and venue.

Wondering how? People that will attend your wedding on a weekday will definitely be the ones who are really important to you. Also, prices for venues will be reduced because it is not on the normal party day.

  • Your wedding dress

This tends to be part of the things you won’t want to cut off at all. It’s your day so it’s necessary you look good.

However, you can also go by your budget when getting your wedding dress.

For instance, instead of sewing or buying a new wedding dress, you can choose to rent or better still get your dress when your vendor is on a promo sale.

  • Keep it small and intimate

This might sound difficult because weddings tend to be for family and friends’ gatherings. However, a small guest list means a less costly wedding.

Invite only people that you won’t want to have your wedding without them — people that are really close to you.

Cutting down your guest list is very important because it mostly determines your wedding cost ranging from the foods to the drinks and venue.

  • Send e-vites

Yes, electronic invitations. This is an alternative to physical invitations which will cost you money. So, to cut off the printing cost, you can go modern by sending e-vites to your guests.

Since you already cut down your guest list it will be easy to send the invites. They will also understand because they’re your closest people.

  • Get a venue in your budget

There are many low-cost venues you can have your wedding. Try to get a venue that will occupy your guests and make sure it’s the one you won’t be spending more than your budget.

However, if you have access to a family compound or backyard then that saves a fortune. You won’t have to spend more on the venue. Your cost will just be for the tent, tables, and chairs. Then, you can have your beautiful backyard/compound wedding.

  • Utilise your friends’ talents

Having vendors plan your wedding tends to be expensive so you can ask your friends to help you out. To help reduce costs, you can ask your friends to help you out according to their talents.

Even if you’re to pay, you won’t pay as much as you will pay a vendor. You can also practice some do-it-yourself (DIY) in regards to the venue décor and some other things you’re good at.

  • Make your food budget according to your guest list

Your food budget should be based on your guest list. Since you already cut down your guest list, the cost for making food will be reduced as also the service charge of the caterer.

You may want to go a step further by doing the cooking yourself, considering the small size of your guests, to save money.

This doesn’t literally mean you have to cook all of the dishes yourself, you can seek the help of your family members who are good at cooking.

Remember, your marriage is about your love and your partnership. So you should not go overboard to satisfy people. There is no award for the best wedding of the year.

Relationships

5 thoughtful gifts to get your partner for Christmas

Published

on

By

You know how we do in Naija when Christmas is just around the corner. This is the season of jollof rice, family vibes, and, of course, amazing gifts.

Now let’s be real when it comes to gifts. People are tired of boring and occasional gifts like Ankara fabrics, bland gift cards, and hampers, as these things fade away as soon as they are consumed. So this year let’s talk about five thoughtful gifts that’ll blow your partner’s mind and make this Christmas one for the books. These aren’t just gifts; they’re pure vibes.

Here are 5 thoughtful gifts to get your partner for Christmas.

1. Personalised jewellery

First up, we’ve got personalised jewellery. Trust me, this one hits every single time. Personalised gifts like this show your partner that you’ve put thought and effort into it.

Think about a necklace with their name, a bracelet engraved with your anniversary date, or a cute ring with a special message like “My Babe Forever.” Whether they wear it to Sunday service or flex it at a wedding, personalised jewellery is not just a gift; it’s a memory they carry with them.

There are plenty of Naija jewellers who can customise something stunning for you. Add a nice box and a handwritten note, and you’ve got yourself a top-tier gift that screams, “I care about you.”

2. Experience gifts

Sometimes, we just need a break from the daily hustle and city heat and traffic, and that’s why experience gifts are such a vibe.

It could be a weekend staycation in a luxury hotel, tickets to a Burna Boy or Asake concert, or even a relaxing spa date to help them recover from the December rush. For the adventurous ones, how about paragliding in Jos or hiking in Obudu?

It’s not just the experience itself; it’s the memories you create together. And trust me, you’ll be in their good books for a long, long time.

3. Custom photo book

Now this one is pure romance that brings back all the beautiful memories. Imagine creating a custom photo book filled with all the memories you and your partner have shared. From the cute selfies you took during your first date to the epic road trips or even those funny moments during wedding prep.

You can add captions like, “This was when we got stuck in Ajah traffic for five hours!” or “Our first beach date in Tarkwa Bay.” It’s more than just a gift; it’s your relationship in a book.

And the best part is that the memories are sweet, sentimental, and priceless. You can sit down together, flip through the pages, and laugh over all the memories.

4. Subscription boxes

Another perfect gift for your partner this Christmas season is a subscription box. Imagine your partner receiving a surprise package every month. It’s like Christmas 12 times a year.

From gourmet Nigerian snacks (think plantain chips, chin chin, and cashew nuts) to skincare products or even fitness gear, there’s a subscription box for everyone.

5. Handwritten love letters

In this digital age of WhatsApp messages and emojis, handwritten love letters are seriously underrated. Remind them why you fell in love, recount your favourite memories, and share your dreams for the future. You could even hide these letters in unexpected places—tuck one in their handbag or slide another under their pillow.

The beauty of a handwritten letter is that it lasts forever, even long after Christmas; your partner can pull it out, read it, and feel all warm and fuzzy. You can also add some local touches, like using Ankara stationery or a traditional wax-sealed envelope, and another gift, such as a photo album or a piece of jewellery.

Selecting a thoughtful gift for your partner this Christmas does not have to be difficult. These suggestions, ranging from personalised jewellery to handwritten love letters, emphasise the significance of effort and sentiment in gift-giving. The best gifts reflect your particular connection, making this season not just joyous but unforgettable.

Continue Reading

Relationships

Tiwa Savage opens up about her divorce from TeeBillz

Published

on

By

Tiwa Savage, the Nigerian singer, has opened up about her divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz‘ Balogun, her ex-husband.

The duo divorced in 2018 after efforts to resolve the differences in their marriage proved abortive.

In an interview with The Receipts Podcast, the ‘Kele Kele’ hitmaker revealed that her ex-husband was responsible for the divorce.

The award-winning songstress said at the time, she was struggling with postpartum depression after giving birth to their son.

The 44-year-old singer said she faced intense criticism from the public, with many attacking her without giving her a chance to share her side of the story.

She also recalled how some prominent figures advised her to remain silent about the incident to protect her reputation.

“When I came out, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart when I started and I could do no wrong in Nigerian’s eyes. I did everything by the book. I went to university and I wasn’t a baby mama. I got married then I had a baby so I did everything in the right order and everybody loved me and then everything happened,” she said.

“Then I started getting hate from blogs and I started getting hate from certain people. The way our situation happened, he announced it online. I didn’t break up with him but I was the one being attacked.

“At the time, my baby was just a few months old and I was dealing with postpartum and my body wasn’t the same and I was depressed. Everyone then went to him and only a few people came to see me.

“After I interviewed to tell my side of the story, it got worse. People were like ‘How dare you go and talk’ ‘You’re a woman and you’re supposed to build the house, it’s your fault’.

“I remember famous people calling me to ask how I could tell my side of the story cuz I’d never win. Ever since then, I was like I won’t ever talk about the situation because it was very heartbreaking how the public took it and blamed me.”

She added that the experience was an “eye-opener” that made her become “wild and carefree”.

“It was an eye-opener for me and it made me depressed for so long. It got me angry then I became the ‘African Bad Girl’,” she added.

“I thought to myself that after doing everything right I was still attacked. Then I started getting tattoos and wearing short skirts and bikini. I was just wild.”

Continue Reading

Relationships

Actress Etinosa Idemudia remarries in Lagos

Published

on

By

Etinosa Idemudia, the Nigerian actress, has tied the knot again, this time with a white man.

Etinosa took to her Instagram page to share a video of herself and her lover, whose name and nationality are yet to be revealed.

In the accompanying caption, the actress wrote, “I don carry my two left enter new relationship. Please wish me well ❤️ 💍”.

In another Instagram post on Thursday, Etinosa shared a photo from their legal wedding ceremony held at the Ikoyi Registry in Lagos.

Continue Reading

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

Most Read...