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Alternative dresses surface, as cost of wedding gowns soars

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1 year ago

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Flowing wedding gowns may soon go out of vogue. The reason may not be that they have lost the colour and panache they add to a wedding ceremony.

It may not also be that they no longer represent a mark and celebration of a bride’s purity.

However, it has everything to do with the economy and purchasing power of the majority of today’s potential couples.

Economy&Lifestyle discovered that the prices of readymade wedding gowns have increased from N40,000 to N200,000 and above, while that of renting has increased from N10,000 to N50,000 and above depending on the type and quality of the gown.

The increase, we gathered, is also a result of the rising cost of sewing materials. This has made it difficult for intending couples with an average income to purchase one for a wedding.

Already, some potential brides and their grooms have resorted to other simple but beautiful gowns.

Some others simply decide to use simple traditional attire for their wedding ceremonies, particularly, court weddings, to save money for other preparations.

Also, it is observed that the usual crowd of friends and relatives who are always seen in the registry premises has also disappeared as only two to three friends or relatives are invited to court weddings nowadays.

Before now, no wedding is complete without a flowing wedding gown. Some intending couples who have money, even compete with the length of gowns and bridal trains but the culture is dying gradually due to the economic situation.

These days, brides go for less costly and simple gowns of different colours, not necessarily white, which has been the tradition.

The newly improvised wedding gowns are made with mixtures of one of two popular materials including lace fabrics, silk dupioni, silk charmeuse, English net, satin, velvet, sequined and beaded fabric, rayon, taffeta, fabrics for layers, netting/tulle/crinoline, chiffon, crepe, organdy, batiste, organza, georgette among others.

Mrs. Shade Ogunbiyi, a Surulere-based wedding gown maker, said the prices of materials have tripled, which has affected the cost of sewing and profit as well.

She said: “The situation is terrible. I have been in this business for over six years. To be frank, the business is not moving as before. Sometimes I have jobs of over five to six wedding gowns in a year but now, I hardly get one. Even when you charge them and you get to the market you see that the prices of materials have risen. After buying materials you are left with little money or nothing at all.

“A mini quality wedding gown and little brides gown requires 10 yards of lining, six to eight yards of the hard net, 12 yards of satin, eight yards of organza, six yards of silk, eight yards of soft net and zips. As at 2021, these materials cost between N100 and N350 per yard. But, now, they go for between N3000 and N4000 per yard.

“I discovered that most brides, especially those who are having court marriages, are opting for simple gowns in different colours, not necessarily white. When I tried to convince them to go for a wedding gown they complained about the price.”

Mrs Ennodiana Queen, an event planner and caterer said: “I do buy used wedding gowns and rent them out to intending brides, especially for those having court weddings. Two years ago I rented a wedding gown for N20,000 to N30,000 depending on the quality. But now it goes from N50,000 to N100,000.

“However, the business has been dull lately as many prefer sewing simple gowns for court weddings, which will cost them nothing less than N50,000 and can be worn for other occasions.”

Miss Maureen Momoh, a hair stylist whose eldest sister just tied the knot, said the situation was not only as a result of the cost of materials and transportation fare but also the trend.

She said: “It was funny when my elder sister opted to wear a simple white gown for her court wedding instead of a wedding gown since she was not having a church marriage. When I asked her she said she is cutting costs.

“After hers, a friend of mine also copied the style, making for herself a purple gown for a court wedding. She said if she used all her money for a wedding gown, it will affect their livelihood after the wedding.

“In fact, it was when my friend copied my sister’s style that it dawned on me that Nigeria has changed our ladies’ lifestyle. They no longer worry over what to wear on their wedding day.”

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Events

Drama as Rema walks off stage at J Cole’s Dreamville Festival over sound issues

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2 weeks ago

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April 8, 2024 1:56 pm

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Rema, the Nigerian singer, on Sunday, walked off the stage during his performance at the 2024 Dreamville Festival in North Carolina.

The two-day festival took place on April 6 and 7.

Rema performed on day 2 alongside music heavyweights including J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Monica, and Muni Long.

During his performance of ‘Calm Down’, his hit track, the music star abruptly stopped the show due to sound issues.

A now-viral video captures Rema expressing his dissatisfaction with the sound quality, calling it “messed up” and stating it was hindering his performance.

He also called for equal treatment regarding sound quality for all artistes.

“Hold on, there are too many sound issues. it is messing up my whole performance I am seriously not feeling this sh*t at all,” he said

“It is too messed up. I am representing Africa, this is too messed up. If the sound cannot be perfect for every artiste that gets on this stage… Africa is in the house and you are messing sh*t up? I will walk out this stage bruh, fix it!”

Another clip shows Rema reiterating his concerns about the sound before leaving the stage.

“Too many sound issues my people, I love you goodnight,” he added.

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Events

Moses Bliss holds traditional wedding in Ghana (Video)

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2 months ago

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March 1, 2024 11:56 am

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Moses Bliss, the Nigerian gospel singer, and Marie Wiseborn, his wife, have held their traditional wedding in Ghana.

In now-viral videos, the couple performed their wedding rites before family members and friends.

The couple represented their different cultural backgrounds as they dressed in Ghanaian and Nigerian outfits during the ceremony.

The Wiseborn family also presented the couple with a plaque gift to appreciate the singer.

Some of the celebrities present at the ceremony include actress Juliet Ibrahim, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, the content creator, Layole Oyatogun, the OAP, and comedians Real Warri Pikin and Josh2Funny.

The couple also entertained the guests with choreographed dance steps.

In his vote of thanks, Moses described Marie as the “best bride in the whole of the universe”.

“Just before I give my vote of thanks. I want to correct an impression. When the MC was introducing my wife, he said this is the most beautiful bride in Africa. That is very wrong. She is the most beautiful bride in the whole of the universe. Just to put things in perspective,” he said.

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Events

Controversy trails Flavour’s performance at RCCG pastor Siju’s party

Published

2 months ago

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February 22, 2024 7:20 am

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Controversy trails Flavour’s performance at RCCG pastor Siju’s party

Siju, a pastor and wife of the Idowu Iluyomade, a senior pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David, Lagos, has set tongues wagging on social media for inviting secular singer Flavour to perform at her birthday party.

Siju, who is also a lawyer, speaker and activist, turned 60 last week.

She then celebrated the occasion at the Eko Hotels in Victoria Island in a grand style on Sunday.

The colourful and glamorous birthday party was graced by some notable figures, monarchs and the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry.

The attendees included Tony Elumelu, Toke Makinwa, Ali Baba, and Kenny Saint Brown, as well as Rasaq and Shade Okoya, among others.

In viral videos, Flavour, who was one of the performing artistes, was seen entertaining the guests with hit songs from his music catalogue.

In one of the videos, the singer also serenaded the celebrant on stage while she danced along to his performance.

The footage, however, attracted heated controversy on social media. Several Nigerians on X questioned why a secular artiste like Flavour should be performing at the birthday party of a pastor.

“When you see 60th birthday celebration of PASTOR Siju Illuyomade, then you will know why some people are STILL running away from church!” a user wrote.

Another user added in a lengthy post: “RCCG Pastor Siju Iluyomade, the wife of the senior Pastor of one of the biggest RCCG Parish held her 60th birthday party this weekend and Flavour was the lead artist but no gospel musician”.

Here is what some users had to say:

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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

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