Planning
A realistic nine-month planning timeline
Nine months is enough time to plan a big Nigerian wedding calmly — but only if the big decisions happen early. Leave them late and you end up paying 'urgent' prices, settling for whichever vendor is still free, and spending your final fortnight on the phone instead of resting. This is the month-by-month plan that keeps the last two weeks boring, which is exactly what you want.
Before you start: the family conversation
In Nigeria, a wedding is rarely just about two people. Before you book anything, have an honest meeting with both families. Who is contributing money, and how much? Will there be an introduction, a traditional wedding and a white wedding, or just one or two of these? Which city will host each ceremony? How many guests does each side expect?
Write the answers down and share them with everyone involved. Most wedding stress comes from assumptions — the groom's family thinking the bride's side is paying for the reception, or an uncle promising a hall that was never booked.
Months 9–8: the foundations
- Agree the total budget and who is paying for what, in writing.
- Set a guest count limit for each family and hold everyone to it.
- Choose the date and the city. Check it against public holidays, Ramadan and Sallah for Muslim families, and the rainy season (roughly April to October in the south) if any part of the event is outdoors.
- Book the venue — the single decision every other booking depends on.
- Decide whether to hire a planner. If yes, hire them now, not three months before the wedding.
- If you are marrying in church, ask about marriage counselling classes. Many churches require several weeks or months of classes before they will confirm your date.
Months 7–6: book your core vendors
The best photographers, caterers and decorators in Lagos and Abuja are often booked six to nine months ahead for Saturdays in December, Easter and the long holiday weekends. Send them a short brief — date, venue, guest count, style and budget — and give them two weeks to come back with a proper quote.
- Book photography, video, catering and decor.
- Start your bridal outfit. Custom gowns take 12–16 weeks, plus fittings.
- Plan the groom's outfits too — agbada, suits and traditional attire all need tailoring time.
- Open a dedicated wedding bank account and record every deposit and receipt.
- Create a shared planning document or spreadsheet that both of you can update.
Months 5–4: the details
- Choose the aso-ebi fabric for each family, set the price and open the ordering window. Give people a firm deadline and one person to pay.
- Book the MC, live band or DJ, cake and makeup artist.
- Reserve hotel rooms for travelling guests, especially if family is coming from abroad for a December wedding — flights and hotels get very expensive.
- Send save-the-dates, digital or printed.
- Get the traditional wedding list from the bride's family and start buying the items.
- Book transport for the couple and the bridal train.
Months 3–2: logistics
- Send invitations and start tracking RSVPs every week. A digital invitation with a QR code makes gate control much easier.
- If you are having a registry or court wedding, give notice at the marriage registry. The law requires notice before the ceremony, so do not leave it to the final weeks.
- Confirm transport, security, ushers and power arrangements.
- Attend outfit fittings and order souvenirs and printed materials.
- Visit the venue with your decorator and photographer together, so they can plan positions and timing.
- Plan the order of events with your pastor, imam or officiant.
Month 1: confirm, don't decide
From here, everything should be confirmation rather than new decisions. If you are still choosing a vendor three weeks before the wedding, expect to pay more and accept less choice.
- Give final guest numbers to the caterer, the venue and the rental company.
- Share the run-of-show with every vendor, including contact numbers and arrival times.
- Collect aso-ebi from tailors and distribute it to the bridal train.
- Pay balances according to your contracts and confirm every booking in writing.
- Have your final fittings and a trial run of your hair and makeup.
The final fortnight
- Hold a 20-minute call or meeting with all your key vendors together.
- Prepare the seating plan and give it to your ushers.
- Pack a 'day-of' kit: rings, documents, cash for tips, phone chargers, a sewing kit, painkillers, tissues and a small snack for the couple.
- Choose one relative or friend — not the bride or groom — as the main contact for all vendors on the day.
- Rest. Seriously. Sleep well in the last week and stop checking your phone every five minutes.
The goal of nine months of planning is a wedding day where you make no decisions at all.
At a glance
| When | Main focus | Must be done |
|---|---|---|
| 9–8 months | Foundations | Budget, guest count, date, venue |
| 7–6 months | Core vendors | Photographer, caterer, decorator, outfits |
| 5–4 months | Details | Aso-ebi, entertainment, hotels, save-the-dates |
| 3–2 months | Logistics | Invitations, registry notice, transport, security |
| 1 month | Confirmation | Final numbers, run-of-show, balances |
| Last 2 weeks | Calm | Vendor call, seating plan, day-of kit, rest |
Only six months? Here is how to compress it
A shorter timeline is very possible. Book the venue and core vendors in your first month, keep the guest list tight, avoid December and Easter dates, and choose ready-to-wear or semi-custom outfits instead of fully bespoke ones. A good planner becomes even more valuable when time is short, because they already know which vendors are reliable and available.
Key takeaways
- Have the family conversation about money and guest numbers before booking anything.
- Book the venue first; every other date depends on it.
- Core vendors in Lagos and Abuja are booked 6–9 months ahead for peak dates.
- Allow time for church classes and the registry notice period.
- Hand the vendor contact role on the day to someone who is not getting married.
