Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has called on intending couples to avoid unnecessary spending on elaborate wedding ceremonies, warning that the pressure to meet societal expectations can affect their mental wellbeing and married life.
Kadiri made the appeal in a video message shared on Instagram, where she discussed the financial and emotional demands associated with wedding celebrations.
She argued that many couples focus on organising impressive ceremonies without adequately considering the consequences of the preparation process and the adjustment required after marriage.
According to the actress, wedding-related pressure can affect couples who previously maintained healthy relationships while dating.
She said the transition from dating to marriage could become more stressful when couples face the expectations attached to elaborate ceremonies.
“I do think that big weddings put pressure on couples; it puts pressure on the marriage itself. Big weddings put pressure on people, and they don’t seem to have realised that,” Kadiri stated.
She explained that her concerns included mental health, adding that some people already have fears about marriage before considering the additional demands of wedding planning.
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The actress said her position was informed partly by her personal experience. She disclosed that she had been married for seven years and suggested that avoiding an elaborate wedding contributed to her satisfaction with her marriage.
Kadiri advised couples to organise modest traditional ceremonies involving their parents and a few close relatives. She also suggested that those planning civil weddings could invite around 30 guests, obtain a pastor’s prayer and return home without organising multiple expensive events.
She maintained that couples should not feel obligated to follow every wedding tradition or expectation if doing so would place them under unnecessary pressure.
Kadiri also raised spiritual concerns about large wedding gatherings, alleging that some invited guests could negatively affect couples’ lives. She claimed that certain couples had encountered difficulties having children because of individuals they invited to their weddings. However, no evidence was presented to establish such a connection.
Beyond marriage celebrations, the actress criticised the pressure parents place on young people to achieve financial success quickly and provide money for their families.
“This generation now, I need you people to change a lot of things. One thing I want you people to change is the pressure parents put on their children to succeed and bring money home,” she said.
Kadiri’s comments have drawn attention to conversations about wedding costs, financial planning, mental wellbeing and the expectations placed on young Nigerians.
Her central message was that couples should prioritise their relationship and future stability instead of spending beyond their means to satisfy others.
