Nigerian weddings have a way of turning from a celebration of love into a full-blown financial commitment, regardless of whether you’re the happy couple or not. Between aso-ebi, contributions, gifts and last-minute emergencies, showing up for someone else’s big day can leave your account balance fighting for its life.

We asked seven Nigerians about the most they’ve ever spent on a friend, relative, or colleague’s wedding. This is what they shared.

“I still haven’t financially recovered.” — Kolapo*, 29, M

The most I’ve spent was ₦4.2 million during my elder brother’s wedding in 2024. In my family, everyone contributes according to what they can afford, and because I was earning the most at the time, I naturally shouldered a large share of the expenses. The figure also rose that high because I bought him a deep freezer, a washing machine, and a generator as wedding gifts. 

I don’t resent it because my brother would’ve done the same for me. But it delayed my own plans for months. I had to postpone buying a car and dipped into investments I’d promised myself I wouldn’t touch. I still haven’t financially recovered.

“I knew the expenses would be wild, but I had to be there” — Muktar*, 33, M

In 2025, one of my old university friends got married in another state. The place was really far from Lagos, and I knew the expenses would be wild, but I couldn’t miss it because my entire friend group had to be there. 

I ended up spending around ₦950k on return flights, hotel and outfits for the traditional and white weddings. That’s before counting all the random contributions we did as a group for the wedding gift, souvenirs and drinks for the afterparty. 

It was an amazing reunion with old friends, but I really had no business spending that much.

“I thought I was only paying for aso-ebi” — Miriam*, 28, F

My very first aso-ebi girl commitment turned out to also be the last. 

Somehow, I thought all I had to pay for was the ₦40k aso-ebi material and a bit extra on tailoring. I didn’t know I also had to contribute to the bride’s wedding gift, bridal shower, and “aso-ebi girls” souvenirs. The wedding venue was some distance from my house, and they scheduled the traditional marriage for 7 a.m., which meant I had to stay overnight at a nearby hotel. 

By the end of the wedding, I calculated the hotel fees, makeup, transportation and all the contributions and realised I’d spent ₦620k. In this economy. I’ll never do that rubbish again.

The Naira Life Conference is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria. Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together. Secure your spot here.

“My dad had money issues, so I stepped in” — Robiat*, 35, F

My dad’s business fell into some problems during my younger sister’s wedding planning, which affected his finances. As a result (and because I’m the first child), many of his responsibilities fell to me.

I spent close to ₦1 million on the food and drinks he needed for his guests, his clothes, and souvenirs. It would’ve been more if I hadn’t stylishly escaped from paying for the hall decorations. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that my dad knew he didn’t have money, but he still promised my sister he’d pay for decor. 

This happened in 2025, and I’m patiently waiting for my dad’s finances to pick up again. He must pay me back.

“I helped fund his wedding, but it led to our friendship’s end” — Joel*, 35, M

My ex-best friend and his fiancée planned a small wedding, but everything became more expensive as the date got closer. I kept stepping in whenever there was a funding gap, and before I knew it, I’d spent about ₦600k. That’s outside the ₦300k+ I spent on my suit and agbada.

The irony is that our friendship scattered after the wedding. I managed the money sprayed at the event, and the next morning, he “jokingly” said his wife thought the cash I handed over was too small compared to “what she saw people spraying.” I felt so insulted and confronted him, but he made it seem like I was overreacting. We didn’t immediately stop being friends after that, but the incident played a big role.

“It was a worthy sacrifice.” — Rachael*, 38, F

In 2024, I spent about ₦3.5 million flying into Nigeria to attend my cousin’s wedding. That included my outfits, accommodation, gifts, spraying money and contributing towards family expenses. I also bought some foodstuff that I took back home to the UK.

I knew what I was getting myself into with that wedding, so I didn’t mind spending that much. It was also an opportunity to visit friends and family I hadn’t seen in years. It was a worthy sacrifice. 

“I miscalculated and lost ₦100k” — Tabitha*, 29, F

A church member I was close to got married in 2025, and I somehow ended up on the church committee supporting their wedding. As a church, we wanted to raise ₦300k to support the couple, and I was in charge of rallying people to contribute.

Two weeks before the wedding, the bride had an emergency expense and asked if she could get the money early. By then, we’d only raised ₦100k. She needed ₦200k. Foolishly, I added my own money to make up the difference and gave it to her. I reasoned people would still contribute.

Brethren, they didn’t. Till today, no one has paid me my ₦100k back. It’s technically my fault because no one sent me message, but it’s still paining me.

*Names have been changed for the sake of anonymity.

NEXT READ: My Side Hustle Was Supposed to Be a Stopgap. Now I Run It Full-Time