Weddings are supposed to be a celebration of love, but in Nigeria, they can also become an open house for people who have no business being there. Sometimes it’s random plus-ones who just came for free food. Other times, it’s people who’ve hurt you in ways that the joys of the day can barely cover up.
From absent fathers suddenly playing doting parents to “friends” who badmouth your big day, these Nigerians share the guests they wish had stayed far away from their weddings.
“My father shouldn’t have been there” — Kola*, 37
Kola didn’t grow up with a father figure. His dad was alive but completely absent physically, financially, and emotionally. Then came Kola’s wedding.
“When I tell you my dad had absolutely no business attending my wedding, I mean it. This man was a ghost my entire life. My mum did all the heavy lifting and took complete responsibility for as long as I remember. But when it was time for me to get married, everyone, including my mum, insisted he had to attend because ‘it’s tradition’. I was lowkey hoping he’d have the self-awareness to politely decline. Nope. He showed up like he’d earned a front-row seat in my life.
The most irritating part was the engagement ceremony. The alaga iduro made me prostrate in front of him, and he gave me blessings like he’d been there all along. The guests probably thought, ‘Aww, what a proud father,’ meanwhile, I was boiling inside. It’s been six years now. The last time I saw or heard from him was the day he walked out of that wedding venue.”
“My bridesmaid was talking trash about my wedding” — Bisoye*, 33
For Bisoye, the betrayal didn’t come from a distant relative or an ex; it came from someone in her bridal train.
“Up until the week before my wedding, this friend and I were cool. Then I heard from someone we both knew that she’d been badmouthing my wedding plans. Apparently, the venue was ‘too small and cheap’, the colours weren’t giving, and my husband and I should’ve just done a court wedding instead. I didn’t want to believe it until the person telling me showed me receipts, actual screenshots of their conversations.
She was one of my bridesmaids, so I considered telling her not to bother showing up. But that would’ve caused unnecessary drama so close to the big day. I decided to give her the coldest shoulder instead. After the wedding, she never reached out, and I never bothered either. But now, I get irritated whenever I look at the photos from my wedding and see her smiling. I’ve considered having the photographer edit some of the pictures and videos, but my husband thinks it’s not worth the trouble.”
“An oversabi aunty hijacked my groomsmen” — Chuka*, 34
Every Nigerian wedding has that one aunty who thinks she’s the chief organiser, even when no one gave her the role. For Chuka, this aunty turned his wedding into a personal checkpoint.
“She’s a distant relative; one of those women you only see at family events. I thought she’d just come, eat, dance and go. I was wrong. From the moment she arrived, she was everywhere. She told the caterers where to serve food, rearranged chairs, and even directed the MC like the event planner.
The worst part came when it was time for my groomsmen to make their grand entrance into the hall. She literally stood at the entrance, blocking it like a nightclub bouncer. She insisted every single groomsman had to ‘settle her’ before they could enter. I was stunned. These were my close friends, some of whom had flown in from abroad. She held up the entire programme for almost 15 minutes because she said it’s tradition. I was so mad I almost went over to tell her off, but my parents begged me to let it go. But till now, my friends still tease me about having to bribe their way into my wedding. They think it’s funny, but to me, not so much.”
“My husband’s ex came dressed like the main character” — Nneka*, 29
Nneka didn’t think much of her husband’s ex when she saw her name on the guest list, until she saw her in person.
“I honestly didn’t mind her coming because she was a mutual friend in our larger social circle. I thought, ‘We’re all grown-ups here, what’s the worst that could happen?’ Oh, how naïve I was. This woman came to my wedding in a dress that was so tight and shiny that it looked like it was a club event. And she wore it with the confidence of someone who wanted the main character treatment.
The worst part? She kept finding excuses to talk to my husband. She’d walk up to him while he was with his groomsmen, drag him away for ‘quick’ catch-ups, even pull him to the dance floor at one point. My friends kept giving me the side-eye all day, and I had to keep smiling through my teeth like nothing was wrong. My only regret is that I didn’t tell security to escort her out before the reception started.”
“My uncle showed up just to cause trouble” — Adewale*, 40
Some family members are a blessing at weddings. Adewale’s uncle was the exact opposite.
“This man is my dad’s younger brother, and he’s been a thorn in the family’s side for as long as I can remember. Always looking for a fight, always drunk at family gatherings. My mum begged me not to invite him, but my dad insisted because “he’s still family.’
On the D-Day, this man arrived late, already smelling like he’d been marinating in ogogoro all day. He sat at the high table, shouted insults at the MC, and at one point, he openly complained about the food portions being ‘stingy’. The final straw was when he pulled my dad aside and started arguing about waiters who were rude to him in the middle of the reception. Till today, when I watch my wedding video, I have to skip the parts where he’s in the background. He still gets to attend other family events, but where I’m concerned, I always refuse to extend an invitation.”
“My former boss used my wedding as a networking event” — Jumoke*, 32
For Jumoke, the problem wasn’t drama; it was pure opportunism at the wrong place.
“I only invited my ex-boss because I felt like it would be rude not to. She’d been nice to me when I worked at her company, but we hadn’t spoken much since I left. She showed up looking amazing, which was fine until I realised she was treating my wedding like a corporate mixer.
She went from table to table, handing out her business cards, telling people about her company, and even arranging lunch meetings with some of my guests. She interrupted my cousin’s conversation to pitch her services. At one point, I saw her talking shop on the dance floor with my uncle’s business partner. I wanted to hide under the table from the second-hand embarrassment. Never again.”
“My fetish grand-aunt showed up uninvited” — Abiola*, 31
Abiola didn’t expect any surprises on her wedding day, until she remembered a strange prophecy from her pastor.
“Two weeks before my wedding, my pastor pulled me aside and told me, ‘An unwanted guest will show up, but you must treat them with the utmost respect.’ He didn’t say who; for days, my parents and I kept trying to figure it out. No one came to mind.
Then, on the morning of the church service, she walked in — my grand-aunt from my father’s side. This woman has a history. In my family, she’s known for being fetish, the type who dabbles in things you don’t talk about in daylight. She’s been accused of spiritually attacking relatives before, and she hadn’t been to any major family function in years. She was definitely not invited.
The moment I saw her, my heart dropped, and everything the pastor said clicked. My parents and I quickly decided to follow the advice. We made sure she got the best seat and food, and was attended to like royalty. Meanwhile, I spent the rest of the day quietly muttering prayers under my breath. My smile in all those wedding photos was 50% joy, 50% spiritual warfare.”
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the subjects.
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