Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has advised young couples to avoid spending excessively on wedding ceremonies, warning that elaborate celebrations can place unnecessary pressure on marriages.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that the mother of two shared her advice in a video posted on her Instagram page, where she discussed the mental and emotional challenges couples may face when preparing for marriage.
Kadiri explained that while some people enjoy dating and spending time with their partners, they begin to develop fears about marriage when confronted with the responsibilities, expectations and pressures associated with it.
According to the actress, expensive wedding ceremonies can add to these anxieties and make the transition into married life more difficult for couples.
She said, “I do think that big weddings put pressure on couples; it puts pressure on the marriage itself. Big weddings, it puts pressure on people, and they don’t seem to have realised that. They don’t seem to have realised that because I’m not just talking about spiritually or what; I’m talking about mentally.
“Do you know that people have a phobia, a fear? People naturally have a fear of what marriage is. But they could date, they will date this girl, love her, be with her every day, every day, every day and then after this whole damn ceremony, have you asked yourself what changed? Married, that wedding is part of what changed.”
The actress encouraged young couples to embrace simpler wedding arrangements, suggesting that they could fulfil traditional marriage requirements, pay the bride price, conduct a court wedding and hold a modest celebration with close family and friends.
She argued that couples should prioritise their relationship and future together rather than feel compelled to organise expensive ceremonies to satisfy societal expectations.
Kadiri also observed that some couples only begin to fully appreciate the reality of marriage months after their wedding celebrations have ended.
Reflecting on her own experience, she said she believed avoiding excessive wedding pressure had contributed to her successful marriage, which she said had lasted about seven years.
She added that she had seen couples separate only two months after getting married, warning young people against allowing societal expectations to dictate their decisions.
The actress further criticised the pressure Nigerian society places on couples to organise engagement ceremonies, traditional weddings, white weddings and court weddings, noting that some people wrongly believe their marriages will fail if they do not complete every stage.
Kadiri also raised concerns about the potential risks of inviting people into private family affairs, cautioning couples against exposing themselves to unnecessary scrutiny.
Beyond marriage, she urged the younger generation to challenge other societal expectations, particularly the pressure parents place on their children to succeed financially and bring money home.
She maintained that young Nigerians need to rethink these expectations and make choices that prioritise their emotional well-being and long-term happiness.
