Nigerian wedding Sunday

Something different from my normal weekends was a Sunday in February that my friend chose to get married. The excitement I felt for her was on an entirely different level.

Prior to this day, we’ve had conversations, meetings, and shopped over the phone. Distance didn’t make it physically possible, but we did it anyways. We shopped for everything, planned out how the day would not be a flop, and because it was a Sunday and people would need to resume to work by Monday, we planned that the party would finish early.

We were about three close friends present at the hotel and we all knew our roles, especially in making the bride feel and look good throughout the day, because it was her day of joy. Through the night, we couldn’t sleep for long. We were so excited for the next day. So, we gisted into the night, arranged and rearranged her box, fixed everything that needed to be fixed, and got the bride ready for the most anticipated moment of thatday.

At 7:00am, the event decorator was around, the tables and chairs were getting set, the bands, and Dj, the alagas (spokespersons) and the venue for the foods and drinks was getting cleaned up and prepared. It was going to be a long day.

The bride got a call that was supposed to make her angry and sad at the same time, but, as the proactive friends that we are, we sabotaged the situation such that even the bride was shocked. We were there for her happiness anyway.

“My dear, no matter what anyone does to you today, don’t get angry. Again, don’t get angry and you must not cry except when you’re getting your father’s blessings, please. That one is allowed because it was tears of joy”. It was important that we reminded her.

The perfect plan we had was to start the event by 11:00am latest, but it started around 2:00pm because of a situation beyond our control. You can guess what the bride’s mood was, right? Okay, next, the proper solemnization was supposed to last for just an hour, but it extended beyond the time, but, strongly, the friends of the bride kept reminding her not to be angry, because the guests already started eating, plus her makeup would smear. We didn’t want that.

The proper party started, and we saw people trooping in. I remember my friend chose a Sunday because she didn’t want crowd, but she forgot that the wedding party is not for her and her friends alone, but, for her parents inclusive, and please, what is a Nigerian wedding without varieties of flamboyancy, foods, and drinks? How about the souvenirs? Oh mine. The party was a sight to behold.

After every almost-flopped moment passed, we had the reception proper with the ‘alagas’ (spokespersons) singing traditional wedding songs. Oh well, it was a beauty to behold because I never knew my friend could dance this much until this day. Chei! I loveet!

Once a year since 2023, I try to attend a party because normally, I don't like to attend any at all. That’s because parties stress me out too much. But this one, I enjoyed myself properly even though I couldn’t eat more than a plate of rice and meat, my friend’s happiness topped the reason for the enjoyment.

I left the event with a basket filled with souvenirs that were prepared by the bride. Even though I got back home very late at night and all tired, it was all worth it. At least, I had a weekend different from my usual weekend routine of watching tutorials, building dashboards, sleeping, and seeing movies.

The video is mine.