“I’ve been married to the same person three times”, I said.
That was the only thing I could come up with when at work, we were asked to state quirky facts about ourselves. Of course my Caucasian colleagues had a lot of ‘quirky’ things to say. These mostly involved some extreme sporting stunts and thrilling hobbies.
Then, there was the one girl who said she had never eaten chicken wings. Just because she found them ‘funny’ to eat. Thankfully, that day she was made to eat at least three pieces of chicken wings.
In relation to my so-called quirky fact above, I was simply referring to our civil wedding, traditional wedding and white wedding ceremonies. I hoped that this would sound quirky enough to non-Nigerians.
Civil weddings are necessary because they are recognised under the law. In Nigeria, although some places of worship have the power to conduct marriages recognised under the law, the growing amount of religious centres (especially churches) may mean that some do not have this license. To be safe, many couples opt for a civil wedding first, the traditional, cultural/ ethnic ceremony next and finally the white/religious ceremony.
Anyway, my civil ceremony was so hilarious to me and in the spirit of throwbacks (exactly two years ago yesterday), I thought I’ll share some of the highlights.
#1: Singing is not my strength at all. Like, at all. Yet, the registry officials made me lead the Praise and Worship session. Let’s not even question why we had that in a civil ceremony. Nigerians are religious. Period.
I think after the first two songs I raised, she realised that I was probably going to make people sleep, so she moved on.
During Worship. Instinctively, I always start worship with a particular song.
#2: Too much Public Display of Affection (PDA). “Hug your wife”. “Kiss your wife” “Why are you Shy” “Is that how to Kiss?” “Carry your wife” “Spin her around”.
Ah Ah. Please just give us our certificate and let us go.
PDA… Carry your wife on your lap.
I quite like holding hands though. Something warm and pure about it.
Apparently a photo with the green signboard was a must… for evidence.
#3: Everything is a money-making opportunity, so of course this event was not an exception. The officials passed a basket round so guests could give their offerings to thank the Lord for a successful event. Nigerians are religious.
#4: ‘Free’ Marriage Tips in the form of a book ‘Marriage without Tears’ which we were made to compulsorily pay some cash for, to ‘appreciate’ the writer. Two years on, and I have not opened the book. Maybe I should…
I didn’t really fancy a pre-wedding shoot.
We already had too many normal photos and our plan for the white wedding was to have this shown on a projector showing our six year growth since the‘gari-soaking’* days.
However, since we got dressed up kinda for the civil ceremony, I thought it would be a good idea to take some posed pictures as well before the event.
Loved this chess board. But Chess requires too much thinking for me…
Loved the chandelier effect!
Is it just me, or when the photographer asks you to say something sweet in your spouse’s ear is the minute you have absolutely nothing to say? Like, *blank stare at the spouse*.
Something sweet in his ears didn’t quite work out….
We didn’t co-ordinate our outfits, it just worked out. Yesterday as well, we co-incidentally both wore yellow. Maybe that’s something to start? Co-ordinate outfits on our civil ceremony anniversary.
I think I now love the idea of photo shoots: Post wedding shoots, Christmas shoots, Birthday shoots, Maternity shoot, Wedding Anniversary shoot. Basically, any-reason-to-wear-a-fancy-outfit shoot. Because it appears in this part of the world we are often stuck with jumpers and boots.
I also secretly think this is the reason why there are so many Nigerian fashion bloggers in the UK. We need an opportunity to wear pretty clothes. Lol. I’ve digressed. But let’s see how my future photo shoots play out and if my posing will get any better.
In the mean time, let’s talk about quirky facts, civil wedding ceremonies and pre-wedding shoots! Any experience?
What would you say is the one quirky fact about yourself?
What do you think of pre-wedding shoots? Yay or Nay?
One thing is certain for sure: the bar just keeps being raised in relation to weddings in Nigeria.
Remember to cut your coat according to your cloth and the marriage is definitely more important than the 3 (or more) wedding ceremonies!
Don’t attempt to keep up with the Joneses’!
We might as well sneak in a quick change of outfit…
Love,
KacheeTee… Xx
*gari-soaking: used to refer to our student life days.
pS: We had to use ‘makeshift’ wedding bands for the civil ceremony, because of-course I still hadn’t found my perfect ring. If you missed it, you can read about my real wedding ring here.
ALABATA OYELAMI
April 30, 2016 at 09:54Wait a minute! Some have been married to the same person FOUR (4) times, when you add up the “introduction” that is so big and more elaborate than some other couples’ MAIN wedding ceremony. I just dont get that introduction part of the wedding especially among most Yoruba girls. It’s usually so big that you wonder if it should be all about the wedding and not the marriage itself!
Precious Nkeih
May 1, 2016 at 04:10Awww Kacheetee you are one pretty lady. I totally enjoyed this post. Blogging is your thing! An offering basket at a civil wedding?! Where did the ‘support’ go to? I can’t even think of one quirky thing about me. Maybe it’s the fact that I am obsessed with coconut and actually plan to write a book containing recipes about my coconut addiction.Precious Core Blog
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
May 1, 2016 at 15:08Precious thank you! That means a to me. Lots of make up sha; but I’ll still accept your compliment… We both know where the support went. Lol. Coconut obsession would definitely pass for quirky. I’ll love to see all the things that it could be used for. Xx
Comfy Cozy Up
May 1, 2016 at 08:58Your post had me laughing….Love the pictures!www.comfycozyup.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
May 1, 2016 at 15:06Awww. Thank you! Happy it made you laugh….Xx
Mercy
May 1, 2016 at 12:06We had four ceremonies actually. An Intro in February, civil wedding in April and a combined (one day) Trad and Christian wedding in August. It was crazy! My fav bit was the civil wedding because it was so “us”. The other ceremonies were done to please everyone else. You know how it is lol!We also did a pre-wedding shoot as part of our wedding photography package. I loved it! I also love the idea of any-reason-to-get-dressed shoots heheh! I would literally have a shoot for everything if I could afford it.Lovely article! Nigerian civil weddings sound hilarious and yes Nigerians are soooo religious jeez!PS: Remember me when you need a photographer for your maternity and family shoot o! 😉💕
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
May 1, 2016 at 15:14Actually we had 4 as well, but the intro was relatively small. Absolutely… many Nigerian weddings are more about the family than the couple.Thanks for your comment!pS: Meiko Photography is booked already. *wink.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
May 1, 2016 at 15:09I know right! Yoruba people love a big introduction. Loool! Thankfully ours was just a really small introduction!
Berry Dakara
May 31, 2016 at 21:21Nigerian civil ceremonies are just an avenue for the registry staff to make money. They also passed an offering basket at ours, had us pay their photographer, said we should “appreciate” them, blah blah blah. I had to try hard and concentrate on something else because the lady’s voice and accent was comical and I didn’t want to burst out laughing. You could also tell she was just going through the motions and reciting everything by heart.Berry Dakara Blog
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
June 1, 2016 at 13:31True True. they are sharing in your joy while making some extra cash. Oh yes! they had us take passports and pay much higher sums for the pictures. But the ladies seemed to have fun at ours – rather than just going through the motions.
Foy Rita
August 11, 2016 at 07:41Wow!!! Passing an offering basket round at a civil wedding??? Hilarious.. In my own scenario (Cameroon), we were asked to buy a bottle of Johnny Walker whisky (emphasis on the brand) for the Mayor, and pay a token… Haba!!!
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 13, 2016 at 16:59Hahahahah. I guess these ones were interested in the hard cash! Chai. Thanks for stopping by the blog. We hope you come back often!
CherishExpress
August 16, 2016 at 22:13This is very insightful. You both went through a lot of stress and came out looking wonderful. May God continue to bless your marriage.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 18, 2016 at 17:04Amen! Thank you so much!
Bubu Green
August 18, 2016 at 16:42Honestly, this just made my day! I laughed so hard ‘cos I remembered my experience as well, 4 years ago. The lady told us to “appreciate” them, which I thought was our prerogative to do so but she handed us a paper listing a carton of maltina, Danish cookies etc . I didn’t know whether to laugh or get angry. They even took out time to be particular about the type of biscuit. smh. Then the ceremony itself, after the vows, we were just hearing left, right, centre “hug her…hug her”. A phrase we use till today at home to make jest. As for Photoshoot, we did pre and post wedding shoot,@ that time we thought we pulled out all the stops and it was a slam dunk. Going by how photoshoots have evolved in Nigeria, I hide those pictures now. Lolhttp://www.bubusboulevard.c…
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 18, 2016 at 17:06Girl Nigerian photo shoots are not even smiling these days anymore! They keep raising the bar. AH AH!LOOL @ Hug Her, Hug Her. I can imagine. But Danish Cookies is amazing. I don’t blame them for specifying. Looool!
Yummy Mum Life
September 22, 2016 at 14:21Love this post Kachee and like Precious said blogging is your thing.You looked so so beautiful and remind me of the dress designer again?I think it starts from a V.I’ve always eyed those dresses.I remember when we had ours they gave us some marriage advice and then told us the woman must be the one to keep the certificate.We had a small get-together afterwards.www.CheecheeLIVE.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 22, 2016 at 14:28They told us that too! That the certificate is for me to keep. Hahahaa. It’s Virgos Lounge. They are available on Asos oh, and they often come on sale!. Thanks So much Chee!!
Live In Ibadan
December 10, 2016 at 21:05Nawa o. which one is ‘is that how to kiss?’. All theses civil marriage abi wedding people sturv are funny sha. Im glad u had fun!www.liveinibadan.blogspot.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
January 5, 2017 at 18:03Hhahaha. They were obviously having a laugh.! I did have fun, thank you!
Oyindamola Abbatty
January 5, 2017 at 17:40Lol, as long as you’re not in tears you don’t have to open it. Kachee you’re funny “blank stare at the spouse” got me cracking up…I can’t think of any quirky things (I can, just don’t want to share they’re waaaaay too quirky). You’re right though, Nigerian weddings are something else now, thanks to BellaNaija and the likes. It’s better to have a Wedding that expresses you and your partner rather than impress the world. Good one, Kachi. You never cease to amaze me with these wedding stories.The YC blog || Bloglovin’
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
January 5, 2017 at 18:02We need to cut our coat according to our size with weddings! Lol. Thanks for reading.