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I recently took a different stand on weddings specifically the obsession with lavish ceremonies. Here's the truth: A majority of couples in Kenya today are focused on weddings, not the marriage itself. You’ve seen it; people want the grandeur, the fanfare, and the perfect Instagrammable moment. But here's the problem: you have a budget of $10,000 for a wedding but can only raise $500. What happens next? You look to the community, friends, and relatives to cover the difference, all in the name of throwing a lavish wedding. Let me ask you this; Can $500 get you married? Absolutely, and it will be a more authentic and meaningful union. The issue is we’ve placed more value on the event than on the commitment itself. And let’s talk about dowry for a moment. As men, it’s traditionally our responsibility to pay dowry. If you can't afford your own dowry, keep working on yourself. Stop relying on others to bail you out. Someone once said, "Other men contributed to your dowry, so they have shares in your relationship." Think about that. When things go wrong, and your best man elopes with your wife, remember—they have a stake in your marriage because they invested in it. The bottom line? If you're not ready to fund your own marriage, you're not ready for the commitment that comes with it. Marriage is a lifetime investment, not a one-day affair. Focus on building a strong foundation, not just a fancy wedding.

Five Smart Money Wedding Tips: According to Wedding Spends Report 2.0, an average middle class Indian spends around Rs 15-25 lakh on his wedding. This survey was conducted between October and November 2023 among 1200 Millennial Generation. People in the 25-40 age group were included in this and it happened in 20 cities of the country. In Indian society, marriage is not only an event between two people but also two families, the planning of which usually starts weeks, months in advance and does not end even after the departure of the bride. Indian traditional wedding is an expensive event comprising of various small and big events. In this era of destination weddings, if you want to carry out your marriage wisely, then this is a great decision from a financial point of view. Many times a wedding ceremony becomes a series of extravagance and show-off events where money is wasted like water. If you want to have a low-cost wedding and that too in a good way… then let us help you in this: First of all you should know about your budget wedding. The desire has to include both families and your future husband, meaning they have to be involved in trying to get married for as little money as possible. When we are talking about a budget wedding of 5 to 7 rupees in the headline, then it is possible that this amount may even be 8-9 lakhs in low cost for you! But you can adopt some important things to reduce the total expenses. The wedding season mostly occurs after Diwali – during November, December, January and February. Sometimes these happen in May and June also. If you want to keep your costs down, get married in the off-season. From venue to catering and other expenses can also be within limits if you get married in the off-season. If we talk about Hindu marriage This is not a one day event. The cost increases with each plan of sangeet, mehendi, wedding, reception… Therefore, it is better to merge the events or keep them to a minimum. If you want, mehendi and sangeet can be done in the same day and night. For more such information related to women and personal finance, you can click here. immediately after the wedding ceremony If you hold a reception, you will also be able to bargain for the venue. All the programs can be organized at one place, this will make it possible to deal with aggressive rates. Some programs can be organized at your home, in the community hall of the society, in the courtyard of a big temple or if possible even on the terrace, like concerts. guest list highest cost Has a special factor. The more guests you invite to the wedding, your costs will increase at every level. Keep a strict guest list, review it frequently with family members and then finalize this list. Limit shopping Amidst the skyrocketing prices of gold and silver, apart from taking good clothes on rent, reusing jewelery and using artificial jewellery, you can also take jewelery on rent. Cut down on decorations and give

ITS TIME TO DITCH WHITE WEDDINGS COMPLETELY. HERE IS WHY? African weddings are holistic, capturing everything essential in a union spirituality, community, and family. They involve the entire community and deeply honor both families, making the marriage a shared experience rather than just a personal milestone. In contrast, white weddings often emphasize the visual and individual aspects of marriage, focusing on the couple’s journey rather than the broader familial and communal connections. Given the comprehensive nature of African weddings, why do we feel the need to have both an African wedding and a white wedding? This dual approach seems redundant and wasteful. African weddings encompass all the necessary elements of a meaningful marriage ceremony. They are not just about the couple; they celebrate the union of families and the support of the entire community, ensuring that marriage is a shared, lifelong partnership. Marriage was never meant to be a solitary endeavor between two individuals. It is a communal effort, supported by families and the wider community. This is why, even today, we seek financial and emotional support from our families during weddings. However, by adhering to both African and white wedding traditions, we are unnecessarily duplicating the process, which wastes time and money. Instead, a church wedding or a civil marriage could fulfill legal or religious obligations, but these should be validated by an African wedding. The African wedding captures the true essence of marriage, emphasizing community and collective strength. It is a celebration of love, unity, and the support system that sustains a lifelong commitment. In conclusion, we do not need both weddings. African weddings alone provide a rich, holistic celebration that honors tradition, community, and family. Opting for both is not only redundant but also a waste of resources. The African wedding stands on its own as the ultimate expression of a meaningful and enduring union. #UnpopularOpinion

India witnesses around 10 million weddings per year, which is about 30,000 weddings per day. The Indian wedding industry earned Rs 4.74 trillion in 2023, a 26.4% increase from 2022. Around 3.5 million weddings occurred between November 23 and December 15, 2023, generating a business worth Rs 4.25 trillion. The wedding industry has become India's fourth largest industry, driven by factors such as increasing urbanization, rising disposable income, the rise of wed-tech, and social media influence. Many things change after marriage, but the common change witnessed in various countries is the change of surname. To my surprise, this tradition didn’t originate in India but has been adopted by Britishers Traditionally, married women in Asia keep their maiden name, but some people in Hong Kong have adopted the British tradition of women changing their English last name or adding their husband's Chinese surname to their own. In Japan, 96% of married women take their husband's surname because Japanese law does not recognize married couples with different surnames as lawful husband and wife. In 1983, Greece passed a law requiring women to keep their maiden names after marriage, and this law is still in place today. But there are some countries which accept names written on the birth certificates, such as France. Thankfully in India, there is no  such law Changing your name after marriage in India is entirely optional. There's no legal compulsion to adopt your spouse's surname. However, if you decide to go ahead, there are two main routes:  1)Affidavit and Newspaper Publication and 2)Gazette Publication But once you decide to change your name, you need to follow the process of changing your name for other official documents as well, like an Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, bank account, etc. Each issuing authority may have specific procedures for name change, so it's advisable to check their websites for details. In my latest video of Nyaaya, (https://lnkd.in/duXPSNGu) I will dive deep into the name change process in India  

I am the MVP at weddings. That's right. I am the most Valuable person at a wedding. Stop yelling at your screen for a moment. Hear me out. Without me, the officiant, you don't have a wedding. You have a very expensive dress-up party. There's only ONE person who says the couple is legally married. The couple saying vows to each other doesn't do it. The couple exchanging rings doesn't do it. Mother of the bride? Nope, she doesn't declare it a legal marriage. Mother in law of the bride. Nope, not here either. Your homies Tyler, Bradley, or Austin can't do it. Neither can your besties Alyson or Kaitlyn (or Caitlynn, or Katelin). Only the Officiant declares the couple married. Only the Officiant signs the legal document proving you're married. Who has the most VALUE at a wedding? The officiant. Pay them. Very Well. They are the only person who turns the wedding into a marriage. >> How many weddings have you attended? = I point out things you don't want pointed out. I ask questions you don't want asked. I also listen like nobody else. That's how I help you figure tough sh*t out. DM me or have a chat with me. Dr. John Page

10 Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect Marriage Halls Choosing the perfect marriage hall is one of the most crucial decisions in the wedding planning process. It sets the tone for your big day and influences many aspects of your wedding celebrations. With countless options available, finding the ideal venue can be overwhelming. However, armed with the right knowledge and guidance, you can navigate this process smoothly. In this article, we’ll explore ten essential tips to help you select the perfect marriage halls near madipakkam for your special day. VISIT: https://lnkd.in/ezZpEsbv #marriagelife #marriage #marriagehall #marriagefunction #weddinghall

If you're getting married soon, here are some top tips for tying the knot tomfoolery from celebrant Ashlee Bunney. https://lnkd.in/gRW-Eqwy #shedefined #women #wedding #weddingceremony #marriage #weddingcelebrant Heidi Anderson

AFRICAN TRADITIONAL WEDDINGS, MARRIAGES & ANCESTORS. Thabo Eric Ratshiu. A white wedding is a traditional formal or semi-formal wedding originating in Britain. The term originates from the white color of the wedding dress, which originated with Anne of Brittany during her 1499 marriage to Louis the XII of France. Now, as far as white weddings and marriags are concerned, apart from the church ceremony amongst other things, there are no known cultural bondages between the groom, bride and their families except for that the bride inherits the groom's family name and becomes part thereof. Although there's nothing wrong with Africans now having adopted white weddings, it is evident that it was initially not of African origins. Now, moving on to black or African traditional marriages & wedding ceremonies. These are much more complex as they are not only limited to the commemoration of two individuals coming together to make a lifetime commitment in the name of love, the inheritance of the husband's family name by the bride and them living their lives happily thereafter. Although there are some slight differences on how various African tribes perform these ceremonies, the one common and significant practice is that of spirituality, one that involves partners introducing each other to their ancestors as well as the unification of those ancestors. This is the most crucial part and one that compelled me to write about this. Before I get into the subject of the day, It is important to distinguish between a wedding and an actual marriage. As mentioned earlier, a marriage is a union of two people who commits to a lifetime intimate relationship, and a wedding is the celebration thereof. Fact is, not all these unions get to stand the test of time, as despite the vows taken during the ceremony, when faced with marital challenges, many marriages go to wrack and ruin. It is my view that in cases like the one which is mentioned above, where two married people, particularly Africans, who were once bonded together by love and unified their ancestors tend to make the biggest mistake of undermining the very same process by not going back to the same ancestors to inform them of the end of their union in a form of a similar ceremony. A similar scenario where blacks who are married through African tradition or culture undermines ancestors is that of cheating. Simply because the unification of ancestors means that my ancestors shall be with and protect my partner at all times from there onwards, and vice versa. And so, while in the act of cheating, you should remember that both your ancestors and your partner's ancestors are watching you, and are not recognising the person whom you're cheating with at the time. With all that having being said, it is important for us as Africans to understand the nature of African traditional marriages.

WHY INDIAN WEDDING ARE SO BIG? It starts from the home - Imagine a very hardworking man who achieved a lot in his life but the question in the family is like - "Beta kab settle ho rahe ho?" which implies "when is your wedding?" As if the entire existence of that man means only his wedding (Yes, it might be out of concern but the problem arises as it's mostly about the Wedding and not Marriage). Now let's talk about a very hardworking woman who's doing really well and they're in their late 30's, you know half of the relatives have assumed that "kuch toh Kami hogi isme" which means "something is wrong with her". WEDDING was never a celebration of the couples, it's more about showing how much one can make it grand and please others. (Yes, exceptions are there but it can't be an example) You know according to a survey done by IndiaLends - 20% of all loans taken by young Indians in 2018-19 were to fund their own wedding. (Not for Education, Not for Health) It's an old data, think about recent time with the high inflation and growing trends of designer clothes and destination weddings. We can't even imagine how socially insecure & vulnerable time it is to be in. Marriage is more important than a wedding and tends to people forget that. For rich people it saves their taxes and for vulnerable people it comes with big baggage of high loan interest rate. No doubt, these few days "YOU" have been seeing a lot of buzz from Ambani "Pre-wedding Ceremony". From Rihana to All 3 Khans Dancing. Some people might have even felt proud on behalf of Mukesh Ambani that "Dekho dekho Rihana ko shaadi mein nachwa diya bada bol rahi thi 3rd world country" WAKE UP!!!! Wedding Industry is a growing business market and it's in Top 5 largest businesses. Rich people will show it and enjoy it too. But think about a Father who's taking a loan to meet his daughter's desire for "Designer Lehenga" OR Think about a young Man or Women taking a Loan on huge interest rates just to show and please their relatives that they had a good wedding ceremony. On a rational note - DONT BE A VICTIM OF THESE "₹130 BILLION MARKET". #indianwedding #linkedinforcreators

When orchestrating your ideal wedding in New Jersey (NJ), a crucial decision is the selection of the appropriate officiant. This individual is responsible not only for legalizing your union but also plays an instrumental role in customizing your ceremony to mirror the distinctive narrative of your relationship. The era of standardized ceremonies is bygone; modern officiants provide a plethora of personalization options, ensuring your marriage celebration is as distinct as your bond. Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash Customizing Your Wedding Ceremony Customization in wedding ceremonies is more prominent than ever before. Today’s officiants present various customization opportunities for your big day. This can range from intertwining beloved cultural customs and crafting unique vows to incorporating meaningful symbols that resonate with you and your significant other. By adopting this personalized approach, your wedding ceremony will carry your signature touch, rendering it an unforgettable occasion for everyone involved. Navigating Legal Waters The officiant is instrumental in guiding you through the legal intricacies of getting married. They ensure all the legalities are in place for your marriage to be recognized by law, which involves securing the appropriate marriage license, conforming to state-specific ceremony regulations, and the prompt filing of the marriage certificate. A clear understanding of these legal necessities is essential for a seamless and hassle-free matrimonial experience. The Evolution of Officiating Services As societal norms shift, officiant services have evolved accordingly. The advent of virtual officiating is a prime example, designed to accommodate couples during unpredictable times, such as the recent pandemic. This innovative solution permits legally binding ceremonies from the convenience of one’s home, showcasing the officiant’s flexibility to modern demands. Moreover, given the challenges posed by safety considerations and travel limitations, officiants have introduced creative ceremony solutions that preserve the celebratory spirit while ensuring the well-being and convenience of all attendees. The role of an officiant in your NJ wedding is immensely significant. They do more than just officiate your wedding; they help in crafting a ceremony that not only narrates your love story but also meets legal formalities, thereby setting the foundation for a lawful union. By collaborating closely with your officiant, you have the opportunity to orchestrate a ceremony that both epitomizes your love story and fulfills legal requisites. The right officiant will transform your ceremony into an enduring story that will remain in the hearts of you and your guests for years to come. For more insights, go to simplemarriages.com