Is it Necessary to Have a Big Wedding?

Weddings are a celebration of love and commitment between two people. It is a day to declare your devotion to each other, surrounded by families and loved ones. In this modern age of social media, movies, celebrity weddings and picture-perfect weddings, it’s no wonder that many couples envision a big wedding. We often see opulent celebrations, breathtaking venues, and glamorous bridal gowns flooding our screens, leading us to believe that a grand, extravagant wedding is the ultimate goal. However, it’s essential to question whether having a big wedding is really necessary. Let’s derive more into this question and see how we can create a celebration that is true to ourselves. 

The Meaning and Traditions of Big Weddings

A big wedding is a large-scale, grand, or extravagant wedding celebration that involves a remarkable number of guests, elaborate decorations, which often takes place in a spacious and luxurious venue. These weddings are often characterised by their wealth, the number of attendees, and the amount of time and resources invested in creating this lavish and memorable event. The size of a big wedding can vary depending on cultural norms, personal preferences, budget constraints and so on. In some cultures or societies, big weddings may involve hundreds or even thousands of guests, while in others, they may be considered large with a few hundred attendees.

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Defining Your Wedding Priorities:

As you engage in the preparation for your wedding, it’s vital to identify your priorities and align them with your partner’s. Consider what aspects of the celebration will be most important to both of you. Is it spending quality time with loved ones? Or Having a beautiful ceremony that reflects your personality and values? Or maybe it’s all about creating memories and experiences that will last a lifetime and trend on social media.

The Pressure and Expectations from Others 

When it comes to weddings, in Ghana, society, family, and friends can exert considerable pressure on couples to have a big wedding. Expectations from well-wishers, societal norms, and a desire to create a “dream wedding” can lead to a feeling that a grand celebration is the only way to go. However, it’s essential to remember that the true purpose of a wedding is to celebrate the love between you and your partner, not to impress others.

Let’s discuss some pros and cons that come with Big Weddings

Pros of Big Wedding 

Celebrating with Loved Ones: One advantage of having a big wedding is the opportunity to share our special day with a large number of family members and friends, classmates and so on. It allows you to include people from various aspects of your lives, making the celebration more joyous and inclusive.

Grand Experience: Big weddings can create a sense of awe and grandeur. They often provide a memorable experience for both the couple and their guests, leaving everyone with cherished memories of the celebration.

Opulent Details: With a larger budget, you have the ability to indulge in more opulent and luxurious details. From the venue choice to the decorations and entertainment, big weddings can be a showcase of extravagance.

Networking and Connections: Large weddings can also offer networking opportunities for families and friends to connect and build relationships, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among guests.

Diverse Entertainment Options: Having a sizable guest list opens up the possibility of diverse entertainment choices, such as live bands, DJs, dancers, and other performances, ensuring a lively and entertaining atmosphere.

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Cons of Having a Big Wedding:

Higher Costs: Big weddings often come with higher expenses due to the larger guest list, increased catering and venue costs, and the need for more elaborate arrangements.

Less Intimacy: With a multitude of guests, it may be challenging for the couple to spend quality time with everyone. The atmosphere might feel more formal and less intimate, which can be a drawback for some couples.

Added Stress and Planning: Organising a big wedding can be overwhelming, with more logistics to manage, coordination with multiple vendors, and the need for meticulous planning.

Pressure and Expectations: A large wedding may come with higher expectations from both the couple and the guests, leading to added pressure to ensure everything goes perfectly.

Less Flexibility: A bigger guest list may limit your choice of venues, as not all locations can accommodate large gatherings. This might constrain your options and potentially lead to compromises on your dream location.

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The necessity of having a big wedding ultimately depends on what feels right for you and your partner. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, and it’s essential to prioritise what truly matters to you both. Focus on the love and commitment you share, and let that guide your decisions about the size and style of your wedding celebration. Whether big or small, the most important aspect of a wedding is the love and joy shared between the couple as they embark on their journey of marriage.