Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has urged intending couples to avoid the pressure of organising extravagant weddings, warning that the expectations surrounding such celebrations could affect their marriages.
The actress said elaborate wedding plans could place unnecessary emotional and psychological burdens on couples, questioning why some people who enjoy stable relationships for years begin to experience anxiety and uncertainty after getting married.
In a video shared by Pulse on Sunday, Kadiri challenged societal expectations that push couples to spend heavily on wedding ceremonies, urging them to prioritise their relationships over public approval.
“I do think that big weddings put pressure on couples. It puts pressure on the marriage itself,” she said.
Prompt News reports Kadiri advised couples to consider simpler celebrations by completing their traditional and legal marriage requirements, then celebrating with a small gathering of family members and close friends.
She argued that intending couples should not feel obligated to organise engagement parties, court weddings, white weddings and traditional ceremonies merely to satisfy societal expectations.
The actress also noted that elaborate celebrations could expose couples to unnecessary scrutiny and pressure from others, stressing that the grandeur of a wedding should not be used to determine the likely success of a marriage.
Beyond wedding ceremonies, Kadiri called for a shift in societal attitudes towards success and personal achievement, particularly the expectations placed on young people by their parents and extended families.
She highlighted the responsibilities often imposed on firstborn children, who may be expected to provide financial support for relatives and take on family obligations, sometimes at the expense of their own well-being.
According to her, people have different definitions of success, and financial prosperity or career accomplishments should not be the only measures of a fulfilling life.
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“Success means different things to different people,” she said, noting that finding fulfilment could simply mean staying at home with one’s children and showing them love.
Kadiri urged parents and family members to allow young people greater freedom to make personal choices without constantly measuring their lives against societal standards.
She added that the expectations placed on individuals in 2026 could make it increasingly difficult for them to enjoy life, encouraging Nigerians to protect their peace of mind and pursue personal happiness rather than live to satisfy others.
