Nigerian wedding planning timeline: 12 months to the big day
A month-by-month timeline for planning a Nigerian wedding - introduction, traditional and white wedding - from budget and vendors to aso-ebi, invites and the day itself.
9–12 months out: the big decisions
Agree the budget and who is contributing before anything else - it decides the guest list, the venue and the vendors.
- Set the date(s): introduction, traditional wedding, white wedding or court registry.
- Write the guest list for each event; families on both sides usually have their own lists.
- Book the venue and the vendors who sell out first: caterer, photographer and videographer, DJ or band, MC.
6–9 months out: vendors and aso-ebi
Get every vendor's deal in writing - price, what's included, the deposit and what happens if plans change. On Zulra you can agree the deal in chat and sign it there, and vendor deposits are held until the job is done.
Choose the aso-ebi fabric and colours, set the price and a pay-by date. Selling aso-ebi through the event keeps payments and pick-ups in one list instead of a notebook.
3–6 months out: invites and details
Send save-the-dates, then invites. Personal invite cards with the guest's name and an RSVP QR code make headcount and door checks far easier.
- Book hair, makeup and gele.
- Plan the programme: order of events, speeches, dances and who is responsible for each part.
- Decide how guests can send gifts, including family abroad.
The last month
Confirm numbers with the caterer and venue, share the run of show with your vendors and coordinator, and agree who handles the money on the day - gifts, spraying and vendor balances.
Keep it in one place
Zulra's plan for an event brings together a to do list with deadlines and reminders, a budget you can split with family, aso-ebi, vendor agreements and the run of show, and you can share any part with the people helping you.
Updated 28 October 2026