Average wedding in Ghana now GHC600,000, industry insider reveals

A podcast discussion has ignited debate over lavish wedding spending, with one expert warning that couples are going broke — and getting divorced — in the pursuit of the “perfect day.”

During a recent episode of the podcast Once Upon A Wedding, which focused on the topic “Going Broke After A Wedding,” a female industry professional revealed that based on multiple wedding budgets she has reviewed from organisers, the average cost of a wedding in Ghana currently stands at GHC600,000.

She broke down the expenses: “Cocktail is about GHC40,000, decor about GHC180,000, and for food you are looking at about GHC200 a head. So inviting 200 people, that is GHC40,000 — and that is even if you have some simple dishes.”

‘Have 10x That in an Emergency Fund’

The hosts of Once Upon A Wedding advised that if a couple is willing to spend that amount on a wedding, they should at least have ten times that amount — GHC6 million — sitting in an emergency fund before going ahead.

The discussion also highlighted a worrying trend: many couples take out loans to fund their dream weddings, hoping that guests will bring enough cash gifts to offset the cost. More often than not, they end up disappointed.

Pressure to Please and the Price of Image

According to the panellists, most soon-to-be-wed couples are under immense pressure to please friends and family members by creating a “luxury vibe” to paint a certain image.

But the financial burden after the ceremony falls mainly on the man, the podcast noted. “And before we know it, they are divorced,” one speaker said. “So then what was really the whole point?”

Opinion: Never Borrow to Marry

In my personal view, no one should ever borrow money to get married. If you have to take a loan or beg people for funds to tie the knot, then you are not ready to enter that union.

The real wedding is not the one-day ceremony — it is how well you do together after the whole event. Find a partner who will reason with you, because the lavish party fades, but the marriage endures.

— Writer’s Note: This report is based on a podcast discussion and includes the writer’s personal opinion.