Nigerian actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has advised young couples to consider keeping their wedding ceremonies simple, arguing that elaborate celebrations can place unnecessary pressure on both partners and their marriage.

According to her, the financial, mental and emotional demands associated with large weddings can affect couples as they begin their lives together.

In a video shared on social media on October 24, 2026, the actress said many people underestimate the pressure that comes with organising elaborate wedding ceremonies and the expectations that follow.

“I do think that big weddings put pressure on couples. It puts pressure on the marriage itself. Big weddings put pressure on people and they don't seem to have realised that,” she said.

Kadiri explained that the pressure was not limited to financial considerations but could also affect couples mentally, particularly when they begin to feel that marriage comes with expectations they must meet.

She further observed that some people who are comfortable dating for years may begin to experience anxiety when the relationship progresses towards marriage.

“Do you know that people naturally have a phobia of what marriage is? But they could date; they would date this girl, love her, be with her every day and then after this whole damn ceremony, they would ask themselves, what changed?” she stated.

The actress suggested that the wedding ceremony itself, alongside the expectations surrounding it, could contribute to the change in how some couples perceive their relationships.

Kadiri encouraged young people to prioritise the marriage itself rather than spending excessively to organise elaborate ceremonies.

I didn’t hide my husband from public- Actress Ruth Kadiri clarifies

She advised couples to fulfil the necessary traditional marriage requirements and keep their celebrations small, depending on their preferences and circumstances.

“So I do want to encourage young people: go to your father's house, pay the bride price and go home. You want to do a wedding, just invite 30 people, go to court, come back home, call the pastor, let him pray, drink wine and sleep,” she shared.

According to her, couples should avoid placing themselves under unnecessary pressure to meet societal expectations or organise weddings beyond their means.

“When you put yourself under too much pressure, it won’t last,” she added.

The filmmaker also referenced her own marital experience, suggesting that keeping things simple had contributed to her ability to balance marriage and career.

Kadiri, who said she had been married for seven years, noted that she had observed people who married around the same time as her and whose relationships had experienced different outcomes.

“I never had that kind of marriage and I feel like it's part of why I'm successful. I can categorically say I'm successful because I've seen people marry two months before and I'm like seven years now. I've tried, especially with my career path,” she noted.

She further argued that some couples feel compelled to follow elaborate wedding traditions because they believe their marriages may not succeed otherwise.

Kadiri cautioned that placing too much of a couple's private life in the public domain could expose them to criticism and unwanted scrutiny.

“People genuinely feel that if they don't go through this process, their marriage will not work. You put yourself out there for people to easily poke,” she added.

“Big weddings put pressure on couples and the marriage itself, and I don't think people realise that. People can date for years, but after the wedding, some people change.”👀👀

—Actress Ruth Kadira

According to her, it is advisable for couples to have a low-budget wedding that will not affect their mental health. She explained that putting themselves under pressure to organise an expensive wedding can take a toll on them.

— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) October 24, 2026