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9 Tips for planning a destination wedding on a budget

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Having lived all my life in <a href="https://travel.jumia.com/en-gb/hotels/nigeria/lagos/6289147">Lagos</a>, I have always dreamt of getting a romantic wedding proposal in a foreign land (Paris to be precise) and even saying my vows in an exotic location. Perhaps on Zanzibar Island or in the beautiful city of Dubai.<br />
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Then as I grew older, reality hit me, I realized the cost of planning a small wedding in Nigeria is just enough to put a dent in your finances if you do not belong to the class of elites and this made me wonder if it was just wishful thinking for the middle class and low income earners to aspire to have a destination wedding.<br />
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Are you getting married soon? An unapologetic romantic like myself who is fantasizing about saying the sacred vows in an exotic location? Your dream of having a fairy tale wedding isn’t farfetched after all.<br />
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A few tips have been put together called the “planning a destination wedding checklist”:<br />
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<b>Create your dream destination right where you are:</b><img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/jhalobia-recreational-park-and-garden.jpg?w=451&h=300" /><br />
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<i>Photo credit: Jhalobia Recreational Park and Garden on Bellanaija</i><br />
Nigeria is home to an assortment of places suitable for your destination wedding, a number of these places can double as a honeymoon destination and an ideal wedding location.</div>
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Check out these top 10 romantic honeymoon destinations in Nigeria;<br />
<ul>
<li>Obudu Mountain Resort</li>
<li>La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort</li>
<li>Eko Tourist Beach Resort</li>
<li>The Whispering Palms Resort</li>
<li>Le Meridien Ibom Golf Resort.</li>
<li>La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.</li>
<li>Clear Essence California Spa and Wellness Resort</li>
<li>Jhalobia Recreational Park and Garden</li>
<li>Kamp Ikare</li>
<li>La Manga Luxury Villas</li>
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For people who can’t afford to travel at all. Probably due to a health concern of one of the parents, you may choose to create the wedding of your dreams right where you are with the help of an event planner.<br />
Create a destination theme that matches the country of your dreams “Dubai in Lagos” or “a Paris themed wedding”, our event planners are killing it right now with their innovative ideas. Create the destination wedding you have always wanted by exploring options like the Jhalobia Recreational Park and Garden where you can have a beautiful garden wedding or check out <a href="https://travel.jumia.com/en-ng/landing/resorts-in-lagos">resorts in Lagos</a> like the Eko Tourist Beach Resort for a lovely Lagos Beach wedding.<br />
A beautiful outdoor wedding at the <a href="https://travel.jumia.com/en-gb/nigeria/o380/clear-essence-california-spa-wellness-resort-lagos">Clear Essence California Spa and Wellness Resort</a> in Lagos where there is a package for romantic getaways and pampering spa escape is also sure to leave you breathless.</div>
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<b>Consider your family & friends:</b></div>
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<img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/wedding.jpg?w=451&h=301" /></div>
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Be sensible, choose a location both families can easily access, this way you end up making things easy for your guests. You can choose a visa free country like Mauritius, which is visa free for about 90 days or Tanzania where you can get a visa upon arrival.</div>
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<b>Create a budget and stick to it:</b></div>
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<img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/wedding-budget.jpg?w=450&h=354" /></div>
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It is advisable to create a budget for your big day and by all means stick to it, to avoid having “Money Tension” during and after the big day. If a Paris wedding would not work for your budget, stick to a location that is both affordable yet exotic.<br />
Remember, creating a budget ensure you do not put a dent in your finances and allows you go easy on yourself. It also helps you make wise decisions, you can fly in your most important vendors and use local talent for the rest.</div>
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<b>Stick to off peak travel seasons:</b></div>
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<img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/off-peak-travel-season.jpg?w=450&h=230" /></div>
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Ensure you keep high travel season in mind, there is a lot more room for negotiation if it’s not peak season but you should also avoid putting yourself at risk for bad weather. Try booking just at the cusp of the low to high season, to ensure major weather threats have passed but the resort or destination isn’t operating at full capacity yet.</div>
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<b>Make detailed enquires:</b></div>
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<img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/enquiries-for-planning-destination-wedding.jpg?w=455&h=303" /></div>
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In some countries you are required to stay there for a certain period of time before you can be legally allowed to wed there. Therefore to avoid hitches, get your marriage paperwork figured out ahead of time or get legally hitched in your home country before setting out to have the ceremony of your dreams. This way you are certain of the legitimacy of everything and you end up saving fees for paperwork, officiants and lawyers fee.<br />
<b>Get a planner:</b></div>
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<img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/event-planner.jpg?w=549&h=367" /></div>
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Getting an event planner may just be one of the best decisions you’ll make for your wedding as many can’t afford the time and extra cost of visiting the destination prior to the wedding. Event planners save you a ton of money, time and stress as they make all necessary enquiries and preparation ahead of your destination wedding.<br />
Choose a wedding planners who specialize in the place or area you are considering getting hitched as they have more insight into the best deals, hotel options and can even help score the best travel deals for your guests.</div>
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<b>Pick a venue that doesn’t require tenting:</b></div>
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<img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/outdoor_wedding_decor.jpg?w=466&h=310" /></div>
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Having an outdoor event can be surreal and can save you the extra cost of procuring a tent, decorating, putting in flooring and lighting it up to name just a few.<br />
Look for a venue that doesn’t require tenting but has a covered area for backup in case of an unpleasant weather. This way, you can get a plan B at no extra cost, as the resort management will be pleasant enough to offer you the option to avoid hitches.</div>
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<b>Create a theme around your local element:</b></div>
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<b><img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/themed-wedding.jpg?w=477&h=391" /></b></div>
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Make smart decisions when it comes to venue selection, take a look at the design of the space and location, the cultural elements and local foliage to ensure it fits with how you have envisioned your wedding.<br />
Don’t try to bring in foreign elements into your chosen destination, it will look unnatural and you get to waste a substantial amount to bring in the décor.</div>
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<b>Honeymoon meets Destination Wedding:</b></div>
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<img src="https://stylebybarry.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/honeymoon.jpg?w=450&h=281" /></div>
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Having your honeymoon in the same place or same country you had your wedding is a smart way to save cash. It is therefore advisable to choose a destination which holds the appeal of a romantic stay as well as the ideal location for saying your vows. You can spice things up after the wedding by exploring the city and switching suites.</div>
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9 Tips for planning a destination wedding on a budget

Having lived all my life in Lagos , I have always dreamt of getting a romantic wedding proposal in a foreign land (Paris to be precise) and...

Travel tips: How to travel on a budget to Nigeria

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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mupEMUFuhn4/V_fDh_i_I9I/AAAAAAAAAHU/BvGnPEv3yRoRvhoELzpn6CrFEWd4NFpfQCLcB/s1600/how%2Bto%2Btravel%2Bon%2Ba%2Bbudget%2Bto%2Bnigeria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mupEMUFuhn4/V_fDh_i_I9I/AAAAAAAAAHU/BvGnPEv3yRoRvhoELzpn6CrFEWd4NFpfQCLcB/s400/how%2Bto%2Btravel%2Bon%2Ba%2Bbudget%2Bto%2Bnigeria.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Regarded by many as one of the most expensive places to
visit in Africa. It is safe to say that with proper planning and discipline,
you can have the vacation of a lifetime during your visit to Nigeria, the giant
of Africa. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The city of Lagos, the major industrial hub of Nigeria and
Abuja, the capital city are perceived as expensive places to visit when travelling
to Nigeria. However, you wouldn’t want to miss out as these cities are the
entertainment and tourism capital of the country.  <o:p></o:p></div>
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A list of the top 5 budget travel tips on how to spend less and
get the <a href="https://travel.jumia.com/en-gb/hotels/nigeria/136"><span style="color: red;">best accommodation in Nigeria</span></a><span style="color: red;"> </span>during your visit has been put together to help you keep
your finances in check while ensuring you still enjoy a great time in town.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><b>Money
Logistics:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The local currency in Nigeria is called the Naira.  The
currency works out to be about 450 Naira per USD.  You can change CFA,
USD, Euros and British pounds easily. The Hausa money changers (popularly
called Mallam) can easily be found around town or close to a mosque, they are
reliable and you shouldn’t have any problem with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is advisable to use mainly cash and cards as bringing
traveller’s cheque book to Nigeria is a waste of time. Several banks and of
ATMs are also available in Nigeria, you shouldn’t have any problem getting cash
out as most cities have a reliable banking system.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><b>Transport:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The transportation network system in Lagos is greatly
improved. For tourists who would love to mingle with the locals, you can hitch
the famous BRT ride or Lag Buses, a public transport system known to cover
various areas in the city. It is one of the most affordable and easiest way to move
around town. Local cab drivers are known for unnecessarily raising cab fares
when they figure out you are new in town. Hence, it is better to use Uber
service, as you are assured of comfort and speed at surprisingly low rates.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><b>Accommodation:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Getting a place to stay during your trip to any part of
Nigeria has just become easier. You can enjoy great deals on various classes of
accommodation to suit your budget type. Check out hotel portals like Jumia
Travel to get the best deals. You can pre book even before arrival in town.
Look through the list of <a href="https://travel.jumia.com/en-gb/landing/cheap-hotels-abuja"><span style="color: red;">affordable hotels in Abuja</span></a><span style="color: red;">
</span>and several other cities to get great deals and offer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><b>Food:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A number of hotels offer complimentary breakfast options. Be
smart when making a choice about the right place to stay, as some of the
restaurants at many hotels in
Lagos or Abuja boast of great meal options at reasonable cost. There is
an assortment of street meals you would love and they are ridiculously low
priced; roasted plantain and groundnut, roasted yam served with sauce, suya,
fried yam and potatoes, akara (bean balls), noodles and egg. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><b>Activities:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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You can visit the popular Ikeja city mall to shop, see a
movie at Silverbird cinema, Leisure Mall or Ozone Cinema. Free popcorn and
drinks are available on selected days of the week. Some beaches in Lagos are
open the public at no cost, visit the Lekki Beach to have a picnic with your
family or check out others like the Atican Beach Resort or Oniru to enjoy the
leisure life in Lagos.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jabi Lake, the Arts and Crafts Village in Abuja, Abuja
Wonderland & Park and the Abuja Zoological Park in Asokoro District are
some the places you can also visit during your next trip to Nigeria, if you are
visiting Lagos or Abuja.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A number of tourist centres are spread across Nigeria, the
Obudu Mountain Resort in Calabar, Ikogosi Warm Spring, Osun Sacred Groove,
Oguta Lake, Old Oyo National Park are some of the places you can check out
depending on your location in the country upon arrival.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Written by: Mariam
Banwo Barry, a self-motivated, goal oriented individual who is passionate
for quality and result. She believe the best way to preserve knowledge is by
constantly passing it off to a new generation of individuals who would help
shape the future of our society. Hence, the invaluable importance of social
media and the web on conserving useful information. A content development
and marketing connoisseur who specializes in creating SEO friendly web contents
to increase conversion rate. She works with the SEO team at </i><a href="https://travel.jumia.com/"><i>Jumia
Travel</i></a><i>.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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