This archive report was first published on 26 September 2021.
On social media, a photograph of activist Boniface Mwangi's wedding sparked a heated debate about wedding budgets in Kenya. The wedding, which cost Ksh60,000, was met with criticism from many who felt the price was too high.
However, others shared their own experiences, with some couples revealing they had managed to have a full wedding for as little as Ksh3,000. Civil ceremonies were cited as a more affordable option for couples on a tight budget.
"Less than 30 people attended our wedding and it cost us Ksh20,000. It was officiated by the Anglican Priest (Civil Ceremony)." one user shared.
Others, on the other hand, were willing to splurge on their special day, with some couples estimating their wedding costs to be as high as Ksh700,000.
"My niece's wedding is estimated to cost Ksh700,000 not forgetting how the pandemic hit everyone in every part of the world, they still didn't care! They wanted the wedding by all means!" read one comment.
According to Diana Muthoni from Kenya Wedding Planners, couples should plan their wedding based on their budget and not go overboard. "Planning a wedding varies from client to client because it depends on the details. What may be considered as a simple wedding for you may not be regarded as a simple wedding by another person," she stated.
