I would like to firstly say that planning (organizing) is the most important part of a wedding. No amount of money spent on a wedding ceremony would be sufficient, if it's not planned properly.

Am going to give a detailed info on how I planned a success wedding ceremony for my younger sister (bride) and hope this would be useful to whoever is planning on having a moderate/ low and tight budget but still look forward to something elegant and modern.

Always have it at the back of your mind that you don't have to break the bank or be in debt to have a modern day ceremony. 
 I would be very detailed as possible as I can be. (Note that pictures of some of the items/event discussed would follow after the write up)

Location: Lagos
 Date: August, 2015
Color of the day: Sun yellow and turquoise blue
Duration of planning: 2 months
Type of marriage:Court and traditional marriage.

COURT WEDDING (please note that some things used are pre- owned by bride. E.g jeweries, bag, shoe, etc): @ Ikeja Local governt
Total amount paid to the registry:#15,000
Dress of bride & hair accessories: #10,000
Suit for groom, white shirt &shoe: #15,000
Ring (3 pieces)(Bruna Gold)          : #18,000
Pictures(we used our tab but still took some with the local photographer@the local govern:#2,000
TOTAL COST.                                   : #60,000

This is took place on a Thursday.
There was no need to prepare food or drinks because it was a ceremony less than 30mins although we waited long before it was our turn because we got there late. There were about 18 wedding ceremonies conducted on that day and we were no.16.

All items for the court wedding were purchased in Lagos market (Eko).

TRADITIONAL WEDDING(Yoruba)
Planning of the traditional wedding: this took place the Saturday after the court wedding. The analysis I would be giving is that from the bride's side because the feeding and drink for the bride and groom was done seperately. The groom family took care of their guest while the bride family also took care of their guest. 


The number of guest the bride family planned for150 guest (but always add invisible number of 50 to the guest list) while the groom planed for 200 people (capacity of hall is 350 guest)
I would give the summary of expenses and later give the details
 Summary of expenses:
Invitation: #2,500
Hall :   #70,000 (unbelievable)
Decor: # 60,000
Music band:#50,000
Photographer: #30,000 ( small wedding album)
Small chops for 120 people: - #30,000
Servers (5@#1,500/1) :- #7,500
Food - #250,000
Drinks: #50,000
Dress for bride parents:- #36,000
Dress for bride's siblings ((This is inclusive of in-laws and grand children :- #57,000
Miscellaneous :- #5,000
Total:#648,000

Pls note that the purchase of wedding ring and expenses at the registry was on the Groom.

GROOM EXPENSES (Traditional wedding): I would be very brief about expenses at this side because am from the bride side. This is not part of the #700,000 but can be useful for whoever wants to plan for both bride and groom. case study is only on the bride.

Summary of expenses:
Dress for Groom : #20,000
Cake (one tiers): # 15,000
Food: #250,000
Drinks: #30,000
Alaga Iduro: #15,000
Eru Iyawo and other enveloped money: #100,000
Dress for Groom's parents: #36,000
Dress for Groom's siblings(9) : #60,000
Transportation to venue: #10,000
Miscellaneous : #5,000
Total : 541,000

541,000 + 648,000 is = 1,189,000 and not 700,000 as you implied in your topic. Less than 700,000 was spent only on the brides side. A WEDDING involves 2 people and not the wife only.