5 Things To Know Before Getting Married At The Lagos Ikoyi Marriage Registry.

 Hello my fellow Lagosians,

We’ve been apart for far too long, so please allow me tender my sincere apologies for my 6-month hiatus. Life happened. I was busy getting married. 

Now that I’m back, I’m here to do what I do best: share the real tips you actually need if you’re planning to get married at the Lagos Ikoyi Marriage Registry.

So without further ado… let’s lock in 

1. Do Your Research

As obvious as this may sound, doing your research is key. And no, I don’t mean asking one auntie or relying on vibes.

Your first stop should be the Ministry of Interior website, they’re the body that oversees all things marriage in Nigeria. Personally, I combined good old Google, ChatGPT (of course), and the official website, trust me, it saved me a lot of confusion.

This research helped me understand something very important: the types of marriages recognised in Nigeria. Confused? Don’t worry, let me break it down.

There are two major types of marriages:

• Normal marriage: This is when a Nigerian is marrying another Nigerian.

• Special marriage: This is where people get tripped up. It’s not only for Nigerians marrying foreigners. If both partners are Nigerian but one or both partners live abroad, it is also classified as a special marriage.

And with a special marriage comes… special requirements plus extra fees to pay on the portal. Love is sweet, but it is not cheap 

The special requirements include quite a number of documents, one of which is your partner’s arrival page showing entry into Nigeria for the wedding. And that’s just one example.

But don’t fret  because there is actually a lot of leniency when it comes to special marriages. Nothing is as rigid or scary as it sounds online. Your agent will walk you through what applies to your specific situation and explain things properly.

Which brings me neatly to my second point… GET AN AGENT

2. GET AN AGENT

Please. I’m begging you.
Get. An. Agent.

Yes, you can do everything yourself, but why stress when peace of mind is available? An agent helps you:

• Navigate the portal

• Explain which requirements actually apply to you

• Handle timelines and appointments

• Reduce unnecessary back-and-forth and confusion

Think of your agent as your wedding registry plug, they’ve seen it all and know how the system really works.

I was a full-on bridezilla at some point, but my agent constantly helped calm my nerves and made the entire process so much easier. From reminders to reassurance, he really came through. He even introduced me to my wedding-day photographer, which trust me, it was a lifesaver.

And I know you can already feel where this is going…

3. GET A PHOTOGRAPHER

Now, this one is non-negotiable. At the Ikoyi Marriage Registry, you cannot bring an external photographer, only the court-assigned photographers are allowed inside. 

At first, you might think, “Oh no, I wanted my own photographer!” But trust me, this is actually a blessing in disguise.

These photographers have years of experience handling registry weddings. They know all the perfect angles, the lighting, and the exact moments to capture, from the nervous smiles to the all-important “I do” moment.

Basically, you get professional photos without the stress of coordinating an outsider, and you can just focus on enjoying the day.

4. BE COMFORTABLE

This one might seem unusual, but trust me… it’s essential. Nobody prepared me for the waiting game at the hall. I arrived as early as 8 a.m., thinking I’d get in and out quickly. Nah… I was number 36 on the list, and the numbers went up to 60+ couples.

Here’s how it works: there are two desks of officials officiating the weddings, which means only two weddings happen at the same time. Everyone else waits outside with their number, pacing, sitting, or fanning themselves while watching the clock. Each wedding takes about 20 minutes, and before that, you also have to be interviewed by a court official, which adds another hour or so of waiting.

So yes — you could be standing, waiting, and sweating for 4+ hours before it’s finally your turn.

Comfort becomes everything. Learn from me:

• Wear comfortable shoes (I chose the prettiest but most painful ones 😩)

• Bring hand fans — both electric and manual

• Carry face towels for you and your partner

Looking back, I was frustrated after 3 hours of waiting, but now it’s funny. If I could do it again, I’d happily trade some style for comfort — but choose the same partner again and again.

5. COME WITH YOUR PARTNER… AND 2 WITNESSES

This one sounds obvious, but hear me out it’s actually worth stressing. While it’s funny to say, please, please, please come with your proposed spouse and 2 witnesses.

Your witnesses don’t have to be family, but there are a few rules:

• They must be over 21 years old

• They need valid IDs (no excuses!)

These two people are essential, they sign on the dotted line, vouch for you, and basically make your wedding official. 

So don’t try to “wing it” with friends who forgot their IDs or cousins who are minors. Trust me… it will slow you down, and nobody wants extra drama on their wedding day.

After all this is said and done, I want to wish you a happy marriage. Please, take the time to celebrate and be truly happy, I know I did.

As for me, I am now Mrs. Cynthia Wulff, and I love my husband, Tod, so much. He is my light, my soulmate, and my everything. I am so grateful for him.

Thank you for reading, and I hope these tips make your day at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry a little easier,

and a lot more memorable. 💛

---