FÊTEEKONobody gives you a straight answer on this. Vendors quote high when they hear "wedding," blogs recycle old numbers, and family members guess. So here is the honest version — the real 2026 ranges we see booking events across Lagos, broken down line by line, for 100, 200 and 500 guests.
Two things upfront. First, a wedding in Lagos has no single "price" — it swings with headcount, area, and taste more than almost any purchase you'll make. Second, most budget blowouts come from the same three places: guest count creeping up, decor upgraded on emotion, and small forgotten costs (logistics, power, gifts) that quietly add a million naira. Know those and you're already ahead.
The short answer
| Wedding size | Typical all-in range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Intimate (100–150 guests) | ₦3.5m – ₦7m |
| Standard (200–300 guests) | ₦8m – ₦18m |
| Large / society (500+ guests) | ₦25m+ |
These are complete-event figures — catering, decor, venue, photography, and the smaller lines — not just one vendor. Where you land inside the range is mostly decided by headcount × per-plate catering and how much decor you fall in love with.
Want your own number in two minutes instead of a range? Our Lagos event cost calculator builds an estimate from your guest count, area and services — free, no obligation.
Where the money actually goes
Here is the same 200-guest wedding, broken into the lines that matter. Treat each as a band, not a fixed price.
| Line item | Typical share | 200-guest range |
|---|---|---|
| Catering (food & drinks) | 35–50% | ₦2.4m – ₦7m |
| Decor & florals | 12–20% | ₦1.2m – ₦4m |
| Venue / hall | 8–15% | ₦600k – ₦3m |
| Photography & video | 7–12% | ₦600k – ₦2.5m |
| DJ, MC & sound | 4–8% | ₦350k – ₦1.5m |
| Cake, small chops & extras | 3–6% | ₦250k – ₦900k |
| Logistics, power & misc | 5–10% | ₦400k – ₦1.8m |
Catering — the number that moves everything
Catering scales directly with your guest list, which is why it dominates the budget. Expect roughly ₦12,000–₦35,000 per plate depending on menu, small chops, and drinks. The lever here isn't cutting quality — it's guarding the headcount. Every extra 50 "just in case" guests can add ₦1m+. Confirm a real number and cater to it.
Decor — where budgets quietly double
Decor ranges more wildly than anything else: a clean, tasteful setup for 200 guests might be ₦1.2m, while an elaborate stage, ceiling drapes, floral installations and lounge areas can pass ₦4m. It photographs beautifully and sells hard in person, so decide your ceiling before the showroom visit.
Venue — the hidden-cost line
The hall fee is only part of it. Ask what's included: some venues bundle chairs, cooling and power; others charge separately and require you to bring a generator. In Lagos, power is a real line item — budget for a generator and fuel unless the venue guarantees supply.
Photography & video — you keep this forever
Prices span ₦400k for a solo photographer to ₦2.5m+ for a full photo-and-cinematography team with same-day edits. This is the one line most couples say they'd never cut in hindsight. Pay for the album and the footage; skip the drone if budget is tight.
Worked examples by guest count
100 guests, tasteful and complete — around ₦4.5m
Catering ₦1.8m · decor ₦900k · venue ₦500k · photo/video ₦700k · DJ/MC ₦350k · extras ₦250k. Elegant, well-run, nothing missing.
200 guests, the Lagos standard — around ₦11m
Catering ₦4.2m · decor ₦2.2m · venue ₦1.2m · photo/video ₦1.4m · DJ/MC ₦700k · extras ₦1.3m. A full celebration with room to make it feel premium.
500 guests, society scale — ₦28m and up
Catering ₦11m+ · decor ₦5m+ · venue ₦3m+ · a full media team, live band, and coordination. At this size, coordination stops being optional — one point of contact is what keeps the day from unravelling.
Five ways Lagos weddings go over budget
- Guest-count creep. The list grows, catering follows. Lock the number early.
- Emotional decor upgrades. Beautiful, but set your ceiling before you shop.
- Forgotten power & logistics. Generator, fuel, transport, clean-up — budget them in from day one.
- Paying full upfront. Reputable vendors take a 30–50% deposit, not everything before they lift a finger.
- Chasing ten vendors solo. Inconsistent quotes and wasted weeks — the reason a coordinated proposal saves both money and sanity.
Get one honest number, not ten guesses
Tell us about your event once. We'll match you with vetted Lagos vendors and send a single, all-in proposal — free to receive.
Estimate my wedding cost →Frequently asked
How much does an average wedding cost in Lagos in 2026?
A complete 100–150 guest wedding usually runs ₦3.5m–₦7m, a 200-guest one ₦8m–₦18m, and society weddings of 500+ often exceed ₦25m.
What's the single biggest expense?
Catering, almost always — it scales with headcount and can be 35–50% of the total at ₦12,000–₦35,000 per plate.
How much deposit is normal?
30–50% to secure the date, balance before the event. Be wary of anyone demanding 100% upfront.
How far ahead should I book?
4–8 months for venue, caterer, decorator and photographer — earlier for November/December dates.
Figures are indicative 2026 ranges based on typical Lagos vendor pricing and will vary with season, area, and specification. For a number tailored to your event, use the calculator or request a proposal.