Founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has cautioned young men preparing for marriage to avoid the pressure of hosting extravagant weddings that could leave them financially strained.
He argued that modern society has placed excessive emphasis on weddings, causing many to forget that a wedding ceremony is not the same as marriage itself.
For this reason, he believes the church should discourage weddings unless the groom can prove he is financially prepared, proposing GH¢100,000 as the minimum benchmark.
“If the man cannot prove that he has at least GH¢100,000 in his bank account, he shouldn’t have a wedding,” he emphasised.
According to the Archbishop, many newlyweds begin their marital journey already weighed down by debt because they organise ceremonies far beyond their means.
“You don’t want to begin your marriage with debt,” he warned, noting that some couples receive calls from vendors requesting payment even while they are on their honeymoon.
He highlighted instances where chair suppliers, drink vendors and other service providers contact couples immediately after the event to demand outstanding fees, describing such situations as clear indicators of financial unpreparedness.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams also criticised the growing obsession with elaborate white weddings and advised single women to refrain from pressuring men into grand celebrations they cannot afford.
“Marriage is not a wedding,” he stressed, adding that love alone is insufficient to sustain a household.
“Love doesn’t pay the bills. Love doesn’t buy provisions.”
As a practical alternative, he recommended simple church marriage blessings without bridesmaids, best men or receptions.
This, he said, would allow couples to focus on building their future together rather than investing heavily in a single-day ceremony.
He further described weddings as a liability for individuals who are still establishing themselves financially, arguing that such expenses only make sense for people who are already well-resourced.
“Some of you don’t even have money to rent a one-bedroom apartment, yet you want a wedding,” he remarked.
His comments have generated mixed reactions online. While some applaud his call for financial discipline and realistic planning, others argue that the GH¢100,000 requirement is unrealistic given the current economic climate.
