Music & Writing
illume house (Wedding Article)
A personal reflection on spending $50,000 on our wedding, what I would do differently today, and how faith, cultural expectations, and financial stewardship should shape the way we celebrate marriage and build a future together.
In this personal reflection, I revisit the $50,000 we spent on our wedding and the lessons I’ve learned since. As a Ghanaian, husband, father, and man of faith, I explore the cultural expectations that can shape how we celebrate marriage, the pressure to create a grand occasion, and the difference between what looks impressive and what serves our future. From the size of our guest list to the cost of our reception and traditional ceremony, I reflect on what I would approach differently today. Not because the day wasn’t beautiful, but because hindsight has given me a different perspective on financial stewardship, intentional spending, and the responsibilities that begin after the celebration ends. Through the lens of Scripture, this piece considers how we can honour our culture, celebrate the people we love, and still make wise decisions with the resources God has entrusted to us. Ultimately, it’s a reflection on building a marriage and a legacy that matter far beyond the wedding day.
Excerpt
Let me get this out of the way. What one might consider to be a large sum of money is relative. For some, $50,000 may feel unimaginable. For others, it may feel reasonable, even expected or possibly inexpensive. That difference isn’t what I’m here to debate. Everyone defines an “expensive” wedding differently, shaped by their income, culture, and context. The number itself is not the point. The posture behind it is. I loved our wedding day. By definition, it was LIT if I do say so myself. I’m grateful for it. I’m grateful for my wife, for our families, the memories of the international wedding we hosted in Toronto about 7 years ago. This reflection isn’t rooted in bitterness or regret, but in hindsight and in faith.
Quotations
"I will go ahead and throw this idea out there. I wanted to sign papers, go to a restaurant and call it a day. However, my wife (then fiancé) and her family on the other end, were not having tha"
Publication
A $50,000 Wedding: Why I wouldn't do it again today
Kojo Dave · January 23, 2026
https://davidkojodapaah.substack.com/p/a-50000-wedding-why-i-wouldnt-do