Archbishop Duncan William. According to him, no man should marry unless he has at least GH₵100,000 saved in the bank. Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has advised young couples to avoid starting a marriage with debt caused by expensive weddings. He criticised the obsession with lavish ceremonies and urged churches to discourage weddings unless couples are financially prepared, suggesting a minimum savings threshold as a safeguard.
Speaking passionately during a church service, the Archbishop criticised the growing obsession with lavish white weddings and grand receptions, describing them as distractions from the true meaning of marriage. He noted that many couples spend far beyond their means, only to face financial distress immediately after the ceremony.
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has cautioned young couples against starting married life under the burden of debt, warning that extravagant weddings often create unnecessary financial strain and long-term pressure.
He painted a vivid picture of newlyweds returning from their honeymoon to a barrage of phone calls from creditors demanding payment for chairs, drinks, and other wedding services. According to him, such experiences quickly erode the joy and spiritual focus that should accompany the early days of marriage.
“We should discourage people from having weddings unless the man can prove he has at least GH¢100,000 in his bank account,” he said, emphasising the need for financial stability before celebration.
He further called on families and friends to stop sponsoring weddings for couples who lack the means to support themselves, insisting that assistance should not enable poor financial decisions. In his view, weddings are liabilities for young people still building wealth and should only be lavish affairs for those who are already financially established.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams proposed a simpler alternative, suggesting that churches conduct modest wedding ceremonies during Sunday services without receptions, bridal parties, or elaborate attire. Couples, he said, could exchange rings, receive prayers and blessings, and begin married life without the pressure of impressing guests.
Concluding his message, the Archbishop described the fixation on costly weddings as a damaging mindset that has left many young families struggling to make ends meet. He encouraged couples to rethink their priorities, focus on stability, and avoid turning what should be a joyful union into a financial burden.
