Marriage Counselor, Rev. Benjamin Effa Werehene, has urged couples preparing for marriage to focus more on life after the wedding ceremony rather than the celebrations surrounding the event.
Speaking in an interview with Kwaku Mensah Abrampa on GIFTS FM, Rev. Effa Werehene said many couples place too much emphasis on lavish receptions and refreshments, yet fail to adequately prepare for the financial responsibilities that come with marriage.
According to him, the real challenge begins after the wedding, when couples are expected to provide food, clothing, shelter and other necessities for the family. He therefore advised prospective couples to be prudent with wedding spending, stressing that extravagant refreshments do not add meaningful value to the success of a marriage.
He explained that couples shape their financial future through the decisions they make before and during marriage, cautioning against unnecessary competition over wedding receptions and ceremonies.
“Money spent on wedding ceremonies is not an investment because it does not generate financial returns,” he noted, adding that couples should rather make sound financial plans to ensure peace, stability and love in their homes after marriage.
Rev. Effa Werehene further stated that only nine people are fundamentally necessary for a marriage ceremony to be considered valid and successful. According to him, these include the bride and groom, their parents, two witnesses — one representing each partner — and the officiating pastor.
He said while other guests may enhance the beauty and atmosphere of the occasion, the marriage can still proceed successfully without them as long as the key individuals are present.
The marriage counselor also encouraged couples facing financial difficulties in planning their weddings to seek guidance from counselors instead of overstretching themselves financially.
He additionally appealed to pastors not to impose expensive or unrealistic standards on couples seeking marriage blessings, warning that such pressures can create financial hardship shortly after the wedding ceremony.
On relationships and intimacy, Rev. Effa Werehene stressed the importance of open conversations about sexual compatibility before marriage. He explained that couples should take time to understand each other’s character, values and compatibility before making lifelong commitments.
According to him, sexual intimacy remains an important aspect of marriage because it helps strengthen the bond between partners. He warned that unresolved issues in that area could negatively affect a marriage, regardless of how successful or glamorous the wedding ceremony may appear.