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3 top event planners on recipe for wondrous nuptials

EVERYBODY wants the best wedding ever.  But some mistakes are still made despite all efforts to avoid them.  We bring you opinions of three female event planners and decorators on how to go about a successful wedding and lots more…

 

‘Money does not determine a great wedding’

  • FUNKE BUCKNOR-OBRUTHE, Zapphaire

What are the elements of a successful wedding?

Elements of a successful wedding are good decoration and ambience, great food, music and fantastic guests.

Does money determine how glamorous a wedding is?

Money does not determine a great wedding.  You can have money and your event can still be rubbish and disorganized.  You need to pay attention to details and hire a good and experienced wedding planner to co-ordinate the event.

What must the couple consider before their wedding?

The couple must consider so many things. How many guests are you expecting?  What is the budget?  Have I bought a copy of The Essential Bridal Handbook?

How often do you advice the couple before their wedding?

I advice them as often as I can.

Like how much do you charge for an average wedding?

Our fees vary depending on what you want us to do for you.

 

‘You can work with any budget with good planning’

  • NDIDI OBIOHA, Enthyst
Ndidi Obioha
Ndidi Obioha

What are the elements of a successful wedding?

What really makes a successful wedding is your planning and co-ordinating.  Other elements like MC, good music and beautiful guests come in.  The ambience is important, assorted meals and with a good budget, you can get a good caterer to do a 3-course meal, which include the starters, the main meal and dessert.

Does money determine how glamorous a wedding is?

Not totally because the truth is with good planning, you can work with any budget and guests will determine how much to spend.

What must the couple consider before their wedding?

The first thing I always ask my client is the caliber and size of the guests list.  By the time they tell me, I will now advise them on how many invites they should print.

How often do you advice the couple before their wedding?

I run an event planning business.  The moment they come, I will start consulting with them. I don’t call it advice, I call it consultation.  We consult and guide them, letting them know the progression from start to finish.

Like how much do you charge for an average wedding?

That is such a dicey question.  We do a percentage of the total cost/budget.  So, it is between 10 and 15 per cent, let me put it that way.

 

‘Plan according to your means’

  • UCHE MAJEKODUNMI, Newton and David

Uche MajekodunmiWhat are the elements of a successful wedding?

The elements of a successful wedding are good food and a nice ambience.  I also think an interesting and entertaining programme, without over-stretched speeches is very important. During speeches, one should also avoid too many personal details as some guests may find this intrusive.  It is crucial to plan your wedding according to your means.  Do not begin what you cannot finish.  For instance, it is not necessary that you invite everyone you know including you decorator, hair stylist and your local butcher!  Invitees should be genuine guests, meaningful to your life and wedding.

Does money determine how glamorous a wedding is?

It is important to note that money does not determine a successful or glamorous wedding.  For example, you cannot invite 1,000 guests and cater for only 500.  You are better off inviting less guests and catering for them adequately.  You will still have a fantastic day and a beautiful wedding.

What must the couple consider before their wedding?

The couple must assess by themselves, whether they can actually afford to get married.  They should consider factors like where they are going to live as a couple, would they have their own home or are they going to squat with their in-laws, how practical is this?  Can this work?  They have to realize that love is not always enough and neither is money.  Also, marrying for money does not always work, no matter how much either party is ready to sell their soul. In a genuine marriage, there must be harmony, friendship, respect and a willingness to actually want the marriage work.

How often do you advice the couple before their wedding?

Do I advice couples on marriage?  As an opinionated woman, I am liberal with my views.  However, I stay out of the personal lives of my clients, though I may make general comments on tribal traits.

How much do you charge for an average wedding?

It depends on whether we are planning and managing the entire wedding or just doing the décor.  However, an average wedding décor by Newton and David is around N1,200 per head excluding flowers.  It also depends on numbers and size of the venue. I came up with this price per head idea when my late cousin, Dunni pointed out to me that one must consider the current economic climate and the fact that for most weddings, the bills are heavy on the parents of the bride.  For example, in some Yoruba and Igbo weddings, the father of the bride has to cater for the food, drinks, band, aso ebi, etc., and probably buy the couple’s first car.  In the case of an Igbo wedding, the groom and his family tend to do all.

  • This story was first published in ENCOMIUM Weekly on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
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