Event Planning: Saving time and stress, cost effective

Marriage is one of the important milestones of life. Nowadays, people invest a lot of money, time and energy in the preparations of their marriage. Some intending couples leave no stone unturned in a bid to have a memorable wedding ceremony. Every aspect of the event is executed with diligence. And really, organising a fabulous wedding could be stressful, as there is simply so much to do. All aspects of the ceremony are tasking, including; procurement of vehicles, clothes, food, drinks and even, locating a venue among others. Here comes an event planner to the rescue.

Event planning, which first started as a fringe business, has over the years, metamorphosed into a force to be reckoned with and taken the centre stage. Now, anyone desirous of a well-planned, successful party or event must, as a matter of course, include the services of a good event planner. And in their capable hands, a celebrant need not fret or have sleepless nights. These corporate event planners are so creative, resourceful and versatile that no function is beyond them. And though they take on any social event, wedding ceremonies appear to be their forte.

Aside helping with the planning and other logistics, some of these event planners also provide soft loans, so that an event ends up being a splendid affair, regardless of the financial status of the celebrant(s).

Amadi Nwokedi, a seasoned event planner, who has been in the business for many years, said the idea is to help intending couples start married lives with little or no stress, which cannot be avoided, if they decide to handle their wedding ceremony themselves. In his case, Nwokedi supplies all the materials needed during the ceremony, as well as sourcing attractive young ladies and men that could stand as chief bridesmaid, best men and ushers at the occasion.

“Everybody wants their wedding ceremony to be an eventful one, but not everyone has the financial wherewithal to organise one,” he said. “After identifying this area, I set up my firm to cater for the needs of those who cannot immediately raise fund for their wedding expenses. We provide virtually anything a potential couple would need. “Depending on the couple and their circumstances, we even arrange adult male and female that could stand as parents to a party or both, in the case of a court wedding, where the parents are expected to be present, but for one reason or the other could not make it. Or may be the parents decide not to be part of the marriage.”

How much does he make organising weddings? Nwokedi said though he makes good money from it, the greater joy comes from seeing married couples living happily afterwards. He said: “I regularly make between N50, 000 and N200, 000. Sometimes, I make a NI, 000, 000 depending on the type of marriage and the roles we are given to play. There is a huge profit, when you are given the contract to provide food, vehicles, ushers and other logistics, as you have to negotiate thoroughly with suppliers. Also, some families do not want to be involved in the logistics, though they want good results. So, they contract out the services and from there we make out profits.

“We also consider the client’s pocket, and if he/she is not financially buoyant, we spread the payment and he/she pays in installments. To do this, a potential client will tell us how much he intends to spend and we sit down and work out the budget, as well as how he is to pay us. He is at liberty to tell us the number of ushers he wants, the colour(s) of their attire and even their looks, whether fair or dark complexioned and such other things. We do not trim a client’s preferences and wishes so long he/she is willing to pay. So, after considering the variables, clients will decide what and how they want their events organised.

“We also assign a camera that records every movement the couple makes, such as when they are dancing. All the monies and gifts are thus recorded. It is not our business to handle that, but we ensure that they are not tampered with. Aside the total money spent, we also add 25 per cent as administration charges, which in the real sense is our profit and payment is spread over three months.”

At Agnes Couture, Lagos, intending couples that cannot afford wedding apparels can rent desired designs. Quite an appreciable number of intending couples go for this arrangement, as they discover it is much cheaper and easier. And the money saved in this area, could be used to do other things during or after the wedding. Though not everyone goes for this option, those that know of such facilities take advantage of it, as they can rent wedding gown for the bride and other costume for her maids, no matter their sizes, shoes, bags to match and even suites for the newly wed.

With this arrangement, a couple would not have to spend one fifth or one third of the total cost of new ones. Aside the aso-ebi or bridal train gowns, which some ladies wear once or twice after the wedding, the wedding gown is solely won for the wedding day. In the real sense of it, renting is cost effective and would give a variety of designs to choose from.

On how much she makes doing this business, Agnes Obiajuli, the chief operating officer of Agnes Couture explained that anybody involved in this business would never lack money.

“Depending on the season, I some times make between N900, 000 and N1, 000, 000, especially during the Ember months, when many couples love getting married,” she said. “This amount is only from gowns and other accessories. It does not include such other items as bags, beads, earrings and shoes, among others.

“Most ladies would want to look their best that day, so they go all out for it. But during ordinary period from February, I make between N80, 000 and N100, 000, except for the Easter period, when the business picks up again, but drops only to rise during the Ember months. As the season fluctuates, so does the income. However, this does not mean that operators do not make good money to tide them over the dry season.

“Most couples think renting costs so much, but little do they know that with N15, 000 and N30, 000, one can get a moderate gown. It is only high-class designs that attract higher charges. It is a matter of satisfying one’s taste and status,” she said.

What does it take to be part of the business? Funke Oriyomi of Funkys Choice said one has to be abreast of trends, know the different preferences of different classes of clients and making them available.

“I have wedding gowns for all classes of people. Right from the very religious that would not want any of their sensitive parts revealed to those who like wearing spaghetti straps, mermaid, crystal waist, ball A-shape gowns and fit and flare; among others. You can be creative with African touch, which some people, especially those in the Diaspora love so much. Besides, these designs could come with different fabrics such as lace and satin. So, whether a client loves classic wedding dress or the luxe sophistication of a more contemporary bridal gown, we have them and this has helped to keep us in business.

“Outside having the stock, you should also have it at the back of your mind that some of the clothes won’t be returned exactly the way they were given out. This means you must have a way of keeping your wears safe with the clients, by asking then to make advance deposit against damages. Sometimes, the deposit may be the amount of the cloth, if you are to make it anew. With this, they will be much more careful with their handling.”

Away from wedding wears to the vehicles, Atilade Ojo, the MD of Atis Rentals, said his organisation could provide any type of vehicles for the couple and their guests. According to him, assigning a vehicle to move guests around, especially those not residing in the town or know their ways around would further make the event a splendid one.

“We have classic and exotic cars, as well as buses for anyone to choose from. We have a package, where a chauffeur will take the couple to wherever they are going, as well as their guests. Place your order for the vehicle you need and make the necessary deposit and we shall be yours for the asking,” he said.