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How to Plan A Perfect Wedding
Wedding proposal come with great excitements, to have a successful wedding party, good planning is essential. It is advisable to allow plenty of time for the planning usually 3 to 12 months.
There will be four great decisions and questions to answer.When is the d day?
- Where will it hold?
- How much will it cost?
- What theme will it be?
Careful consideration of the above questions will ensure a successful event.
How to decide the date
- Call a meeting with the immediate family members and the parents to choose a date.
- Choose a date that is convenient for both family members.
- Send out emails to loved ones to check if response is good for attendance.
How to choose a venue
- Call the venues of your choice around the location desired.
- Ask how many guests the venue can hold.
- What facilities such as kitchen, toilet, and parking spaces does it have?
- What equipment is included in package?
- Do they permit use of outside caterers?
- Is there in house PA system
- Are there tables and chairs
- Are there adequate quantities of tables and chairs?
- Do the tables and chairs match your seating plan and shapes?
- Does the venue need extra decoration?
- Will there be disable facilities
- Is there adequate ventilation and heating
- Are there staffs to oversee things on the day?
- Is there spare room for the host and bride changing time?
- Are there water, soap and tissue for toilets?
- Is cleaning in the package and to what extent
- Is rubbish removal in the package?
- Is furniture clearing in the package?
- How much will it cost and how is payment taken?
- What are the terms and conditions?
How to plan African attire (Aso Ebi)
- Decide whether African costume will be required.
- Choose fabric with colours to match wedding theme colours.
- Make a list of family members and friends for fabrics.
- Shop around African fabric shops and select one within budget.
- Ask family and friends to buy from a person in charge.
- Book tailors for sewing the materials (allow time at least three months).
How to decorate
- Consider professional decorators.
- What table decoration (fresh flowers, candles or balloons)?
- Do you want chair covers?
- What colour and material of table cover and napkins?
- What is the seating arrangement?
- Is there seating cards for arranged seats?
- Are there name boards for arranged seats?
- Has invitation being done as strictly by invitation?
- Do you require a top table?
- What decoration do you prefer for top table?
- Is there adequate favours and gifts?
- Is there a cake table and table cloth?
- What decoration do you prefer for the cake table?
- Is there a cake knife and does it need decoration?
- Do you require a stage for life band?
- Does the venue provide stage and dance floor?
How to choose a caterer
- Ask for referrals and recommendation.
- Choose a reputable caterer.
- Request a menu or prepare your own.
- Have a tasting session to help decide for taste.
- Decide the service style (buffet or seated).
- Have a consultation session with the caterer.
- Are they providing drinks?
- What is the cost?
- What equipment do they supply (crockery, glasses).
- Do they supply professional waiting staff?
- What is their food presentation like?
- Would they cook on or off site?
- How will food be transported?
- Is there sufficient cooking time and enough time to transport to venue.
- What is the cleaning and rubbish removal arrangement?
- How many hours will they work?
- How is payment taken?
- Is there a need for a contract?
- Do they have a professional kitchen they work from?
- Are they experienced in the cuisine you are choosing?
- Do they have equipment or will they hire?
- Do their choice of crockery and cutlery meet your standard?
- Do they understand your vision for the day?
- Can they meet your standard of how you want things done?
How to choose staff for the day
- Family service may be used but professional staff is best.
- Check staff are trained and with adequate uniform.
- Staffs is briefed and specific tasks assigned to staff.
- Staff must understand food service timing, menus and drinks.
- Staff have late night transportation arranged.
- Efficient bar staff booked.
- Staffs are cheerful and polite.
- Is there adequate number of staff to guests (minimum one staff to 30 guests?)
- Are they wearing comfortable shoes?
- How much will they cost?
- How to plan for after event clearing
- Check venue’s clearing and cleaning arrangement plan.
- Check caterer’s responsibility for kitchen cleaning.
- Have professional cleaners if needed.
- Have family members to remove left over drinks and gifts.
- Ensure decorators and hire companies are booked for equipment collection.
- Ensure accommodation is booked for host or far away guests if required.
- Is there recycling provision for drink bottles and cans?
- In what condition must the venue be returned to the manager?
How to choose drink for weddings
Which wine?
- Most West African meals will go well with any white or red wine. The usual custom is to place a bottle each of red wine (room temperature) and chilled white wine on each table. Waiters will top up from the bar as required.
- Juice
- Fruit juices of any flavour go well with African meals. This may be placed directly onto tables or in a jug with or without ice cubes.
- Allow one 1.5ltr per four guests
- Mineral Water
- Still or sparkling distilled water should be provided both at bar and dining tables.
- Allow 1.5ltr bottle per four guests or 330ml bottle per guest.
- Fizzy drinks
- Bottled or canned drinks may be served from the bar.
- Malt
- Malt drink is very popular at Nigerian parties, especially with elderly guests.
- Alcohol
- Canned beers and alcohol should be served from a bar supervised by licensed person.
Tips: Allow extra glasses at the bar and for reception cocktail.
