WEDDING BANDS – THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO MARRIAGE

by with 2 Comments Wedding Planning

It is custom for couples to exchange wedding bands (rings) at their wedding, but have you ever wondered why they do that?

I never thought or wondered why till recently. As a lover of rings, – rings are favourite accessories – I always get the famous “You are not married yet so you should not wear a ring” talk. I have had this talk so many times and it got me curious. I needed to know why wearing a ring was such a big deal especially in relation to marriage. I did some research and of course I had to share my findings with you guys..😁

Apparently, wedding bands have been a thing since ancient Egyptian times. Around that time, rings were woven from plants and given to a bride by her groom. This act was incorporated into Christian and Jewish weddings and it became common practice. With time the rings were made from metals so they would last longer. In recent times, both the bride and the groom receive and wear rings on their wedding day.

The following are reasons why rings are symbolic to marriage:

• The circular shape of the band symbolizes that the couple hope that their love will be without end. They hope to love eachother for the rest of their lives… till eternity.

• The band shows that the couple are committed to eachother in body, soul and spirit. That is, the person wearing the band is making it known that he or she is committed to a particular person and hopes to stay that way.

• Wedding bands are special because they imply that each spouse is unique but has chosen to allow his or her partner to enhance who he or she is.

• The wearing of the ring is also a daily reminder that every decision you make will impact your spouse in some way.

Wow! This is deep, right?! Before you decide to accept a ring from someone or exchange rings at the altar, do well to know why you are wearing the ring and live as such.

If this post has been helpful, leave me a comment below.

Your fave wedding planner, XO XO!

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INTERVIEW WITH WEDDORS

by with No Comment Wedding Planning

Hey guys!! We are back again with our monthly posts. Trust you are doing great and staying safe?

Two weeks ago, our Lead Planner, Belinda Naki Nobi was interviewed by Weddors  (www.weddors.com) in their “Vendor In Focus” series. The team decided we share details of the interview with you guys. Reginald Adjetey, a renowed MC in Accra hosted the interview.

HOST: Tell us about yourself

NAKI: Naki is bubbly and personable. Everyone knows I am free spirited and fun to be with. I love to sing and dance – even though I am horrible at it. I am passionate and follow my heart in all I do. My listening, communication and organizational skills are excellent. I am the Lead Planner at The Nhyira Experience.

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HOST: What was growing up for you like?

NAKI: Growing up great! My family moved around a lot due to the nature of my parents’ job. We hardly stayed at one place for more than 5years. I do not come from a rich home but my parents made sure the provided all we needed.

HOST: In the midst of all the travelling, what’s one unique thing about your childhood you can never forget?

NAKI: I had a memorable childhood. I enjoyed the fact I got to know a lots of towns, villages and cities. This gave me the opportunity to experience different people and cultures. It also taught me how to adapt to environments and relate well with people. I learnt a lot of languages as well. At a point I had to leave home for boarding school, which in turn taught me independence. I do not think anyone would forget such an experience.

HOST: Why the name Nhyira? And how did The Nhyira Experience start?

NAKI: As a child I always fancied weddings. I remember following my parents to weddings, volunteering to be a flower girl or bridesmaid for people. My love for weddings grew and I began assisting friends and family to put their weddings together. After helping a special someone with her wedding, she suggested I turn my passion into a business venture. I took her advice, did some research, and enrolled for a few courses; then voila The Nhyira Experience was born.

I chose the name Nhyira because I believe my team and I are a blessing to whoever we come into contact with. For clients we make their dreams a reality and for fellow event professionals we bring them business – money.

HOST: After the suggestion to start a business, what prompted you to start?

NAKI: I think the zeal to reach out and assist other people apart from friends and family pushed me to start.

HOST: How was starting the business like? How much did you start with? Did you get any form of financial help?

NAKI: I started off with practically no money at all. Well, except for the GHC I paid to register the business with the Registrar General’s Department. I did not need any form of financial help at all.

HOST: How was gathering resources for you like?

NAKI: Gathering resources was not so difficult because I already had some supplies and friends who were willing to help. I remember a friend designed our logo for free. Our first official client was also recommended by a friend.

HOST: Kindly share some challenging and great work moments with us, to encourage upcoming event planners…

NAKI: Great moments for me are seeing our clients having the time of their lives at events. It gives me so much joy.

Challenging Moments: As a planner, most of our challenging moments are as a result of vendors’ inability to perform their duties but we always have backup plans so we pull through.

To anyone aspiring to be an event planner, I will let them understand that producing events is a difficult task that requires hard work and dedication. You need to have passion for the job, a lot of patience, self control and be able to take charge. You also need to learn from professionals in the industry.

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HOST: Has there ever been a time where a client appreciated your work? We will love to hear a line of what that client said.

NAKI: We have had amazing reviews so far however, the one that stood out for me was when a client said I had been a blessing to her. It made me so happy because she understood what The Nhyira Experience is all about.

HOST: What two signals do you look out for in growing as a brand?

NAKI: As a brand we prioritize Client Satisfaction and Professionalism.

HOST: How do you normally reach out to clients?

NAKI: We reach out to clients through the recommendations of previous clients and social media.

HOST: Finally give us the exact details of what Nhyira Experience is about and what your offer. And your social media handles as well.

NAKI: The Nhyira Experience is a full service event planning and coordination firm with the main of choreographing people and activities in order to create events whose memories will last a lifetime.

We are known for bringing the desires and expectations of our clients to a realization in a custom made setting; making sure every detail is covered in an orderly manner and producing events that flow seamlessly. We specialize in weddings and celebratory events.

Our services include-

  • Event Consultation: we give you hands on information and guidelines needed to produce beautiful events.
  • Event Planning: we put together all the logistical requirements needed for events, match you to the right vendors, negotiate the best deals, and serve as a liaison between you and vendors, for the success of events.
  • Event Coordination: we coordinate with all parties involved and ensure that everything flows seamlessly on the day of the event.
  • Gift Packaging: we package gifts, souvenirs and bride wealth for events.

Find us and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter via the links below – http://www.facebook.com/nhyiraexperience

http://www.instagram.com/nhyiraexperience

http://www.twitter.com/nhyiraxperience

HOST: It has been  great getting to know you, Naki. We at Weddors wish you the very best.

NAKI: I am so glad we did this. Thank you guys so much for the opportunity. It was such a pleasure.

Trust you guys enjoyed this as much as we did. Please stay home; wear your nose masks; to save your life and that of your loved ones – COVID -19 is still out there.

Remember we are always available to help plan all your celebratory events. Adios, loves! XO XO

Link for the full interview –  https://weddors.com/belinda-naki-nobi-nhyira-events/

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COPING WITH RESCHEDULING OR CANCELLATION OF WEDDINGS DUE TO COVID-19

by with 12 Comments Wedding Planning

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It’s been an emotional time for all us!! Everybody in the world has been affected in one way or the other by the corona virus; especially people who have had to reschedule or cancel their weddings. I can understand the frustration you are in now because I know you were counting down to YOUR DAY with so much excitement. I have been thinking about you guys and thought of a few ways to help you cope with the situation while we wait for this to blow over….

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  • stop stressing!! Your wedding will definitely happen…..what is most important now is the fact that you are alive; and you and your partner are still together and in love. Love conquers all things, right? Samuel and Mandy wed-45
  • play bridal dress up – You have already bought your wedding dress, tux, suit, shoes. accessories- your whole outfit is there in the closet. Instead of moping around, why not try the outfits on, look at yourself in the mirror and admire how lovely you will look on your wedding day. photo-of-a-woman-thinking-941555
  • research – you can use this time to further research for new ideas to add on to what you already had in mind. Go back to your wedding vision board, there is definitely something new you can add. adult-affection-beads-blur-371285
  • connect with your wedding vendors – it is good to familiarize with the event professionals who will be working your event. Get to know them, vibe with them: trust me events are fun when you are familiar with your vendors. prayer-difficult-remedy-here_1
  • pray – be hopeful and pray for better days. Pray for your partner and into your upcoming wedding as well.

We shall surely overcome this pandemic. Do your part by staying home and adhering to all the safety and precautionary measures. Everything will be fine and I will see you outside pretty soon.

XOXO

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – WEDDING PLANNING

by with No Comment Wedding Planning

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Hey guys!!!

I hope you are all doing all you can to stay safe during this COVID-19 pandemic? Personally, I am trying so hard to adhere to all the precautionary measures given to us by the health experts. I strongly believe this will be over soon and we will have our lives back! Until then stay home, spread calm, practice social distancing and stay alive. Sending you light and love wherever you are.

Today I am going to share with you some questions that prospective clients ask a lot of event and wedding planners – FAQs. I hope you find them helpful…

  1. What do wedding planners do before the wedding?

We communicate with our clients throughout the planning process and help them execute their wedding vision. We recommend efficient event professionals who can make our clients vision a reality. We also keep clients calm and excited as they plan the most important day of their lives.

 

  1. What do wedding planners do on the day of the wedding?

As wedding planners, we will be the first vendors at the venue and the last ones to leave. We will make sure that all the other vendors show up and do what they are supposed to do. We will also be assisting the bridal party and couple throughout the day and ensure everything flows seamlessly.

 

  1. A friend has volunteered to help plan my wedding, do I still need to hire a wedding planner?

Your friends and family can be very helpful during your planning; however it is not advisable to have them work on your wedding day. It can be one of two things – either they will have so much to do that they won’t enjoy your wedding; or they may not take the work seriously and might mess up your day. To be safe, it is best to hire a professional.

 

  1. How early does one need to start planning an event?

This mostly depends on the nature and size of the said event. However we will advice that you start putting plans in place as early as possible, anywhere from 9 – 12 months prior to event date is a good time to start planning. There are some event suppliers and vendors that need to be booked well in advance, especially at certain times of the year. Planning early also gives room for back up plans, and ensures everything is in place before the set date for the event.

 

  1. What are your areas of expertise?

We specialize in the  planning and coordination of social events such as weddings, celebratory birthdays, anniversaries, bridal and baby showers. We have worked quite a number of clients and are happy to provide references and testimonials.

 

  1. If I hire a wedding planner for my wedding, won’t he/she impose ideas on me?

This is one of the greatest misconceptions about event planners in general. It is your wedding, so NO; wedding planners will not just do what they like. Wedding Planners work with your vision, your ideas, and your style. Our job is to hold your hand throughout the entire planning process with help and advice. Some planners might have a signature look to their events, yes, but chances are those clients could relate to that particular style and decided to choose that planner.

 

  1. What makes your service different from others?

I would say our experience and personality. As a team, we pay attention to every detail concerning clients’ events, in an organized and professional manner. We take time to understand clients’ needs and come up with ways to meet them. We also gain more experience with every wedding we produce; coming across different clients with various styles, trends, characters. And oh, we were trained by one of the best event planners in the country – proud Plan It Ghana alum.

 

  1. Will you work with vendors you client select, or only those you recommend?

Absolutely! We will work with vendors you choose, however we have a great team of event professionals that we work with in case you need any recommendations.

 

  1. What type of payment do you accept?

We mostly accept cash and / or cheques. However, we sometimes accept payments via mobile money in rare situations.

 

  1. Do you work with only people based in Accra?

We service clients all over Ghana. We have worked in Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi, Tema and Tarkwa. We look forward to working with clients in other parts of the country as well as those outside the country.

 

 

Is there anything else you want to know about wedding planners? Let me know in the comments!

 

XO XO XO

 

 

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BEFORE YOU SAY YES TO YOUR DREAM WEDDING DRESS

by with 6 Comments Wedding Planning

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Finding your dream wedding dress can be overwhelming and stressful. After all, you’ve never tried one on before so the pressure while wedding dress shopping is likely to be high. It is important to know that your dress sets the tone for the wedding hence you have to choose right.  Also all eyes will be on you, not to mention photos you’ll keep forever, of course you want to look perfect on your big day. But what does perfect mean to you? For some brides-to-be, a dream dress is a ball gown. For others, it’s a sexy dress that makes their curves visible, or a look that allows them enough movement to be able to get down on the dance floor. IMG_0651 No matter what your preferences are, these tips should help you to choose the perfect dress for your wedding.
  • Research – take time to research on wedding dresses, their styles, fabrics, lexicon etc from magazines, websites, books. Gather pictures of dresses or details that appeal to you and carry them along when you go shopping.
  • Budget – you do not have to spend millions to find the perfect wedding dress. Set a budget for the dress and work with it. Your outfits should not cover more than 5% of the total wedding budget.
  • Know your wedding theme – bear your wedding theme in mind while dress shopping. this is because your dress should accentuate the theme of the wedding.
  • Keep an open mind while shopping – even though you might have an idea of the kind of dress you want, it is best to keep an open mind while dress shopping. Some dresses do not look like much till they are tried on. Do well to try on different dresses before deciding on the one that best suits you. Feel free to seek advice from the bridal consultant however, try not to be talked into buying a dress you are not in love with.
  • Undergarments – take the undergarments, shoes, accessories you will use for the wedding when going to shop for the wedding dress. You need to know how they will all look together before buying your dress.
  • Shop early – start shopping for your wedding dress between six to nine months before your wedding. This should give you enough time to make changes or alterations where necessary.
  • Test the dress – before you decide on a dress move around in it, dance in it, try sitting in it to be sure it is comfortable.
  • Shop with a crew – go shopping with two or three people whose opinions matter to  help you choose the perfect dress.

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We pray you are able to find your perfect wedding dress with so much ease. Do not hesitate to reach out to us when you need a helping hand. Happy Shopping!!!!

THE KINDS OF GUESTS TO EXPECT AT A WEDDING

by with No Comment Wedding Planning

No two weddings are the same; but there is one thing that all weddings have in common – THE KIND OF GUESTS that show up!

I came across some categories of wedding guests and no matter who your guests are, they would fall under at least one of them. Here they are:

* The Party Starter – the first to hit the dance floor and tend to be the life of the party. Even without music, trust them to get the party started.

* The Wannabe Photographer – will be busy taking pictures throughout the event, especially of the couple.

* The Requester – the music lover!! Such a guest would be running back and forth from the DJ’s booth requesting songs as and when they think of them.

* The Bar Stool – the booze lover who came for the drinks! You will mostly find them seated close to the bar.

* The Emotional Wreck – the overly emotional guest who is so excited about the wedding. They scream, ‘aww’ and sometimes cry at weddings.

Now you know some kind of guests to expect at your wedding…

Do not be surprised if any of them show up at your wedding. 🤗

SIGNIFICANCE OF WEDDING BOUQUETS

by with No Comment Wedding Planning

A beautiful bouquet, they say, is like the cherry on top of a bridal look…but have you ever wondered why brides carry one at their weddings??

Well, let’s find out:

•A bouquet serves as a bride’s ultimate accessory and greatly adds to her overall appearance for the day

•In the middle ages, it was believed that flowers carried some magical effects to ward off evil spirits, and also protect the couple from illnesses and misfortunes. Hence the use of wedding bouquets.

•The bouquet is considered to bring happiness and satisfaction to a marriage.

•It also symbolizes new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility.

•Most bouquets are tied with ribbons; and this signifies fellowship between the husband and wife.

Note that, the kind of flower you choose for a wedding bouquet is symbolic as well.

Here’s a little guide to help you select flowers that correspond to your character or mood:

– Beige rose – Modesty

– White rose – Innocence

– Red rose – Love, happiness

– Orange rose – Fascination

– Pink rose – Loveliness

– Hydrangea – Pride

– Carnation – Boldness

– Orchid – Beauty

– Tulip – Love

– Lily – Magnificence

I hope you find this post helpful.

Love, always!

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FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A VENUE FOR YOUR WEDDING

by with No Comment Wedding Planning

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Finding the right venue for your wedding can be quite a task. Some people find it easy because they already have in mind where they want to get married at – mostly their favorite place. There are others too who might be overwhelmed by the whole idea of selecting a venue, considering the lots of options out there. Some venue options include hotels, parks, stadium, rooftop patio, resort, community center, place of business or home etc. Whichever venue you decide on, consider the following factors before making a booking:

  • GUEST NUMBER – pick a venue that will be able to fit all your guests. It should not be too small for the guests to be cramped or too large for it to look like guests did not show up.

 

  • LOCATION – the venue must be easily accessible to all your guests…..else most of them will be turned off and they might not show up. If you are using two separate venues for the ceremony and reception, make sure the two venues are close to each other.

 

  • DATE – check that the venue is available on your wedding dates. Make the necessary inquiry and secure the venue before someone else does; especially dates that fall within holidays and festive seasons.

 

  • THEME – have your wedding theme or style in mind when choosing a venue. If you are looking at a rustic and natural feel for the wedding, it will be best to go for a park or garden as your venue. Whereas a modern or formal look will be best in a hotel setting.

 

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  • PARKING – find a venue that has space for your guests to park their vehicles. If your perfect venue does not have enough space for parking, inform your guests so they use nearby parking lots.

 

  • BUDGET – it is important to consider your budget when looking for a wedding venue. Choose venues that you can afford.

 

  • BACK UP PLAN –  find out if there is an alternative space that could be used for the wedding in case it rains. This is mostly applicable to outdoor venues.

 

Your perfect venue is definitely out there waiting for you to find it. Keep searching! While considering the above factors, I believe you will find it soon. XOXO

 

 

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EVENT DECORATIONS – why are they necessary?

by with No Comment Wedding Planning

 

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Hey loves!!!! Guess who is back……..ME (covers face). I know I haven’t been the best BFF but I promise to do better. 😀

Alright! We are talking about event styling today, commonly known as decorations. One cannot deny the fact that decor plays a vital role when it comes to events. No matter the size or kind of event, people always inculcate some elements of decor to beautify the event, sort of. A lot of elements come to play when decorating an event. Some of which are flowers, lighting, centerpieces, balloons, chairs covers, table linens, candles, fabrics, etc.

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Aside decorations being one of the most noticeable attractions of the day, they serve a lot of purposes such as –

  • setting the ambiance, humor and mood of the event.
  • accentuating a venue and giving it the unique look fit for that occasion.
  • throwing more light on the purpose of an event.
  • telling the stature of guests that will be coming for the event.
  • themed events are executed with the use of perfect decor.
  • underscoring the importance of the event.

 

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The impact and influence of proper decorations cannot be underestimated hence a lot of attention and planning must be put into it. Make sure you communicate the details of the decor you want with the decorator so he/she would know how best to put the various elements together to give you the beautiful look you have always dreamed of.

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THINGS TO DO BEFORE PUTTING ON YOUR WEDDING GOWN

by with No Comment Wedding Planning

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Hello loves, it is your favorite wedding planner here 🙂 I am back with another helpful tip as your get ready to say ‘I DO’.

Alright! So the moment you have been dreaming of has finally arrived – yes, it is your wedding day! And it is time to put on that gorgeous gown and walk down the aisle. But hey, you don’t need to rush it. It is a special moment! You need to make sure everything is absolutely perfect.

My dear soon-to-be-Mrs, please take note of the following before you put on your gown:

  • Get your makeup done – makeup can easily stain especially the powders and runny liquids, and you certainly don’t want it on your wedding gown. Get your makeup done first to avoid stains on that beautiful gown.
  • Wash your hands – it is best to wash your hands before touching the gown. There might be some dirt on your hands especially after going through the makeup process so please wash your hands. You do not want to be the bride that stained her wedding gown.
  • Eat and Drink – make sure you eat and drink before the gown goes on: especially if plan on having a meal with color. Once the gown goes on, stick to clear liquids just so you are ‘safe’ in case of any spillage.
  • Visit the bathroom – trust me; between dress up, taking photos, the ceremony itself and greeting guests, you cannot be sure when you can catch a break to visit the bathroom. And oh, visiting the bathroom in that big fluffy gown is going to be really hard. Please Please visit the bathroom first.
  • Put on the right undergarments- it is important to get the right undergarments to pair with your gown. Find out what works best with your type of gown so you can be confident and well supported.
  • Wear your shoes – no matter the type of gown you choose, know that you would have to step into it when wearing. Hence it is best to have your shoes on before stepping into the gown. This gets you ready quicker. You have to get someone to help you when wearing the gown to avoid stepping on the gown and falling3E2A3177

 

We know these tips would be very helpful and useful on your wedding day. Keep them in mind and at heart and be that gorgeous bride you were destined to be! XO XO