Big Wedding, Small Budget.

Back in the day weddings were a lot easier to plan, you have family and friends actually helping and supporting you in the process, usually mums will organize women to come cook at the back of the yard, we buy everything ourselves. Hall decoration takes almost nothing, the seating arrangements were theatrical, making it so easy to invite the whole village, there were balloon decorations and old fashioned draping, we had the high table system, no particular seating section for the couple, no VIP or VVIP section, no caterer and service attendants just family and friends assisting in serving food and drinks and even souvenirs, things do get clumsy but it was what it was then. Usually it is the very wealthy that could afford a proper setting to an extent, they use big hotels who'll incorporate the banquet seating arrangement making it classy, and even if they were to organize themselves there was always some element of class. 

But with the evolution of party planning, things started to change. Not that family and friends don't assist still but there are more options. We have planners, DIY's, more ideas, more creativity etc. However, inspite of this beautiful happenstance, we still carry our old fashion ideology into the modern day planning. Like i always say, the cost of your wedding is usually determined mostly by your GUEST LIST, and this goes in two ways but for the purpose of this write-up i'll only talk on one way which is the guest number. Kindly note that when you invite people to your wedding, you are asking them to come witness your new found status, you want them to merry with you because its a good thing. 

I would normally think that the people who are close to you and your family should be at this gathering and not otherwise, i also would expect that you are prepared to take care of them. Now due to the seating arrangements these days, you may spend about N4,000  on each guest in an average wedding, after adding the cost of food, drinks, centerpiece, napkins, chair, table, linen, souvenir and all that makes up a proper setting. Multiply that amount by 1000-300 guest and see what it gives you. You have not  added other basic things like venue, clothing and so many other things that make up a complete event. If i were to use a theatrical seating here, by the time you knock off tables, linens, centerpieces etc, you'll see that you have saved yourself some money.

Am not trying to suggest to people to use the theatrical seating arrangement, but am only trying to show how the number of guest can affect your budget. So this ideology of inviting the whole village to your wedding should die the way theatrical seating arrangements at weddings died, because it cost more to bring that ideology into this modern day setting. Like it or not these days people tend to spend more on weddings, yet they want to invite more? and usually they can't afford it. If you can afford it, there is no problem at all, but where i have a problem is when you can't afford it but you just what to maintain that ideology of inviting the whole village. Some want to respect their parents wish by inviting all their parents friends, how about respecting yourself by cutting back, usually you don't know half the people at your wedding. Some plan their wedding hoping that certain friends or relative will pick up certain bills. Maybe some uncle promised you XXX amount, what if that uncle is unable to redeem that promise, what happens? you are already indebted. It doesn't matter who pledged to do stuff for you, plan your wedding according to your pocket.

Its very important to plan because anything can go wrong but at least you'll still have a wedding. It amazes me when someone's wedding is like a week to go and they are still saying they don't have money, like seriously! Your wedding isn't a charity, its the ceremony that makes your marriage formal, and it also isn't a business venture. I personally think no one should borrow to have a wedding, and no one should be indebted when planning, its not right. You may not be able to afford the wedding of your dreams but at least you are getting married to the person of your dreams, that should count. Truth is nothing else matters but the two of you.

As an event planner, i want the best for my clients and people generally and part of what i do is help people make informed decisions.  

Did you know you can have an intimate wedding with few family and friends by using a restaurant? all you need to do is pay for the food, and cut off all that venue, decor etc budget. Did you know you can have a wedding with minimalistic arrangements? simple yet classy? Did you know that if you can't afford a planner you can get DIY service? Don't go looking for a planner when all you need is some decor rental to decorate your hall. I realized that in most cases when people say they want a planner, what they are really saying is that they just want the decor done, which i find myself asking when all that is done, what happens on the day of the event? who coordinates and manages everything to ensure it goes well? normally they have no answer or the same old my family and friends will help, which may not be bad, but would it be organized? It goes back to that part that shows that you may not be prepared to take care of your guest, you want to, but not prepared. Truth is most planners can decorate your hall but not everyone can afford that service so they just opt for rental decorators. It also appears that all most people want is how beautiful the hall looks as against the general beauty of the event which involves the most pivotal role which is management. Theres nothing wrong in just wanting a decorator but seeking DIY advice when you can't afford full planning is a good way of planning a nice wedding on a budget. There are so many cheaper, nicer and even classy options but would you be open to those options without feeling left out? 

Everyone knows in their heart what they can afford at the point of planning their wedding, and what i've been trying to say in summary is 'Be Yourself'. You don't have to pay for that size of hall if you don't invite that large no of guest, you don't have to pay the caterer that amount if you would reduce your guest list, same goes for the chair and table rental,etc. Really your wedding ceremony must not be conventional, also you don't have to throw a lavish traditional and white wedding, you can make one loud and the other quiet. And if you must do inspite of all the constraint then do it well, get professional advice, plan well. You can have a beautiful wedding by avoiding all the odds caused by lack of proper planning and conventional thinking. So my dearies debunk that thinking, its better to have a small wedding than a disorganized one especially when you are trying to make it look like a big wedding. More importantly, you are not impressing anyone, your wedding is about you and if you don't have that type of budget that goes with planning a big event then make it simple.

LAUNCHING THE PEARL TOWER 'EKO PEARL EVENT'

We recently held The Eko Pearl Tower launch, being built by Eko Pearl Nig Ltd and it was an awesome event. The Eko Pearl Tower is a 24 storey residential tower located on the harbour front on Lagos innovative Atlantic city 'Eko Atlantic City'. 

It was such a challenge planning this event, since we wanted it to represent the excellence, finesse, precision and luxury that the Tower projects. But in the end the hard work paid, the management, i'd say was impeccable, the decor, simple but classy. Everything was on point, from the invites to the last management detail. I must confess that as daunting as it was planning the event, we had a great time managing it.

The Eko Pearl site

However, as the program progressed it hit me that it wasn't just one of those property launch, it was a good cause. Building a prime city of international standard, thereby creating jobs and giving some Nigerians the opportunity to actually live luxuriously with great ROI in their own country, is a positive contribution. I may not have that much knowledge in property development but what came to me was the fact that living in a place like this can actually guarantee a new lease on life (funny, right?but true). Less pollution, conducive environment, serenity, a system that works, growth and dev, close to nature,  etc. What i see mostly is 'LONGEVITY', good health and good investment. 

Some Nigerians live the good life already, they travel abroad frequently, they buy properties all over the world in prime areas, they have what it takes but truth be told that even with all the wealth, living in Lagos city can be hostile.

The dynamics of Lagos city is very unique and complex, but it still remains one of the best places to be in the whole of Africa. However, Lagos state is still grappling with serious challenges in all its social and economic forms. But, who would blame it for its challenges when the city receives more intending residents daily, creating serious urbanization concerns. Energy and water access, sewerage, transportation and housing have all been adversely affected by haphazard development of a geographically disjointed city. Unlike the rest of Nigeria, Lagosians do not have access to steady electricity. Despite the regions endowment of water, the city suffers from an acute and worsening water supply shortage. And due to inadequate sewerage, much of the city's human waste is disposed of by the drainage of rainwater through open ditches. With congested bridges and roads, traffic situation is a daily problem in Lagos, and it can be really bad. With all these challenges you'd agree with me that the new city is very welcome and thanks to Eko Atlantic city, the urbanization challenge in Lagos will at least be curtailed.

Eko Atlantic city

Eko Atlantic city is a mega city supporting the already overpopulated existence of lagos.
This city will become the financial centre of Nigeria, if not West Africa and trust me it is no easy job. The development brings together private individuals and companies who have the knowledge and expertise to transform land lost to the power of the sea into an ocean-front city that will be one of the wonders of the 21st century which can be compared with the United Arab Emirate city in Dubai. And the project is being achieved through a team effort between investors, planners, engineers and contractors, one of which is Eko Pearl Nigeria Limited.

Residents of Eko Pearl Tower, will enjoy first class infrastructural amenities, excellent security services,  splendour of actually living in a luxurious apartment,  clean air and all the benefits that comes with living in Eko Atlantic city. 
The design indicated that it has a pool and terrace level floor, a technical, ground and basement floors, both dedicated to 345 parking places and 48 storage rooms.
Three types of apartments are provided, known as “Typical apartments”, duplex apartments and pent house floor.
Typical apartments are located starting from the first to the 18th floor, with typical apartment floor occupying a total of 394 square meters. Each floor consists of one entrance hall, two sitting rooms, a dining room, one living room, one kitchen, four-master bedrooms, one guest bathroom, one laundry and three balconies, among others.
Besides, duplex apartments are located on the 19th-22nd floors. It also has similar features like the previous apartment, except that it has a lounge, one kitchen and pantry and two balconies. The upper level is designed as one living family room, four master bedroom and two balconies.
There are also five underground parking space and two storage rooms for the duplex apartments, while there is provision for four underground parking spaces, and one storage room for the typical apartments. Two penthouse apartments, located on the 23rd and 24th floors measured 627 square metres per floor. It features one entrance hall, three sitting rooms, one dining room, a lounge, one living room, one kitchen, four master bedrooms, a guest bathroom, one maid room, a laundry and four balconies, with 52 parking spaces are dedicated for the leisure of the residents’ guests.

A document made available to The Guardian, revealed that Eko Pearl Towers are designed according to British standards, with the exterior walls of all main facades built of two layers, solid block in exterior and hollow blocks in the interior side.
The buildings are of roof terrace, basement walls, water tank, made of vandex, or similar, while elevations are asphalt coating paint under exterior stone cladding. Windows and doors are of aluminum material, including the rolling shutter in bedrooms.
Painted wooden doors are fitted to the storage and maid room, a typical door at the floors are wooden door veneered with “walnut”, including the service entrance. The doors and staircase, technical rooms and lobby are installed with fire rated steel materials, while stainless steel balustrade with glass cladding for balconies.
The floor finishing is of Epoxi coat, or similar for basement, and Mass dyed ceramic used for the storage and driver rooms in the basement. The lobbies and stairs at basement are of marble and stone.

Amazing, isn't it? So I'd suggest that if you are planning on investing in a prime area in Nigeria, then Eko Pearl Tower should be it.

Eko Pearl Tower

www.ekopearl.org, www.ekoatlantic.com, www.propertyindex.com.ng