How to Plan a Wedding as a Wedding Planner

Here’s a guide on how to plan a wedding using these products and ensuring a smooth, memorable day for the couple.

 1. Understand the Couple’s Vision

The first step in wedding planning is to understand the vision and expectations of the couple. Many couples might want an African-themed wedding might have specific ideas rooted in their cultural heritage or personal style. 

Discuss their preferred colors, traditions, and decor elements. Products from African Things, such as kente cloth, Ankara fabrics, and handcrafted beadwork, can be tailored to fit various styles, whether they want something bold and vibrant or subtle and elegant. 

2. Budget Planning

Weddings come with varied costs, and it’s essential to ensure that all aspects of the wedding, including decor, fit within the couple’s budget.  

As a planner, it’s important to allocate the budget carefully between venue, catering, attire, and decorations. 

3. Choosing the Right Venue

Selecting a venue is one of the most critical decisions in wedding planning. Whether the wedding is indoors, outdoors, or in a more rustic setting, the venue needs to align with the couple’s vision. 

African-themed decorations, such as handwoven baskets or calabashes from African Things, can enhance any setting. For an outdoor wedding, items like beaded curtains or lanterns can transform a simple garden into a rich cultural experience.

4. Decorating with African Heritage

Once you have the venue set, it’s time to start thinking about decor. Begin by picking a theme—traditional, modern, or a blend of both. Products from  African Things offer versatility in design.

 For example, you can use Ankara fabric for table runners or chair covers, masai beadwork as part of the bride’s bouquet, or kente cloth as a ceremonial backdrop. 

These small yet significant touches will give the wedding a distinct, authentic African vibe. 

5. Coordinating the Ceremony

Planning the ceremony involves not just managing the logistics but also setting the tone for the event. If the couple wants to include traditional African elements, you can incorporate symbolic gestures, like the breaking of the kola nut (common in Nigerian weddings) or a libation ceremony. 

Use products  to enhance these moments with cultural items, such as African masks or wooden carvings that represent ancestral blessings.

6. Managing Guest Experience

As a planner, you’ll want to create a seamless experience for the guests from the moment they arrive. Greet them with thoughtful African-inspired favors, such as mini baskets or handcrafted bracelets.

These items are not only beautiful but also provide guests with a memorable keepsake from the wedding. Additionally, decorative elements like beaded curtains at the entrance or kente cloth table settings will immerse them in the wedding theme from the start.

7. Catering and Entertainment

While wedding planners may not always be directly involved in catering, it’s important to ensure that the food and entertainment align with the couple’s vision. 

If the couple wants traditional African dishes or entertainment, such as a drumming group, these elements should complement the decor. 

Items like wooden carvings or African masks from  African Things can be placed around the buffet area or stage to tie everything together thematically.

8. Day-of Coordination

On the wedding day, your role as the planner is to ensure everything goes smoothly. Managing the setup and execution is critical. 

 Keep a checklist of all tasks and delegate appropriately to ensure that every aspect of the wedding is executed flawlessly.

9. Post-Wedding Tasks

After the wedding, there’s usually a list of tasks such as breaking down decor and ensuring the couple’s belongings are returned. 

Conclusion

Planning a wedding requires balancing aesthetics, logistics, and the couple’s vision. By incorporating products from African Things you can create a wedding that not only looks beautiful but is rich in cultural significance. 

With careful planning, attention to detail, and the right decor elements, you can help couples celebrate their love in a meaningful and unforgettable way.