Congratulations! You’ve just gotten engaged!!!

But hey, while you go around “singing and making merry like Christmas-“ about your f-i-a-n-c-e, the ring, and his proposal, remember there’s a lot of planning and HUNTING to be done!

 Sounding a bit harsh? Well… all I want for you is a fairy-tale wedding.

 So? Every bride should have her wedding V menu…Hold on! I don’t mean the one placed on tables at restaurants o! Am talking about the Venue menu here!

You see Lagos doesn’t sleep- from our Friday night hangouts to the famous “Aso” Saturday owambe’s, choosing the right venue and choosing it quick is very necessary and yes it ‘s urgent too!

 Your venue is like your oyster- you can play with it, think with it, and create an idea within it…  you can do all sorts of things in it.

 Imagine, all the childhood fantasies you had about your wedding day. Imagine that it comes crashing down all because careful considerations’ regarding choice of your venue wasn’t made!

 I’ll be stoned dead by my sisters if that happens to me!

 You don’t want to turn into a bride to the Zilla on your wedding day because your church ceremony could not fit all your guests or it’s taking you a lengthy hour and 30 minutes to get to your wedding reception!

 And you know Lagos Traffic?

 If I am your guest and your church ceremony is too cramped, say you couldn’t get a bigger outstation for your field of guests and as such we are arranged not by choice but by necessity like sardines…

 Here’s the kind of conversations I’ll be having- in my head of course!

 “On top one wedding sha? See how everywhere is packed, no seats and with my heels again? All for Tina’s wedding. (Assuming the bride’s name is Tina) If I hear that I attend any thing Tina does in Lagos again!” let…

 Yes I know back in my mother’s days- weddings took place in the brides’ father’s compound and there was no need for a venue as such but hey! Time changes yesterday.

 Now venues have gone global…and you are left with so many choices that your head starts spinning!

 And in this our Lagos… you’ll be spoilt for choice in deciding which venue to use and so would many other brides who are on the hunt!

So from Expo center to Havillah and a whole range of outdoor choices the sooner your venue hunt becomes your wedding menu the more likely to get the best choice.

 By attending weddings and being an event planner, I have on several rather unfortunate occasions come face to face with some Major wedding disasters all because someone did not get the V menu right!

This cracks me up but in a bad way.

I imagine paying so much to order a meal and after tasting, now, just a fork of it, I feel it would have been best if I fell off my chair or smashed a glass! That’s how bad choosing the wrong venue can affect your wedding day making it not so memorable.

 Since I don’t want this ever to happen to you; here are 7-baby bulletproof points to getting your V menu right;

• Discuss with your spouse on the kind of wedding you would love to have. Hear what your partner has to say and be ready to compromise! It’s 2 people getting married to become one!
• Your wedding reception venue should be within 25-30 minutes from where the church ceremony is taking place. So deciding earlier what kind of ceremony you would have helps to highlight what areas your wedding venue should be… and remember Lagos traffic spears nobody
• Once you have decided on your venue, ensure you know the rules and regulations that apply in the venue and also their flexibility regarding vendors.
• Start working on the budget with your spouse once the venue is sorted.
• Don’t forget about your guests- if it’s an out of town wedding ensure you provide a travel guide suggesting hotels close to your wedding venue
• Have a clear cut idea of the number of guest you would love to have at your wedding before you start thinking of a venue.
• At the initial stages say 12 months to your wedding be flexible about your wedding dates so that you can have a variety of choices. But if your date is set in stone ensure you check availability at your desired venue.
• Seek expert advice, it’s not a DIY situation, it’s your wedding day! A wedding planner will guide you in choosing your wedding venue as they have experienced weddings countless of times and would know what suits your number, budget, location and YOU!

Cheers,

Oaken Events