Conquering life, one event at a time!

A Royal Wedding... And Zapphaire was a part of it!

2011-08-09T09:02:00.003Z

I'll tell you all about the wedding and the process, but that's the video! Promise you'll be back!

OLAWUNMI AND TAIWO OLASHORE’S ‘SUPER FLY’ BIG DAY

2011-08-02T16:40:00.000Z

The beauty of the Yorubas’ engagement tradition was espoused to the rest of the world through the window of Lawunmi and Taiwo Olashore’s engagement on the 21^st day of July 2011. The venue was Habour Point, Lagos, Nigeria.

The value and significance of African props for traditional occasions was expanded to accommodate contemporary elements as beautiful ethnic props were combined with creative posies to create an Afro-western ambience.

The intriguing performances of the Edo cultural troupe and the Yoruba Agidigbo drummers were also a highlight at the event, which was anchored by two spokespersons representing both families.

The highest point of the 2-day event was at the wedding reception, which took place at the same venue on the 23^rd day of July 2011. It was class and elegance well exuded by decor...

A long white lush carpet led to the couple’s ‘nest’ where four butterfly props formed the wall and a collection of amber lights were used to create a gorgeous home effect. The suspended rain of crystals and orange petals were perhaps the talk of the day (and I see it remaining so for a long time in the minds of the guests). The giant floral centrepieces on every table were another beauty to behold as they complemented the silk table linen and the accompanying silverwares on the table.

Food and drinks? They were at their surplus best.

The day’s musical entertainment was ‘off the hinges’ as it segued from BJ Sax’s classical and contemporary performance to Ebony Band’s electrifying numbers, eliciting the response of ‘dance-till-you-sweat’ from the couple and the guests. The MC (Holy Mallam) observed the programme of the reception with clean humour.

Whichever way you choose to look at the event it was the one event that has left an indelible mark in the heart of the whole world about the beauty of the African wedding culture.

Decor by Furtullah
Event Coordination by Zapphaire Events

Procter & Gamble Launch Pampers Premium Care in style

2011-07-06T16:39:00.002Z

Procter & Gamble introduced Pampers Premium Care, the best Pampers ever, to nursing mothers in style on Saturday 18th June, 2011 at the Clear Essence California Spa.

The event, which attracted the creme de la creme in Lagos, had guests coming in via a "bannered" gold carpet where they were interviewed by Dolapo "Marcey" Oni of Studio 53.

The evening's entertainment started from the cocktail lounge where Sax T churned out classical and contemporary tunes to set the day's tone as hot canapes and cocktails were served.

New R'n'B sensation - Bez - maintained the tempo of the evening during the main programme by dishing out scintillating performances at intervals.

The "next big thing"in the night, apart from the product unveiling, was Jewel by Lisa's presentation of exclusive designs for kids which had kid models showcasing their elegance on the runway. They simply got every guest standing and clapping!

Decor by Furtullah
Event Coordination by Zapphaire Events

Assigning roles!

2011-04-13T12:19:00.000Z

The date has been fixed. The venue has been chosen (and maybe paid for). Some preferred vendors for certain items have been identified. The desired flow for the “big day” has been envisioned...

...But...

...how does a simple and never-bitten-more-than-she-can-chew lady string all the scattered deliverables together without becoming “Bridezilla”?

In this regard, we have to consider the fact that the individual has a life before the event which cannot stop in the process of the event. Thus, such an individual have to expand their daily activities to accommodate the additional responsibilities.

Organising an event that reflects finesse in its entire execution only requires a small-but-mighty detail called Critical Path

Critical path (a.k.a Assignment of tasks) is a prepared list of time-bound tasks that needs to be accomplished along with the details of who is responsible for them and the deadline for same.

Regardless of the style chosen in defining a critical path, the core essence and the result guaranteed by the delegations is sure to define the user as meticulous (although some people may call them fussy).

Imagine what the path below can achieve for a prospective event convener:

With a basic program such as Microsoft Excel, a detailed critical path can be created!

What are you still waiting for?

Draw your laptop closer and start defining your event’s critical path NOW!

Making the most out of the available

2011-03-29T14:17:00.001Z

From Lagos to London; Abeokuta to Dakota, from Oregun to Oregon; Adeniji to Adelaide, the mindset of an average event-client is the same – how do I have the best event without overshooting my budget?

"Universal" as that question may seem, one shouldn’t forget the existence of a varying degree of "particular" different cases. By this, I mean the people whose intention is to exhibit opulence without any form of inhibition at their event. Well... that’s a different ball game!

Organizing a classy event shouldn't cost you a fortune

For the general majority, the thought “how do I make the most of the available?’’ is pretty achievable. It can (very well) be achieved by adopting some economic principles (which you’ll find out are very common!)

Organising a classy event is usually the crux of every intention to organise an event... Did I have you reading that statement again?

From experience over time(which spans through 9 years) the intention of virtually every client I’ve come in contact with, during the initial consultation, is to have the best event possible! Although most of these clients change the tone of the initial discussion when they are presented the elements of a “best event”, some of them maintained their stance believing that the best is achievable even with a moderate budget. What these set of people have done is to adopt what we term (in Zapphaire Events) as Vesting power in the Value scale. This term is a process, which ensures that only the best is delivered to the client no matter the budget! Alas, the process is achievable only through the professionals (have you filled in the gap?)

In Zapphaire Events, how we do it is to take time to evaluate a client’s presented “best” elements in relation to its relevance on the value scale...(don’t worry, details later).

When presented with a cost estimate (derived from invoices obtained from various service providers), many individuals just shut their minds to their intended style of event claiming lack of fund. Whereas what they require at such moment is a systematic guidance to Vesting power in the Value scale. How do I mean? Such an individual should just declare the available fund for the event and...that’s it! The desired event would be achieved with the available fund, pronto!

Here is an instance:

If a client was given the costing below:

Venue = N1,500,000

Decor = N2,000,000

Catering = N2,100,000

Photography = N300,000

Videography = N200,000

Stage Design = N3,000,000

Red Carpet = N800,000

Compere = N800,000

Entertainment N2,000,000

Security = N100,000

Event Managers N1,000,000

Total = N13,800,000

And he/she yells a capital NO at the total cost but was calm enough to declare that the entire budget for the same event was N9m. He / she has just requested for the vesting power in the value scale process.

In this line, a chart would be drawn for such a client based on the items that would yield the most value as follow

From the chart above, it is quite apparent that catering is the most important deliverable of all the event requirements and thus should receive the most attention. In a funny twist, photography and videography follow catering in the order of value. This is so because both deliverables would remain the only evidences of the entire event after the event...did I hear you heave a sigh? Well, after them come every other deliverable!

The client above would reap the benefit of his/ her belief in an Event planner by enjoying massive discounts on the same items he/ she had obtained invoices for individually (the plan is called Zapphaire Compact in my company).

Clear and simple as this process appeared it requires the attention-to-details and industry goodwill of a professional event planner (make i market us small abeg!). It has worked all the time that it was employed.

Here we go!

2011-03-22T13:32:00.003Z

Hello there!

I’m pretty glad to be back after a “looong” break!

Phew!

No be small thing! Quite a number of super events have taken place since the last time you heard from me... we (Zapphaire Events) have moved from Forsythe Street on Lagos Island to Borno Way, Alagomeji, Yaba. We’ve had Zapphaire Events’ first bridal workshop; we’ve had two sessions of the Zapphaire Training School (the third session ongoing); the website,www.zapphaire.com, has been upgraded to international standard; we’ve expanded the company structure to accommodate Product Development and Graphics department; we’ve... OMG! The list is almost endless.

I’m sure you’re with me now on the fact that the past three years have been quite eventful!

Well...it’s yet another day –a Monday – marking the beginning of yet another week. If the human psychology can be discoursed, the target on every mind now is to “get up and go” and pave the way for a glorious week. Trust me, we’re with you on this one!

Like the just concluded week, this week is rolling on, bringing you closer to your heart desire (preferably, for us, your big day, which is every single lady and guy’s dream!) we’ve got you covered on this!

Oops! I didn’t mention our pet project – The Essential Bridal Handbook/Directory – in the list above. Anyway, the project is still under way!

The Essential Bridal Handbook, when its sales commences, would be a first-of-its-kind practical guide to the Nigerian wedding terrain for brides that are searching for excellence in issues bordering on pre-wedding, wedding and post wedding phases!

Apart from columns of advice by few experts and yours truly, it will also feature interviews and real photographs from various brides.

The all-in-one handbook offers detailed information about every aspect of the planning process to help every bride make very critical decisions, checklist and worksheets to keep them organized.

Finally, the book is intended to be a resource directory on the latest in wedding planning trends as well as service provider selection.

Hmmm! Did I hear u say Zapphaire on Fire?

Well, that’s just the beginning, as there is also Zapphaire Compact to talk about (but that’s a story for another week).

What else did I leave out...? Yes! I remember... I need to sign out! But before I sign out, however, I should remind you to check this page next week for another interesting piece.

Watch out for intriguing details on Zapphaire Compact!

Carpe diem.

THE PAST FEW WEEKS

2008-09-23T01:01:00.004Z

Hello dear friends and family, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe/Zapphaire events are back again .

September 11th and 12th(Esohe Alile's wedding )

IT was a real pleasure planning esohe and scott's wedding by the way(his italian and she is benin)
You know when you have a bride that lives abroad and you need to communicate via emails and pictures you know that you really need to work hard at ensuring there is full attention to detail especially with the coordinator in charge of her wedding(zapphaire events end here).
By the way the structure in zapphaire events goes like this--------
we have a head of events dept who oversees two other heads,head of weddings and head of corporate events and they in turn have about 3 coordinators each that report to them ,

Folake omotosho was handling Esohes wedding then she had to leave to go work in an insurance coy,then seyi took over but then had to leave cos of nysc etc.
so good old moi had to personally handle Esohe's wedding in the end

it was very detailed i must say,
she had a particular way her decor had to look like ,so we went to enlist the help of Molara Akinosho of just weddings who got the brief and ran with it.of course has you know with all brides and clients,we had some last minute changes and lara had to change some stuff asap
but she did a fantastic job at the end of the day.I'll post the pics tomorrow.

But the drama before the wedding was something else-

I'll start with the venue thinking the wedding was on a Saturday and not Friday,it took the videographer(tiyan of memories street)going there to do a recon to let me know what the venue organisers were up to.I had to dash there that day and quickly correct the situation.
You can imagine if there had been a booking for Friday already ,that means that we would have been double booked and all. Can't even begin to imagine the whole situation,
but we planners are crisis managers so that really helped me!!!!!!

Then the cake baker for the Eng and moi thot the color of the cake was white because that was the color we both saw when the preferred cake sent by esohe was printed out but luckily again esohe was able to clarify when she came that it was actually cream and no white.phew! close again.
And the list goes on and on,even on the main event day, but you know what the bottom line of everything was that she didn't notice and she loved every single thing about her wedding ,from the ambience to the music(she and her sisters love dancing by the way and she has 6 0f them),her cake etc.
Zapphaire Events was in full form and all staff including myself worked really hard and did a fantastic job.

some of our event partners included
decor- molara Akinosho
cake- plexus cakes(reception)and upper crust(engagement)
dj- dj Tade
smallchops-laredo
cocktails-cocktails in and out
drinks-noble party services
food- wine and gold
dessert-oh la la (who served a particular Italian dessert that Scott loved by the way)

you guys have to pay me for his free publicity ohhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

watch out for the pictures real sooonnnnn!

We at zapphaire events wish them a happy married life and God's hand of favour and blessings be upon them both.

2008-09-05T20:07:00.002Z

hello guys,i'm back.
Sorry i was a away for a while.I have really been blown away by all the comments.Thanks guys.

Now down to the ramblings of this friday.

This week has been one hectic one.First of all, from moi being tired all the time and then getting to run around for meetings to seal up the latter part of this year and then trying to pamper my hubby and taking care of my baby(who has been a bit cranky,she's teething bythe way).Its been a real rollercoaster but i thank God for His grace and mercy upon my life.

This is just to say thanks to the following people in my life:
A) MY WONDERFUL ,OVERBEARING,LOVING,CARING,IN YOUR FACE MAMA
she's really the best ohhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
Always ready to help me,take care of me etc.I love her to bits.

B) my sister(tosyn,hazel,contradiction(cant recall the other personas pls sis)
shes so so so smart,creative,did i say smart again.so many lovely and brilliant ideas fill her head,
shes the writer,poet,producer,editor,singer,pr person,diva,stylist e.t.c.
She can be a real pain oh but she always shows up.
She forced me to start this blog believing it will boost my profile;i really hope it is anyway.

C) my hubby,babes,d obrut,sir obruntus,etc
i love you oh.i maybe crazy at times but i know u'll do your best to do anything for meeeeeeeee
thanks for putting up with me and loving me.

This is family right now,i'll come to friends later on.so the likes of Tola,layo,omoyemi,moyo,boye,stello,toyin,tara,lisa,folake:dont worry i'm coming.

Question
Which brings me to the question of the week

what roles do friends play in our lives?

Now i'm off to get ready for the wedding zapphaire events is handling tommorrow at muson centre.I'm sure it would be loads of fun and hard work as usual.

I'll give you all the gist when i get back ,hope i won't be tooooooo tired though.

I'll post pics real soon.

my very first post

2008-09-01T21:28:00.003Z

Gosh im soooooo excited
I get to start my blog, can't wait to let you guys in on who i am

ok ok ok
id thot about this for a while now ,and finally its here
I mean, what do i have to share or talk about?
"A whole lot oh bucky", as Tola would say

today started with me tryin to rest cos of work from the previous week
i mean,there was chapel hill denham's womens ivestment fund, and then on fri mrs kemi balogun was 4o; you know what,she really knows how to throw it down!

zapphaire hostesses were in top form and the decor at expo centre was out of this world.
the entertainment{wildchild,kate henshaw,and then surprise appearances by basketmouth and miss diva diva anita baker who rocked the house}

which brings us to sat where ms. diva anita baker was to perform but threw a tantrum and never did. i didn't like that at all cos this was my chance to show the world and naija that zapphaire was tapping cos my ushers were in top form and our coordination was going smoothly!
kudos also for the service providers because the food, ambience, stage and all the works, were great!
I believe kilimanjaro will rise again, and zapphaire will keep coordinating the classiest shows!

then good ole sunday,the speaker of the lagos state house of assembly turned 50.
zapphaire was there again,but we had some other surprise in store. Thankfully, the likes of niyi,nike,kemi,sam,siji,funmi were all hard at work paying attention to detail and ensuring it went smoothly! They are my good old staff and coordinators oh

which brings me to resting today,but u know what i didn't really rest.
had back to back meetings, then spent some quality time with my hubby and daughter. Mairo is going to be one in October, i am so excited!

can't believe im a mother
lol

i'll be back real soon

all brides tobe,party organisers ,event partners/vendors
get ready for moi