Having observed the high rate of weddings and introduction ceremonies in Rwanda taking place most weekends, Diane Ingabire had no doubt that if she focused on the main highlights of such functions, such as decoration, food, clothes, it would earn her good revenue.

After conducting research on the necessary requirements, she started a Kigali based enterprise known as "Didy décor and events planner.”

Her company deals in events management, decorations, securing venues, and organizing weddings. She spoke to Business Times Joan Mbabazi about earning from Kigali’s wedding scene.

What impelled you to start this kind of business?

Ever since I was in high school, I have always to be involved in for design and creativity. I was in charge of decorating the church, school parties. With my passion, I knew that I would suit best for this job.

When you compare the number of weddings that come up every weekend, I was sure I would earn from this business. I literally organize the whole wedding. All I need is the budget and plan a wedding that fits in the couple’s pockets. In less than a year, the business has started paying off.

What are your exact duties as an events planner?

I deal in Events management. I assist business people in applying project management to create and develop large-scale events such as festivals, conferences, ceremonies, weddings, formal parties, concerts, or conventions.  I facilitate business people with advice on hosting such events.

I also help them in making financial plans, find the venue of the events, cater for food and drinks, dress the groom, bride, groomsmen and maids and other aspects of the wedding such as the cake, sound systems, tents, makeup, chairs, decorations, hairstyling, among others.

What are some of the trials you encounter in this business?

Winning clients’ trust is a bit hard. Some panic, up to the last minute wondering if I will do for them a perfect job, surprisingly, when the wedding turns out successful, they bring me clients. Some clients don’t want to be advised, they want me to do for them what they want, which sometimes is not good. But because they are my bosses, I respect their requests.

I also experience unrealistic expectations. Some clients want way too beyond what they paid for.

A wedding venue decorated by Didy décor and events planner. Courtesy photos.

All in all, although the couple might make some difficult choices, my job is to figure out the best possible options that work within the couple’s budget.

How can someone earn from this kind of business?

Event planners are always on demand; from weddings to corporate gatherings, there is always a need of someone who can help make an event run without hitch.

 You need to find a specific niche and become an expert in that niche. Contemplate what you most enjoy doing or who you would preferably like to work with.

Conduct market and industry research, and take a good hard look at your competition to see any drains in your local event planning marketplace.

Social media should be a way to market yourself, for instance, post a few of your work on Instagram and Facebook. That will earn you clients and increase your reach.  But most importantly, uniqueness should be key. People get bored of the same designs, you have to be creative.

Wedding planners should focus on creating and sharing original visual content, either in shots from the last event they planned or a helpful infographics created.

In order to pull clients, combine your marketing approach with great customer service. Emphasis on creating a user personality based on your primary market research of your actual customers. This will help you get a clear understanding of your clients.

It is advisable to free up your time to do what you do best, you will be able to bring in more clients and more money, while still providing the best service possible.

This could be through what you are good at. For example, this could be through popular tasks like, website construction and design, the creation of your logo, bookkeeping, and related tasks that are not directly linked to your work as an event planner.

Connect with industry professionals. Reach out to a network of decorators, caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, who do wedding planning events. Explain that you are expanding your business and what types of clients you prefer working with. Ask your connections if there are certain people they think you should connect with and ask if they could send an email introduction for you.

Diane Ingabire, the CEO of Didy décor and events planner.

If you have a team of wedding planners taking on different events or team who support large-scale projects you plan, your business will make more money.

If you have something on your mind, something that can help you raise your earnings, don’t hesitate to try it. Discuss with your team, what else you can offer to attract more clients and grow your sales.

So what do you base of  while charging your clients?

Prices depend on the number of services that the clients would want. If I am doing literally everything, from the venue, decorations, music, to food and much more, the prices are higher. An event organized in a hall is more expensive than that organized in the gardens. The more requirements by the couple, the more expenses.

Your wedding planner revenue depends on skills, location, and how well you promote your business. Charging what you are worth and cumulating your fees occasionally, is a vital factor.

Other decorations for introduction ceremonies

More other decoration for Ingabire

A wedding venue decorated by Didy décor and events planner