From Destination Weddings to the Business of Love – Atinuda Event Planner’s Atelier was a Heaven of Insight | Photos & Scoop

The Atinuda Designer’s Atelier happened on Thursday the 9th of June at Clear Essence Spa in Ikoyi and it was a meeting of experienced minds ready to share every bit of their vast knowledge on the wedding/event planning industry.

Powered by Ayiri Oladunmoye, CEO of Oaken Events the event was hosted by Arese Ugwu, the speakers included Seyi Olusanya CEO of Once Upon A Destination and Cedar Events, Christina Holt Founder of Wedding Concepts SA and Diann Valentine CEO of Diann Valentine Living Well (DVLW).

BellaNaija is proud to have been media sponsors for the Atinuda initiative. Eki Ogunbor was present at the Atinuda Designer’s Atelier representing BellaNaija Lifestyle, which covers Living, Weddings, Beauty, Style & Fashion.

Diann Valentine & Eki Ogunbor

That’s me with Diann Valentine, she was definitely my favourite speaker of the day and you’ll find out why. I was fortunate to attend this enlightening event for BN and I learnt so much from these ladies about an industry I’d have never thought to be interested in. It was an amazing experience and again, kudos to Oaken Events and Ayiri Oladunmoye for giving us something so valuable, I’m looking forward to the next one already!

Arese Ugwu, the Host

Funke Bucknor-Obruthe giving the opening prayer

Ayiri Oladunmoye, CEO of Oaken Events

Christina Holt

Christina Holt
Christina made me dream of getting married in South Africa which has become one of the most popular places for destination weddings. Wedding concepts SA specialises in destination weddings for people who want to have a wedding anywhere in Southern Africa. She mentioned it’s popular in SA to have the wedding ceremony outdoors and the scenery adds the the beauty of their weddings and  most of her Nigerian clients come to her because they want something smaller, something different. Wedding Concepts SA is known for intimate weddings and paying close attention to detail,

“The luxury is in the detail if you really have thoughts of all the smallest things.”

To create the best experience for their clients, they use social media to get to know their clients and their personalities. This information helps them give a personal touch to the wedding with personalised thank you cards/gifts, place setting cards, wedding logos, social media hashtags, the cake and so much more. She also gave us, BellaNaija Weddings, a shoutout for our support on social media. Christina said,

“Wedding Concepts delivers the service of bringing people (vendors) together to make the clients vision come to life.”

Kate from Wedding Concepts SA and Ayiri Oladunmoye

In closing, advised the use architectural 3D drawings to sell your vision to clients because it really takes things to the next level and helps you secure a client. Christina also spoke about managing the project budget and their financial approach as a company; they charge a percentage on the clients budget while others charge a flat rate.

To add more to what Christina said about her charging system, Mati Gono of Just As Planned mentioning how important it is to know your clients and do background research on them to charge them realistically and the fact that most Nigerians do not like the word ‘percentage’ it discourages them so she charges a flat rate.

Funke Bucknor-Obruthe

Funke Bucknor-Obruthe of Zapphire Events also added that because of the situation in the country you might have to charge a little less than usual with the hope that things will pick up with the economy later. She also adviced that because we are in a social media world right now, you must work

“because the more you do the more you get. If you don’t work and someone goes to your instagram page and sees that it’s three months ago you posted, they will not call you because they feel like you are not relevant”

Diann Valentine

Diann Valentine
Diann was my favourite speaker, she’s quite an energetic speaker with lots of valuable quotes and advice.

“We were all born into love and at some point in our liv