Blessing Afolabi writes about the disappointments hosts experienced from event planners
through the hotel window in her stunning wedding dress, Hilda Hyacintho, was super excited that her wedding day marking the fulfilment of her dream of beginning a new life had finally come. She stood transfixed for minutes musing at the bright weather she had prayed for.
Narrating his experience, a private school teacher, Gbolahan Oduniyi, planned a bachelor’s eve alongside his wedding and paid the master of ceremonies both for the party and wedding reception the next day. “I called him before we concluded the Nikkai to find out why he had not arrived. He told me he was stuck in traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway from Berger on his way to Ibadan, Oyo State. He assured me that he would get to Ibadan before we end the Nikkai. But he never showed up. After the Nikkai, we went to the hotel to change our outfits for the reception, but still he had not arrived. I told my best man who had been communicating with him earlier to keep calling him.
However, some party-givers handle the planning themselves and interact directly with the vendors such as photographers, clothiers/stylists, MCs, DJs, musicians, caterers, makeup artists, decorators needed to make ceremonies grand. There is usually a price agreement between clients and vendors on the services to render. Most planners/vendors request a percentage as payment or outright payment before the stipulated date for the events.
He said, “They waited and called his mobile until 9am but it rang and was not picked up. The musician then drove to the office of the supplier and met the door closed. No one around there knew his whereabouts. The wedding was meant to start at 10:30am, and there was no sound system for anyone to use. I had to cough up money again to get the gadgets from another supplier, who charged us exorbitantly because it was impromptu.
She woke up on the bright April 1, 2021 morning feeling enthusiastic and energetic having ensured everything was sorted for the wedding, little did she know she would be shocked by the disc jockey she hired. The decorator had set the stage exquisitely, the cake sitting pretty but with no music in the background.
Later on, she said that he called to inform them he would be unable to make it anymore and was reluctant to refund the money paid, adding, “After we threatened to involve the police, he agreed to refund a part of the money because he paid for transport to the venue and underwent stress in traffic.” He said, “I called him on the day of the event and all he could say was to ask if the event was scheduled for that day. He told me he was at a wedding in Enugu State and wouldn’t return till the following week. He promised to compensate me when he returns by taking photographs of me on convocation gown.”The C.E.
She added that vendors needed to evolve by investing in training in modern practices in their field to satisfy clients. She noted, “The advantage of getting vendors based on referrals is that you get a sincere recommendation from people who have used them and not just comments you see on their pages or websites. Ask your friends who are married about the vendors they used, especially exceptional ones. This way, you get to know what you will be expecting and there will be no surprises. Do not place hype over efficiency. A vendor may be popular on social media with many followers but may not be right for you.
The event coordinator stated, “Most of these caterers, photographers, MCs, and the others have given themselves a bad reputation. It’s unprofessional to disappoint one’s client. That an event service provider is good at the service they offer doesn’t make them professional. How you stick to time and the way you relate with and handle your client’s preferences show a high or low level of professionalism. Some vendors ensure you pay them and put a clause that fees paid are non-refundable.
Ibrahim further said that party hosts and event managers contributed to vendors disappointing them by being indecisive and unable to micromanage them, giving them specifics in timing, coordination, monitoring their activities, and other choices. Also contributing to the issue, another event manager, Bayo Thomas-Ojo, noted that there were several reasons responsible for vendors disappointing clients.