Yashan and Kenya launch ‘My Wedding Planners’

Popular artist Yashan has launched his latest business venture alone with his wife, Kenya. ‘My Wedding Planners,’ the name says it all. It’s a wedding planning company which is capable of providing all sorts of services needed to make your wedding ceremony extraordinary. 

Explaining why he got into wedding planning, Yashan says: “I was active in the mainstream music industry for almost a decade and I have managed to find lots of contacts and ground knowledge in almost every trade in Sri Lanka and wedding planning is an area that grabbed my interest. I had the opportunity to be an unofficial wedding planner for a few grand weddings – including cricketer Dushmantha Chameera’s wedding, cricketer Chathuranga De Silva’s wedding and homecoming. I figured that it isn’t as easy as it appears for the couple at all because the majority of people haven’t got enough experience or knowledge about the wedding trade, industry and its suppliers. So I found it interesting to take it to the next level with my wife as professional wedding planners.”

Asserting that a wedding planner is a professional who assists with the design, planning and management of a client’s wedding, he noted that weddings were significant events in people’s lives and as such couples were often willing to spend a considerable amount of money to ensure that their weddings were well-organised, but emphasised that “you need to make sure that you book the right suppliers and if you expect things to go smoothly as you plan.”

Commenting on the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator, Yashan said: “A wedding planner will work with the client from the start – helping with the selection of everything from vendor selection, hotel rooms, florist, cake, photographer hair and make-up, transportation, anything needed for the wedding. They are with you from start to finish of the wedding planning process. 

“A wedding coordinator will come in at the end and make sure everything goes off without a hitch – checks on deliveries and makes sure the reception has the look and feel desired by the client; pretty much to make sure the day runs smoothly and handle any hiccups along the way to ensure an easy flow on the wedding day. A ceremony coordinator will work during the ceremony to ensure everyone gets where they belong at the right time and the ceremony flows as it should. They can help the photographer with pictures and get guests to the reception. They may or may not have anything to do with decor.”

It’s important to understand who you have hired to navigate your wedding experience. Outlining the experience he is drawing on in wedding planning, he said: “It really did help me to plan my wedding last year, which was neatly done as planned. In addition to that I have hosted about 25+ major events at high profile venues all by myself throughout my musical career and those contacts and experience are a bonus. I believe my organisational, communication and customer care skills are solid. I also have problem solving skills and ability to deal with the unexpected from my experience. I enjoy working under pressure and meeting deadlines. I think I have enough knowledge on sales and negotiation skills with the ability to manage a budget. These are the most important skills to be a good wedding planner, in my opinion.”

As for how his wife comes into the picture, he said: “She is my strength and she supports me whatever I do. She wanted to get involved in my business line with an active role so she is handling the creative and designing part of ‘My Wedding Planners’.”

So how would a couple benefit by hiring Yashan as a wedding planner? “The job of a wedding planner is to make this event worry free and unforgettable. Months before the big day, we consult with the bride and groom, negotiate with vendors, get into contracts with them and ensure that everything is within budget. The strength of our personal relationship with the leading wedding suppliers in Sri Lanka will help you to get discounts and special rates. That will save you money. With a good wedding planner, you will not have to fight for your wedding vision because we will be keeping it on track which helps you to stay stress-free. The wedding planner should be the liaison between all the vendors and the bride/groom on the day of the wedding. They are responsible for ensuring each person in the wedding party (ushers, greeters, etc.) are fulfilling their responsibilities and that guests are being treated properly.”

‘My Wedding Planners’ include photographer and videographer, DJ, florist, hotel, jeweller, travel packages, entertainers, sounds and lighting, music bands, musicians, fireworks, hair stylist, beautician, tailor/seamstress, reception venue, baker, stationary, etc.

To get in touch, check Facebook page www.facebook.com/ykweddings, write to [email protected] or call 0773 450 850.