In-Depth Interview with Event Design by BE -Munaluchi Bride

Event Planner and Designer Bisola Esiemokhai of Event Design by BE has been in the wedding industry for five years. Bisola brings an extensive background in business and finance consultation to Event Design by BE. Her design style is described as “modern, glam and artistic with a dash of drama.” For Bisola, family is the biggest source of motivation and inspiration in her life. She hopes to one day be known as the leading Wedding Planner and Designer for Nigerian weddings in the world.

Read all about Bisola Esiemokhai and Event Design by BE in this informative and inspiring in-depth interview.

Name: Bisola Esiemokhai (affectionately nicknamed “BE”)
Business Name: Event Design by BE
Founded: 2013

Describe your business. Event Design by BE is an event planning and design firm. I believe that life and love are meant to be celebrated; beautifully. I understand that I am a steward of my clients’ events and my team and I work very hard to curate experiences, memories and meaningful design throughout the planning process and on the wedding day. My niche is Nigerian weddings and I plan and design weddings all over the world.

What did you do before starting your business in the wedding industry? Before starting my business in the wedding industry, I worked in corporate America; specifically for one of the top management-consulting firms in the world. I traveled every week to work with Fortune 100 companies where I helped solve some of their core business problems. I have a degree in finance so I consulted mostly with financial firms or on financial related projects. I believe that my experience in Corporate America- specifically Consulting- gave me a significant head-start in the Wedding Industry as the only difference between what I did then and now is the type of clients. Furthermore, my degree in Finance helped me truly understand how to set a budget and have those type of conversations with a couple.

How long have you been in the wedding industry? I have been in the wedding industry for 5 years.

How would you describe your style? I would describe my style as modern, glam and artistic with a dash of drama. I like to design weddings that have at least one out of the box element. Whether it’s a unique floor layout, table centerpiece, sweetheart table design, etc. I like to push the boundaries on conventional design because cookie cutter weddings are so boring. Ultimately, my designs are shaped from getting to know my clients. I think weddings should be a true reflection of who they are as individuals and their lives together as a couple.

What motivates you? I have really big dreams for myself so my goals motivate me. I also have an amazing husband and inquisitive toddler. They are both my biggest support system and they inspire, motivate and encourage me every day. I want my son to see me shaping my own destiny and to know it’s possible for him to do the same. That motivates me a lot.

Why should brides/grooms choose you? Couples should choose me because, above everything, I care about each individual who trusts me to plan such a significant occasion for them. As a Wedding Planner, I spend the most time with my couples guiding them through the planning process so it’s important to me to work with people who would benefit the most from working with me. So, if you are a person who places a priority on having a customized planning process tailored to you and your lifestyle, cares about meaningful design and the details of your wedding day, and wants a well-executed wedding then I’m the best choice for you.

How does your company define and measure success? I define and measure success by each client I work with. Each of our couples have different wants, needs and expectations for their planning process and wedding day so we customize each clients’ experience in order to achieve those specific wedding goals for them. Whenever I hear the words “I feel like all I did was show up” or “that was the best day of my life” or “that day was beyond my expectations” that truly defines success for me.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I have two things I enjoy most about my work. First, how I am able to positively impact my couples’ lives on such a significant day for them. Hearing previous clients say “my friends and family can’t stop talking about the wedding” continues to remind me that I’m creating memories that they (and the closest people to them) will never forget. I also continue to fall in love with the design process. I really enjoy taking an idea that was formed in my head, converting it into a tangible sketch, working through the logistics of how to make it happen and then executing it on the wedding day. The design process never gets old to me.

Describe a proud moment while working in the wedding industry. I was asked to speak on a panel of industry professionals where I was able to give advice to aspiring event planners. I have been fortunate to get guidance from event planners that I truly admire and respect and I was happy to do the same for others.

What’s the best compliment you’ve received for your work? One of the best compliments I’ve received was when a couple mentioned that they could tell, “I was born to do this.” That was really flattering to hear.

What are your business goals? My ultimate business goal is to be known as the leading Wedding Planner and Designer for Nigerian weddings in the world. Another goal I have is to expand my current team, which would allow me to really focus on what I do best which are creating a customized experience for my clients and developing their wedding design. I also have a goal of owning a modern intimate event space in a large metropolitan city.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding industry? My favorite part of the industry is that there are no limits. You can be as creative as you want and push the boundaries. My favorite weddings are those that my couple trusted me completely and I was able to push myself creatively.

What’s your least favorite part of the wedding industry? My least favorite part of the wedding industry is the misinformation put out by large wedding platforms about Wedding Planners and the industry as a whole. Specifically the investment thresholds couples should expect from professional businesses they encounter while planning their wedding. Many times these figures are almost laughable and do not reflect my peers or myself and creates a disconnect because many couples hold these articles as facts. Also the term “day of” or “month of coordination” needs to be eliminated completely. For a multitude of reasons, it does not exist.

Describe your vision of the “perfect” wedding. Each couple has different wants, needs and expectations for their wedding so the “perfect” wedding is different for every couple and I consider it my top priority to help clients achieve their version of perfect. My personal vision of the perfect wedding is one that applies as much attention on the significance of the ceremony as the details and fun of the reception. A wedding that focuses on the experience guests have from the moment they receive a save the date and invitation until the grand send off at the end of the reception and a wedding that is centered around creating and capturing the amazing memories made that day.

Where do you find the most inspiration? I find the most inspiration from my clients and who they are as a couple as well as individuals. I’m not a fan of cookie cutter weddings or copying the images I see in my clients Pinterest board. I love getting to know my clients very well throughout the planning process so I can offer meaningful design ideas that are significant to them. I also find a lot of inspiration from architecture, interior design, fashion and different cultural traditions around the world.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know? I strongly believe that a Wedding Planner is not a “nice to have” service but instead should be viewed as a must have member of your team. When you think about all of the resources (time, money, emotions, etc.) that you are investing on this day, who are you entrusting to guide you to spend your funds accurately, connect you to the right creative partners to achieve your vision and, most importantly, execute everything on your behalf on the wedding day? It’s important to choose wisely and look at a Planner’s role in your wedding as an investment into the success of the entire planning process and on the actual wedding day itself.