PMP and my Passion

Hi all! It has been a while I know,but I have been so caught up in different activities (One of them is what I am going to talk about), so finding time to blog has been an uphill task.
But as usual I try to find a way around any circumstance *winks*.
Back to the topic of today PMP (Project Management Professional), some weeks ago I was opportune to attend the above training and to say the least it was a big EYE OPENER for me. I enjoyed the training so much because of its real world practicality and more interestingly ‘the fact that a wedding was referred to as a project and so WEDDING PLANNING is PROJECT MANAGEMENT!’ Sincerely my heart skipped a beat when that was talked about.
So back to the topic; most people mix up Projects with Operations but they are two very different things that are somewhat related. I will explain why; this is because a project eventually turns into an operation but that is after it has been accepted to have fulfilled all stated requirements. So first we have a Project then an Operation. I also learnt some interesting terms used to depict situations during a project management life cycle, terms like: Gold plating, Scope creep, fast tracking and crashing e.t.c I also learnt and understood the different process groups and knowledge areas required in successful initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and closing of a project. More so I enjoyed real life project experiences from my class mates, real life scenarios used by our lecturers, the jokes, the laughs and I will be very ungrateful if I fail to mention the sumptuous breakfast and lunch breaks I was always looking forward to..LOL.
Our lecturers made available videos of 2 of the most Impressive projects in the world.
The first was the train blazing project to construct the 4th tallest hotel in the world located on an artificial Island in U.A.E called the Burj Al Arab hotel .This project was herculean because the project team faced a lot of technical and environmental challenges, but at last it was finally completed. Today it is about one of the most expensive hotels in the world which fetches a lot of revenue for U.A.E {I hope to sleep there someday…who dash monkey banana? LOL}
The second project was to construct the Hong Kong International Airport which also seats on an island but this time a natural island. I watched with interest the serious hitches on the first day of commencing business, how they were surmounted and how in spite of everything it now operates as one of the world's largest passenger terminal buildings and works 24hrs.
This is just a tip of the iceberg but all in all I am so happy I was part of it all. I am also very enthusiastic to apply my newly acquired PMP skills and techniques to wedding planning which has always being my passion.
Thanks y’all for your time talk to you guys soon till then…..Ta!

Weddings by Nona: Making The ENTRANCE

Hello Pipo….how have you all been? Well, I have been fine n well and to say the truth last week was the ‘bestest’ of my best weeks so far, for no particular reason I was just full and satisfied with myself don’t ask me why cos I cannot explain..lol.

Well, today I like to talk about something that I know a lot of people fancy during wedding reception and that is ‘making the entrance’ I particularly look forward to this part and I will tell you why:

First, for someone like me that gets to weddings only when the reception is about to start this is the first opportunity for me to access the bride’s gown, hair, shoes, jewelries and the groom’s ensemble( I call it an ensemble because some guys are really breaking the rules and going wild with their wedding day outfit)

Second, it affords me an opportunity to see how well they both can dance.

Third , it just starts up the whole process of the reception which is fun, fun and more fun to me…..lol.

But the part I really do not enjoy is the whole of the bride and groom’s village members + great grandfather+ father’s uncle’s brother’s son+ great aunty dancing in with the couple…..haba it is not a dance celebrating the passage of one form of life to another form (i.e A dance signifying change from Human form to spirit form lol, but it is a wedding entrance!) So I ask, what is the need for this entire crowd? Are we adding our naija flavor to this (The ‘I should not be left out syndrome’)? Who says that the dance in must be done in that particular manner (Everyone dances in and parts at a particular point to make space for couple)?

I could go on with my questions but I would like to actually explain why this particular manner of dancing in irks me.

1. Guests at the reception do not get to see the couple while they dance in because the human body is not transparent. How can you be standing in front of people because you are dancing in the couple and expect the people you are blocking to catch a glimpse?

2. The so called ‘dance troupe’ restricts the movement of the couple, sometimes feet are stepped on, unintentional shoves ,kicks and blows are hurled at people(Thanks to some people Micheal Jackson moves….lol)

3. Then because of the people density the couple starts sweating and get tired.

4. The dance may become longer than expected then guests lose the spark.

At a wedding some weeks ago, I gave the couple a 110% rating for their entrance. It was themed “The run away bride”

This was how it happened

The bride with gown in hand ran into the reception hall and sat on the hall’s platform. Tell you what, almost every one’s mouth was agape because they did not know what was happening and did not know what was next(Suspence..Me like!).

Next the music started off and the groom started walking into the hall to meet the bride, while he was walking he was stylishly dancing and explaining to the bride using the lyrics of the song that she belongs to him(Unique… Me like!).

For a while the bride was 'forming' but 'las las'(at last) she agreed and he took her up.

Then they started dancing .

Then few ladies came in made a circle round the couple,dancing and cheering them on.

That was a unique piece for me I was assigned other parts of the wedding but the bride and groom arranged this on their own. Sincerely I was tripping and as a planner I know the level of courage it took them to stage that performance.

All I am just trying to say is that there are no clear cut rules about wedding entrance,it is all about YOU, your individuality ,your style and uniqueness which at WEDDINGS BY NONA we help couples bring to the fore.

Yes,originality is what we preach here at WEDDINGS BY NONA.

Lets make it an exclamation and not an explanation!

Weddings by Nona: Bride crossing the line and becoming a BRIDEZILLA!!

Hello Everyone! It has been a very longtime……I have just been out and about hence the silence.

So today I have picked a wonderful topic to talk about: “Bride crossing the line and becoming a BRIDEZILLA!”…can I see single ladies nodding their heads? Oh yeah, some of us have experienced this (as in a former wonderful friend turning into a monster because she is about to get hitched). So I say, ‘u are about to get married so what dah heck? Is it like the doors to wedlock will be locked up after you say your marriage vows?’ **rolling eyes** and **taking a deep breath**

Anyway, as a planner I have learnt to deal with brides like this because it is my job, still I have met wonderful brides that have made my featuring in their weddings an experience I am not forgetting in a hurry( I’m saving that topic for another time).

So let’s start the story of how a bride turns into a BRIDEZILLA and the line crossing signs, are we ready? (speaking in strong British accent)

v Guy meets girl

v Guy dates girl

v Girl’s family forces guy to marry girl

v Guy is not ready emotionally, mentally and financially

v Guy transfers pressure to girl

v Girl starts acting up

Line crossing signs

· Insults friends (Frontal or subtly).

· Carries airs around herself.

· Insults single older ladies.

· Insults her vendors.

· Insults bridal train and makes them feel they are doing themselves a favor and not her.

· Starts snubbing all and sundry.

· Starts seeing and making imaginary boundaries in her head.

I could go on and on, but I decide to stop it here.

Now if u had fallen victim to a BRIDEZILLA these are some recovery tips for you:

For an unmarried lady: Keep your head high up your time will come, who says that it is 'she that marries first that has it really smoooooth and blissful?' You see, it is just like getting admitted into the university some people got admitted very fast while others had to stay at home for a while but at the end, some of those that supposedly got in fast came out to sit at home because of unemployment. Meanwhile some that got in late and had their cards played out well before getting into school had jobs waiting for them. So what am I saying: There is no need to rush every dog has its day.

For the vendors: Just be careful she does not bite you (lol) but as much as possible forget the attitude and get your job done remember, you are being paid for the service.

For the bridal train: Oh yes.... that is life, at least you have learnt a valuable lesson and you understand not to act that way when it is your time.

Alright people take good care of you and remember to send me a shout or comments on this topic. Till next time, I am saying bye!

Weddings by Nona

Let’s make it an exclamation and not an explanation!