This is the most important day that anybody would await with a lot of hopes, dreams and aspirations and in this regard, we hope to give a lot of information that a prospective couple would like to know. In this regard Mr. Ragan Weerasooriya well known organizer of wedding ceremonies and the founder of “Art your wedding” institute who was recommended for the Gold Medal for the International Star for Quality Gold Award at the festival held in Geneva, Switzerland in the year 2015 at the 16th International Status of Star Award and we give below a short discussion we had with Mr. Ragan Weerasooriya.
You, who are the creator of “Art Your Wedding” and your institute, had received an invitation to participate in an International Award Ceremony held in Geneva. What is this Story? Yes, certainly we were recommended for the Gold Award at the International Star for Quality Gold Award Ceremony held in September 2015. But due to some very special reasons our institute could not participate in it.
Why, what was the reason which prevented you from participating in such an International Award Ceremony?
Firstly, as our institute had undertaken a number of wedding receptions during the week which the Award Ceremony was held, we were very busy. The second reason is by that time we did not have a sufficient staff. On the other hand, I had been more involved during that period. In addition, I and my staff were aware that a wedding day was much more important to the couple than that award ceremony for us. At that time, I knew that even if I was there, I did not have a sufficient staff to manage the wedding. But now as we have a strong staff and a lot of connections, we will have no more difficulties like that.
Were you actually recommended for such an award?
Certainly yes. The letter of recommendation and approved Certificate signed by Mr. Jose E. Preieto, the Chairman of the ISAQ International Department of the Business Initiative Directions have been sent to us and its copies are attached below.
Good. If so, tell me what are the problems faced by a couple who are arranging a wedding?
There are several main problems. Among them are selecting hall facilities, Poruwa Ceremony, Photographers, Decorators, Bridle Dressing and bridegroom beauticians selecting a theme for the festival, lack of previous experience in arranging a wedding and working within the budget without any shortcomings and planning a beautiful function are some of the difficulties faced by many couples in their busy lifestyles. For example, if they want to discuss with various wedding service providers and if they are to select best people, they will have to discuss with at least 25 people and will have to spend about 15 days. Another worry is unnecessary expenses which is another mental stress problem.
Another occasion where a couple become helpless is arranging the festival when it becomes difficult to coordinate with the wedding service providers as discussed earlier and to discuss the procedure to be followed. As was discussed earlier, it is very difficult to make arrangements as scheduled. All the couples have an ambition to plan their wedding in an attractive, gorgeous and a special way with less expenses in a manner which give an unforgettable memory to all the friends and relative. And wedding arrangements are something which everybody is looking out and waiting for hence if it could not be done as planned, it becomes a big challenge and a big headache.
How to arrange a wedding successfully having solved the above problems?
If you are to do this successfully, you will have to discuss with experienced people at lease 1 year or 6 months before. For this purpose, you will have to discuss with an experienced and professional organizer. Our knowledge, experience and creative abilities we have will help you in a long way. All necessities including lowest charges with best performers at low rates with discounts can be arranged by us. As such, “Art your wedding” is capable of arranging a wedding 100% perfectly.
What are the advantages that a couple get from “Art your wedding”?
There are many advantages. • When a couple comes to us, we discuss with them how and when the wedding is to be arranged. We discuss with them about the time available, availability of money, their problems and number and kinds of invitees etc. We discuss with the couple about their problems, availability of time, the type of festival they want to have social background number of invitees etc. when organizing a ceremony. All the above are very important. We select a suitable theme to suit them and our experiences are very important to them.
• Marriage is not merely a festival. Although that is how people understand, it is something more. It is a religious ceremony combined with cultural, environmental and historical aspects. In a way, it is a pooja as well. Many people can organize a mere festival. But arranging a wedding ceremony is a more complex event. We give this knowledge to all the couples who come to us. It is a duty cast on us.
• Discussing about the limit expenses is an imported subject. In most cases, we prepare a package to suit them. When it is done so, it can be confined to the limit of expenses that they can afford. Our institute is arranging things to suit their purpose without being a burden at last. We are capable of providing them tailor made Customized Packages.
• A specialty in our case is that we prepare customized package. Thereafter it is our duty to select a suitable team of wedding service providers. All these can be done in our office itself. It saves a lot of things when all the requirements including service providers could be assembled under one roof. This would be a great help to the couple. We ensure that our service providers are well experienced who have performed in a large number of events. A couple which obtain our services can depend on 100% assurance in everything. As such, it is our duty to ensure that the artists we select are best performers with long experience. We always ensure that not even a smallest mistake will be done by our team. It will affect our future progress.
• In the selection of decorations, many people select them even about a year ago. They will have to select old and dusty decorations. When it is used after one year, it will still old. It may not suit their occasion. But when we accept orders, we invite the couple about 3 months ahead and get them to select the best and new ornaments. Accordingly, they will get fresh looking and eye-catching ornaments.
• Similarly, we are capable of creating new outfits and decorations especially suitable for the couple and more than 300 service providers all over the Island are joined in hands with us to give glamour to their ceremony together with new technologies.
• Our service providers give us big discounts for all the services given through us. We are ready to give these entire discounts to our customers 100%. Thereby, they are able to arrange their wedding ceremony more glamorously by a less expense through us. It is a great opportunity for them.
• As we undertake 100% responsibility of the Ceremony, the couple need not worry about their Wedding Ceremony. They should come only to our Office and the Reception Hall for planning the Ceremony. Therefore, it will prevent the so-called wastage of time, dedication and money.
• When taking about another benefit let us think that the couple themselves planned their wedding ceremony. In that case, they should meet all the service providers and discussed with each of them about the time place and all the other details. However, at the time of the ceremony, the couple do not get a chance to meet any of them. Therefore, the couple should be always feared whether everything will be fine. However, a couple obtaining the services of our Institute need not worry about this. We participate in the Ceremony that day. We conduct the Ceremony from the beginning till the end orderly step by step without any mistake. It is a great relief for the couple as well as for brothers, sisters and parents of the couple. They can enjoy the Ceremony freely.
• We prepare a timetable considering all the auspicious times of the Ceremonious day in a manner which everything will be done properly and smoothly. It will bring happiness to the couple. Further, they will not be stressed.
• After two days of the Wedding Ceremony, we give about 10 photographs to the couple with special instance and memories of the Ceremony. The couple can post these to their facebook accounts also.
What are your charges in planning a Wedding Ceremony?
Yes, I should remind a special thing regarding this. Some people think that Wedding Planners are charging money from customers and on the other hand they are obtaining commissions from technicians. There can be such people. But they are a group of people who are unaware of their task and about the substance of wedding planning. They consider wedding planning as a simple task of providing everything to the Ceremony. However, Wedding Planning is not confined to that. It goes beyond that and a deep concept beyond that which should be done with a good understanding.
If you compare our institute with other similar places, there is a vast difference. As we discussed earlier, our institute get large discounts from the Artists. We give a 100% of it to our customers as discount. We charge only a nominal and a fare fee. The reason is that we want to popularize our name among our customers.
If we are to explain a little more about “Art your wedding”?
“Art your weeding” is a small institute stared in the year 2007 in Kandy area. At that time, the concept of wedding planning was almost unknown in Sri Lanka. We discussed with artists in other countries, learnt from them what is called “Wedding Planning” with such wedding, my staff has acquired a large volume of knowledge about wedding concept wedding plan. We adopted it to suit Sri Lankan conditions and gave a certain amount of publicity among people. Now we have an efficient friendly and a very capable staff who can attend to any type of wedding. Now we are in a position to arrange any type of wedding to their entire satisfaction. Now we are in a position to arrange any type of wedding to our customers. Most important thing in that we have customized packages to suit any type of couple.
What did you introduce to Sri Lanka through “Art your Wedding”?
When talking about what was introduced by “Art your Wedding”, “Wedding web site” is a totally new concept introduced to Sri Lanka. This is an Online Digital Album which can be seen through the Internet anywhere any time. The main purpose of this is to give more than a Wedding Album gathering memories of the Wedding Ceremony. This is a website created with memories of the Wedding Ceremony such as which happened while taking photographs, videos, pre-shoots etc. One of the special characteristics of this is that the domain name is given under the couple’s name. For example, www.yashodawedshasitha.com. Thereby, both local and foreign friends and relatives can see the beautiful memories through this. We are proud to say that we are the ones who introduced this concept to Sri Lanka for the first time.
What are your future plans for future success of the “Art Your Wedding”?
When talking about the future improvement, we have already making a TV Program solely dedicated for wedding ceremonies. We wish to telecast this as a timely and valuable TV Program for all. We believe that everyone who expect to plan a Wedding Ceremony will get a clear picture of a wedding ceremony from this.
Further, there is a plan to conduct exhibition programs in the Island under the name “Magulgedrara”.
Further, we expect to grant the maximum service to couples for fair prices.
Apart from that, our Institute is planning to create a Photo Booth. In this concept, the couple need not go to various places to take photographs. Studios will be built making it possible for the couple to take Photographs of various places staying at the studio. We provide beauty parlors, vehicle parks, rest rooms and food and beverages etc.
When considering as a business, what is the customer demand?
Very good. We have become capable of providing the best and attractive services and had won the hearts of customers.
At last, you wish to say.
Yes, all of us know that many problems will arise when talking about this kind of a concept. Sometimes, you will think that our service is not important to you. However, if you come and discuss with us before making a decision, it will be more valuable. You have an opportunity to decide this after the discussion.
And this is the best time to thanks everyone who help me to this journey. It was very hard. but, highly appreciated. Thank you very much all.
