Young entrepreneurs turn weddings, birthdays and family gatherings into creative opportunities
ISLAMABAD:
From grand wedding ceremonies and glittering bridal showers to lively birthdays and intimate farewells, the desire to celebrate in style is fuelling a new race among young entrepreneurs to turn every occasion into a memorable event.
Event management, once largely associated with a handful of established and expensive companies, is increasingly attracting young men and women who are entering the field with creative ideas, flexible packages and services designed for different budgets.
Event managers say the growing appetite for professionally organised gatherings has changed the way people approach celebrations. Customers are no longer interested only in booking a hall; many now want complete arrangements covering decor, lighting, catering, photography, seating and entertainment.
“People want their events to look different and memorable. Even a small gathering is now planned with attention to decoration, theme and presentation,” an event manager told APP.
The wedding season remains one of the busiest periods for the industry, with banquets, marquees, hotels and restaurants witnessing increased activity as families prepare for wedding ceremonies, receptions, mehndi functions and related gatherings.
Hotel owners say demand is no longer confined to weddings. “Bookings now come for birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, farewell parties, corporate dinners and other family gatherings as well,” said hotel manager Bilal Abbasi.
He said customers were increasingly interested in personalised arrangements, particularly decor and seating plans that could give even a modest event a distinctive appearance.
The changing trend has created opportunities for young entrepreneurs who can enter the business without the large investments traditionally required by established event companies. Many now operate through social media, using digital platforms to showcase their work and reach potential clients.
Event planner Sana Ahmed said digital platforms had changed the way people searched for event services. “Clients can now explore different ideas online, compare designs and discuss packages before making a decision,” she said.
“This has created opportunities for smaller businesses as well,” Ahmed said, adding that growing competition was also making professionally arranged celebrations accessible to families with different spending capacities.
Young entrepreneurs are responding with economical packages ranging from basic decoration to photography. The availability of smaller packages is also encouraging families to consider cafes, restaurants and compact event spaces for gatherings previously held mainly at home.
The expanding industry is benefiting a wider network of service providers. Decorators, florists, photographers, caterers, makeup artists, musicians, sound technicians and furniture rental businesses are all finding opportunities through the growing number of celebrations.
As competition grows, event managers are also under pressure to offer something distinctive. Customers increasingly arrive with photographs and videos of elaborate celebrations seen on social media and ask planners to create similar settings within limited budgets.
Irsalan, an event manager in Islamabad, said celebrations could be tailored to different budgets, with décor packages starting from around Rs100,000 and going up to Rs500,000 or more, depending on the scale, design and requirements of the function.
He said hall, food and lighting charges varied according to the number of guests and services selected. For clients seeking a traditional atmosphere, organisers also arrange Qawwali and Sufi music programmes, adding a cultural and vibrant touch to weddings and other celebrations.
For many young entrepreneurs, the business is more than simply arranging parties. It offers an opportunity to turn creativity, design, photography, hospitality and digital marketing skills into a profession. As cities enter another busy season of weddings and celebrations, colourful lights will continue to illuminate venues while young entrepreneurs work behind the scenes to transform ordinary spaces into memorable settings.