by Karishma Thakurdin
From majestic mountains to picturesque turquoise oceans and an abundance of hidden gems with a melting pot of culture – it’s not surprising that Africa has become the popular choice for destination weddings.
Multi-award-winning luxury destination wedding planner Mwai Yeboah, who was born and raised in Zambia, is fiercely passionate about the continent and showcasing its magic on a global scale.
Mwai who is based in the UK is the founder and lead planner at Love From Mwai, which specialises in luxury destination weddings in Africa and multicultural weddings across the globe.
“When couples talk about wedding planning—especially planning for a destination wedding far from their home base—they can feel like it’s sucking the life out of them. It often becomes overwhelming, and the task lists can feel weighty. At Love From Mwai, we believe it should be the opposite.
“When you plan your wedding, you should come alive in ways you never have before. We don’t simply help you plan cultural weddings of destination weddings in another country, we help you stay true to your values, roots, presence of mind and lifestyle you love,” states the website.
Mwai who grew up in poverty and had to overcome many hurdles to become the successful entrepreneur she is today is also fiercely passionate about creating opportunities on home soil.
In 2020, she founded the International Weddings and Events Services Providers Association in Zambia.
The association which is the first of its kind in the country aims to unite talented professionals in the events and wedding services sector.
“It brings the highest calibre of talent in the Zambian events marketplace together, connecting the world to Zambia and uplifting its event industry on an international stage.”
One of the numerous blogs that Mwai has published on her website, she shared pro-tips on how to ensure your destination wedding tells a meaningful story.
“As someone who’s been immersed in the world of planning destination weddings for two decades, there’s no question that stunning locations make for incredible affairs—but I find the most memorable destination weddings are those that dive deeper than setting and work to tell a story through both aesthetics and experiences.
“But, with complicated overseas logistics and the difficulty of travel and time differences, how, exactly, do you ensure your far-away celebration shares the magic of your love story accurately and effectively?,” Mwai wrote on her blog.
- Use your wedding stationery to set the right tone
- Think outside of the typical framed photos
- Select meaningful wedding favours
- Don’t neglect your ceremony script
- Work with a seasoned destination wedding planner to come up with creative ways to share your story
