Bibi Hayat is the founder and owner of Bibi Hayat Events, one of the most well-known and successful event planning and design companies in Kuwait. Her talent and passion about her job made her stand out and be one of the top choices for planning luxurious, unforgettable events and creative special celebrations. For over 12 years, Bibi Hayat and her team offers to their clients the best services and result! Bibi Hayat Events brings ideas to life and make every dream – a reality. Their full-service boutique takes on a limited number of clients each year to make sure that each event will be memorable. We’re more than excited to share with you today, an interesting interview of this talented woman, who gave us the opportunity to get to know her more!
Tell us a little about how you started your company
I feel that my company started when I was little, I always dreamed I would be surrounded by design and beautiful crafts, flowers and creatives… it was probably started when I handled high school prom, and I never stopped!
How did you get into wedding planning?
With over three years being an in-house decorator for the most luxurious and reputable banquet and catering company, I felt I had enough practice assisting some big name planners, I learned so much from my position and was exposed to so many events. I felt that after I was known in the industry and handled small to large scale events with the company, I finally had the know-how, experience and confidence to begin.
What ingredients make for a perfect event?
Ιn terms of decor, I believe space is luxury, giving guests and service staff enough room to move around and enjoy themselves really makes a difference.
a wow factor piece, at an entrance, or bridal stage, or my favourite.. ceiling decor and great ambiance… music and lighting need to be on point!
What’s your favorite part of being a wedding planner?
Meeting wonderful people from the creative industry as well as my amazing and inspirational clients.
Tell us about a wedding trend you are excited about this season?
There are so many! From the wabi-sabi thanks to the Kardashians, to subdued botanics, bold prints, and animal and safari influenced patterns and prints… so many… I can’t wait to put my own twist on them!
What do you consider your greatest career success to date?
Having repeat clients! The truth is everyone can design and pull off a beautiful “looking” wedding, but to have an event so successful that your clients and their cousins and extended family and friends all want to work with you? That’s amazing! I’m always humbled by this and consider it to be a great success.
What’s is the motto you live by professionally?
“There are three responses to design: yes, no and wow! Let’s aim for the wow.. always!” Milton Glaser
What do you still want to achieve professionally?
To be more efficient, to take on more international projects, to design my own line of event products.
Who has influenced you the most in your career?
My parents, being a mix of Kuwait and British…our home in England, our home in Kuwait, the two landscapes, the traditions, local celebrations. I am influenced from within.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
It’s not a race. We are all going to get there at our own pace and failure makes us stronger. Don’t be too hard on yourself!
What are the main considerations for a couple planning a destination wedding?
Depending on the age, it varies. What I feel is a general request, is to make sure all parties are represented, the event is on the budget given, no hidden surprises and honesty from their planner.
Which social media platform do you prefer?
Instagram and I’m old school, I love blogs. There’s more information… I love reading!
What is the best advice you received about social media?
Only promote the type of work you want to do more of.
Where do you get the inspiration from?
Fabrics, prints, as well as spending time outdoors, from nature to the sea. The natural world is full of details, hues and textures and nature is never a trend, it never goes out of style.
Who is your favorite wedding dress designer?
It differs so much depending on the season… I have to admit I love so many, from Armani prive couture as well as Dior couture, to Naeem Khan, Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad and about 20 others…
What’s the most spectacular event you have ever planned and designed?
One of my favourites is a very elaborate wedding on the grounds of a client’s home that included two large custom-made tent structures of metal and glass, dozens of Murano chandeliers and beautiful accents and the after party area with gorgeous lampshades and a very boho vibe. I love all my events, large or small. Otherwise I wouldn’t do them… I don’t show a design to a client until I love it. Sometimes the design time must be extended. If I don’t love it, I don’t take the project. It’s not about the money. It’s about respect to the client and respect to design and respect to my team and our brand name. It must be done with love.
What do you believe is the most important characteristic of an event planner?
Honesty
How do you market or promote your business?
Every event markets itself. In the Middle East nothing is more powerful that reputation and word of mouth. If you have a successful event, what’s better than 600 happy guests promoting it for you through their own social media?
Any exciting new projects or events coming up?
We recently had a sold out and very successful masterclass in Kuwait at the Four Seasons Hotel. We plan on hosting a yearly event in Kuwait as well as one or two events internationally starting with Europe! We are so excited about it! There’s more information on that via www.bbhmasterclass.com
