For more than two decades, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe has helped shape Nigeria’s events industry, transforming what began as an accidental career into one of Africa’s most respected wedding and events brands. As founder and CEO of the Zapphaire Events Group, she has built a reputation for innovation, excellence and creating unforgettable celebrations, while quietly helping to professionalise an industry that barely existed when she started.
Along the way, she authored The Essential Bridal Handbook, the first wedding resource of its kind for the African market, and launched Funke Says, a YouTube series dedicated to guiding brides through the wedding planning process. In 2009, her commitment to nurturing the next generation gave birth to the Zapphaire Training Academy, which has since trained more than 500 event professionals.
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s top three wedding planners, Bucknor-Obruthe was one of only two Nigerians named to the BBC’s 2016 list of the 100 most inspirational women in the world. She has also been featured on local and international platforms, including Forbes Woman Africa and CNN Inside Africa, and was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of the Destination Wedding Planner’s Congress (DWPC).
As she turns 50, Bucknor-Obruthe opens up to Yinka Olatunbosun about the accidental career that became a legacy, the pressures behind the glamour and the lessons she’s passing on to the next generation.
Some say 50 is the new 30. Would you agree with that saying?
(Laughs) Well, I’d say that 50 is what you make it to be, 50 is half of a century, and then you think back at all that you have accomplished, you are grateful.
Although you trained as a lawyer, you are a flagbearer for the event planning business in Nigeria. What struck a chord in you to start Zapphaire Events?
Studying law was something my parents wanted, and I’m grateful for the journey to law school and finishing university, but starting Zapphaire Events was accidental. I have always had a passion for organising events, from secondary school through university to law school. I love putting things together for my friends. I’ve always loved attention to detail and the way people plan events. You could have an event, but then you could make it interesting. When I started at law school, I wanted to help my friends who were getting married at that time, which was about 24 years ago. I noticed that while preparing for the weddings, people were getting very overwhelmed. I thought I could take the burden off by assisting them on the planning journey. When you see a problem and you attempt to solve it, even when you don’t realise how deep the problem is, that’s how you grow. It started from planning my friend’s wedding to planning my friend’s sister’s wedding.
When you first started, was it difficult to convince clients that they needed a professional event planner rather than just relying on family and friends?
Yes. It was the most difficult thing. People were used to planning events by themselves or relying on family and friends. Convincing people was not easy. But I’m very grateful to my friends for giving me a chance. I am a beneficiary of good friends. My friend was getting married, in fact, about two or three at that time, and I offered to help them. I helped them organise their aso-ebi. I travelled all the way to Ibadan for my friend’s wedding. I helped to organise it and made sure everyone was fine. I didn’t collect any money for that. For the first three events, I didn’t charge. But then one of my friends was getting married. I asked to plan it, and she gave me N10,000. Another friend’s sister, for whom I planned a wedding, gave me N40,000. Convincing people was hard at first because people had never paid for such a service. It was done on goodwill. I never even thought people would pay me initially. But it was a cousin of mine who said, ‘Funke, you have been doing this and doing it well, why don’t you start charging?’ and that’s how we started. I remember that in the first year, which was 2002, we had just two events.
Event planning is high-stress and live events throw curveballs. How do you manage unforeseen challenges?
Event planning has taught me how to be resilient; how to juggle many balls; how to see a crisis and manage it. What it has taught me is that anything can happen. So, the ability to remain calm is a gift an event planner must have, as is the ability to troubleshoot and think of possible solutions when faced with unforeseen challenges. Life will definitely throw you curveballs. At events, you are faced with multiple challenges. It could be a power outage at the event, a vehicular breakdown while bringing the food to the venue, or your stage not being ready. It could be the hall that is not ready, just because an event was held there the previous night, and it had to be set for an early morning event the next day. It could be a vendor disappointing you. It could be anything you didn’t plan for. The key is to stay calm, be resourceful, and call on people. That’s why you must have interpersonal skills. You must have good people in your corner and you must be able to call in favours. It is also important that when you are planning an event, you must always think about your plan A, B, C and D. What could possibly go wrong? You must think about it all the time, and that’s how I have been able to manage it.
Planning world-class events in regions with logistical complexities (such as supply chain delays) requires extreme foresight. What are your non-negotiable backup plans when mapping the infrastructure of large-scale venues?
I would say before you plan the event, you must think through everything. You must think through what can happen and what could throw a spanner in the works. I always tell our clients that being an event planner requires being a risk manager, which means working with multiple vendors or service providers who are almost doing things for you. You have to ensure that they are at your fingertips and you can easily call them. You are a soldier. You must think through your event from start to finish and reflect on every minute detail. You can never overplan. A backup plan is not an afterthought. It is part of the strategy from day one. My non-negotiables include multiple supply options. The contingency budget is very critical. Alternative power solutions. Transportation backups and weather plans where applicable. Detailed timelines with built-in profiles. I also insist on a thorough venue recce. There is also constant communication with all stakeholders.
The best event planners are not just creatives. They are excellent problem solvers. When we are planning large-scale events, especially in destinations where logistics can be unpredictable, we never rely on only one plan. We build buffers into the schedule because delays can happen. We spend a lot of time on site visits, which are venue recce sessions to understand the local environment and work with trusted local partners. For me, the real test of event planning is that when something unexpected happens, the client and guests don’t know because we have already prepared for it.
What are the natural attributes of a successful event planner?
A successful event planner needs a unique combination of skills and personal attributes. Creativity is one of them. You need strong organisational skills. You manage several parts of the project at once. Strong interpersonal skills are important because we are managing people. Attention to detail is another key trait because even the smallest factor can impact the overall thing. Equally important is the ability to stay calm under pressure. Events are very dynamic, and things don’t always go according to plan. But being able to think quickly and adapt, solve problems in real time, is what sets great planners apart. Communication is also important. Be clear and approachable. Above all, passion and dedication drive success in this business. When you genuinely care about creating memorable experiences, it shows in every detail of your work. People celebrate the magic of events. As planners, our job is to prepare for the realities behind that magic so that our clients never have to experience them.
The Zapphire Training Academy has trained thousands of aspiring planners. What is one unteachable trait you look for when hiring core members for your own inner circle?
That is the attitude. I can teach business. I can mentor you. I can expose you to opportunities and help you grow. I can’t teach someone to genuinely care, be loyal, or take ownership. I pay attention to people who go the extra mile without being asked; people who are solution-driven and who treat the vision like it’s theirs too. My inner circle is based on trust, so character will always matter more to me than talent alone.
You wear many hats- CEO, author, mentor and public figure. How do you protect your personal peace and prevent burnout?
Over the years, I have learnt that protecting my peace is just as important as building my career. I have become more intentional about setting boundaries, trusting my team and recognising that I don’t have to be everywhere and do everything myself. Building a team allows me to focus on where I have the most value while giving others the opportunity to grow. I also make time to rest, spend quality time with my family and friends, travel, exercise, and simply disconnect when I need to. Those moments help me recharge and return with fresh energy and perspective. I have learnt that you cannot pour from an empty cup. If I am constantly running on empty, I can’t live effectively. I can’t serve clients well or inspire my team. Taking care of myself is not a luxury. It is part of being an effective leader.
Which tech trend are you most excited about to integrate into your upcoming designs?
Technology is transforming the event industry, and I absolutely love it. I am excited about how AI can enhance the planning process. It is not to replace creativity or human connection but to make us more efficient, more responsive and more personalised in how we serve our clients. I’m also excited about immersive guest experiences, whether that is interactive technology, personalised touchpoints, or smarter event management systems that make it seamless from invitation to departure. Technology should never overshadow the experience. It should make a great event even better. Technology is here to stay.
How are you pushing the conversation forward regarding eco-friendly or sustainable practices within the African event industry?
Sustainability is no longer a trend; it is a responsibility. As an industry, we have to start making more conscious decisions without compromising event quality. At Zapphire events, we encourage core practices such as reducing unnecessary waste, embracing digital solutions where appropriate, and working with local vendors to reduce transportation impacts. We are repurposing décor where possible and being more intentional about how resources are used. I also believe we have a responsibility to educate our clients. Sustainability is not about doing less. It is about doing things more thoughtfully. If each of us makes better choices, those small changes will collectively have a significant impact on the future of our industry.
What gives you the most satisfaction after curating a big event?
Without a doubt (laughs), it is seeing the joy on our clients’ faces after months and sometimes years of planning, watching everything come together exactly as envisioned, and seeing our clients genuinely happy is incredibly fulfilling. I also find satisfaction in what guests say. Those moments remind me of why I chose the profession. But beyond the applause and beautiful photographs and videos, what really fulfils me is knowing that we have created memories that families and friends would cherish for a lifetime. That is the real impact of what we do and it is a privilege I never take for granted. It is incredibly rewarding for me but creating lasting memories is what truly matters.
