The Sunday Mail
Tendai Mbirimi
IT’S unique and classy! It’s no longer about having the most expensive wedding, but having a unique experience which certainly soothes the mind and leaves one with a sense of the majestic touch.
If you were enchanted by the horse-drawn chariots on the occasion of the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011, then get ready to experience the royal affluence and majestic ambience the Zimbabwean way.
Those who spared time to be at the just ended The Sunday Mail Bridal Expo can confirm. They were treated to a rare experience of horse drawn chariots.
Friesian horses, a special type of horses which are user-friendly, were pulling the chariots.
The royal chariots, which are in three types; White Royal, Gold Royal and White Cinderella wagons, leave one with an unforgettable impression. It is a perfect royal treatment par excellence!
Just by glancing at the wagons, the royal ambience certainly soothes your mind and you will be definitely left craving to experience the majestic feeling that comes with riding the carts.
Events director at The Occasions Emporium, Abigail Makono says she decided to introduce chariots in Zimbabwe as a way of bringing new concepts to the already flourishing events industry as well as enhance service excellence as enshrined in Government’s economic blue print, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio – Economic Transformation (ZimAsset).
“The trend in Zimbabwean weddings these days is a show of opulence and wealth as if to send the message ‘outdo me if you can’, and with this in mind The Occasions Emporium is here to deliver the best for our clients from all walks of life irrespective of one’s social standing,” said Makono.
“We are here to bring the royal ambience, which has been a preserve for kings. To us every one is a king and should therefore be treated as such,” she said.
“The Biblical in Acts 8 verse 28-40 says Philip was sent to meet the Ethiopian eunuch who was sitting in his chariot on his way from Jerusalem. He met his salvation while in a chariot en route to Africa. So this implies that we are not copying this concept from the West; instead it’s Europe which borrowed the concept from Africa and we are simply re-asserting it,” articulated Makono.
The vivacious Makono affirmed that to her, the sky is the limit and her determination was to be the market leader wherever she introduces a new concept.
Couples who wish to use this service can co-ordinate with The Occasions Emporium planner and her dedicated team to make bookings. The service is available for those desiring to be picked from home to the wedding venue or departing the reception as newlyweds to one’s love nest suite.
According to Makono this new bespoke offering is charged on an hourly basis. Time is recorded the moment one gets into the carriage vehicle. The chariots come with 3 coachmen.
Over 65 exhibitors graced the Expo which was held over a two-day period. And visitors flocked their stands to see what they have on offer.
All the who-is-who in the industry graced the occassion in one way or the other. If they were not exhibiting they were touring the stands or rather spying on their competition.
The Sunday Bridal Expo’s glamour was astounding. Zimpapers business manager Charity Gwata-Chirume said the company was aiming to have over 100 exhibitors at next year’s event as the drive towards making the event the biggest in the industry regionally continues.
