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remarkable feat. Despite it all, it was a good
first run and I’m overflowing with gratitude and
pride for my people and country. With more
luxury weddings and events coming, it gives us
a base to build from,” Mwai shared.

Mwai plans luxury weddings and events where
an abundance of fresh flowers and elaborate
floral designs are a must. She went on to say,
“There is a lack of trained and skilled people.
For example, floral and wedding designers—on
a design level—are not able to pull off elaborate
floral feats like large flower walls, ceilings,
structures, or extensive towering centrepieces
that the high-end, luxury market wants. There
is also a lack of openness for new things to be
done (everything has to be done the same way).
Many business owners, creatives or vendors
don’t want to be challenged on redeveloping
ideas or thinking outside the box. There’s also
a lack of materials (i.e. no variety in furniture,
linen, or glassware) so most weddings are using
the same things and images look the same. I
often witness a lack of structure or planning
from vendors, poor time-keeping to execute an
It’s expensive to bring in fresh flowers—there
event, and contracts that are not adhered to.
are floral costs, customs fees are expensive, and
cold storages for these perishable goods aren’t
readily available and accessible. Zambian flower
farms need not export 80% of their flowers as
we need to have access to these in our country
too.”

The Economic Potential for Our Luxury
Events Industry

Mwai continues, “Zambia has the potential to be
an upcoming hotspot for destination weddings
and luxury events. The destination wedding
market alone accounts for $16 billion in annual
revenue and 25% of marriages are destination
weddings. These weddings are typically 3+ days
and couples bring their bridal party and invite
friends and family members to accompany
them on their celebration. This means people
book resorts, caterers, photographers, local
vendors, local flights, local transfer companies,
local adventure companies, and more. As people
travel to Zambia to get married, a by-product

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