1. A brief introduction about you?
My name is Romain Liyanage, and I live in Thalawathugoda. I have two children: one is 21 years old, and the other is 14. I am currently engaged in planning weddings and other special occasions. My business is called “The Eventress.”
2. A brief explanation of how you entered the field?
Yes, early in my career, I worked as a secretary. During that time, I got married, and when I was expecting my children, I left my position. As my kids grew older, I thought about starting my own business. That’s when I launched my wedding planning company, “The Eventress,” and entered this field.
I have a strong passion for creative activities; I love trying out new and innovative ideas. I also prefer not to work in one place or stick to one method. I wanted a job where I could be hands-on in everything I did. I explored and worked in several different areas. Eventually, I realized that wedding planning was the best fit for me, so I decided to focus on that for my business.
3. What are the challenges and experiences you have gained within the wedding planning field?
Every wedding we plan brings its own set of challenges, and each wedding we have completed has taught us something valuable. Planning a wedding requires careful attention to detail. It is an occasion that involves two families, so we must consider everyone’s preferences and execute the plans thoughtfully.
In this line of work, we meet various clients with different needs. Destination weddings bring unique opportunities; for instance, we have worked with clients from India, representing various states. When it comes to their rituals and traditions, we often encounter challenges. Sometimes, it can be hard to find the necessary items for these rituals. In such cases, we reach out to those who can help us source what we need for our clients.
Additionally, we must learn about their customs. A deep understanding is essential for effective planning. Destination weddings often require us to coordinate multiple events in one day or even cover six events over two days, which can be quite a task. Language barriers can also arise, and the attire varies significantly; it\’s crucial to grasp these cultural nuances during the planning process.
These experiences and challenges enrich our work. Many couples choose Kandy for their weddings, so we plan with all these factors in mind.
4. What is the number of weddings you have planned so far, and which was the most special wedding among them?
Every wedding I plan holds a special place in my heart because each one brings new experiences. I always give my best effort for every wedding. One wedding, in particular, comes to mind. There was a couple who had visited Sri Lanka as children and chose to have their wedding in Kandy. The mother of the bride and groom reached out to me and expressed their wish for a mountain wedding with a scenic view. I worked hard to make this dream a reality. As I mentioned earlier, I strive to deliver every wedding exactly as the client desires. I traveled to Kandy, searched for suitable locations, and completed those tasks.
We transported the flowers they wanted and other items from Colombo to Kandy, and everything turned out beautifully. I truly enjoyed this wedding because they had four functions, three of which took place at different venues in Kandy. Each location was unique, and all events were at well-known hotels. For one function, we even arranged a shuttle service to help guests get to the venue. Another interesting aspect of the wedding was the couple’s desire to take a trip to Nuwara Eliya with their closest family and friends. About 140 guests from India attended. Planning for their needs was a significant challenge. Arranging buses to transport them from Nuwara Eliya to hotels, booking accommodations, and managing everything up to the airport was demanding, but it was also an incredible experience for us.
5. Why is the presence of a wedding planner important for a wedding to be successful? How do you support a couple when they entrust you with planning their wedding day?
Yes, why is a wedding planner necessary? Many people say they plan the wedding themselves and then hand it over to someone else to execute, leading to success. However, in my view, that approach doesn’t work well. No one really gets to enjoy the wedding. From my experience, no matter how well you plan and delegate, things won’t always go perfectly.
As a wedding planner, I review everything while the bride is getting dressed, usually around 2 AM. I check if the photographers have arrived, if everything on the stage is set, and if the music band is ready. During the wedding, no one else has time to handle these details. Just because tasks are assigned to different people doesn’t mean they will all get done correctly.
Time management is crucial when planning a wedding. Everything must happen in the right order according to the schedule. We also monitor the amount of liquor consumed from the bar. It’s important to check every detail, even the number of plates available. A wedding planner is necessary to oversee all these elements and ensure everything is done properly.
6. What advice do you give to a couple planning a wedding? And how do they contact you for wedding day planning services?
Actually, my advice to couples getting married is to avoid basing their wedding budget on their preferences. They should discuss their plans with their wedding planner to find a way to create a beautiful wedding within their budget. I always start by asking my clients what their budget is. Then, I can recommend vendors that fit within that budget. We know which vendors are a good match, and we also coordinate every vendor for our clients to ensure everything they want is done perfectly.
For example, some photographers take a year to deliver photos, making them lose value. We work with the vendors even after the wedding to make sure everything was done right. When our clients book through us, they get more advantages than if they booked a hotel on their own. Our success comes from our experience, and couples benefit from that.
So, my advice to couples preparing for marriage is to set their budget before planning the wedding. They should also have a clear idea of what they want and communicate that to the wedding planner. They need to say, “My budget is this much; please recommend vendors that fit.” It’s important to share everything with the wedding planner and learn as much as possible, since the planner is responsible for managing every aspect of the wedding.
7. What is your opinion about the Poruwa.lk marriage proposal service? And if Poruwa.lk offers any discount to customers who come to you through them, please mention it.
Yes, regarding that, I believe the Poruwa.lk marriage proposal service is a valuable tool for Sri Lankans seeking a marriage partner. I really appreciate it. I also offer a 25% discount on my wedding planning services for clients who come through the Poruwa.lk marriage proposal service. This discount lasts from November 2025 to January 2026.
8. Who are the people you are thankful for in your successful professional journey so far?
I want to take a moment to thank my husband. He is the one who gives me strength in everything I do. Often, when there is a wedding, I focus all my energy on it and have little time to care for my home. During those busy periods, my husband steps in to handle our children’s responsibilities.
When I work late, he stays with me and doesn’t leave my side. During destination weddings, we need to be at those locations for two or three days. It can be tough for my assistants to join me, so my family steps in to help. My daughter, Shenaya Liyanage, plays a crucial role. She assists with ushering and supports me in many ways. When I’m tied up at destination weddings, she goes to places I cannot reach, checks on details, communicates with vendors, and ensures everything runs smoothly.
Even though my son is young, his support is invaluable. My family, my husband, daughter, and son, provide me with the strength I need to succeed. I am truly grateful to them for standing by me.
I always strive to give my clients the best service, putting in 200% of what they expect. I remind them to relax on their wedding day, just like they would when attending other weddings. I encourage them to let go of their worries and enjoy their celebration. If they don’t, they might look back and wish they had done things differently. A wedding planner is there to make sure all the details are handled properly.
By
