We are so excited to present the first WPIC Planner of the Month in 2026 to all of you…Gifty Owusu of Yaa Events.
Gifty Owusu is a certified event planner with The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada. Gifty launched Yaa Events in 2018 with nothing but excitement about creating beautiful events. She has a background in business management and prides herself on careful curation filled with detail and style. Gifty is known for her superior organizational abilities, her attention to detail, and her excellent communication skills. Having planned beautiful and unique celebrations she truly enjoys planning a couple’s special day ensuring it exceeds expectations. Gifty works with the best and most highly dedicated companies that are extremely passionate about their work.
1. Your events beautifully honour culture and family while still feeling incredibly modern and elevated.
How do you approach blending tradition with contemporary design so that each couple sees their identity reflected in the celebration?
As a multicultural wedding planning specialist, I approach every celebration with great intention, ensuring that even the smallest details from floral colour palettes to design accents are thoughtfully considered. My goal is always to allow culture to speak volumes, while seamlessly introducing a modern design perspective that feels elevated and current.
From the very first consultation, I ask my couples what they want reflected on their wedding day and how they want their guests to feel throughout the experience. This allows me to truly understand their vision and values, and thoughtfully blend traditions with contemporary elements in a way that feels personal, meaningful, and true to who they are as a couple.
2. Yaa Events has become known for its warm, detail-rich guest experience.
What are some subtle touches you incorporate that guests may not notice consciously but absolutely feel throughout the wedding day?
For me, the guest experience is all about how the day feels, often through details that guests may not consciously notice but naturally experience. I focus on flow, comfort, and thoughtful transitions from how guests are welcomed into each space, to the pacing of the day and how moments unfold seamlessly.
Subtle touches like considered lighting, intentional scent, personalised signage, and small comforts throughout the day help create a sense of ease and warmth. I’m also very mindful of cultural cues, music changes, and timing, ensuring guests feel included, guided, and connected at every stage. When everything works together effortlessly, guests feel cared for even if they can’t quite pinpoint why.
3. We know you’re passionate about supporting and spotlighting diverse vendors.
How do you build and nurture those vendor relationships, so they become true creative partners rather than just collaborators?
Supporting diverse vendors is very important to me, and I approach every relationship with genuine respect and care. I take the time to truly understand each vendor’s creative process, strengths, and values, rather than seeing them simply as a service provider.
I believe strong partnerships are built on clear communication, trust, and mutual support. I’m very hands-on in the planning process, sharing the full vision early on, being mindful of their expertise, and creating space for collaboration and creativity. Over time, this openness allows us to work as true creative partners, where everyone feels valued, inspired, and invested in bringing something meaningful to life.
4. You work with couples who often juggle multiple cultural expectations, family dynamics, and big emotions.
What’s your go-to strategy for keeping your couples calm, confident, and connected to the joy of the process?
My approach is rooted in listening first and leading with empathy. When couples are navigating multiple cultural expectations and family dynamics, I make sure they feel supported, heard, and never alone in the process.
I focus on creating clarity early on setting expectations, guiding conversations, and breaking the planning journey into manageable steps so nothing feels overwhelming. By being organised, transparent, and proactive, I help remove unnecessary stress and allow my couples to stay present and confident.
⁃ Most importantly, I always bring the focus back to why they’re doing this celebrating their love and the life they’re building together. When couples feel grounded in that purpose, the joy naturally stays at the centre of the experience.
5. For planners who admire your brand (and there are many!), what has been the smartest business decision you’ve made that helped Yaa Events grow into what it is today?
One of the smartest decisions I made was being very intentional about my brand and the types of events I take on. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, I focused on building Yaa Events around my strengths multicultural storytelling, thoughtful design, and guest experience.
I’ve also been very mindful about saying yes to the right projects and partnerships, even when it meant growing a little slower. That clarity allowed me to create work that feels authentic, consistent, and aligned, which naturally attracted couples and vendors who resonated with the brand. Over time, that focus has been key in shaping Yaa Events into what it is today.
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