Archive for May, 2009

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What’s In Your Kit?

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Today we have a guest post by Andri Benson of Always Andri:

Having recently launched my company I have been working on my emergency kit and thinking about what I should include. I’ve already got a good kit from my theatre and film set work but I’ve been adapting it to be more suitable for weddings.

The other weekend while working on a wedding with a florist a funny thing happened that made me realise I might need to broaden what I put in it. It was a country wedding and we’d just finished dressing the village church and were heading off to go to the venue with plenty of time to spare before the wedding in the afternoon.  So we got back in to the car and needed to turn it around and decided to do U turn, big mistake, the car swung around we felt a big dip in the road, carried on the turn and then felt a bigger dip, this time the front tyre had got stuck in a ditch!!  After about 10 minutes of trying to get the car out a gentleman drove by who luckily had a tow rope in the back of his car. We got the car out and as we’d given ourselves plenty of time to get the venue, we left the church well before any guests turned up.

So as a city girl it’s never occurred to me that I might need a tow rope in my kit but as I hope to do more country weddings I think it’s something I’m definitely adding to the list. So what unusual item do you have in your kit and why?

Posted in Tricks of the Trade | 1 Comment »

A Weekend of Weddings…

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

We have a guest blogger by the name of Lisa, a recent student of one of our ‘business practicalities’ training courses. Lisa got in touch after the course and wanted to write a blog post through the eyes of a student. Over to Lisa …..

When people used to ask me what my dream career was, I always replied, a wedding planner, or failing that, a weather girl!  A stark contrast and in reality I never thought I would be either one of those things, and to this day I’m not….but after a weekend in a hotel in central London, I’m one step closer to realising one of the two!

At the end of last year I began to research courses in wedding planning to get some training and advice on how to progress with my business plans.  I stumbled across the UKAWP as I was searching the web and when I read about their introduction to wedding planning course, I knew I had to apply.

I was definitely nervous about the weekend before the course started.  Would wedding planning live up to my expectations? Would I have the right skill-set to pursue my dream career? However I was quickly put at ease by the course tutor, Kelly Chandler from UKAWP, as she introduced us to the Alliance and explained what was in-store for us all over the next two days.

There were only ten of us on the course and we were a range of ages, had different career backgrounds (events, sales, PR etc), and at different stages of setting up in business, but we all shared a similar ambition and it was great tapping into each individual’s expertise and knowledge throughout the course.

The first thing that struck me was the professionalism of the session as each student was given a course booklet including course notes and template materials. This meant that rather than constantly scribbling notes, the sessions were interactive with lots of questions and discussion amongst the group.

Day One was jam-packed and we talked through everything from ‘Running a small business’ to ‘Marketing’ and ‘Advertising’. Listening to Kelly’s first-hand experience as a planner gave a fantastic insight into the industry and the various highs and lows along the way.  We covered 12 different topics in great detail, and I came away with a head full of information, a lengthy ‘to do’ list and looking forward to Day Two!

Sunday was more practical and less theory and I enjoyed getting stuck in! Firstly, the hotel’s Events Manager gave us a tour of the hotel in order to write a site report following the course, and in the afternoon, Bernadette Chapman from the UKAWP joined us and we each had a one-on-one consultation with either Kelly or Bernadette to prepare us for our prospective client meetings in the future.  We were encouraged to ask as many questions as possible, throw in a couple of ideas and sell ourselves to the ‘client’ with a view to writing up a full proposal following the course for Kelly to review.

Towards the end of the day we got creative and made design boards based on a wedding theme.  This was great fun and it was really interesting to see the different approaches taken by both groups.

I left the course exhausted but buzzing and it totally re-confirmed my interest in pursuing a career as a planner.

The advice and training that we received over the weekend was invaluable and I would advise anyone contemplating a career in the industry to book a place on the next course, as it is thoroughly worthwhile.

Thanks to Kelly and Bernadette for giving up their weekends, and to the students I met on the course.  I’m looking forward to staying in touch and helping each other where we can in building our businesses over the coming months.

Posted in Becoming a Planner, Training, UKAWP News | No Comments »

Save the Date - Thursday 17th September

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

30pr-logoWe’re pleased to announce the date for our next wedding planners networking night. The event promises to be full of chatter, idea sharing and learning; formal speeches will be kept to an absolute minimum so that there will be plenty of time to network, make new friends and catch up with old ones. The event is open to trading wedding planners (UKAWP members or not) and students of UKAWP training courses but not other wedding suppliers. We’re delighted to be hosted by the beautiful 30 Pavilion Road, a hidden gem in the middle of Knightsbridge, London. The event will take place between 6pm and 9pm.

So please put the date in your diary. Tickets will be available to purchase online very soon priced at £10 for members of UKAWP and £15 for non members. We hope to see you there!

Posted in Showcase, UKAWP News | No Comments »

Budding Wedding Planners

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

I spent last weekend locked in a conference room but what a great experience it was. It was time for one of our regular ‘business practicalities’ training courses and we had a full complement of students attending the two day course with Bernadette Chapman and myself at the Crown Plaza Hotel St James, London.

The group were a lovely mix of ladies from backgrounds as varied as sales, PR, corporate events, business development to name but a few and all keen to start up their own wedding planning businesses. Whilst teaching the range of topics, it was fascinating to see for myself the variety of different approaches to wedding planning there would be from just this small group from those keen to operate very locally and environmentally in their unique geographical areas, to those aiming for a very distinct cultural sector (Indian weddings) to those keen on destination weddings. It just goes to prove what we always say ‘ clients choose you for you’ and there is certainly a range of different services out there for brides. Additionally it was great to see all of the students swapping details and aiming to keep in touch, meet up at one of our events and the National Wedding Show later in the year.

Much of the weekend was taken up covering a range of heavy business topics but we like to finish on a lighter note and the students were set into teams to work on mood boards to the themes of ‘vintage’ and ‘seaside dining’. You can see the results here:

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Next training (18/19 July) : our new ‘step by step’ course that takes the student from the moment they are hired through to the day itself.

Posted in Training, UKAWP News | No Comments »

Working Hours

Monday, May 18th, 2009

I see too often company websites that state ‘call us anytime’ or ‘we’re available 24/7’. Every time it makes me cringe. Part of me wonders if these people really are super humans that will stick a smile on their faces when that client for next January calls them at 3am about the colour of chaircover bows or whether really it’s all just a sales pitch and they have no intention of actually answering that phone?
Now please don’t misunderstand me, being flexible and available and understanding to busy clients is a very important part of running a successful wedding planning business but that doesn’t mean that we’re doormats nor that we’re not entitled to a personal life. One of the things I find is that it’s better to be realistic and honest and setting boundaries and working hours is all part of that. If I promise something I generally deliver and if I say that I’m available 24/7, then I’d really need to be. And I’m not up for that;  my business is key to me but not to the detriment of my family, friends and general health. Setting working hours that clients are aware of is not a bad thing – it informs them that you’re a professional and deserve to be treated as such. After all they wouldn’t expect their bank manager or lawyer to be available for routine appointments  24/7.

So don’t feel bad (even in these harsh times where we are all working super hard) to switch the voicemail on and return calls within your working hours.

Posted in Business Development, Life as a Planner | No Comments »

More Scams

Friday, May 15th, 2009

More wedding planner scams to add to the list today:

“Greetings,

My Name is Engr. John Webster,I am looking for an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding.
The wedding is to hold on the 8th August 2009 and 40 guests are expected to attend. You are to arrange for Videography, Music,Entertainment,Photography,Officiant/Priest & cake,flowers and Reception Venue.

If there is any of these items that you cannot handle,you let us know so that another company can handle it.
As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks,i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking (VIA MY CREDIT CARD) Once availability is confirmed by you.
Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time left so that we can process our accommodation also within the region more convenient for you and us.And also get back to me with your fee for arranging this for us.

Best Regards,
Engr. John Webster,
Email:  randy_wrye@yahoo.co.uk”

“Hello,

My Name is Dr Allan Brad i need an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.

The wedding is expected to hold on the 9th of July 2009 and 50 to 70 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you.All checks and balances will be made with you on 8th of june which is the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for a a venue for the wedding  a place for the reception ,Videography, Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.

If there is any these items that is beyond your capability, you let us know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.

Pleas get back to me via my personal email which is brad.allan@ymail.com

Best Regards,

Dr. Allan Brad”

“Hi Dear,

Hope my email reaches you in good faith. I am looking for an experienced
wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange dinner for the guest
who will be attending the wedding ceremony.Seven will arrive few days before
the wedding day.

The wedding is expected to hold on the 8th of May, 2009 and 50-65 guests are
expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their
meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this
booking via credit card.

All checks and balances will be made with you on 7th of May, 2009 which is
the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for a Videography,Music
Entertainment,Photography,Officiant/Priest & Church,cake,flowers and the
venue.If there is any these items that is beyond your capability,you let us
know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your
response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our
accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.

Best Regards,
Dr Melvin Pritchard.”

“My name is AFZAL AHMET. I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession.
Presently i am in Liverpool .  My lovely daughter found her
heartthrob early
last year and they are going to wed by 25th July,  2009. For the
love i have for my daughter, i decided to carter for the wedding as a
surprise package for her and her fiance.

Please i want you to handle the wedding arrangements on their
behalf as
my would-be in law is a citizen of your country and as a result he
wants the wedding in his country. Please get back to me with any of
the
services which you can provide as regards the wedding arrangement
of my
daughter.

- Wedding Gown for bride

- Gowns for Bride’s maids

- Vehicles

- Tuxedo Suits for the groom and best man

- Shoes and accessories for both the bride and the    groom

- location for the wedding and reception.

- lodging  for the guests for an estimate of eighty people(24 - 28)
July

- Wedding cakes and decorations

Wedding Budget is at the range of EUR 35,000 for now. it could be
reviewed to be increased or reduced latter depending on the outcome
of the
arrangements process unfold Please do let me have the details of all i
should know so we can make about the services you can provide as
regards
the arrangement. Estimates and calculations should be based on the
quoted budget..”

“Hello Dear,

My name is Mr. A. Eddy. I am a Medical consultant by profession. Presently I
am in WoolWich.I am contacting with respect to my
daughters wedding scheduled to hold on the 9th May, 2009.

I want you to handle the wedding arrangements on their behalf as my would-be
son in law are a citizen of your country and as a result, I need the
blessing ceremony, reception and wedding party to be in his country. Please
get back to me with any of the services which you can provide as regards the
wedding arrangement of my daughter.

- Vehicles /hotel transfers for the guests - (coaches transportation)

- Limousine hire for the couples

- Location for the wedding and reception.

- lodging for the guests for an estimate of sixty people (8th - 12th May)
2009

- Wedding cakes and decorations

- Sight seeing tours for the guest

- Yacht charters for the couples

The wedding Budget is at the range of EUR 65,000 for now and it remains very
flexible pending our final conclusion. Please do let me have the details of
all I should know so we can discuss the services you can provide as regards
the arrangement. The calculations and Estimates should be based on the
quoted budget.

Do get back to me ASAP through my yahoo email: eddy_a007@yahoo.com

Mr. Eddy.A.”

“Hello,
How are you doing? Thriving!!!
My name is Tessy williams, from Sandton,J’burg,South Africa. We will be coming to the United Kingdom after my shopping trip with my fiancee Scott Toler who’s French by nature to start his new work with the Coca-cola in Scotland. And just before then we will be getting married on the 1st of August 2009,We need a good wedding planner to take care of our wedding both reception and ceremony. We require the best for the best memories for we & our children in future and as a matter of fact we have budgeted 25,000GBP for this special event.
Also, the ceremony and reception event will be taking place in a location and we are expecting at most 50 guests on the day of our occassion because most of our families in Europe,in the United United States and here in RSA will be present for the occassion.
Also, we would like you to know the reception and ceremony will be taking place @ 1 location which the ceremony event would be in a garden location or outdoor while the reception takes place indoors, we are still about to make reservation though but we are making progress with that.

Please let us know if you’re able to help.

Sincerely
Tessy williams
Woolworth Stores
Gauteng,RSA
+27710897374″

“My Name is Mr Micheal Wesley i need an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.
The wedding is expected to hold on the 9th of June 2009 and 50 to 70 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you.All checks and balances will be made with you on 8th of May which is the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for a a venue for the wedding  a place for the reception ,Videography, Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.
If there is any these items that is beyond your capability, you let us know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.”

Posted in Scams | 5 Comments »

UKAWP - Helping Each Other

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Everyone knows that producing a great wedding is a team effort from the army of suppliers to bridal party, to family and friends. Of course the wedding planner often manages or oversees the lot and there comes a time when one pair of wedding planner hands is not enough, perhaps where there are two or three locations, large guest numbers or a very tight time-scale for set up. We’d like to take the chance to remind readers than UKAWP members help each other; we have a formal scheme and agreed rates for associate and full members to help each other as event managers/assistants on wedding celebrations. I’ve had many members help me on some of my larger events which has been fabulous fun and absolutely essential to me knowing that they are experienced and reliable professionals. For more information on this please contact one of the Directors of UKAWP.

Posted in Business Development, Life as a Planner | 1 Comment »

Member Focus: Carrie Watkins

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Today we welcome Carrie Watkins of Today and Forever to our regular Member Focus section.

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Why did you become a wedding planner?

From a young child I have always loved design and fashion, and I have always been a creative person.  I am very passionate about detail, am very fortunate to have forward vision and yet,  for most of my working life, I was employed as a legal PA in commercial property !   Having worked in such a corporate environment I was very used to working under pressure and to strict deadlines.

I dealt with a number of clients on a one to one level and had great relationships with them.  In fact I always enjoyed the appointments and didn’t mind how many client matters I was passed.

However, in this job I never felt satisfied: the opposite really. I felt stifled and realised I was not utilising my talents to the best of my ability.  Photography has always been a passion of mine and after assisting with a few weddings and offering my organisational and photography skills, I was informed by many people I knew that I was in the ‘wrong job’ and I should seriously look to make wedding planning my career.

It took me a couple of years to actually make the decision, but during this time I undertook hours of research both abroad and in the UK, including a trip to Canada.  I undertook training with the UKAWP and also achieved a Diploma in Wedding Planning with the Institute of Wedding Planners.  Once I had reached that stage, I knew there was no turning back.  I launched my Wedding Planning Business ‘Today & Forever’ in September 2008.

Whats your USP?

I think my USP is my friendliness, the ability to remain unruffled and calm in a crisis, and to give 110% to a client (in some cases I have carried out more research than I agreed to do because I am a perfectionist and I wanted to produce the best for my client).  It is also a family business – my daughter assists with most of our weddings and I know I can totally trust and rely on her.

Do you have a favourite venue?

There are so many fantastic venues in Dorset and Hampshire but at the moment I am working on a wedding for next year at a gorgeous grand country house called Rhinefield House, Brockenhurst, in the New Forest.  It’s a blend of Tudor and Gothic, old and new, the romantic and the eccentric.  It is set in 40 acres and is a 4-star luxury hotel.

I am planning a wedding there for this time next year and I am loving every minute of it.  The bride is co-ordinating her wedding with lovely vintage and antique touches which fit the setting perfectly.  I can’t wait to see it all come together.

How would your clients describe you?

I have been told I am a ‘life-saver’ however I wouldn’t go that far!
“Organised - with a few blonde moments thrown in” – most probably!! 

How do you unwind?

Living very close to the beach in Bournemouth, I tend to take any opportunity I possibly can to get out and take my dog for a walk.   It’s a great chance to escape, let your mind wander and I find I can lose myself and make some great decisions.

Other than that I have been brought up as a motor racing fan – Grand Prix, Touring Cars, Classic Cars and my Uncle still races.  I would love to go on ‘Top Gear’ and try to beat the celebrities.  I can be very competitive.  Whenever a motor racing opportunity arises I grab it with both hands.  I have always loved cars, the bigger, noisier and faster the better (now this doesn’t fit in with the image of a wedding planner does it – but it works for me)!!

What wedding themes are you working on?

I am currently working on two full planning weddings.

One is based on the 1950’s Hollywood film ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ – the bride is a very big fan of Audrey Hepburn, and the fifties fashion.   She is therefore trying to recreate that era in her wedding.  The wedding is going to be in a marquee at her parents’ home.  A blank canvas is perfect for her to incorporate her favourite icon, style and her own personal stamp.  The look is going to be fairly dramatic, bridesmaids in very sleek black three quarter length dresses, with tiffany blue sashes.  Candelabras tumbling with pearls and crystals with entertainment being supplied by …… [well a girl has to have a few surprises….. sorry my lips are sealed for the rest)!

The second full planning wedding is very different.  Stately,  vintage, antique, shabby chic and very romantic looking.  Lace and David Austin roses, dusky pink and champagne, fairy wands for little flowergirls and bouquets surrounded by feathers.  Scrolls with poems rolled and tied with co-ordinating ribbons as favours for guests.  Vintage shabby chic frame for table seating plan and hand made vintage guest placenames.

What is your vice?Chocolate, wine and fast cars (and it doesn’t matter in which order – I can cope with all three at once  if offered)!

Many thanks Carrie. To find out more about Today and Forever please visit their website.

Posted in Member Focus | No Comments »

Eco Friendly Invitations

Friday, May 8th, 2009

Today we welcome Simone Butterfield of Dimples Events to share her experience of trying to source environmentally friendly stationery:

With so many of us trying to do our bit for the environment, I was hardly surprised when one of my clients expressed an interest in an invitation that was “eco-friendly”.  Never did I imagine that it would pose to be such a difficult task.  The invitations that my client had seen were from an American based website; www.invitesite.com, and so with a clear picture in my head of what we were looking for, I set to work.


Although this invitation is not something that strikes you as a traditional wedding invite, it has this real country / rustic feel that suits perfectly the theme and design of the wedding.

I have searched relentlessly for a wedding stationery company that offer a similar design and have failed miserably!  One option I have is to source the raw materials from Daintree Papers and assemble them myself!  Fortunately the staff at Daintree Papers has been really helpful with my request and has even offered to help with printing.

The alternative options would be to use the seedling invitations range.  These can be planted after the invite has been received and flowers will grow from them, realistically though – how many guests will do this?  A large number of the guests are attending from overseas and I am not sure their climate will be suitable.

In my eyes the most eco friendly option would be to use email or SMS text messages – but it just deprives the happy couple of seeing the official invitation to their wedding.  Also, we have a member of the family that would disapprove and find it inappropriate.  Tradition goes a long way in some people’s eyes.

The irony of the whole situation, is that I have resorted to ordering samples from the USA – so while ensuring the Bride has wants she wants and we use eco friendly materials, I am leaving a huge carbon footprint to ship them here?!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Looking Back on your Successes

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

An interesting request came my way last week. A very good school friend of mine is setting up a business in the wedding industry and wanted to pick my brains on both. Arranging a session last Friday, I was unsure what exactly she was going to fire my way but I’m pleased to report that I was called a ‘font of all knowledge’ as I advised her on the basics of being self employed, registering her company, working out her figures, marketing, customer service and endless other topics. Please understand that my head is not getting so large that I can’t get out the door; I realise that I know what I know now but there is still lots to learn but what it did make me think was how far I’ve come. As a wedding planner and business owner of six  years, you build up such a lot of knowledge, experience and know-how and often we don’t even credit ourselves.

Particularly in these harsh times, it’s really important to look back on our successes and not just deal with our present woes or future concerns. Dig out that first business plan, your old website, marketing materials, think back to your early weddings and what you’re up to now. It’s most likely to be a positive step forward and for that we should be happy and grateful.

And if you’re a new planner, don’t fear, because the fun is in the journey and long may all our journeys continue!

Posted in Business Development, Life as a Planner | No Comments »

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