UKAWP - THE LEADING INDUSTRY BODY FOR THE UK WEDDING PLANNING MARKET

Archive for February, 2012

« Older Entries

WPE Speaker Focus: Ellie Sanderson

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

We were thrilled when Ellie agreed to present at WPE, running a busy award winning bridal boutique can’t be easy so we appreciate her taking some time out to come to WPE. 

elliesanderson

Describe your company in 100 words or less!

Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutiques sell stunning designer wedding dresses that are off the peg with bespoke changes. We are totally crazy about the details and love to spoil each and everyone of our brides. We offer shoes, sparkly bits and veils, infact everything but the knickers and groom. Two shops covering 7 home counties and an e-commerce site means we are never far away!

What’s your USP?

We are totally focussed on Customer service, we see each bride individually and spend hours helping them style their wedding look.

What do you hope planners will learn on the day from your talk?

We hope to give a good insight into the trends that are coming through and that are hot on the catwalks for this and next year. We will also have some fun creating a number of looks with one dress. Oh yes its gonna be interactive with a model and frocks and I will be choosing the volunteers !

How would your clients describe you?

I actually asked someone to tell me for this and she said ” I was Professional, that nothing is ever too much trouble and I am very patient”. My husband on the other would totally disagree with the patience bit but maybe I use it up at work!

Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?

I have had one bride that has never left my head and probably never will. She arrived in my shop a size 18 and came back 3 months later a size 12 and wondered why her dress didnt fit. I am hugely lucky to be surrounded by an enormously talented team who re made the dress but heres the best bit, having lost 4 stone she decided on the wedding day NOT to wear the dress…

What is your vice?

Gin or Champagne, both are low in Calories and make me happy.

What’s the best piece of business advice someone gave you?

Work at something you love doing and your life will be happy. That’s why I left Corporate life to do this.

Describe yourself in 3 words

Detailed, Determined and Driven

Name one blog you follow religiously

That has to be Love my Dress, I adore Annabel and her blog posts are better than many magazines.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: ,
Posted in WPE 12 | No Comments »

WPE – The countdown!

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Wedding Planning Excellence is at the end of this week so the countdown has officially begun. Registration will close Tuesday at 5pm so if you haven’t booked yet here is a quick reminder on why we think you must attend this annual event.

What is WPE?

WPE ‘Wedding Planning Excellence’ was first established in 2009 and in essence is a training seminar for wedding planners. We bring in a range of speakers mixing business specialists with respected wedding peers. We guarantee you will come away with reams of notes and bags of enthusiasm ready to improve your business.

wpe11-group-shot-fri

So when is it?

51-buckingham-gate-logo-new

Friday 2nd – Saturday 3rd  March 2012 at the luxurious 51 Buckingham Gate . If you can’t come to both days sign up for just one instead.

How much?

UKAWP member for one day £170, for both days £320
Non member for one day – £180, for both days £350

To register please complete our booking form

You don’t have to attend WPE to enjoy the scrumptious dinner

pavilionrd_logo

On Friday 2nd March planners are attending a scrumptious dinner at the stunning 30 Pavilion Road in Knightsbridge. Even if you are unable to make WPE  we hope you can join us for dinner at 8pm instead. The evening is priced at £45 and only open to wedding planners. To book please go to our booking form .

aweddingbreakfa839

Photo Credit: WPE delegates Lloyd Dobbie

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: , ,
Posted in WPE 12 | No Comments »

WPE Speaker Focus: Jo Byrant

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Today we would like to introduce you to Jo Byrant from Debretts who is presenting at WPE talking about etiquette for the modern wedding planner.

 jo-bryant-Debretts

Describe your company in 100 words or less!

Debrett¹s is the modern authority on all matters of etiquette, taste and social style. Debrett’s Wedding Guide is the definitive guide to the modern wedding. 

What¹s your USP?

One of the oldest publishers in the world, Debrett¹s is in the unique position to translate traditional codes of conduct into the modern day.

What do you hope planners will learn on the day from your talk?

To understand that etiquette isn¹t intimidating or old-fashioned, but is an accessible and integral part of planning a wedding.

How would your clients describe you?

Debrett¹s knows how to get it right.

Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?

We deal with lots of weird and wonderful questions and enquiries at Debrett¹s! Where to begin…

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: ,
Posted in WPE 12 | No Comments »

WPE Speaker Focus: Nicola Marriott

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Today we would like to introduce you to Nicola who is showcasing a brand new wedding planners software package at WPE on the Saturday.

nicola-marriott

Describe your company in 100 words or less!

Event Crystal is a software development company engaged solely in the continuing development of a generic, cloud-based, event planning application. The mission of the company (and my personal challenge) is to use modern technologies to automate as many as possible of the time consuming tasks that event planners have to perform. I have been working with an amazing wedding planner, Melanie at Bellissimo Weddings, to gain an understanding of the business processes involved to ensure that the planners’ requirements are at the forefront of the application design.

What’s your USP?

Excellent customer service and satisfaction is of paramount importance to me. I listen to feedback and suggestions and consider these crucial to the success of Event Crystal.

What do you hope planners will learn on the day from your talk?

How Event Crystal can save planners time and increase efficiency.

How would your clients describe you?

My clients would describe me as hard working, meticulous and passionate about what I do (and maybe a bit of a geek).

Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?

Communication is the key. Keep your clients informed of progress and change. I am pleased to say that I haven’t had any clients that I would consider challenging, but I can imagine if I hadn’t communicated well in certain circumstances, I may have answered this differently!

What is your vice? 

Red wine!  

What’s the best piece of business advice someone gave you?

Although I have a wide range of computing skills, I was once advised to do what I was passionate about. In developing Event Crystal I am continually doing what I am passionate about, coding, problem solving and delivering results.

Describe yourself in 3 words

Loyal, determined, ambitious.

Name one blog you follow religiously

I don’t follow one blog religiously, although I visit blogs continually, usually in the course of my research. I regularly study their style and content as the time is approaching when I need to get on top of my own blog!

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: , ,
Posted in WPE 12 | No Comments »

Introducing: Euphoric Flowers

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Euphoric Flowers are well known to the UKAWP and our members and in the past have hosted a successful floral workshop for us. We are therefore delighted they have agreed to be a WPE partner for 2012.

euphoric-small-logo

Established in 2005, Euphoric Flowers is now recognised as a leading Wedding and Event Florist throughout London and the South East. Their infectious enthusiasm for flowers, professionalism within the industry and an exquisite eye for detail has made them a popular choice with many wedding planners, including members of the UKAWP, whose code of ethics is something they fully support

 

chantal-and-jeremy

 

grosvenor-house-Euphoric Flowers

 

 

Table centre Euphoric Flowers

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: ,
Posted in WPE 12 | No Comments »

WPE speaker focus: Ray Hutchin

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

We are so excited to have Ray back for a 4th year at WPE. We simply adore Ray and past attendees seem to agree with us rating him a favourite speaker. He is motivational and straight talking with his advice. He’ll leave you thinking “well of course I should do x, y, z, why didn’t I think of it earlier!”

wpe11-ray

Describe your company in 100 words or less!

We are a Business Coaching & Training Company that mainly operates in Essex, but we do have clients in London and the Isle of Man.

We offer a range of products and services from Free Introductory Seminars, Monthly MasterMind Groups, Workshops & Fortnightly and Weekly Coaching as well as our own Two Day Annual Conference.

We aim to help business owners in our unique way by giving them choice, working with them to help them grow and develop so their businesses follow.

We help in all areas of business including Sales & Marketing, Communication, Leadership, Finance, Time Management, Planning, Team Building, Culture, USP’s, System & Procedure, etc, etc.

What’s your USP?

Truly putting our clients first, I feel so many companies say they do and actually believe they do, but I believe they don’t. We make all our business decisions based on our Vision Statement, which includes “putting our clients’ needs first” even if it mean we will make no fee or receive a reduced fee.

What do you hope planners will learn on the day from your talk?

I will be happy if they all just took one thing and changed something they do for the better because of my talk. The greatest gift we have is to be able to learn more everyday and most people don’t. By learning more and more about ourselves we grow and therefore our business must grow as well.

How would your clients describe you?

Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Guru are amongst some of the flattering names I have been called, also one client calls me Coach – that always makes me feel good.

Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?

Yes, by being Honest. It’s what we should do as coaches, so for me it was no big deal in what I had to do, but it was still difficult to do. However, the client did appreciate it and the relationship has strengthened because of that conversation.

What is your vice?

Food – the more calories the better

What’s the best piece of business advice someone gave you?

I can’t think of one piece that stands out, I take all the advice I can and then use what is right for me, (as we are all individuals).

Describe yourself in 3 words

Knowledgeable, Helpful, Fair

Name one blog you follow religiously

Jeffery Gitomer (Sales Caffeine Newsletter)

Photo Credit: Lloyd Dobbie

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: ,
Posted in WPE 12 | No Comments »

Introducing Wedding Creative

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Wedding Creative is a specialist event design company who we are delighted to announce have agreed to become a partner in WPE 12. 

wedding_creative_logo_1000

They offer a bespoke wedding décor service to transform venues inside and out using a combination of drapery, lighting, prop & furniture hire and special effects.  Their projects range from complete venue transformation, for locations that may be in much need of some TLC, to tailored lighting designs to compliment and enhance marquees.  They are based in the South East but their extremely specialist service means that they regularly travel all over the UK.

wedding_entrance_drapery

porters_barn_feltwell_wedding

marquee_wedding_lighting_design

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

WPE speaker focus: Anthony Wickham

Monday, February 20th, 2012

We are delighted to introduce you to Anthony from TT Tents who will be presenting at WPE for this first time but has worked with a number of our members on weddings. There’s not much he doesn’t know about marquees and we are thrilled he is passing his knowledge onto our WPE attendees.

bluegold-logo1

Describe your company in 100 words or less!

TT Tents:

  • Has 27 years experience in building Marquees abroad and in the UK.
  • A wide range of products for both Commercial and Private applications.
  • Is a Company with a strong balance sheet and 7 ½ acres of valuable real estate.
  • Geographically positional in the cross roads of South Basingstoke.
  • Company is underpinned with regular Blue Ribbon Events which are on contract.
  • Anthony Wickham has a wealth of experience and knowledge learnt the hard way.

What’s your USP? –

TT Tents has an Excellent Product, Excellent Labour and Excellent Service.

What do you hope planners will learn on the day from your talk?

To open their eyes to the “Marquee Mans Thoughts”.

How would your clients describe you?

Straight forward – Business Like – Professional.

Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?

All clients are challenging.  Be Honest – Helpful and don’t promise the impossible.

What is your vice?

Impatient.

What’s the best piece of business advice someone gave you?

  • Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.
  • You have two ears and one mouth, use them in that order.
  • Always follow your hunch.
  • Give everyone 5 minutes.

Describe yourself in 3 words

Young – Fit – Healthy.

Name one blog you follow religiously

Take Two Ribs.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: , ,
Posted in WPE 12 | No Comments »

WPE Speaker Focus: Debbie Baisden

Friday, February 17th, 2012

I’m delighted to introduce you to Debbie from iBarco who will be presenting at WPE for the first time, talking about mobile bars for events. she has a vibrant and inviting personality and I know you will all love her.

Debbie Baisden, iBarco

Describe your company in 100 words or less!

iBarco are specialists in all aspects of bar service, we work closely with all our clients to understand the bar requirements they need. Whether it is for an intimate cocktail party or a gathering of 5000, we deliver service and equipment that goes beyond the expected.

We offer fully trained in house staff, together with a range of bars that can be adapted for any event. iBarco is constantly reinventing services already on the market. This year we have introduced the exciting addition of luxury Jello Shots and Cake-tails. We can also graphic your bars with personal messages and a choice of branding.

What’s your USP?

Flexibility with attention to detail.

What do you hope planners will learn on the day from your talk?

Bars are not just an addition to a catering service, a good bar is a fundamental element to any successful event. I would like to equip them with tips when booking a bar service. Make it fun for their clients to get involved whilst bearing in mind the professional requirements.

How would your clients describe you?

Professional with a personal & touch, approachable and adaptable.

Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?

Been very fortunate not a challenging client, however have dealt with challenging guests. A smile does wonders.

What is your vice? 

Never stop working!

What’s the best piece of business advice someone gave you?

Always communicate, if you don’t know ask! This serves two purposes you will learn something you did not know and the event will run smoother.

Describe yourself in 3 words

Vivacious, Patient, Loyal

Name one blog you follow religiously

 Dream Occasions -

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: , ,
Posted in WPE 12 | No Comments »

Blogging for Business – what happened?

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

On Thursday the 9th of February, in a bitterly cold Manchester, the UKAWP held their first Northern Blogging for Business workshop with Julia Braime from Brides Up North as our expert tutor. The evening was organised by our lovely Northern Rep, Andrea Swift, whose help and dedication we always appreciate.

andrea-swiftBrides Up NorthUnlike previous workshops, this was open to all wedding suppliers and we had an amazing response when nearly 30 signed up.  Sadly on the night, due to the poor weather in Yorkshire a few suppliers couldn’t make it, but we still had photographers, florists, videographers, dress designers, other bloggers and entertainers as well as planners attending this very interesting and informative workshop.

delegates-blogging

julia-brides-up-north

Huge thanks to everyone who battled through the snow and ice to join us, Julia for making the workshop so accessible to us all (she had a whole range of levels to deal with), to the Palace Hotel -who really looked after us and to Caroline White who was our official photographer for the evening.

Basic CMYK

We have had great feedback from all those that attended inc “Thanks Julia, Andrea for a great evening last night, going to do a weekly blog from now on!” James Arnold Photographer

 blog-cwp151

We are already talking about doing another one later in the year when hopefully the weather will be a little kinder to us!

 Photo Credit: Caroline White

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tags: , ,
Posted in Workshops | No Comments »

« Older Entries