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Mentoring from the UKAWP

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Need to talk to someone who really really understands your business?

Everyone tells you that setting up in business is tough but they often don’t tell you that it can be isolating, particularly when you’re a one woman (or man) band!

We’re very aware at UKAWP just how much planners love getting together with other planners and sharing and helping each other – our social events are always very popular and we’re about to introduce more events so that planners can get together more often. But if you want one to one business advice and support in a structured and methodical way from the experienced Directors and full members of UKAWP, then mentoring may be just the thing to keep you sane!  Take a look here .

 Here are some recent testimonials on this service:

 ”With Kelly, I was able to discuss marketing and PR ideas, structure my business plan in terms of priorities, and discuss details of some of the weddings I was working on. It gave me the one-to-one business service I needed to develop solid business foundations.” Marine Kerivel-Brown, Boutique Wedding

 ”The time that I have spent with Bernadette, has been invaluable in helping me put together plans and understand the priorities for my business.  The benefit of being mentored by a UKAWP director is the ability to tap into their knowledge and experience; from a specific wedding query through to how to implement standard business practices in our industry.” Elizabeth Gall, Simply Elegant

And to help with budgets, we have just launched a new offer whereby you can take a 10% discount on the first year’s mentoring if you have completed a Business Practicalities or Step by Step training course within the last 6 months.

So why not add some business mentoring to your Christmas wish list this year and set you on a great path for 2011?

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Training a lot of left-handers!

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

Lefties - we're in the company of Angelina Jolie

Lefties - we're in the company of Angelina Jolie

On 16 and 17 October I had the pleasure of training a wonderful group of new wedding planners on our Step by Step training course. As ever the students were from a range of backgrounds including management consultancy, construction and classical music to name but a few. Most were at the beginning of their wedding planning career, seeking to gain a practical grounding in the field before launching their own businesses.

One interesting fact which was discovered over our lunch break on day 1 however was that 5 out of 8 in the room were left-handers. Of course this prompted quite a lot of discussion. And as one of those left handers was the course tutor ie. me, it seemed only natural for me to do a bit of research on the finding. According to Scientific American 15% of people are left-handed, whereas in our little group 62.5% were.

What does it mean? According to an article I found on ehow.com left handers tend to be more athletically inclined (good for running around at weddings), to have more spatial awareness (good for designing a room layout) and to think more quickly (good for running a business and getting on with the million tasks needed everyday). According to a study by Dr. Alan Searleman of St. Lawrence University in New York, “true” left-handed people-those who favour their whole left side for physical activities have twice the problem-solving skills and a higher I.Q. than right-handed people – all very useful too!

And we’re in good company, I’m amazed by the number of famous left handers including: Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama; Prince Charles and Prince William; musicians Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Paul McCartney; scientists Isaac Newton, Marie Curie and Benjamin Franklin; artists Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci; and historical figures Alexander the Great, Charlemagne and Julius Caesar.
Oh how proud I am to be a leftie!

Wedding planners – tell us are you right or left handed?

Data Credit: http://www.ehow.com/about_5412903_left-vs-right-handed-people.html
Photo Credit: http://listicles.thelmagazine.com/2009/08/13-famous-left-handers/
Training courses: Step by Step

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Good working relationships

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

It’s long been known that the relationship between in-house venue co-ordinator and independent wedding planner hasn’t always been a rosy and smooth one, however with a bit more understanding of both roles, UKAWP believe the relationship can blossom and bloom to everyone’s advantage, most importantly to that of the bride and groom. 

Kate Fletcher of Kate Fletcher Events  has sat on both sides of the fence and provides some insight here:

 Having started my career in event management in the corporate sector, my ‘wedding’ career began setting up a new wedding venue. I offered the personal touch to the happy couple, showing them round the venue, answering their many questions, reassuring them at all times that everything will be taken care of. Liaising with the caterers, selecting the wines – even setting the tables to their requirements. Yes, a venue does provide a great deal in planning your day and this is how it should be as you are paying a premium.

 A venue does however have many weddings every month and in most cases does not simply have the resource to provide a full co-ordination of service for each and every aspect of the wedding planning . An independent wedding planner is personally involved with the bride & groom and their families, acting as their ‘PA’ to organise every detail to create the day they have always dreamt of. From ‘mood boards’ and styling advice, sending invitations and collating guest responses to liaising with suppliers, negotiating discounts, managing the wedding budget – the list is endless. It also allows the couple time to relax in the months leading up the wedding, something a venue will welcome.

Planners and venues should be on the same side of the chess board - white of course!

Planners and venues should be on the same side of the chess board - white of course!

 For those venues that are slightly sceptical about wedding planners, please be reassured. We are here to make your lives easier, to be part of the team, not to bark instructions from a clipboard! A good wedding planner takes calls from the bride day and night. We field the countless questions a bride undoubtedly has and call you once, rather than ten times or more! We know you have rules and regulations, not to be awkward and dictatorial, but to ensure things run as smoothly as possible with a ‘tried and tested’ method. Finally don’t forget, it will be the wedding planner they turn to on the day when the string quartet has lost their way!

 Working at a wedding venue has been a great advantage to my business. I appreciate the hard work a venue does to ensure every wedding is special for the couple, but equally I can relay the planning process and procedures to the bride and her family, hopefully offering the minimum of stress to all.

 A wedding venue and a wedding planner should be the perfect marriage – don’t you think?

Written by Kate of Kate Fletcher Events who is an associate member of UKAWP.  

UKAWP has run training courses for new wedding planners since 2005 and spend much time teaching students the essentials of venue finding, working successfully with venues and planning together as a team. To find out more about our training courses, please take a look here

Thank you to Annie Armitage for the photo.

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Place available on Step by Step training course

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Due to a bereavement a student for this coming weekend has dropped out so we have 1 place available on our Step by Step training course taking place this Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October. This course takes the new planners through from securing that first client to the day itself and the relevant event managment and organisational steps needed to deliver a  successful wedding. For more information take a look at our training brochure here and to book contact Bernadette Chapman on bernadette@ukawp.com or 01376 561544.

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Want to become a wedding planner?

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

The UKAWP are well known for our in depth and honest training courses for those wishing to become wedding planners. With so many training schools out there it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Today I would like to talk to you a little about our newer course launched in July 2009. Following feedback from clients attending our Business Practicalities course we realised students wanted to learn how to actually plan a wedding, thus Step by Step was born.  The 3 directors of the UKAWP teach the courses personallyand it involves many practical exercises. The courses are held in spring and autumn as naturally, summer months are rather busy for full time wedding planners.

When can I attend

16th & 17th Oct 2010(Crowne Plaza, St James, London)
13th & 14th Nov 2010 (Staverton Park, Northamptonshire)
27th & 28th Nov 2010 (Cheadle House, Cheshire)25th & 26th Sep (London)

To sign up please go to our booking form

What topics are covered on this weekend course?

This course is aimed at those who have already launched their business or have attended business practicalites already. This course literally teaches you how to plan a wedding from the moment you have been hired. We go through how to create a client budget and work out what % of the budget should go on certain areas. We advise how to create payment plans for clients and what to do if you have a client bank account. We show you examples of the different ceremonies in the UK and how etiquette plays a part in todays weddings, albeit in a modern way. Then its time to discuss suppliers from how to find them to what questions to ask . The final part of the weekend takes you through the day from the ceremony up until the evening entertaiment.

To view the full list of topics please download our brochure

What is the cost

£599 inc. vat

What is included?

Full lunch & refreshments on both days

Concise bound notes to take away

Certificate of attendance

Logo to use on future marketing material

CD of useful templates

Flower Council Handbook

Recent Feedback

 

March 2010   Alexandra Moseley
“it exceeded my expectations as it allowed us to address any concerns about weddings and ask questions specific to what we are doing.”
   
July 2009    Annie Procter
“Thank you, the course gave me far more confidence and a lot of useful info. Great to be taught in person..”

 

 

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Want to become a wedding planner?

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

The UKAWP are well known for our in depth and honest training courses for those wishing to become wedding planners. With so many training schools out there it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Today I would like to talk to you a little about our original, and ever popular , Business Practicalities. The 3 directors of the UKAWP teach the courses personally, and on the second day we are accompanied by some of our full members. The courses are held in spring and autumn as naturally, summer months are rather busy for full time wedding planners.

When can I attend

25th & 26th Sep (London)

23rd & 24th Oct (Northamptonshire)

6th & 7th Nov (Cheshire)

To sign up please go to our booking form

What topics are covered on this weekend course?

This course is aimed at those wishing to start their own business. For that reason we cover everything you should do pre-launch.  Primarily your research and marketing before moving onto the type of services you wish to offer and how to decide what to charge. We take you through the basics of PR and why this is so important for small businesses. One element that is always popular is the mock consultations we undertake with the students, this gives students the chance to understand how important it is to ask the right questions in a consultation. And finally we go through how to produce your proposal.

To view the full list of topics please download our brochure

What is the cost

£599 inc. vat

What is included?

Full lunch & refreshments on both days

Concise bound notes to take away

Certificate of attendance

Logo to use on future marketing material

CD of useful templates

Do Your Own PR workbook

Recent Feedback

 

March 2010   Diane Kay
“The course exceeded my expectations and has really spurred me on to move forward to set up my own company.”
 
“Kelly’s experience and anecdotes were extremely funny and invaluable.”
  
April 2010     Stacey Marie Chalk
“I loved the practicals – even if the consultation was scary – it makes the course more real.”

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Career opening at Mercure Hotels

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

‘Mercure Wedding Angel’

wedding-planner-image2

We are very excited to tell you about a wonderful opportunity with Mercure hotels. The hotel chain plays host to hundreds of wedding celebrations every year at its hotels around the UK – and is scouring the nation to find budding wedding planners to take up two newly created posts as ‘Mercure Wedding Angels’.  The hotel chain is looking for someone to bring their own unique touch to the wedding event services offered at the hotels and is offering two full-time contracts to the right candidates.

For details of how to apply, please visit the website .

But if you are not successful and you still want to become a wedding planner why not book onto one of the UKAWP courses?

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The Benefits of Associate Membership

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Over the next few weeks I thought I would highlight the features and benefits of our various membership types. If these posts result in you wanting any further information, or to apply for membership, please don’t hesitate to contact membership@ukawp.com .

Associate Membership

This membership type is aimed predominantly at new planners.

Requirements are as follows:

  • Attendance at the Business Practicalities training course run by the UKAWP
    OR
    Completion of a training course recognised by UKAWP. Those currently recognised are QC School of Wedding Planning, the wedding planning course run by ICS Learn and The Wedding Planner School – distance learning or face to face. Written proof will be required.
    OR
    A minimum of two years in a 100% focused event management role within a hotel, event management company or similar. Written proof will be required.
  • Thorough understanding of the industry and what a wedding planner does.
  • Enthusiasm to learn and develop as a well respected planner.
  • Membership fee is £150 per year. Members can remain an Associate for up to 2 years at which point they should have met the requirements for Full Membership.
  • To download an application form please do so here…

    • Benefits:

  • Annual certificate of membership of the UKAWP to be shown to potential clients
  • Use of  ‘Associate’ logo of the UKAWP on website, advertising and all  marketing materials
  • Ability to refer potential clients to the UKAWP code of ethics to gain enhanced client confidence
  • Inclusion on the UKAWP on-line database of member companies
  • Increased media awareness of member companies. The UKAWP has links with a variety of media outlets and has an on-going press and public relations plan to continually increase the profile of the Alliance within the wedding industry. Journalists are put in touch with members for interview opportunities/coverage on a very regular basis.
  • Benefit from the UKAWP’s ongoing advertising plan in wedding publications and online. This alone can save members several hundreds of pounds.
  • Discounts to attend any UKAWP networking events, seminars, workshops or training courses.
  • UKAWP branded marketing materials such as brochures, pens and pads and other items available seasonally. Ideal for any exhibitions or events you are organising.
  • Access to a network of supportive, approachable and experienced professionals to help, guide and advise on any critical areas of difficulty or concern
  • Access to a network of experienced planners to assist where additional staff are needed at weddings at pre-agreed and competitive rates
  • Access to a network of keen, hungry students for ‘shadowing’ opportunities

    • For further information, please contact membership@ukawp.com.

    In two weeks we will highlight the benefits of Full Membership.

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    Training Dates Autumn 2010

    Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

     

    We are very pleased to announce the Autumn 2010 dates for ‘Business Practicalities’, and ‘Step by Step’. Both courses have been improved for the Autumn making them even better than before. The brochure is being finalised and will be uploaded soon, but for those who cannot wait until then please complete our booking form  which will then take you to the online payment page.

    We believe the most successful way to learn a new skill is by interacting with likeminded individuals which is why we only run classroom based training. Held at locations throughout the UK there should be a date and location convenient for you. We are registered by the UK Government’s Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP).

    Business Practicalities

     25th & 26th Sep (Crowne Plaza, St James, London)  23rd & 24th Oct (Staverton Park, Northamptonshire)  6th & 7th Nov (Cheadle House, Cheshire)

    Step by Step

    16th & 17th Oct (Crowne Plaza, St James, London)  13th & 14th Nov (Staverton Park, Northamptonshire)  27th & 28th Nov (Cheadle House, Cheshire)

    To view further information please go to our training page.

     

     

     

     

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    Working with Friends

    Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

    One of our members  Isabel Smith Wedding Design has written the below article.

    Being a planner is like being a doctor, or an interior designer, or any other profession which involves a service rather than a product, in that as soon as you mention what you do, people ask you ‘oh, my sister’s getting married, do you know any good DJ’s?’ or ‘Where do you stand on monochrome?’.  Whilst these can get a little tiring depending on the situation, generally, I don’t have a problem helping out with an answer or two.

    But occasionally, you get the dreaded ‘I don’t suppose you could help me out on the day could you?’ and this is where things get sticky. Partly because when I first started out, I was so keen to be helpful to my friends and show off my knowledge (not to mention gain experience), I was happy to help, but now I find I am so busy balancing my weddings, the marketing/accounting elements of the business and my personal life, my time is much more precious to me.  

    The other problem though is finding the client/friend balance.  Unless the friend in question is a particularly close one, with whom you can be totally honest, it is often easier to be firmer with a client than a friend when insisting on having the information you need by a certain deadline or pointing out that having the decorative items delivered the night before would take a real pressure off the wedding day.  

    My advice therefore to anyone starting out who is looking to broaden their experience by assisting friends or family is to set the parameters early on, as you would with a client.  This is even more true if you are to be a guest at the wedding as well, since there will come a point when you will want to clock off and enjoy the day.

    You may not feel that a contract is necessary, but a frank discussion about what you will and won’t do, and the way that you work will not only help to prevent any problems later on, but it will also give you practice at negotiation when you do start getting paying clients.  To help keep things on more of professional level, perhaps you could discuss payment of some kind – if not in cash terms, maybe they have a skill that could help with your business (know any accountants, web designers or PR types?)

    Thank you Isabel, how have you found working for friends?

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