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Preston Bailey key advice

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

When reading Preston Bailey’s blog I was particularly agreeable to the below article.  When planners start out in this industry I know it can be tempting to almost give your services away, I know some other training schools recommend you should do a wedding for free to begin with, but we just don’t agree. By planning a wedding for free you are in fact saying ‘I’m not worth it’. So even if a potential client is lovely, even if the wedding design will be so wonderful it will be perfect for your portfolio, never forget your WORTH.

Not so long ago, I had a client who I was a little in love with. She had the most amazing dream for her wedding and from the moment she walked into my office, we clicked. There is something very magical and powerful when that kind of connection happens with a client. She trusted me absolutely and I her.

Unfortunately, there was one hiccup: When I started creating my beloved client’s dream wedding, I realized that her expectations were bigger than her pocketbook. But because I liked her so much I gave her that dream wedding anyway. Consequently, I made practically zero profit. I think this happens quite a bit in our industry; we’re so eager to love our clients and see our designs come to life that we forget we also have bills to pay.

Yes, we should love our clients. Yes, we should work hard to see our designs come to life. But I’ve also learned the hard way that if a client cannot afford her dream wedding, she simply cannot have it. We must manage our clients’ expectations, and we can never lose sight of the bottom line.

Credit: Preston Bailey

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I’m already trading so why do I need more training?

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Here at the UKAWP we believe the only way to succeed as a successful wedding planner is to keep increasing your knowledge. Think about it, if you do the same in 2012 that you did in 2011 then your results will be the same, but expand your knowledge and think outside the box, and the world is your oyster. If you are ready and willing to push your business further ensuring increased profitability then take the plunge and commit to the various training options the UKAWP offer.

1. Attend our annual seminar WPE which is only for ‘working wedding planners’ no enthusiasts or suppliers allowed!. Sometimes we spend all our time working IN the business, i.e. planning weddings that we don’t spend time working ON the business and this is what WPE helps you focus on.

logo12

2. Bit hazy on marquees or unsure about marketing your business? Look out for our series of webinars. The next one is ‘the basics of organising a marquee reception‘ and will be held on the 8th February at 6pm. To register go to our booking form

A UKAWP Director leading a training session

3. Always wondered how to make an emergency bouquet or what should you do if the wedding cake collapses? Attend one of our evening workshops to find the answers. Keep checking our events page  for details of the next one. Have a topic in mind? Email Bernadette@ukawp.com

Wedding planners workshop

4. Already run a successful business but not sure on how to actually plan a wedding? Or perhaps you are a venue co-ordinator looking to launch independently? If so consider our training courses, more information via our brochure

Photo Credit: Lloyd Dobbie

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Dominate Your Domains

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
The following article was written by the wonderful Tamsin Fox-Davies : long term friend of the UKAWP and back by popular demand to speak at our Wedding Planning Excellence Seminar in March 2012. Thank you Tamsin, as ever, for your insight and practical advice…
tamsin-fox-davies

 You’ve got a website and a domain name, and this week I want you to check out the other possible domains that you may want to buy for your site. For Example: I have my site on tamsinfoxdavies.com but I also own tamsinfoxdavies.co.uk. Apart from the obvious “domain extensions” (.co.uk, etc) you want to get the most likely “domain variations” as well. For me that would mean getting tamsin-foxdavies.com, tamsinfox-davies.com, tamsinfd.com etc.

Do you see how that would work? Once you buy the extra domains, just forward them all to your actual website. There’s two reasons to do this:  

  1. Some people will type your domain rather than googling you, and they might not get it right. This happens a lot more often than you think, and you don’t want to lose those visitors.
  2. If you’ve got all the relevant domains, no one else can buy them.   You don’t want people with similar company names buying YOUR domains, so go get ‘em!

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Events 2012 Overview – 1st Quarter

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

As always the UKAWP are going to be incredibly busy with events throughout 2012 so we thought we better start telling you about some of the plans for the first few months of the year!

WPE ‘12 - Wedding Planning Excellence

WPE ‘12‘Wedding Planning Excellence’ was first established in 2009 and in essence is a training seminar for wedding planners. The directors of the UKAWP along with our members devised a specialised programme designed to inspire and educate you with your business, there are 2 days of intelligent, inspirational speakers for you to learn from.

WPE is held over 2 days Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd March 2012 at the fabulous 51 Buckingham Gate in Central London. There will be a Friday night dinner off sire which again is optional, more details to be published on the dinner in the New Year.

UKAWP member rate - for one day £170, for both days £320 / non member rate - for one day - £180, for both days £350 / Dinner is £45

We suggest you visit the beginners guide to WPE and will leave you with just one testimonial:

Testimonial

UKAWP “did WPE inspire you for 2011?”

WPE Delegate “Hell yes - thank you” & “Yes, yes, yes”!

Training Webinars

Following our successful webinar launch in November we will be running a series of additional ones throughout 2012. The webinars will be a combination of topics designed for new planners and for more advanced learning by already established planners.  We hope that the flexibility of being able to join a webinar online will appeal to many who cannot travel easily to other training we organise or have missed a previous session.

Please keep checking our blog and website for details as and when we announce them.

Title:  ‘The basics of organising a marquee reception‘ - based on the presentation given at WPE ‘11

Tutor: Bernadette Chapman, UKAWP Director

Date: Wednesday 8th February 2012

Time: 6pm-7pm

Cost: £60

How to book your place:  go to our booking form here

Technical details:

You will need internet access with speakers and will be sent an event invitation which will require you to set up a password. At the relevant webinar time you will need to log in. You will be able to hear the tutor deliver the session as well as be able to see a slide presentation on screen. You will be able to ask questions online via a chat page. Further notes will be posted to you following your registration.

Testimonial following our marketing your business webinar

“I think it’s an excellent way to offer a bite-sized training course as it means it’s easily accessible. This is really important for those of us that are trying to juggle other responsibilities such as jobs or children, as it’s often difficult to get away for a full day. I really liked it that you talked around the slides/course notes rather than just reading them verbatim. The discussion gave some really valuable insights into starting your business.”

Workshops

We held various workshops in 2011 both in London and Wimslow. Topics have included: Floral Emergencies, Fixing the Bridal Dress, PR Basics

We plan to run the workshops again from April 2012, if there are any topics you would like us to cover let us know!

In the meantime save the date for the 9th February in Manchester for a Northern PR Workshop hosted by Julia from Bridesup North

Training Courses

The successful training courses run by the UKAWP start again in February 2012.  See below for the planned dates. To find out more information, to download the brochure or indeed to book please visit our training page

Business Practicalities: 18th & 19th February (Northamptonshire) and 21st & 22nd April (London)

Step by Step: 24th & 25th March (Northamptonshire) and 19th & 20th May (London)

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Christmas gifts for wedding planners

Monday, December 12th, 2011

With less than two weeks until Christmas we thought it ideal to remind you we have a number of events you could put on your wish list and even gift vouchers. Perhaps you would like to buy a wedding planner colleague a gift? How about our training courses in Spring 2012, or a gift voucher for any amount you wish? Or, if your husband is stuck on what to get you, leave some hints about WPE!

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UKAWP member’s new service for ultra fashion-conscious brides

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

We at UKAWP are always stressing how different our member wedding planners are and how their often diverse  talents come to the fore in how they run and grow their wedding planning businesses. Today’s post  is an example of that from boutique consultancy Cranberry Blue Weddings who have recently launched ‘The Fashion Indulgence’.  Director and former fashion buyer Melanie Helen clearly has the interest, talents and contacts to design a very fashion-led service and here is what this new service is all about. It looks fantastic. 

They have teamed up with some of the industry’s most reputable brands to offer a unique, luxury service with a fashion twist. Directed by founder and former fashion buyer Melanie Helen, you and your girlfriends can indulge yourselves for a whole weekend with a personal shopping experience, champagne afternoon tea, professional hair & make-up styling and a photo shoot with some of the top names in the industry.

The experience would begin with a personal shopping trip at either Selfridges or Harvey Nichols, followed by:

  • - A sumptuous champagne afternoon tea
  • - An overnight stay in a boutique hotel
  • - Hair styling by leading bridal hair company The Hepburn Collection
  • - State of the art airbrush makeup, by celebrity makeup artist Mariam Jensen or by the renowned JemmaKidd Professional Team
  • - A location photo shoot with leading photographers Eye Imagine
  • - A private car to the hotel and the photo shoot location
  • - A selection of mounted prints

Melanie would work with you beforehand to discuss different looks and possibilities for the photo shoot, before creating a design concept that includes everything from clothing, accessories, locations and hair and make-up ideas.  It could be for a 1950s theme for example or based around the current fashion trends.

This is perfect for a sophisticated hen party, a gift to the groom or an original take on engagement photos; alternatively it would be a fabulous birthday treat.

Melanie, who has worked for the elite of the fashion world from renowned French designer Roland Mouretto the cream of the high street chains such as Oasis and Arcadia, personally attends to the brides every step of the way. Aided by her in-depth knowledge of the fashion and buying world, Melanie keeps a close eye on the latest trends in the fashion and wedding industry and understands how they can be adapted to suit individuals.

Prices are based on a minimum of 4 people and are from £675 each for the whole weekend. 

For further information please visit:www.cranberryblueweddings.co.uk or email fashion@cranberryblueweddings.co.uk or call 07974 157885

 

 UKAWP members - do you too have a new service for 2012 couples? Do let us know.

Fashion Indulgence Credits

 Eye Imagine: http://www.eyeimagine.co.uk/

Mariam Jensen:http://www.mariamjensen.com/#/

The Hepburn Collection:http: //www.hepburncollection.com/

Jemma Kidd Makeup:http://www.jemmakidd.com/

Cranberry Blue Weddings: http://www.cranberryblueweddings.co.uk/

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Your Christmas Wish List

Friday, November 25th, 2011

OK, you might fancy a lovely pair of shoes, a new handbag or a day in the spa, but the effects of those are never going to last a long time. How about adding some business mentoring to your Christmas wish list this year? 

New shoes or Business mentoring? Tough choice

Our UKAWP Business Mentoring Service and newer Business Support Hotline are available to less than 2 year old businesses who need a boost in those delicate and difficult early stages. Whether it’s more one to one help following our training courses on marketing, advice on your first marquee wedding or being able to talk through client and supplier difficulties and issues, one of our UKAWP Directors is available to help with one of the above services.   The annual service is priced at £500 but support is available by the hour at the rate of £60 if you prefer the Business Support Hotline.  For full information take a look here

 Below is what Stacey-Marie Chalk of Cherry Topped Weddings thought:   

 “As a new business and new into the wedding planning industry I wanted to have the support of the mentoring service provided by the UKAWP. With 3 mentoring meetings with Kelly throughout a 12 month period and email and phone support, this provided plenty of time for me to go through all sorts of questions, concerns and ideas with Kelly. It also meant that by spanning it across 12 months your business has the opportunity to grow and change which in itself raises new challenges which Kelly was able to support and guide me through. You can talk openly and honestly in confidence about anything relating to your business, the industry, your experiences with clients and suppliers, ideas for progress and development, the list goes on… I found the whole mentoring programme extremely worthwhile, and great for giving you that little extra confidence boost by knowing that you’re not the only one out there who goes through those sometimes challenging early stages of a business. It was great to look back to the first meeting 12 months ago and see how far I had come too - the year really did fly by without even realising! Thank you Kelly and UKAWP!”

 We hope to be able to help you in 2012.

 Photo credit: PR Photography

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WPE ’12 – AN OVERVIEW

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

 What is WPE?

WPE ‘Wedding Planning Excellence’ was first established in 2009 and in essence is a training seminar for wedding planners. From visiting websites of our US counterparts we began to get a little envious of the number of specialised seminars open to wedding planners throughout the year. As our industry has grown we felt it was about time the UK followed suit and had an event just for ‘wedding planners’ and thus WPE was born.

Attendees at WPE 11

I’m already trading so why do I need more training?

Most importantly this isn’t a training course, it’s a seminar. There are 2 days of intelligent, inspirational speakers for you to learn from. If you are ready and willing to push your business further ensuring increased profitability, then take the plunge and commit to  WPE. Sometimes we spend all our time working IN the business, i.e. planning weddings that we don’t spend time working ON the business and this is what WPE helps you focus on.

Business-focussed presentations

 

So when is it?

As in previous years WPE is held over 2 days Friday 2nd - Saturday 3rd  March 2012, and after listening to feedback we have kept it to central London. The venue chosen for WPE ‘12 is the gorgeously luxurious 51 Buckingham Gate http://www.51-buckinghamgate.com/. There will be a Friday night dinner which again is optional, more details to be published on the dinner in the New Year.

How much?

The investment we ask from you for the 2 days + dinner is minimal compared to similar events in the US who charge $2,200! The prices will go up after the 2nd January so we advise you book early to make your pennies stretch even further.

Early bird UKAWP member rate - for one day £160, for both days £290 / Early bird non member rate - for one day - £170, for both days £320 / Dinner is £45

Annabel from Love my Dress at WPE 11

Who is Speaking?

We have a range of business and industry experts confirmed already (see below) and plan to add more over the coming weeks, do visit our website for full schedule information.

The art of negotiation

Looking Fantastic Online

Practical Marketing Strategies for Planners

Etiquette for the Modern Wedding Planner

Luxury Marquees & What to Look Out For

Using cocktails to enhance the wedding design - hot trends for 2012

Business Self Discipline

Wedding Planning business software demonstration

Wedding planners continue to learn

To review the schedule go to http://www.wpe.ukawp.com/schedule.htm

What’s New?

WPE ‘12 is going to be even bigger and better than in previous years. Alongside the formal presentations will be more Q&A + some panel discussions for more in depth questions.  After dinner on the Friday one of our members is organizing a surprise activity, more details will be announced in the New Year.

We hope to see you there!

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WPE ’12 – REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN - 2nd & 3rd March 2012

Monday, November 14th, 2011

We are delighted to announce registration is now open for WPE ‘12. We will be sending invitations out very soon, but if you can’t wait, you can register online here http://www.ukawp.com/booking-form-seminar.php. As in previous years if you register before the 2nd January you will receive the early bird discounted rate.

 Wedding Planning Excellence '11

If you’re a planner and looking to take your business to the next level by way of continued development and learning, then Wedding Planning Excellence (WPE) is for you;  tailored to meet the needs of wedding planning businesses only, it’s pretty much one of a kind!

 

The programme is coming together nicely with a mix of business motivational specialists as well as industry gurus.  Keep checking back on the website for details on new confirmed speakers http://wpe.ukawp.com/index.htm

 

We hope to see you there!

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I am an orange!

Monday, October 24th, 2011

One of our members Aimee Dunne sent us the wonderful article detailing her thoughts on the business of wedding planning, we hope you like it.

As a wedding planner I come across many wedding blogs; most of which I read for inspiration and to keep up with trends. However, I recently came across The Business of Being Creative blog and while it isn’t filled with pretty pictures of cakes and dresses, it inspires me in a different way. The blog is written by Sean Low and offers practical business advice for those in the business of being creative.

I recently read a post on Competition which I thought was particularly thought provoking and worth sharing. Most of us in the wedding industry are here because we want to be creative, be it wedding planners like myself, to florists, lighting, or stationery companies. This is great, and it is often the main reason we have set up our own businesses, but at the same time we are faced with the challenge that we are running a business and we need to balance this with our passion and love of what we do.

The blog post on Competition talks about how we are faced with looking at our business competitors whilst also maintaining our creativity. There are many other wedding planners out there, and as I’m relatively new to the industry I have to admit I do find myself comparing my business to others; sometimes this is good and sometimes it is nothing but a distraction. I come from a banking background, many years spent studying business and working in the City, and by nature I know I need to understand and learn from my competition. This is particularly true when first setting a business up and learning about the industry and what is ‘typical’ practice and ‘expected’ by clients. However, this article talks about the fact that competition will always be there and if we all strive to be like our competitors, albeit just better than them, then we are losing what makes us individual. I love this and whole heartedly agree. I set my business up out of a passion; I offer something individual that only I can offer, that’s why I called my business by my name!

Of course I need to learn from competition and be aware of the industry and that’s why I love being a member of the UKAWP as we have a Code of Business Practice and planners learn from each other; but I should never forget what makes me individual and that what I’m selling to my clients is what only I offer. Yes, I would like to be an an orange; not another apple among all the other apples!

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