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Member Focus: Andri Benson

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

andri-benson

Today we introduce Andri Benson from Always Andri one of our associate members. We hope you enjoy learning a little more about Andri.

Why did you become a wedding planner?

I was a freelance theatre designer when I planned my own personal big fat Greek Wedding. Not only did I absolutely love it but it was very similar to theatre production; designing the look, organising the set, props & costumes, working to strict budgets and timelines. Not long after I got married I started working full time at the BBC as a costumier so being a wedding planner was for ‘one day’. Then when the BBC closed the costume store I realised that ‘one day’ had arrived so I researched the industry, did my training with UKAWP and went for it setting up my own company in March 2009.

What’s your USP?

Being Greek and growing up in London with many friends from various cultural backgrounds, and experience planning my own intercultural English and Greek wedding, I want to help couples incorporate their cultural heritages into their wedding days.  Also with my theatre background I am a very practical hands on person and used to working with people who are facing the spotlight.

How would your clients describe you?

Friendly and bubbly, always there to help, organised and calm. I was described by one  couple as having a very lovely aura. 

How do you unwind?

Nothing beats a long hot bath and while reading a good book, but if I really want to let my hair down then I love to go out dancing. 

Is the job as glamorous as you thought?

I was often asked this question when I worked in the Theatre and at the BBC but what I loved about those jobs and about wedding planning is the working behind the scenes to ensure everything is picture perfect for the stars of the show.

What themes are you working on for 2010?

For the summer a modern black and white theme with touches of orange and for the autumn a traditional red and gold wedding. 

What is your biggest achievement since launching?

Being considered an inspiration to others after featuring in You magazine felt good, I just think of myself as getting on with it, helping others and doing something I love.

What trends are you seeing for 2010?

I think using peacock feathers is going to be big and although the vintage pastel colours are still going strong for those who want something bolder I’m loving turquoise, teals and jades.

Ideas big in the US are working their way into the UK and with the rise of UK blogs such as Rock’n'Roll Bride I think we’ll be seeing a lot more couples realise that they can break from tradition and really personalise their day their way. 

To learn more about Andri visit her website.

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Member Focus: Jenny Barnes

Monday, January 11th, 2010

I’m delighted to introduce Jenny Barnes from Make Our Day Events  as our first member focus of 2010. Jenny’s business is based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Over to you Jenny!

jennyportrait

 Why did you become a wedding planner?

In 2003 the company that I worked for had just merged with a similar business.  At about the same time a close friend got married and I saw just how stressful she found all the preparations.  With several years experience as a project manager in large corporations I realised that I had exactly the right skills to take the stress out of making wedding arrangements and decided to set up Make Our Day Events rather than apply for my own job following the merger. 

What’s your USP?

I’m the USP!  I work closely with my clients to build up a relationship of trust and then use my knowledge and contacts in the weddings market to help them to the wedding that they want, within their budget.

Do you have a favourite venue?

There are some lovely venues within the Bucks/Berks/Oxon area but I don’t really have one particular favourite. I co-ordinated a wedding at Keble College in Oxford just before Christmas. That was beautiful, but you can only marry there if you have a connection with the college.

How would your clients describe you?

Calm and organised.  The recurring theme in the thank you letters and emails that I receive is “it was such a relief to know you were there”.  One of my brides says I kept her sane!

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

I’ve never really had a challenging client, but I learned very early on to be on good terms with the bride’s mother so that she doesn’t feel left out of the arrangements!

How do you unwind?

A long hot bath and a glass of red wine.  As well as that, I enjoy knitting and origami. If you want a knitted wedding cake or a bouquet of paper flowers then I’m the person to ask!

 If you could plan a celebrity wedding, whose would it be?

I think it would have been fun to organise Elton John’s wedding.  A quiet, thoughtful ceremony followed by a party full of glitz and glamour.

Is the job as glamorous as you thought?

It isn’t a glamorous job and I didn’t expect it to be so.  I get a real buzz when the day arrives and everything falls nicely into place but I spend most of my time in the office making phone calls.  I think that handling the phone calls is one of the most important services that we provide!

 Which wedding planners work do you admire / respect and why?

I’m always envious of planners who can look at a venue and come up with orginal ideas for theming and decoration at the drop of a hat.  I always need to go away and think about it.  But once the idea is there, whether it’s mine or someone else’s, I’m very good at making it all come together.

What themes are you working on for 2010?

Gold and black and elegant with balloons and giant martini glasses.

Dark brown and deep red with sparkle and lots of greenery.

What is your biggest achievement since launching?

I organised a marquee wedding with 220 guests in August 2007.  The bride wanted an English country fair feel so we had very simple decorations and a lot of sideshows like Whack the Rat and Hoopla, and even some go-karts. 

The venue was near Witney in Oxfordshire and was in the middle of an area badly affected by that summer’s floods.  The bride was Welsh and the groom Italian so guests were booked into accommodation all round the area.  As well as making all the usual arrangements for a marquee wedding, I checked to see which of our hotels and guesthouses were flooded.   I then found alternative accommodation at the last minute for all the guests who were affected.  We ended up with more than 100 people staying at The Four Spires Hotel in Witney. The upside was that I was able to arrange a coach shuttle to and from the wedding, which helped enormously with parking arrangements!

What is your vice?

Chocolate!

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Member Focus: Caroline Gould

Friday, December 4th, 2009

In our regular Member Focus series I am delighted to introduce you to Caroline from Endless Love who is one of our associate members.

Caroline Gould

Caroline Gould

 1. Why did you become a wedding planner?

I worked as a hotel based wedding planner for 2 years and really felt that I could do more than organise the venue and catering.  I started my research at the beginning of this year, including completing the UKAWP certificate in wedding planning course and launched Endless Love in September.

 2. What’s your USP? 

My experience, all the jobs I’ve had have been in either event organisation, management or leading projects so I’ve learnt to be super-organised and I absolutely love it!

 3. What’s your signature dish?

Well, when I applied for Come Dine With Me, this was going to be my menu:

Cherry tomato and goats cheese tart, followed by chicken and parma ham saltimbocca with seasonal vegetables, followed by raspberry and vanilla terrine.

Unfortunately I was unsuccessful - my friends and family tell me I’m too ‘normal’!

 4. Do you have a favourite venue? 

I’ve recently visited Woodhall Manor which is near Woodbridge in Suffolk.  It’s a beautiful Manor House and banqueting suite.  They have a lovely walled garden where the ceremony can take place and if the sun decides to shine it can be a really special day.  You can also hire the entire Manor House for smaller parties or a big family weekend get together.  My favourite part of the venue is the entrance - I love long tree lined driveways, so romantic…

 5. How would your clients describe you? 

Calm, organised (I’m very rarely seen without my clipboard!), friendly and hard working.

 6. How do you unwind? 

Spending time with my family; my husband and my daughter Darcey, who will be 2 in February. Failing that, a Saturday night in with a bottle of wine and Strictly Come Dancing suits me just fine!

 7. If you could plan a celebrity wedding, whose would it be? 

I love the glamour of an old Hollywood wedding so Audrey Hepburn or Elizabeth Taylor would be fabulous.

 8. Is the job as glamorous as you thought?

Yes, because I didn’t think it would be glamorous!  There are glamorous elements to the job but mostly its very hard work.  The most rewarding thing for me though has to be the grooms face when he first sees his bride making her way down the aisle…

 9. Which wedding planner’s work do you respect/admire and why?

Preston Bailey and Mark Niemerko are my all time favourites.  Preston’s vision to change a seemingly bland venue into an absolute masterpiece is so inspiring.  Also, all of the UKAWP planners that I met at the recent networking event were really lovely and gave me lots of hints and tips for starting out.

 10. What’s your biggest achievement since launching?

Actually launching!  In the year I launched I also changed jobs, had a baby and started my business - my life now is completely different to a few years ago, but I wouldn’t change it for anything!

 11. What is your vice?  

Shoes!  My collection is well into 3 figures now.

 12. What trends are you seeing for 2010?

People are thinking more about the environment, using local suppliers and local foods for their weddings is good for the environment and you don’t have to compromise on style.

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Member Focus: Isabel Smith

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

In our regular series, today we welcome Isabel Smith of Buckinghamshire-based  Isabel Smith Wedding Design www.isabelsmithweddings.co.uk

 isabel-smith1

Why did you become a wedding planner?

I fell into wedding planning by accident.  Having helped a boyfriend’s parents plan their silver wedding celebration and absolutely adored the rush when it all came together, I wrote to some hotels looking for some work experience when I left university.  I started a two week marketing role to find that the wedding planner there wanted to move into marketing and since I wanted weddings, we switched.  Within a month I knew I wanted to set up my own business but wanted to spend a few years gaining the experience and contacts to make me really stand out.

What’s your USP? 

My experience.  Having spent three years at some of the Country’s top wedding venues like Cliveden, I have had the privilege of being involved in well over 150 weddings at some stage of the planning or other.  I really know what can make a day run smoothly and elegantly both front of house and backstage.

Signature dish?

Mothers of Brides - I have always been good at getting along with people of all ages and from all walks of life and I invariably end up becoming as close to the bride’s mum as I do to her!

Do you have a favourite venue? 

Oh hundreds - Great Fosters or one of the Oxford colleges for classic and country weddings, any of the The Crazy Bear sites for a really funky/boudoir twist, The Landmark in Marylebone for city chic…the list is endless.

How would your clients describe you? 

Professional, passionate and knowledgeable.

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

I had a client who lived abroad and was staying in the area for one week to meet the registrar’s residency requirements.  We had just that one week to work together on the plans before she left me to source all the suppliers.  It was a late-lead wedding anyway so trying to get hold of everything at short notice, and then factor in the time difference when trying to get the final sign-off was a real challenge.  Luckily she was a star and knew pretty much exactly what she wanted so there were no problems that working a 100 hour week couldn’t fix!

How do you unwind? 

Feeding the shoe addiction works a treat, but when you just really need to be still and relax, there is nothing like a large glass of red wine in front of a classic movie - usually from the action/thriller genre.

 If you could plan a celebrity wedding (alive or dead) whose would it be? 

I have a real fascination for dedicated bachelors - if I couldn’t be the woman who pinned down George Clooney, being the woman to plan his wedding would be a fab second place!  The same applies to James Bond - fictional I know but imagine planning his wedding!

Which wedding planner’s work do you respect/admire and why?

I have the greatest respect for all planners but particularly the pioneers - be it the likes of Siobhan Craven-Robins for bringing the concept of a planner to the UK mainstream or Zoe Lingard for modernising the approach.

What’s your biggest achievement since launching?

Getting my first enquiry put me on top of the world as I knew then that all the preparation and hard work was paying off. 

What is your vice?  

See above - SHOES!  And Terry’s Chocolate Orange.   And Champagne.  And America’s Next Top Model. And…was I only supposed to pick one?

What trends are you seeing for 2009/2010? 

2010 is going to be a really exciting year.  I think the credit crunch has really forced a lot of ingenuity amongst planners and brides in terms of managing the budget and it will be great to see what form this takes as the economy picks up.

Colour-wise, I love that the 80’s are coming back - I bet nobody ever thought they’d see peach at a wedding again - but this time round it comes in a much softer, creamy tone and looks great highlighted with soft plum shades.

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Member Focus: Claire Blackwood

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

In our regular series we are delighted to welcome Claire Blackwood from
Signature Wedding Design who is an associate member of the UKAWP based in Ayr.

claire-blackwood1

Why did you become a wedding planner?

Like many planners, I enjoyed planning my own wedding and had read many books and articles on wedding planning and etiquette, which ended up forming part of my research. I realised there were so many aspects to planning a wedding and how highly stressful things can get, that most brides could benefit from a helping pair of hands! It’s fantastic to be so involved in a couple’s special day, which is full of love and happiness.

What’s your USP? 

I certainly work to promote the benefits and differences of marrying in Scotland, as opposed to the rest of the UK.  In Scotland we have three legal ways to marry, which is unique to the rest of the UK: by Minster, Registrar or Humanist celebrant.  In Scotland there is also great freedom of where a couple may marry. From a rose garden to a castle ruin, on a beach to a hilltop, the options are endless…..

Signature dish?

Full planning of a Scottish wedding - with a twist! It’s great to work with a couple who want to push the boundaries and wow their guests with something totally different!

Do you have a favourite venue? 

I have many venues locally, which are diverse and unique! My personal favourite is Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, which is set on a cliff top location overlooking the sea - quite breathtaking! This is where I married last year. Other favourites include Glenapp Castle and Dundonald Castle (which is a fantastic medieval ruin!) We also have a fantastic local hotel, the ‘Brig O’Doon’ in Alloway, near Burns Cottage. Tam O’Shanter’s famous Brig is set behind the hotel and makes for great photographs.

How would your clients describe you? 

Friendly, imaginative, calming and enthusiastic!

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

Not as yet! Although it’s important to establish your role and remit clearly from the       outset, to avoid confusion and unrealistic expectations! Using the contract from the    UKAWP provides a certain level of reassurance for me!

How do you unwind? 

I love horse riding, although I am only a novice at this stage. I also enjoy relaxing beauty treatments such as massages and facials. I unwind best on holiday, and have travelled recently to Mauritius and Hong Kong which were fantastic! 

If you could plan a celebrity wedding (alive or dead) whose would it be? 

Someone utterly glamorous such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe or Grace Kelly. Or perhaps a Scottish hunk, such as Gerald Butler or Ewan McGregor!

Which wedding planner’s work do you respect/admire and why?

I enjoy watching the English planner, Jane, on ‘Wedding SOS’ on Sky, she’s a scream!

What’s your biggest achievement since launching?

I have now linked with a local specialist linen hire company, and provide chair covers and ties, co-ordinating table runners and napkins plus a lovely range of props, such as candelabras, mirror centrepieces and roman coliseums for hire . I thought that it may be wise to expand the business to include actual products as opposed to services and this business links well to my range of services for brides to be.

What is your vice?  

Cakes! Of all shapes, sizes and flavours!

What trends are you seeing for 2009/2010? 

Slightly smaller, more select weddings. Brides are more willing to book early/midweek weddings to get their venue of choice, rather than waiting 3 years for a Saturday during the summer at their venue of choice.  Brides are continuing to seek that ’something different’ for their big day, and I certainly encourage couples to ‘think outside the box’ and go for something quite unique - especially when it comes to the venue!

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Member Focus: Bernadette Chapman

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

In our regular fortnightly series we welcome Bernadette from Dream Occasions in Essex who is the training director for the UKAWP.

Bernadette Chapman

Bernadette Chapman

Why did you become a wedding planner?

I was a very successful PA in the city for 10 years and worked for an American company so of course my stateside colleagues talked about hiring wedding planners for their weddings. This intrigued me so I started researching the internet about the industry; it was still relatively unknown in the UK so I learnt a lot from US websites. There are a lot of similarities between my job as a PA and wedding planning.

 What’s your USP?

Calm & logical approach to wedding planning. I have an incredible knowledge of marquee weddings and the logistics involved in organising events at home. I also run another company with my husband called Dream Occasions Hire  so I tend to have many useful products for clients to hire.

Do you have a favourite venue?

Well marquees are my favourite weddings but if I were to choose a venue then I do love Leez Priory , this is because you have the rare opportunity to create an outside wedding ceremony. The chairs lined up on the lawn look breathtaking, I love the fact it feels like the couples home for the weekend with many rooms to choose from for different aspects of the day/night. The staff are very organised and their wedding coordinators happy to work alongside an independent planner.

How would your clients describe you?

Friendly, brutally honest, focussed, reassuring, diplomatic, dedicated & calm.

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

A few! Every client is different and brings with it new challenges, I tend to work out quickly what line of communication they prefer and what particular worries they might have, I can then ensure my service alleviates any stresses they have.

How do you unwind?

I love to read, anything from girly books to business tips and my favourite author is Stephen King. Not what you’d expect from a wedding planner! I also love to go hiking with the family and camping, this allows me time to relax in a natural environment with no access to the internet and normally limited signal on my phone as I favour camping in forests. My fellow directors do think I’m a bit mad for camping but as a family we love it (I will admit to countless blankets and hot water bottles to keep warm)

Which wedding planners work do you admire / respect and why?

I admire my 2 fellow directors in the UKAWP not only for their work within the UKAWP but for constantly evolving their businesses which I think is essential, but it would be too cliché to say them so… I love the work by Sasha Souza  and Preston Bailey  both US celebrity planners, I think their work is amazing. And finally I admire Siobhan Craven Robins she has raised the profile of wedding planners through her TV appearances & celebrity weddings here in the UK, and she is very nice as well!

What is your biggest achievement since launching?

I guess launching the UKAWP, having the vision that the UK needed a UK focussed organisation for wedding planners. Also having the belief in myself and vision for growth which sadly many planners do not have. If you don’t know what you are aiming for you will of course always be disappointed.

What trends are you seeing for 2009?

Mix matched bohemian chic which is sometimes harder to create then a simple pink wedding!

Thanks Bernadette, dont forget to visit Dream Occasions to find out more about her services.

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Member Focus: Zoe Lingard

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

In our regular fortnightly series we welcome Zoë from Weddings by Zoë Lingard who is a full member of the UKAWP.

Zoe Lingard

Why did you become a wedding planner?

I found myself at that stage in life where countless wedding invitations seem to come through your door. All too often the weddings felt generic and I found myself thinking that there must be more; all of the couples were very different so why were their weddings so similar? Over time and whilst planning my own wedding, I found myself becoming massively passionate about weddings and creating a celebration that was personal and as fun to attend as it was to be the couple. For me, life has always been about the minute details and being a planner combines my love of people, creativity and organization.  

What’s your USP?

We place a big emphasis on the design aspects of a wedding and strive to make all our weddings (each with their very different styles and themes) reflective of the client’s personality.

What’s your signature dish?

I like to challenge and push things and don’t think things should be done a particular way just because ‘that’s the way they’ve always been done’.

Do you have a favourite venue?

I recently got to work in an ‘empty shell venue’ which as you’d expect, had nothing provided except the very basics and absolutely everything had to be hired in (just like a marquee wedding). I love the freedom and momentary nature of these kind of weddings; one day they’re there and the next they’ve disappeared without a trace. These types of weddings feel extra unique to me.

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

Yes, definitely. The UKAWP have always been a great support, having seemingly unending patience to listen to me incoherently ramble on about the slightest nuances of a particular job and give me great advice. Had it not been for Kelly, Sandy and Bernadette, I have no doubt that I would have given up before I’d really started.

If you could plan a celebrity wedding (alive or dead) whose would it be?

Jacqueline Bouvier and John Kennedy or Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier; I love the style and romance of the 50s.

Is the job as glamorous as you thought?

I’m not sure I thought it would be glamorous per se and this wasn’t a big motivating factor for me. In reality the job has snippets of glamour now and again but the day to day reality is much more down to earth than most people imagine. When I first meet people and they coo over hearing what I do, I’m always quick to say “oh it’s not as glamorous as it sounds.”

 What themes are you working on for 2010?

I have a particularly lovely bohemian vintage wedding that I’m currently working on for a really fun and quirky couple. I’m also working on a really girlie, pink fest which is completely out of my usual style and it’s great fun adding piles of glitter to everything!

What’s your biggest achievement since launching?

Actually being able to buy things using income that has solely been earned from the company is deeply satisfying!

What is your vice?

Celebrity trash. I am ashamed to say I’m a Perez Hilton addict and can occasionally be found watching The Hills (oh the shame!). It drives my husband to absolute distraction.

What trends are you seeing for 2010?

Candy bars and photobooths will be massive in the UK over the next few months. Oversized balloons, moustaches on sticks and bolder colour palettes are also ones to watch. 

Do take time to visit Zoë website and learn how she can help you with your wedding.

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Member Focus: Sandy Moretta

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

In our regular fortnightly series we welcome Sandy Moretta from Tern Events based in Herts, Sandy is our membership director for the UKAWP.

Sandy Moretta

Sandy Moretta

Why did you become a wedding planner?
Having spent 12 years in payment card marketing roles, travelling abroad a lot and working to other people’s schedules, I filled in one of those ‘what would you do if you could do anything?’ questionnaires on the web. Two major elements came out of it - I needed to work for myself and it had to be something which made other people happy. Wedding or party planning was the suggestion.

What’s your USP?
Sticking rigidly to the budget is probably the main one. Although many clients change their overall budget, I will always try to stick to the original one. Being extremely organised (often to the point where I have almost to be surgically removed from my clipboard) and not being afraid of having to put together a wedding in a very short period of time are also useful.

How would your clients describe you?
One early client described me as ‘a magical fairy Godmother of a woman with a touch of Superman’. I cannot claim to be either but it was a lovely comment. Otherwise people use words like organised, calm, approachable and down to earth, all of which make me happy.

How do you unwind? 
I run - not very far, not very well, but it’s free and I don’t need to phone a friend to do it with. I go early morning, before I have woken up sufficiently to change my mind. Otherwise I watch escapism type TV or read.

Is the job as glamorous as you thought? 
I don’t think I thought it would be glamorous, but I certainly didn’t realise how much hard work would be involved, or what a huge variety of bizarre bits of knowledge I would accumulate. I found myself able to quote the weight of an empty v full 49 seater coach last week, having once had to send one on a long detour rather than crack a small bridge near the wedding venue. If I had been asked which items I would always have in the boot of my car, wellies would not have been top, but they are now!

Which wedding planner’s work do you respect/admire and why? 
It would have to be those planners whose creativity and design flair blow me away. Wedded as I am to my clipboard, I have to put a lot of thought into design/ colour/ theming unlike those to whom it comes so naturally. My lovely co-directors, both of whom I have worked with on occasion, are also two of my favourites - they create gorgeous weddings.

What themes are you working on for 2009? 
Simple and elegant, with deep reds and golds for July; burnt orange with Autumnal colours and lots of wood for September and ‘Darling Buds of May’ meets Harvest Festival with gingham, horseshoes, wheat sheaves and lots of hay bales.

What is your vice?
Dry white wine and those wonderful cashew nuts covered in way too much salt!

Dont forget to visit Tern Events for more information on Sandys services

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Member Focus: Lancashire Wedding Planners

Monday, July 13th, 2009

In our regular fortnightly series we welcome Mark & Kelly from Lancashire Wedding Planners who are associate members of the UKAWP.

Lancashire Weddings

Lancashire Wedding Planners

Why did you become a wedding planner?

We really enjoy the challenge of planning events and seeing the end result of everybody’s hard work. Having organized events over the years for industry, helping a few friends with their weddings and planning our own wedding, we saw that we had an opportunity to effectively utilize our skills in a professional capacity.

What’s your USP? 

Two for the price of one! Our clients are able to liaise with both of us while planning their wedding and we can also assist grooms who want to get involved but aren’t sure what to do. It also gives us an extra level of contingency if one of the planners is unavailable.     

Do you have a favourite venue?

We tend not to have a favourite venue but have a choice of excellent “exclusive” venues and hotels.  

How would your clients describe you? 

Extremely well organized, amiable and “thought of absolutely everything”.

How do you unwind?

Socializing with friends is a favourite, walking our dog and exercising.

Is the job as glamorous as you thought? 

The persona of being a wedding planner is glamorous but what people do not realize is that behind the scenes it is a lot of hard work and long hours but is highly rewarding when it all comes together.

What trends are you seeing for 2009? 

We are seeing vintage being prominent this year with key colours purple and grey. Use of strong accent colours such as shades of pink and yellow are being used to enhance the grey.

Please do take the chance to visit Lancashire Wedding Planners website

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Member Focus: Kelly Hooper

Monday, July 6th, 2009

We today meet Kelly Hooper from Orchid Weddings in our regular fornightly series on our members, Kelly is based in Kent and is one of our full members.

Kelly Hooper

Kelly Hooper

Why did you become a wedding planner?

I am a hapless romantic and have always loved weddings.  I still have the outlines for my wedding from when I was aged 9, this included 7 bridesmaids all in the same style dress (the design looks exactly like the one Cinderella makes with the help of the mice…) although all in different colours.  This love for weddings grew, for my GCSE Design Textiles I made a bridal hoop from handmade flowers and continued to buy bridal magazines, cutting out pictures as the years went on and making notes.  By the time I was actually working I had a lever arch file full of ideas.  By the time I got married I was totally hooked.  Finally after coming home and moaning for the millionth time about being bored and the office politics my husband told me to take the plunge.  I booked a wedding planning course straight away and began planning my business that day.  I truly love being a wedding planner.

What’s your USP?  

My unique selling point… the detail.  The details are ultimately what pulls off your whole wedding theme, hence my hook line, the detail behind the design.  I never take for granted my clients money, I always try to find them a good deal no matter how much money they have and equally for clients who have a tight budget I relish in finding the little details to make their theme come together within the tight restraints.  I never tire of watching their faces as they see the transformation of the plain space we stood together in sometimes just hours ago.

What’s your signature dish? 

It is Lemon Tart, apparently my lemon tart is fabulous, it’s nice but then I cook it so am biased but a friend of mine actually offered to pay me £30 for one for her dinner party!  Obviously I didn’t charge her but I was touched!

How would your clients describe you? 

Recently I spoke to a client from last year and she described me as a friend for life after helping her achieve more than she thought possible.  Whether my clients have booked me for just on the day coordination, venue searches or full planning, they all know that when they are stuck or need help I am always just a phone call away.  I genuinely believe wedding planners are a necessity.

How do you unwind? 

Cooking - I could spend hours and hours in the kitchen and apparently am responsible for my husband no longer having a fat free hunky body!!  My ultimate unwind is having friends over for dinner.  I also love reading, (Lisa Jewell and James Patterson are my favourite authors), coffee and lime vodka.

If you could plan a celebrity wedding (alive or dead) whose would it be? 

It would have been good to plan Elizabeth Taylor’s first wedding because once you had done a great job and got on well you would be set for life!!!

Is the job as glamorous as you thought? 

No!!  Whilst I didn’t come into it for the glamour I always thought it would be glamorous.  It is actually really hard work and being on your feet for so many hours takes its toll!

Which wedding planner’s work do you respect/admire and why

I respect all weddings planners actually, we all work really hard yet still don’t (I feel) get the recognition we deserve.  Much as people I meet are excited by the thought I am a wedding planner, they also seem to think planners are for the rich or famous.  I read an article which said in a recent survey 78% of brides who had just come through their weddings had wished they had had professional help - even if it was just for the wedding day itself.

What’s your biggest achievement since launching? 

Surviving the recession!!  Apart from that it is the weekend wedding in Rye last year for my American bride.  It took hours and hours worth of planning and thousands of emails, numerous telephone calls and finding so many small touches.  It was however the most rewarding wedding I have done and I am immensely proud of what I achieved.  This month the wedding was featured in Perfect Wedding which really was the icing on the cake.

What trends are you seeing for 2009? 

As the high street boutiques fill with retro prints and vintage cuts, it is perhaps no surprise that this is a major influence for this season’s weddings.  Strikingly bright bold colours are featuring as accent colours and becoming increasingly popular.  Combined with beautifully delicate, flowing fabrics such as chiffon and silks, many of Kent’s summer weddings are capturing a real sense of fun and romance this year.  Large scented blooms are also becoming increasingly fashionable for bouquets and gifts, which are often hand tied with natural fibres to promote that crafted, vintage appeal.  Add wholesome food, crisp white wines and indulgent ports for a low cost, high impact wedding this season.

Dont forget to visit Orchid Weddings website

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