The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners - The leading industry body for the UK Wedding Planning Market | Promoting professionalism in Wedding Planning

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

Why did you become a wedding planner?

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

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

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

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

Whats your USP?

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

Do you have a favourite venue?

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

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

How would your clients describe you?

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

How do you unwind?

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

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

What wedding themes are you working on?

I am currently working on two full planning weddings.

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

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

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

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

Today we welcome Tiffany Grant-Riley of Grant-Riley Weddings to our regular Member Focus. Welcome Tiffany!

Why did you become a wedding planner?
I had been working within the theatre and events industry for a few years under a management role and after getting engaged I became obsessed with weddings (as brides do!) Then I was made redundant and decided to go and do extra training in the wedding industry and before I knew it, I’d launched my own company.

What’s your USP?
I specialize in vintage wedding design from the 1920s to 1960s, whether the bride and groom want something historically accurate, or just a hint of their favourite era. I’m also more than happy to work with brides who would love a general shabby chic vintage style, but 20th century weddings are my passion.

What’s your signature dish?
I don’t really have a signature dish as such as each wedding I work on is completely bespoke and tailored to the individual. However, I love all the little details involved and spend a great amount of time and attention in getting them right.  Anything a little out of the ordinary always catches my eye too-I think the theatrical background is partly the reason for that!

Do you have a favourite venue?
A place very close to my heart is Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park where we got married last year. Set in the heart of Richmond Park, this Georgian mansion gives you the scope to have a beautiful London wedding in the most serene and peaceful landscape, with deer hiding in the long grass.
I also think the Wallace Collection is a very special venue indeed, full of precious works of art and that stunning glass covered courtyard at the heart of it.

How would your clients describe you?
Dedicated, obsessed, wicked sense of humour, confident and creative. I’ve also been referred to as “the second mum” too.

Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?
Up till now I’ve only had very easy going, relaxed clients, although one or two have been rather too laid back where making decisions were concerned. I had to plan one wedding within four months for a very busy professional couple and pinning them down could often be difficult, so I just had to prioritize the most important areas and we would work intensively over weekends until everything was completed. Had to be a hard task master but they thanked me for it in the end!

How do you unwind?
I love to cook with my husband, spend some time gardening or visiting stately homes pretending I live there! Chartwell (Churchill’s home) is a personal favourite as is Eltham Palace. There’s also a number of antique markets I enjoy pottering round adding bits and pieces to my collection.

If you could plan a celebrity wedding (alive or dead) whose would it be?
Keira Knightly would be a fantastic client although she’s a little young right now and don’t think she has any immediate plans for marriage! She has such style and has chosen some complex roles to work with. She’d suit a vintage wedding down to the ground and would look stunning in an Alice Temperley or Jenny Packham number (think Atonement!)

Is the job as glamorous as you thought?
Luckily I had no illusions that running my own planning business would be incredibly hard work. I’m used to long hours crawling around in the dark and the pressure of deadlines and budgets (thankfully!) so the transition was easy enough. What I found difficult was being on my own and as planners you’ll know how isolating your working life can be if you don’t have a business partner, which is why I try to network as much as I can.

Which wedding planner’s work do you respect/admire and why?
Some of the planners across the pond are amazing. They’re not afraid to try new concepts and colour schemes and the finished product is always fresh and unique. I very much admire Amy Atlas for her beautifully coordinated candy stations and little details. Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee Events is a true inspiration-she has such an open and fresh approach to planning and I love to read her blog.

What themes are you working on for 2009?
As per usual it’s all about vintage-particularly this year as I’ll be working with one lucky bride and groom in conjunction with You & Your Wedding magazine and Luella’s Boudoir to create the ultimate vintage day. The venue, London’s Merchant Taylors Hall, lends itself beautifully to the theme so all we have to do now is wait to see what kind of vintage style the winners will have!

What’s your biggest achievement since launching?
Coming away from each wedding knowing the bride and groom had the time of their lives has been the most important achievement. Aside from that, becoming wedding coordinator to Luella’s Boudoir has been the greatest compliment.

What is your vice?
Chocolate. And winding myself up trawling property sites looking for my dream Tuscan farmhouse…maybe one day!

What trends are you seeing for 2009?
I’m seeing an increase in humanist ceremonies this year that allow greater freedom for couples wanting a truly personal ceremony in their chosen location. The colour yellow is also making a huge impact and works really well with shades of purple and green.