Archive for the ‘UKAWP News’ Category

UKAWP to help brides marrying abroad

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

We have launched a new form of membership aimed at wedding planning companies who plan weddings outside the UK.

 Many couples choose to marry abroad and often struggle to find planners who understand local law and know the best venues and suppliers in their market.

 An increasing number of brides look to the UKAWP to find professional planners in their area as all our planners are vetted and have suitable training and experience. However, when they wish to marry abroad we have, to date, only been able to give general advice rather than specific recommendations, except in the few cases where our UK members work outside the UK.

From 19th January 2010 foreign planners will be able to apply for membership and will undergo the same, rigorous vetting procedure as those in the UK. Our new Destination Member category is already of interest to a number of non UK planners who have travelled to England to undertake our training courses. We also know that planners in key destination markets are interested in a link with our organisation.

We pride ourselves on all Directors and Members adhering to our Code of Ethics - something which brides cite as a reason for choosing one of us, therefore Destination Members will also have to abide by this Code.

UKAWP Code of Ethics

  • Respond to enquiries within 48 hours
  • Respect client confidentiality
  • Disclose all suppliers that you have a vested interest in
  • Always pass discounts and/ or commission onto the client
  • Ensure your Public Liability Insurance is up to date
  • Never give client details to any third party unless for the sole purpose of the wedding
  • Respect copyright of all planners, co-ordinators and related suppliers
  • Represent each client fairly and honestly

For more information on the UKAWP’s membership categories, please contact membership@ukawp.com.  

You and Your Wedding magazine at WPE

Monday, January 18th, 2010

We’re really delighted that we’ll be joined by the lovely Vanessa Mason (née Gore) at WPE ‘10. Vanessa is Style Editor at key bridal title You and Your Wedding and is a creative genius whose job on a daily basis is to come up with and style the beautiful ‘Receptions’ sections that grace the pages of the magazine. She’s a trend setter with a great creative eye and we are very much looking forward to hearing from her on trends in design for 2010.

She will also cover how we planners can work best with editors such as herself to get maximum press exposure for our businesses. What she is looking for, what’s the best way of working etc etc. It’s sure to be unmissable.

For more information on this and other subject speakers go to WPE . We hope to see you at the seminar.

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WPE ‘10 - the dedicated website is live!

Friday, October 30th, 2009

We are delighted to be able to share with you our new website launched especially for Wedding Planning Excellence  www.wpe.ukawp.com

The site contains all the information related to this our second annual  2-day seminar for trading wedding planners.  More information will follow here over the coming weeks but do take a look and register before 16 November to qualify for our early bird discount (this is the final extension to this date as we wanted to give everyone time to look at the website).

We hope to see you there!

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UKAWP Training

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Our autumn/winter courses for 2009 have now sold out so we are very pleased to announce the Spring 2010 dates for ‘Business Practicalities’, ‘Fine Tuning’ and ’Step by Step’. Visit our training page for further details and a downloadable brochure. Remember our courses always sell out so don’t leave it too late before booking.

UKAWP students hard at work

UKAWP students hard at work

National Wedding Show - Planners in Action!

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Last weekend was a busy one for many of our UKAWP members as we collectively hit the National Wedding Show at Earls Court, London. It was the first time that UKAWP has exhibited at the show and we were delighted with the response. The show was incredibly busy on all three days especially Sunday when the aisles were packed and our leaflets were flying off the shelves.

There was lots of interest in planning, particularly day management and partial planning services and a very positive response to the professionalism portrayed by the UKAWP and its members, many of whom were there to talk to brides directly.

We were a hit too with the press, who all seemed to like our little gift box complete with his and hers place card holders and lemon fudge!  Below is a photo of our lovely stand; hard to believe that so much time and work went into something so small and so temporary!

 Huge thanks to Clive of More Production for the brilliant draping of our stand.

photo-of-ukawp-stand-nws

The National Wedding Show

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

We’re almost ready for a very busy weekend ahead at the National Wedding Show.  If you’re a bride in search of advice and ideas on creating the ‘wow’ factor for your wedding or a planner wanting to take your business to the next level then do pop by and meet some of our planners on stand A32 at Earls Court, London this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (2,3,4 October)

National Wedding Show

WEDDING PLANNING EXCELLENCE (WPE ’10)

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

In February this year we held our first WPE seminar . Feedback was so good we have decided to make it an annual event. Therefore on Friday 26th & Saturday 27th February 2010 we plan to hold a 2 day business seminar at Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire.

Open only to wedding planners already trading we will have a range of speakers from the business and wedding industry. Confirmed speakers so far include: Action Coach; Do your Own PR, CS Music Ltd, Amanda Hinton (wedding venues & services/weddingpath)

All the rates include full lunches, coffee breaks, drinks reception, dinner on Friday, accommodation on Friday (single occupancy), breakfast on Saturday and all course materials. An early bird rate of £430 (member) and £460 (non member) is applicable until the 31st October 2009. For more information go to Events page where the booking form is also downloadable.

WPE '09 attendees

WPE '09 attendees

Northern Networking Evening

Monday, September 28th, 2009

On Tuesday the 22nd of September the UKAWP held its first Northern Networking event at the gorgeous Nunsmere Hall Hotel. The alliance’s Northern Representative - Andrea Swift, hosted the evening.

Andrea was joined by other colleagues from the UKAWP, as well as some planners who had recently attended our training courses or were planning to attend in the near future as well as local established planners who wanted to find out more about the Alliance.

A great time was had by all, with everyone getting chance to chat, mingle and exchange business cards and ideas.

ukawp-networking-event-nunsmere-0021

Wendy Grove from Boda Bridal was also present, giving planners the opportunity to pick her brains about the current trends in wedding gowns. Attendees were also treated to some delicious cup cakes courtesy of Leanne from Bake me -I’m yours

We have had a great response from those that attended - here are a few of the comments from the event: -

 ”I found it a really useful event to attend, it was great to meet and chat to wedding planners at all different stages of their business.” Emma-Wedding Daze

I found yesterday’s Networking Event absolutely invaluable. It answered so many questions for me and it was wonderful to meet everyone. I left the event feeling so confident, full of inspiration and eager to get started. Thank you ever so much” Siobhan Shelton

It was really good to meet you and found you very welcoming and helpful. I had a great time chatting to the others and got some really useful tips and advice. I will definitely keep in touch and I’m really looking forward to launching” Alison Forster.

Networking Event

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Tomorrow we are holding a networking event for nearly 50 wedding planners at 30 Pavilion Road, a hidden gem in the middle of Knightsbridge, London.

The structure for the evening is as follows:

1800                       Planners arrival

1820                       UKAWP Welcome

1825                       30 Pavilion brief overview of the venue

1850                       First half (20 ish) of delegates give 30 second intros

1900                       Continue networking

1930                       Second half of delegates give 30 second intros

1940                       Continue networking/ see venue in more detail etc

2100                       Finish

We look forward to meeting you all Thursday. Today is the last day to purchase tickets, you can do so online

 

30-pavillion-road

National Wedding Show – a date for the diary

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

If you’re a bride in search of advice and ideas on creating the ‘wow’ factor for your wedding or a planner wanting to take your business to the next level then do pop by and meet some of our planners on the UKAWP stand at the upcoming National Wedding Show at Earls Court, London. Whilst we’re not wishing summer away, the autumn will be upon us soon and the show dates are 2-4 October. We hope to see you there!

National Wedding Show