Posts Tagged ‘Member Focus’

Member Focus: Just Bespoke

Monday, July 19th, 2010

lisasabin 

Today we welcome one of our new UKAWP associate members, Lisa Sabin of Just Bespoke. Over to you Lisa….   

 Why did you become a wedding planner?

I’ve always loved weddings - when I was younger I remember picking out my dream wedding dress from the pages of Vogue Novias and I still have the cutting in my cupboard to this day. 

I’ve spent the last seven years working in PR and events and after numerous celebrity parties, brand product launches, press trips and corporate dinners, I realised that it was time to take the leap and use my experience to launch Just Bespoke.  Through close contacts in the sports industry I have been lucky enough to help with some high profile weddings which although challenging, proved to me why I love my job so much.

 What’s your USP?

I take inspiration from all over and think it is really important to treat every couple in a bespoke manner, listening to their tastes and then looking for ideas to create their day from fashion, culture, travel, music, interiors, making sure these are reflected in their wedding.  I’m a big believer in the small personal touches making a big difference.

What’s your signature dish? 

I really enjoy cooking but it doesn’t come particularly naturally to me…but, after a lot of practice, I can now make a very tasty lasagne and a delicious blackberry cheesecake!

Do you have a favourite venue?

I really love blank canvases - venues which can be transformed into something extraordinary and totally bespoke to the couple’s wishes over night.   Having said that, I also love the Walled Garden at The Grove in Hertfordshire and Penshurst Place in Kent - both truly magical venues offering interesting and quirky spaces to transform.

 How would your clients describe you?

I bring a lot of personal touches to the planning, going the extra mile and coming up with fresh ideas.  I’m personable and meticulous and like to build up a trust and rapport with my clients.  

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

Every wedding is a challenge and of course there are days when clients can panic and get stressed out.  Couples who hire me are putting their wedding day in my hands…they want the most unforgettable and magical day and it is my job to deliver this and make sure that they are happy in the process.   

 How do you unwind?

I worked in travel PR for many years and helped to promote some of the most luxurious resorts in the world.  This really gave me a taste for nice holidays and now I like nothing better than packing a suitcase and heading off somewhere hot to relax by the pool, read a good book and soak up the sun!

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

For me, there is a whole list of people - from Prince William to Simon Cowell, Scott Schuman to Lady Gaga.  Any of those would be a hugely demanding but if they’re reading this, I would love the challenge!

Is the job as glamorous as you thought?

I never imagined that wedding planning would be glamorous - I’ve been arranging events for a long time and know that it is hard work, extremely pressured and everything needs to be beyond perfect…but I love the variety of clients and the chance to deliver a number of extraordinary events - and when I see the finished result it is always worth it!

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

Since joining the UKAWP I’ve come across a lot of inspirational planners.  In particular, Kelly from The Bespoke Wedding Company has been hugely helpful, giving me advice, opportunities and experiences to help me get my business off the ground.  Outside of the Alliance, like most planners, I love Preston Bailey - his imagination and creativity are second to none.

What themes are you working on for 2010?

I’m currently working on a magical starry theme for a winter wedding, think soft whites and blues with a touch of gold, romantic touches, storm lanterns, candles and warm cashmere shrugs.  

What’s your biggest achievement since launching?

Earlier this year I planned a traditional Turkish wedding for a couple and their 550 guests.  It was a lot of hard work as I had to ensure that the event was sympathetic to the traditional customs that were to be incorporated into the day, while also bringing in modern elements.  It was a huge learning experience but thankfully the long hours of research and planning were worth it as it all went extremely well!

What is your vice?  

  There is absolutely nothing nicer than an Apple martini!

 What trends are you seeing for 2010?

For 2010, I’m seeing a lot of neutral colour palettes (beiges, pastels, greys) with one statement colour to accent the design.  I think this is really striking and creates a very bold design which I am a big fan of.

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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: 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: 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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