Monthly Archives: August 2013

Mix and Mingle – Cheshire 2013

29 August, 2013

Today we’re thrilled to have a date for your diary – the 25th September for our annual Northern mix and mingle event in Cheshire.

What’s it all about?

We’ve held an annual social event in the autumn every year since 2007 and this year is no exception. It’s our one event of the calendar which is pure social; think of it as an end of season celebration. It’s a chance to compare notes, talk through trends, tips and support each other over a glass of wine or two.

Venue showrounds will be conducted by the teams hosting us so it’s a fabulous opportunity to combine two things into one great evening.

Who Can Come?

The evening is open to established and new planners as well as recent students of UKAWP and NEW for 2013 we are opening the doors to wedding industry suppliers.

Where?

This year we are delighted to be working with the Colshaw Hall Country Estate

Colshaw Hall is a magnificent Tudor style manor house in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. Built in 1903 for the Peel family and designed by local architects Douglas and Marshall of Chester, it has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building.

For more information pop along to the venues facebook page OR follow them on twitter

Location: Colshaw Hall Country Estate Stocks Lane, Over Peover, Knutsford WA16 8TW

Times

The times of the event are 6:30 to 9:30pm

How to Book

To book please complete our booking form here.

Tickets are priced at £10 members and £20 non members

Not near Cheshire?

Our other Mix and Mingle events are being held at:

London – 2nd October at the London Eye Barracuda

West Midlands – 2nd October at the Mallory Boutique Hotel

East Midlands – 9th October at the Living Room

Further details on these locations will be blogged soon although you can still book now

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Mix and Mingle – London 2013

22 August, 2013

Today we’re thrilled to have a date for your diary – the 2nd October for our annual mix and mingle event.

What’s it all about?

We’ve held an annual social event in the autumn every year since 2007 and this year is no exception. It’s our one event of the calendar which is pure social; think of it as an end of season celebration. It’s a chance to compare notes, talk through trends, tips and support each other over a glass of wine or two.

Venue showrounds will be conducted by the teams hosting us so it’s a fabulous opportunity to combine two things into one great evening.

Mix and Mingle

Who Can Come?

The evening is open to established and new planners as well as recent students of UKAWP and NEW for 2013 we are opening the doors to wedding industry suppliers.

Where?

This year we are delighted to be working with the London Eye Barracuda , please note space is limited so do book early for this event.

London Eye Barracuda, 
EDF Energy London Eye

Website: www.londoneye.com/barracuda

Location: The London Eye Barracuda resides on the River Thames at the South Bank, in the heart of London.

London Eye Barracuda

Times

The times of the event are 6:00 (registration from 5:45) to 9:00pm

Please note the boat sets sail at 6:30 sharp

How to Book

To book please complete our booking form here.

Tickets are priced at £10 members and £20 non members

Not near London?

Our other Mix and Mingle events are being held at:

West Midlands – 2nd October at the Mallory Boutique Hotel

East Midlands – 9th October at the Living Room

Cheshire – 25th September at Colshaw Hall

Further details on these locations will be blogged soon although you can still book now

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Last Chance to Book Marquee Reception Tuition 2013

19 August, 2013

For those planners who have yet to manage their first marquee wedding reception, why not book onto our ‘How to Run a Marquee Reception’ Workshop on the afternoon of 18th September at Nunsmere Hall in Cheshire.

You will learn all the basics of running a marquee reception, review various options for lighting marquees and walk around the hotel’s marquee with the tutors to gain a better understanding of all you have learned.

Places can be booked here.

If you have any questions please contact training@ukawp.com.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Pocket Positive

15 August, 2013

“Whatever you do, be different – that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.” - Anita Roddick

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Advice for Planners: How To Charge

13 August, 2013

Recently one of the directors received a phone call from a corporate wedding company who are now offering wedding planning. So far, so good.

“We have hundreds of brides on our books and we intend to have wedding planners across the country that can help them”

Ok, in theory a great idea, whats the catch?

“We plan to offer our services on a fixed fee basis charging £1.5k for full planning, £750 for the final few weeks” It was at this point I exclaimed that was crazy as the planner would end up earning less than minimum wage.

What Is Your Worth?

It is estimated that full planning takes anywhere between 150 – 250 hours to organise, thus the hourly rate would be between £6-10 per hour. Generally speaking the larger the budget the more complex the wedding, the more hours are spent organising it. So what if this company has a bride spending £50k on their wedding, the planner earns the same compared with organising a smaller wedding with half the guests? That doesn’t seem fair to the planner or the bride.

The Commission

The salesman then proceeded to tell me they would take commission from all suppliers hired. We had a rather lively debate with him stating of course they should take commission, its normal practice around the world. YES in the corporate world, not when you’re working for an individual.

As a planner you will need to decide what your policy will be on accepting commission from suppliers or venues. The UKAWP does not believe in this practice and any planner operating in this way will not be accepted for membership. Suppliers should be recommended for their suitability not because you can earn an extra “buck”. We prefer that planners ask for a discount to be given to your clients instead.

That said we know many planners that do take commission (not any of our members) , and that’s fine, it’s just not something the UKAWP will ever agree to.

You need to remember this is a business

Easier said than done - especially when you’re new, but remember you started as a wedding planner to make money. It is your career, this isn’t a hobby and you certainly don’t want to do it for free. Don’t forget you need to cover your costs, namely:

- Telephone calls/ line rental

- Stationery

- Marketing / website / networking events / advertising

- Insurance

- Travel costs

- Book keeper and/or accountancy fees

- Broadband / computer licenses

- Freelance staff on the larger weddings

- SEO / website costs

- And, of course, your TIME

We’d love to hear your views on any of the items covered in this article. Also Isabel Smith wrote an interesting blog post recently on valuing your work as a planner which is well worth another read.

 

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post