Category Archives: Membership

6 Month Intensive Mentoring for Wedding Planners

5 July, 2016

As a continuation of the support we give planners via our training courses, we also offer wedding planning mentoring for a select few. Working with an experienced, successful wedding planner can be incredibly beneficial for planners in the early years.

We have just a small number of mentoring sessions available for new (less than two years old) businesses with a director or one of our ambassadors. The sessions are led by you. In short we ask from the outset how we can help you and each session moves forward on this basis, with goal setting a key element.

It is not essential that those taking up the mentoring service are members of the UKAWP.

Your mentoring will include the following:

  • Initial questionnaire for you to complete prior to our first session.
  • Month 1: Skype call to get to the nitty gritty of how we can help you (2 hours).
  • Months 2-6: Monthly Skype calls working on pre agreed topics and goals (1 hour each).
  • Email access between sessions plus telephone/ Skype at agreed times for urgent issues.

To learn a little more about this service contact bernadette@ukawp.com

The next mentoring slot is available from August.

Photo credit: Simon Carr

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Member Focus - That Black & White Cat

24 February, 2016

Today we introduce Linzi who runs That Black and White Cat as our newest Associate Member. Over to you Linzi…

Linzi 2

How did it all start?

Since I can remember I have always wanted to be a wedding planner. Over the past few years, some personal life events made me realise that being an accountant wasn’t where my heart was anymore. I met my partner Seb, who already works in the industry, and he made me believe it was all possible. So we started lots of research, attended the UKAWP course and met some fantastic like-minded people.

It took days and weeks to decide on the name for the business. The one thing we were certain on was that it had to be different. It had to stand out from the crowd. We’d already decided that our core values are original, creative, and distinctive with a dash of fun so ‘that black & white cat’ was born.

Do you have a favourite venue?

At the moment, The West Mill in Derby is ticking the industrial vibe. It has lots of open spaces with stacks of original features. Perfect to put your own stamp on it.

I also really love Tipi tents. The blank canvas provides the opportunity to really shape a wedding day around our clients. And what better than putting your family up in bell tents around you for the night (as long as they like camping of course!).

How would clients describe you?

Down to earth, creative, honest and fun.

Wedding planner/s you admire?

Isabel from Isabel Smith Wedding Design. Isabel was at my UKAWP training course and I admired her straight talking and honest approach to wedding planning.

How do you unwind?

With our cats Sooty and Betty who rule the house! Sooty was the inspiration for the name ‘that black & white cat’ and we affectionately refer to both of them as the bosses of the business. If you follow our twitter feed you’re sure to see a few pictures of them helping out!

We also love live music and especially festivals. Oh and red wine is a favourite!

What themes are you working on for 2016/17?

We’re working on an Alice in Wonderland / Mad Hatter theme at the moment. Its full of bright colours, statement centre pieces and overall qwirkiness. It’s a fantastic theme to create something really truly unique as there are so many creative options.

What trends are you seeing?

There are a few things I’m excited about this year

- Glitter making a comeback – everything from tablecloths, doughnuts and your hair. It can really add a dash of pizzazz!

- Pantone’s top colour trends for 2016 weddings included Snorkel Blue (perfect for beach themed weddings) and Fiesta (ideal for bright summer weddings).

- Taking the inside outside – creating your own original living room / reception space outside your reception venue! Think leather chesterfield sofas, oversized cushions to match your colour scheme and fire pits to keep the guests cosy as you sit under the stars sipping personalized cocktails.

What is your signature dish?

I’m a vegetarian so this won’t be that interesting I’m afraid but I do love Thai food. A nice Penang coconut curry is always a winner!

Whose celebrity wedding (dead or alive) would you love to design?

Freddie Mercury – because he would have just gone out there and done what he wanted to do!

Is the job as glamorous as you thought?

I never expected it to be glamorous! Just lot of hard work and effort creating a truly memorable day. Always going the extra mile to deliver something really unique and special.

What is your vice?

Eating too much cheese and drinking too much wine!

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The Benefits of UKAWP Membership

17 August, 2015

Why apply for Membership?

The wedding industry is not only unregulated but it also attracts hundreds of new businesses every year. In order to become and remain competitive you need find ways of demonstrating your professionalism and commitment to providing excellent service.

One way you can do this is to join our ever increasing member base of professional wedding planners and wedding suppliers, demonstrating that your business has passed our rigorous application process.

Many members tell us that their listing on our directory is their main source of client enquiries. We advertise nationally on behalf of the membership, thus driving bridal traffic to our directory where couples can look for members in their area.

OK, so what are the real benefits of membership then?

The main benefit of joining the UKAWP is becoming part of a UK Alliance which is passionate about the industry and which works hard to promote the benefits of hiring a planner for today’s stylish weddings. By being accepted into the Alliance, applicants will have had to prove their experience, or training, and knowledge. Promotion up through the various levels of membership, for planners, is based upon members’ continued education, wedding experience and involvement in the UKAWP. Please refer to the application forms [ Membership ] [ Associate Membership ] [ Destination Membership] [ Wedding Supplier Membership ].

Other Benefits

  • Certificate of membership of the UKAWP to be shown to potential clients
  • Use of well regarded and recognised ‘Associate Member’, ‘Member’, ‘Supreme Member’, ‘Destination Member’, or ‘Wedding Supplier Member’of the UKAWP logo on website, advertising and marketing materials
  • Ability to refer potential clients to the UKAWP Code of Business Practice and application/ promotion process to gain enhanced client confidence
  • Inclusion on the UKAWP online database of member companies. This map-based database is searchable by all visitors to the site and every entry includes a listing in two large geographical areas with company logo, description and full contact details including website (Destination Members listed by country)
  • Increased media awareness of member companies. The UKAWP has links with a variety of media outlets and has an ongoing press and public relations strategy to increase continually the profile of the Alliance within the wedding industry. Journalists are put in touch with members for interview opportunities/ coverage on a very regular basis
  • Benefit from the UKAWP’s ongoing advertising plan in wedding media on and offline. Currently this includes key wedding blogs and regular online marketing spend. This alone saves members several hundreds of pounds per annum
  • Personal input into how our bride facing marketing budget is spent annually
  • A voice and seat at our Annual Member Meeting held in May of each year
  • Discounted entry fees to attend any UKAWP meetings, networking events, seminars, workshops or training courses
  • Discounted fees for some of our UKAWP Business Tools
  • UKAWP branded marketing materials such as brochures, pens and pads and collateral available seasonally. Ideal for any exhibitions or events you are organising or attending
  • Access to a network of supportive, approachable and experienced professionals to help, guide and advise on any critical areas of difficulty or concern
  • Access to a network of experienced planners to assist where additional staff are needed at weddings at pre-agreed, competitive rates
  • Access to a network of keen students for ‘shadowing’ opportunities
  • For Ambassadors, experienced members and Supreme members, there are sometimes opportunities to mentor students within their first two years of business at pre-agreed rates
  • Access to your local ‘Regional Ambassador’ who will be able to support you with local issues
  • Superb discounts to offer your clients from the UKAWP’s Partners
  • Opportunities to be ‘launched’ as a Member and showcase your work on our Blog, Facebook Page and via Twitter
  • Potential to reduce your annual membership fees via discounts from our ‘Member Get Member’ scheme
  • Discounted online advertising of vacancies in your business
  • Private LinkedIn and Facebook groups to share ideas and concerns and get help from peers

Can I talk to someone before deciding whether to apply?

Of course you can. If you would like to discuss the benefits of membership, which membership type you should apply for or have any other questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact our Membership Director, Sandy Moretta, via membership@ukawp.com or on 01442 828061.

You can also download our Membership brochure.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

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The Benefits of UKAWP Membership

19 June, 2015

So What are the Benefits of UKAWP Membership?

This year, to date, we have seen an increase in the number of applications from planners, both here in the UK and abroad, and wedding suppliers. In many cases, according to those applying, they have been considering membership for some time and have just recently decided to go for it. If you are one of those people who think they might be keen, but are not completely sure, we welcome any questions you may have. Grab a coffee and spend a few moments reading this summary of the benefits…..

Why apply for Membership?

The wedding industry is not only unregulated but it also attracts hundreds of new businesses every year. In order to become and remain competitive you need find ways of demonstrating your professionalism and commitment to providing excellent service.

One way you can do this is to join our ever increasing member base of professional wedding planners and wedding suppliers, demonstrating that your business has passed our rigorous application process.

Many members tell us that their listing on our directory is their main source of client enquiries. We advertise nationally on behalf of the membership, thus driving bridal traffic to our directory where couples can look for members in their area.

OK, So what are the real benefits of membership then?

The main benefit of joining the UKAWP is becoming part of a UK Alliance which is passionate about the industry and which works hard to promote the benefits of hiring a planner for today’s stylish weddings. By being accepted into the Alliance, applicants will have had to prove their experience and knowledge. Promotion up through the various levels of membership, for planners, is based upon members’ continued education, wedding experience and involvement in the UKAWP. Please refer to the application forms [ Membership ] [ Associate Membership ] [ Destination Membership] [ Wedding Supplier Membership ].

Other Benefits

  • Certificate of membership of the UKAWP to be shown to potential clients
  • Use of well regarded and recognised ‘Associate Member’, ‘Member’, ‘Supreme Member’, ‘Destination Member’, or ‘Wedding Supplier Member’of the UKAWP logo on website, advertising and marketing materials
  • Ability to refer potential clients to the UKAWP Code of Business Practice and application/ promotion process to gain enhanced client confidence
  • Inclusion on the UKAWP online database of member companies. This map-based database is searchable by all visitors to the site and every entry includes a listing in two large geographical areas with company logo, description and full contact details including website (Destination Members listed by country)
  • Increased media awareness of member companies. The UKAWP has links with a variety of media outlets and has an ongoing press and public relations strategy to increase continually the profile of the Alliance within the wedding industry. Journalists are put in touch with members for interview opportunities/coverage on a very regular basis
  • Benefit from the UKAWP’s ongoing advertising plan in wedding media on and offline. Currently this includes key wedding blogs and regular online marketing spend. This alone saves members several hundreds of pounds per annum
  • Personal input into how our bride facing marketing budget is spent annually
  • A voice and seat at our Annual Member Meeting held in May of each year
  • Discounted entry fees to attend any UKAWP meetings, networking events, seminars, workshops or training courses
  • Discounted fees for some of our UKAWP Business Tools
  • UKAWP branded marketing materials such as brochures, pens and pads and collateral available seasonally. Ideal for any exhibitions or events you are organising or attending
  • Access to a network of supportive, approachable and experienced professionals to help, guide and advise on any critical areas of difficulty or concern
  • Access to a network of experienced planners to assist where additional staff are needed at weddings at pre-agreed, competitive rates
  • Access to a network of keen students for ‘shadowing’ opportunities
  • For experienced members and Supreme members, there are sometimes opportunities to mentor students within their first two years of business at pre-agreed rates
  • Access to your local ‘Regional Ambassador’ who will be able to support you with local issues
  • Superb discounts to offer your clients from the UKAWP’s Partners
  • Opportunities to be ‘launched’ as a Member and showcase your work on our Blog, Facebook Page and via Twitter
  • Potential to reduce your annual membership fees via discounts from our ‘Member Get Member’ scheme
  • Discounted online advertising of vacancies in your business
  • Private LinkedIn and Facebook groups to share ideas and concerns and get help from peers

Can I talk to someone before deciding whether to apply?

Of course you can. If you would like to discuss the benefits of membership, which membership type you should apply for or have any other questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact our Membership Director, Sandy Moretta, via membership@ukawp.com or on 01442 828061.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

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Annual Member Meeting 2015

16 June, 2015

On 21st May this year we held our Annual Member Meeting, as we do every year.

A Central London venue is always important, as this ensures as many members as possible can travel easily to the event and contribute their ideas, feedback and experience in order to move the business forward in ways which empower and help all members.

However, this year was one we will truly not forget, as recently refurbished Cafe Royal hosted us. We can only say the most enormous thank you, to Marina Ionina, who manages the hotel’s weddings, and the entire team who welcomed us, gave us a tour, fed and watered us to a standard way above and beyond expectations and generally looked after us like royalty.

No tiny detail had not been thought of and we, as Directors, were so grateful that members were able to interact, have small informal meet ups before and afterwards, and generally gain as much from the session as possible.

We were also treated to the most gorgeous goody bags, for which many thanks indeed.

Photo credits: Kate Nielen

Flowers: Laura Kuy

 

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