Due to a bereavement a student for this coming weekend has dropped out so we have 1 place available on our Step by Step training course taking place this Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October. This course takes the new planners through from securing that first client to the day itself and the relevant event managment and organisational steps needed to deliver a successful wedding. For more information take a look at our training brochure here and to book contact Bernadette Chapman on bernadette@ukawp.com or 01376 561544.
The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners - The leading industry body for the UK Wedding Market | Promoting professionalism in Wedding Planning
The leading industry body for the UK Wedding Market | Promoting professionalism in Wedding Planning
Place available on Step by Step training course
October 13th, 2010 by KellyUKAWP joins Twitter!
October 12th, 2010 by KellyAt last UKAWP have started a Twitter account. All three UKAWP Directors have been tweeting for quite a while under their own wedding planning companies (@bespokeweddings, @dreamoccasions and @tern_events), however we have now set up a specific UKAWP account for UKAWP business. So you might like to follow us @UKAWP funnily enough! We want to get to 100 followers by Thursday!
Member Focus
October 11th, 2010 by SandyI am pleased to introduce you today to one of our newer Members and our first Destination Member, Sharron Masoura of Exclusive Yacht Weddings.
Why did you become a wedding planner?
Well, that is a very interesting question! I am a fully qualified accountant by profession and moved over to Cyprus after meeting my husband who is Cypriot some 16 years ago.
My personal attributes are organizing and planning things through, no matter what the job is.
I got involved with weddings on Yachts here in Cyprus, due to my husband being a Captain and having an interest in yachts. I realized that so many British come over to Cyprus to marry and finish up at restaurants, tavernas and back to the hotel, so I thought why not offer them something else..on a yacht.
After that there was no looking back, I became very popular and I found a forte that was hidden beneath me, that really came out, when organizing weddings.
My father inspired and encouraged me to take the company to the top, by providing what they cannot get back in the UK, after a good talk we decided to be able to offer to our clients a service from start to finish, Stationery, Marriage Venue, Reception Venue, Photography, Transport, Flowers, Entertainment, right through to them leaving Cyprus!
I simply love to provide what I only can describe as a “fairytale wedding”
What’s your USP?
Well, where do I start? Location, 350 days of sunshine, offering such beautiful venues from old to new. Contemporary weddings are our specialty! Being able to offer a perfect wedding from a small budget up to celebrity weddings.
Being able to understand what exactly the couples want and to adhere to their budget.
Do you have a favourite venue?
Wow! Without a doubt the Yachts, unique, private and luxurious. However, I have to say that there are so many beautiful venues for marriages, St Paul’s Church (Ayia Kyriaki) is one of my favorites being the oldest and having a lot of historic information.
How would your clients describe you?
Amazing, perfectionist and nothing whatsoever a problem!
I am always checking everything, right down to the “fluffing” of the favours!
If you could plan a celebrity wedding (alive or dead) whose would it be?
I am proud to say that I have already done celebrity weddings on board the yachts! These are very popular with the celebs as they are of course unique, private and can get away from all the media when in the sea!
I arrange all security from Airport to hotel and, also full security on the day from transport to yacht.
Our latest celebrity was former Glamour model, Page Three model – Jay Nicholls; this wedding took place in July and was also covered by ITV’s Four Weddings show.
What’s your biggest achievement since launching?
Absolutely everything! Every day is an achievement, as every wedding is different. Providing exactly what the couples what and delivery the same, and then receiving the most fantastic write ups ever from them, thanking me for all my work!
Now, going forward on setting up another side of our business Superstar Weddings Cyprus, yes, this side of the company will cover all the Celebrities, as I joined up with Aimi Robinson (Jay Nicholls) to provide a special service for those wanting a “Movie Star” wedding from starting in the UK with their personal wedding planner coming out with them to arriving in Cyprus!
Showcase Weddings
October 7th, 2010 by Sandy
Today I am delighted to show you another lovely wedding from the talented Isabel Smith of Isabel Smith Wedding Design.
Laura and Mark
Laura and Mark’s stunning wedding took place in a marquee in the perfectly landscaped gardens of their home in South Bucks. Having had the house licensed, they legally married in an intimate ceremony with only 6 guests in their dining room before heading outside for a larger, mixed faith ceremony outside.
Guests enjoyed modern canapés and oodles of champagne before heading to the marquee for a family-style, Moroccan influenced dinner including tzatziki, babaganoush and yummy chicken tagine.
Entertainment included The New Hot Cross Club jazz trio, 100 Chinese lanterns and a fireworks display before guests boogied to a DJ.
Photo credit: Bibi Basch
Marquee – White Canvas
Furniture and Decoration – Great Hire and Themes Inc
Catering – Melissa Webb
Videographer – Marco Windham
Flowers – Scarlet and Violet
Live Music – The New Hot Cross Club via Sternberg Clarke
Fireworks – Alchemy Fireworks
DJ - Orange Discos
Pocket Positive
October 4th, 2010 by BernadetteIf I try to be like him, who will be like me?
Jewish Proverb
Pocket Positive
October 4th, 2010 by BernadetteAlways be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.
Judy Garland, 1922-1969
UKAWP’s First Destination Member
October 4th, 2010 by SandyWe recently announced the launch of our newest category of membership: Destination Member.
The UKAWP Directors have always taken the view that the Alliance is UK focussed in terms of our training programmes, seminars and events.
However, with so many UK brides looking to marry abroad, we realised there was a gap in our membership base, namely that of reputable wedding planners who plan weddings abroad for UK brides.
We are therefore now particularly pleased to introduce you to our first Destination Member, Sharron Masoura of Exclusive Yacht Weddings in Cyprus.
Sharron explains ‘I am a fully qualified accountant by profession and moved over to Cyprus after meeting my husband who is Cypriot some 16 years ago.
My personal attributes are organising and planning things through, no matter what the job is.’
Sharron and team specialise in weddings on board luxury yachts, however they also offer all manner of other venues on the beautiful island of Cyprus.
We look forward to getting to know Sharron better and to welcoming more Destination Members in the near future.
Confetti Confidential by Holly McQueen
September 28th, 2010 by Sandy
Siobhan Craven-Robins has very kindly written a review of Confetti Confidential by Holly McQueen.
Holly contacted me 2 years ago asking to come and meet me to talk all things weddings. We met on a few occasions, when she trawled through my portfolios and I recounted some of the situations I have found myself in over my 15 years as a wedding co-ordinator.
The resultant novel is a hoot. A couple of ‘my scenarios’ made it into the final edit but are grossly exaggerated, ensuring the ‘laugh out loud’ reaction Holly is so adept at writing.
This is a great ‘chick lit’ read - everyone loves a wedding and the story of a wannabe wedding planner should appeal to a wide audience.
For those of us in the industry, it is a relief to be able to laugh at mistakes we have never made(?) and to be reassured that we would never find ourselves in some of the situations the ‘heroine’ Isabel Bookbinder falls in to.
Isabel is an appealing character, her naivety and ability to ignore what is staring her in the face, makes for a good comic element to the book.
An enjoyable read.
September 22nd, 2010 by Sandy
Today we introduce another in our UKAWP Member Wedding Showcase series. This time I am pleased to introduce you Isabel Smith Wedding Design
Jules and Charlie
Jules and Charlie aimed to combine their country upbringings with their modern lives by creating a ‘London restaurant in a barn’ – Jules’ words, not my own. But it worked, making use of monochrome and stressing throughout the importance of excellent service to the caterer.
The whole wedding took place in the high street in Hurley village, Berkshire with the girls getting ready at a friend’s house and the boys at the local hotel. The ceremony took place at the church and the reception and a dry hire venue, Monks Barn.
Decorations came from a number of suppliers, with some great lighting and a Capri tent outside for shade. Guests sipped Pimms and champagne before dining on beautifully presented Lobster terrine, traditional lamb and sticky toffee pudding. A fantastic cover band entertained the guests well into the night.
Photo Credit: Matthew Stansfield
Venue – Monks Barn, Hurley
Catering – Absolute Catering
Flowers – Ruby and Grace
Entertainment – The Groove Band
Capri Tent – Baytree Events
Furniture – Town and Country Marquees and Allens Hire
Lighting - Partylights
Bar Hire – Pinnacle Bar Service
Member Focus
September 20th, 2010 by Sandy
Today we are happy to introduce you to Olivia of Olivia Soleto Weddings….
Why did you become a wedding planner?
For the last ten years I’ve worked as a senior manager in the catering and hospitality industry, including Wagamama, and most recently, stylish British restaurant, Canteen. I’ve always enjoyed organising events, but it wasn’t until I planned my own wedding that I realised I was good at it. Organising a wedding can be very stressful, but with my professional background it’s something I’m accustomed to, along with the long hours and high expectations.
What’s your USP?
I create unique, elegant weddings for style-savvy couples – and unusually, men are catered for too. As well as the usual wedding planning services, we also offer bridal styling experience, a suit-buying day, wedding day grooming service and professional speech-writing guidance overseen by lifestyle journalist and broadcaster, Anthony Teasdale. There’s so much focus on the bride-to-be that the groom gets sidelined. This gives him an excuse not to get involved. The wedding should be a reflection of a couple’s personalities and the things they’ve done together. In terms of looking good, men are much more in tune with their feminine side these days, so they can enjoy the grooming part with their mates as much as the bride does with her female companions.
What’s your signature dish?
I make a mean paella, which is always good on a summers day. My Spanish background means that cooking it is in my blood!
Do you have a favourite venue?
My venue of the moment has to be the Design Museum on the Thames in London. It’s very contemporary and has amazing views of London, with good outdoor space.
How would your clients describe you?
Cool, calm and collected. A good creative vision and an eye for detail.
Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?
So far, no. I have a lot in common with my clients and I think that comes across on the website.
How do you unwind?
I’m an avid kick-boxer and love a swim. I’m also a big fan of True Blood and Mad Men.
If you could plan a celebrity wedding (alive or dead) whose would it be?
It would have to be Kylie Minogue. I think she’s very stylish and elegant – and I’m sure she’d be a pleasure to work with.
Is the job as glamorous as you thought?
I never expected it to be glamorous. Each day is different, which is good. I like the fact I get to use my creativity to help people create their vision.
Which wedding planner’s work do you respect/admire and why
I admire many wedding planner’s work, but I particularly like the creativity of Grant-Riley Weddings.
What themes are you working on for 2010?
Afternoon tea party with vintage feel, a 1950s rock ‘n’ roll-inspired party with red and white polka dots, and a Cool Britannia wedding.
What’s your biggest achievement since launching?
Bringing Olivia Soleto Weddings to life and being commissioned for two jobs in the first couple of months from launching. I feel privileged to have such a fabulous job – I’m finally doing what I’ve wanted to do for a long time. The future is very exciting!
What is your vice?
Champagne, shoes and cupcakes.
What trends are you seeing for 2010?
Vintage, the colour red and all things retro-British are all very strong at the moment. Multi-day weddings are also very hip.
Thanks very much to Olivia for an insight into her working world.
