In our regular Member Focus series I am delighted to introduce you to Caroline from Endless Love who is one of our associate members.

 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.