What is an Elite Member

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What is an Elite Member

2nd May 2019

In January 2019 I decided to make some changes to the UKAWP, one of these such changes was the membership tiers and the creation of our “Elite Membership“.

I wanted to showcase those who are truly successful, not simply perceived to be successful. I’ve seen a trend in recent years where some businesses are able to create the perception of being successful purely due to their social media presence. Just because someones social media is full of inspirational images (nothing wrong with that) and a stunning website, it doesn’t always equate to them being successful. Yes design is important but I feel too much emphasis is put on this and not enough on “serving their clients”. It should be about providing the best customer service possible, consistently, again and again.

My Elite Members are those I feel meet high levels of customer service but also have successful and sustainable businesses. They have all been in business a minimum of 5 years and have organised 25 weddings (planners) and provided a service for 25 weddings (suppliers) and provide an outstanding service to the wedding industry.

My current Elite members are:

Dominique – Stylish Events has been organising weddings since 2002 both in the UK and Italy. But not only that she is our London ambassador, spearheads our Mix and Mingle social evening, runs courses for wedding planners AND provides a well respected intern scheme for aspiring planners. We also wrote “Wedding Planning for Dummies” together

Melanie – Bellissimo Weddings has been organising weddings since 2008 and is one of our Regional ambassadors. Not only is her planning business successful, she manages a number of wedding venues, holds the licence for beach weddings in bournemouth and owns an additional 3 wedding related businesses.

Andri – Always Andri is a wedding planner in London and one of our ambassadors. Not only was she one of the first to organise styled shoots, she has also been in charge of the UKAWP branded identity organising the branded shoot. She has written our wedding design course for wedding planners.

Susie – Inspired by Susie Evans is a wedding planner in Sussex and has been a planner since 2011 and has built up an enviable reputation. Not only is she consistently booked for weddings and parties, she organises our coffee mornings and offers consultancy to local venues.

Andrea & Debbie – Fabulous Together in Cheshire is the result of two of the North West’s most successful independent wedding planners teaming up! Andrea originally joined as a member over a decade ago and is one of our regional wedding ambassadors. Over the years she has helped mentor many planners and continues to drive standards in the North West regions.

Val – Benessamy Weddings is a wedding planner based in the Midlands and has been organising weddings since 2011. Alongside her planning business she is a successful coach helping small business owners achieve a better blend of work, rest, and play. An amazing mix of intelligence, openness and crazy dance moves. But seriously she has built up a beautiful business organising weddings here and the Caribbean.

Sandy – Tern Events , when choosing my Elite Members of course Sandy was top choice. As my previous business partner she has spent years improving standards in the wedding industry. She is now making huge strides in Jersey coaching both couples and wedding planners. Through her time at the UKAWP as co-owner she helped train hundreds of wedding planners. She is amazingly friendly, intelligent and one of the kindest people I know.

Vaishali – Ananya Stationery wow what can I say about Ananya Stationery. She has been a supplier member for a number of years but a stationer for 12 years, her intricate stationery design is just spectacular. I have seen her business expand into the luxury wedding market following many collaborations with industry leaders . She is a unique mix of intelligence, honesty and warmth.