Doors are currently open to membership (November 2022) and I have received queries about our  “Elite Membership“. So without further ado let me explain a little more.

I launched this category in 2019 after doing a little restructuring around membership tiers. 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 profitable.

Yes aesthetics 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. It is also worth noting that someone that works in the luxury wedding market isn’t always necessarily profitable, and likewise someone that works in the mid range market can be incredibly profitable.

This is where the Elite Membership tier came into place.

WHAT MAKES AN ELITE MEMBER?

Perception vs reality is something I work with clients deeply on, and thus when choosing my elite members I do so only when I know the truth, amd only when I can be 100% certain they meet the criteria. It’s not about filling my directory with hundreds of businesses, its about representing those I truly believe in. Which is why this category is by INVITATION ONLY.

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.

Wedding Planner: have been in business for over 5 years and have organised in excess of 10 weddings. In addition they consistently provide an outstanding service to the wedding industry. This could be by launching something innovative to help couples or even educating the industry

Suppliers: minimum 5 years in business and minimum 35 weddings serviced

WHO ARE OUR CURRENT ELITE MEMBERS?

Dominique of Stylish Events

Established in 2002, Stylish Events is one of London’s longest running, independent, luxury wedding planning and event management companies in the UK. Based in Canary Wharf in London, she plans weddings in London, around the UK and Italy. Alongside the wedding planning she is an associate lecturer at Bucks University , industry speaker and published author (Wedding Planning for Dummies).

Jane of Planned for Perfection

Named Best UK Wedding Planner by the prestigious RSVP Awards, Planned for Perfection is a multi-award winning luxury wedding & event planner based in The Cotswolds & London. Working throughout the UK & around the world Jane Riddell plans impeccably stylish & beautifully elegant weddings for both national & international clients. Alongside her wedding planning she has been trusted to organise masterclasses for international wedding experts.

I am honoured to be an Elite Member of the UKAWP, to be surrounded by likeminded wedding professionals, who also value the ethics promoted by Bernadette, is really important to me. Jane, Planned for Perfection

Emily of Emily Andrew Weddings & Events

Based in Norfolk, UK, Emily Andrew Events specialises in creating elegant celebrations in East Anglia. Since 2012 she has been working with busy couples based across the globe. Alongside the beautiful elegant marquee weddings, she is also a business consultant assisting wedding suppliers and venues growing their businesses. She is a published author (planning your marquee wedding) and co-creator of The Wedding Blueprint

As an Elite member by far the most valuable part of the UKAWP is the community. Knowing that there are other planners experiencing the same business queries and client scenarios as me feel less isolated and more confident in my abilities. The support and camaraderie is also super important as a solo business owner, any problems there is always an ear to bend with valuable feedback. Emily Andrews

Sara Jane of Weddings By Sara Jane

Sara-Jane works with clients all over the world to plan creative, unique and elegant weddings and elopements in Scotland. She’s won many awards for their Destination Planning Services, and feature as preferred vendors for some of the most prestigious blogs internationally.

Val of Benessamy Wedding & Event Planning

Multi-award-winning wedding and party planning company. Founded in 2011, they create seamless events with an elevated guest experience for clients across the UK and in the Caribbean. After winning The Wedding Industry Award a few times Val is now a judge. And alongside her wedding planning she helps new and existing venues reach their true potential through her venue consultancy. And supports entrepreneurs through her coaching business.

Andri of Always Andri Wedding Design

Andri been a wedding Planner for over 10 years blending creative vision with incredible industry connections, and a practical hands-on approach to pull off the big ideas. She has been a member since 2009 and has always been an incredibly proactive communicative member.  Alongside her wedding planning she is a published author, mentor and illustrator.

I have been a member of the UKAWP since training with them and then launching my business in 2009. The courses were an integral part of me being able to set up my business and the membership has been great for ongoing support and the relationships I have built with fellow members. I highly recommend the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners for both their training opportunities and supportive membership.

Andri, Always Andri

Susannah of Couture Weddings & Events

a leading London and Home Counties wedding planner with over 15 years experience specialising in the creative design and immaculate management of bespoke luxury weddings, tailor made to suit your exact requirements.

I’ve been a member of the UKAWP since 2018, starting at Associate Level and working my way up to Professional Level. I was over the moon to be invited to progress to Elite Membership this year, alongside so many other planners who I have always respected and admired, and to have my creativity and service standards recognised by an accredited organisation. I have always found the UKAWP to be such a welcoming and supportive group, with a wide variety of experts serving a broad range of couples with varying aesthetics and price points but the one thing we have in common is our dedication and commitment to be the best we can be and to exceed the expectations of our couples. Being a member of the UKAWP Elite Planners  is not only hugely reassuring for my couples to know that I have met and exceeded the stringent thresholds required to achieve this level but is also a huge personal achievement for me – it is an honour to be part of this elite community of the best of the best! Susannah, Couture Weddings & Events

Melanie of Bellissimo Wedding Planners

A multi-award winning wedding planning and venue management company based on the south coast bringing the detail, the vision and the organisation. In business for over a decade what we especially love about Melanie is how visionary she is, alongside her wedding planning and consultancy she owns a number of other event related businesses in the Bournemouth area.

Its really been an honour to be a part of the UKAWP since I launched my business in 2008.  I trained with the Alliance and worked my way through up to Elite level and I often spend time helping more junior planners who are working to progress within the industry or looking for help and advice in the industry or on membership.  The Alliance are a great way of gaining support and having peers to chat through ideas and issues with.  The connections you make are invaluable and I have certainly enjoyed my time over the years and some of the events and training weekends and trips abroad I have attended as well.  I cannot recommend the UKAWP enough

Sandy of ternevents

A former director of the UKAWP now providing boutique weddings in Jersey, Channel Islands, and specialising in providing luxury weddings for astute clients across the globe wishing to celebrate in Jersey. She is a judge for the Wedding Industry Awards, consultant for businesses and venues and owns an online membership for brides.

Michelle of Elegante by Michelle J

Michelle is a highly recommended luxury wedding planner specialising in overseas and UK weddings. She has a niche specialisation in Jewish weddings and Jew-ish and has become known as a leader in this sector.

Being an Elite member of the UKAWP is an honour,  but it’s also a testament to my status as an experienced, professional and highly regarded UK wedding planner.  More generally, membership of the UKAWP brings community, collaboration and support to an industry made up mainly of small independent businesses.  Michelle, Elegante by Michelle J

Joy of Unique Weddings & Events

established in 2010, Joy is known for creating and managing beautifully crafted unique weddings and bespoke private parties in a variety of unusual and prestigious locations. Luxury wedding planning service across Yorkshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire in some of the finest venues and marquees in the country.

Sian of BusyBrides Wedding Planners

Specialise in the romance of weddings, with over 25 years’ experience organising events and celebrations can put together the perfect wedding that suits your personalities. She embraces diversity and inclusion within weddings and her weddings showcase this immensely. Alongside her wedding planning she is a toastmaster and celebrant.

Being an Elite Member definitely gives me a huge sense of pride that I have established a successful business in my 10 years of planning weddings.  It is definitely more than just being a member, but a sense of belonging and acknowledgement.   We enjoy a group that allows us to share information not to mention that UKAWP opens doors for the Elite Members to publications that we may never have had the opportunity.  Definitely a membership any planner should really strive to achieve.  For me, having Elite Status is way better than any industry award can offer me. Sian, Busy Brides

 

Lucy & Danielle of Wiskow and White

With decades of experience both Lucy and Danielle blend their unique skills and experience to create weddings in Italy our way. Full of style, personality and quality, their weddings leave couples and guests in awe time and time again.

Andrea of Fabulous Together

Andrea is (we think) our longest serving member who joined around 15 years ago! Rising up the ranks she now organises a small number of high end luxury weddings in the North East. Over the years she has mentored many wedding planners helping them on their wedding planning journey.

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