With WPE just round the corner we felt it would be a good idea to introduce you to some of the speakers, we thought a fun way for you to know more about their personality was via a ‘Speaker Focus’ in the style of our ‘Member Focus’ series. Today we welcome Siobhan Craven-Robins, well respected wedding planners since 1996. She will be presenting on Friday 4th – Wedding Planning 1996-2011 , passing on her advice on how to grow as a business over the years.

What’s your USP?

That I put my clients’ hallmark on their day. I never replicate ideas. I try to keep it fresh and unique to them.

What’s your signature dish (personality or food)? 

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Do you have a favourite restaurant?

J Sheekey

How would your clients describe you?

The feedback I get is that I am imaginative and make the whole planing process a lot of fun.

Have you ever had a challenging client and how did you deal with it?

You have to establish boundaries. There will always be clients who think that they can talk down to you, take advantage or abuse your time. Not accepting it and laying ground rules from the outset make for a successful working relationship.

If you could plan/ be involved in a celebrity wedding (alive or dead) whose would it be?

I think the Ivanka Trump would have been super – an unlimited budget courtesy of a father who wants to give his little girl a perfect day and a wonderful ready made setting. I would love to do a wedding in the US just for the experience.

What’s your biggest achievement since launching?

There are many, and I think I am always setting goals, it is part of being a business owner. Obviously times such as my first celebrity client, first time on television, first time giving a talk are all memorable. But I would say the most memorable are the personal achievements that perhaps those around you would not be aware of. I love it when a family come back to me to do another siblings wedding, that is the ultimate accolade to me.

What is your vice? 

Cheese and onion crisps, shoes, bags and as many holidays as I can take!

Describe yourself in 3 words

professional, empathetic, excited

Name one blog you follow religiously

Colin Cowie www.colincowie.com .