As it is the start of another New Year I thought it might be a good idea to re-introduce myself. Just who am I?

• I have had the same best friend since play group
• Watching the brides face during the speeches is amongst my favourite wedding moments
• I used to work on TV documentaries (war & gardening primarily)
• I trained in travel and tourism but quickly learnt my passion wasn’t there
• I love a to do list and spreadsheets
• I have an obsession with all things purple
• My guilty pleasure is reading paranormal romance books – every day
• I’m incredibly loyal to friends and family
• I’m very honest and dislike lies
• I have been married for 11 years and have 3 children
• I was married at the gorgeous Le Sport in St Lucia
• I don’t watch much TV but when I do it is U.S psychological dramas – especially those which confuse you every episode
• I don’t function well before 7am
• I get grumpy if I cant do Zumba once a week
• When ordering in a restaurant it will always be main and pudding foregoing the starter
• I adore the blank canvas of a barn or marquee and the fact I’m in control of everything
• I love training and mentoring new planners as part of my director role at the UKAWP
• I detest cheese and get frustrated that chefs seem to put cheese in everything!

This is my final report of the UKAWP study trip to New York… (pt 1) & (pt2) & (pt3)

Saturday 13^th October

This was our last day so the primarily focus was sightseeing & yes more shopping – I wont bore you with the details but I did manage a visit to ground zero (oh my gosh so emotional), a horse & carriage ride round central park and a visit to the empire state building (cannot believe how long this took) before falling to my knees inside Banana Republic!

Kelly and I got the first flight out on Sunday morning with less talking this time, I was back home around 9pm enabling me to say happy birthday to my Son on the Monday morning – now that’s what I call perfect planning!

Epilogue

I had a wonderful time with my fellow planners whom I consider good friends, I’m glad I managed to do some sightseeing this time and even more glad I found Banana Republic at 5pm on the Saturday – better late then never.

But I am especially thankful for the wonderful U.S suppliers we met who were generous with their time and knowledge. I hope they all stay in touch.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the trip, lots of love as always

Continuing our review of the New York study trip………

Thursday, 11^th October

After our meeting with Preston Bailey we headed out to see Dan Fehlig from the Upper Crust & 91 Event Space.

We actually ended up talking lighting & design more then food! The location is not only where the kitchens are, it is also a boutique venue that can be hired for weddings and events. Dan kindly showed us how he goes through the process of designing the event from the consultation stage to the day itself. Lighting & production plays a big part in the events held at 91 Event Space, with the brick arches, white walls and white oak floors it enables numerous designs to work within the space.

We were all astounded at how reasonably priced the lighting & production prices are compared to the UK.  I kinda wish I could organize a boutique wedding there – any takers?

Look at their website for some fabulous before & after shots .

After a quick but LATE lunch Kelly and I popped over to the Plaza Hotel to take a look at their ballroom  , our fellow members had an official visit on the Tuesday which we had missed so we decided to conduct an unofficial visit instead! After navigating our way to the ballroom we were delighted with the opulence of the Plaza, on our way out we managed to resist the gorgeous temptation in their food hall.

Friday, 12^th October

Our only official meeting of the day was with Christian Oth Photography, we had a wonderful chance to view photography trends and had an insight into how Christian and his team work.

There was a team of designers working hard on compiling the albums so we tried hard not to disturb them. After a look at his studio space we delighted in reversing the tables and took some pictures of Christian after handing him our small thank you gift. 

I then managed to get a few hours in of shopping for gifts for the family before  embarking on a twilight cruise with Andri Benson & Helen Carter. Seeing New York as the sun was going down was beautiful.

Later that night we all went out for cocktails and dinner at the Mondrian Soho hotel where we people watched the New York glamorous clientele.

Photo Credit

91 Event Space & Andri Benson

Continuing our review of the New York study trip………

Thursday, 11^th October

Following our meeting with Ceci New York we went on to see Preston Bailey which of course was incredibly exciting for us. His studio was a visual delight and we took time to admire the welcome plaque before having our meeting with him. I have lots of his books here at Dream Occasions and love browsing through the abundance of floral delights.

Preston was as interested in learning about us, the UKAWP and the UK wedding industry as we were learning about his clients, wedding design and business acumen. It was fascinating hearing about the trends in New York and how he viewed the wedding industry. I wish you could fully appreciate how gorgeous his boardroom table was, a glass top filled with silk flowers, beautiful.

We picked up some insightful business tips and I know it encouraged us all in the path we are taking – especially our view on how unethical taking commission is.

He showed us a book he has written to be published in January called “Dear Preston”, this book was amazingly helpful and I hope to include with course literature for the UKAWP in 2013.

If you ever needed proof you can be NICE and SUCCESSFUL,Preston is it.

To be continued……………….

Photo Credit – Andri Benson

At the beginning of October I had the opportunity to travel to New York for a UKAWP study trip. This was something members expressed an interest in a couple of years ago,  the wedding planning industry is huge in the U.S and New York is considered the Mecca of wedding trends.

I’ve only been to New York once before many years ago when I was at CNBC Europe I organized a sales trip there for the international sales team, but it was all work no play, I literally saw no sights or shops so I was determined to make the most of it this time! We had some fabulous meetings lined up so that combined with shopping & sightseeing meant I was very busy indeed.

Wednesday, 10^th October

I met my dear friend and fellow UKAWP director Kelly Chandler at Heathrow airport, after a swift check in we indulged in a leisurely breakfast bypassing all the shops, weren’t we good?!

Luckily we were seated together in the 2 seat configuration as I think we talked literally the whole trip – sorry fellow passengers! Also on our plane was the gorgeous Melanie Kiani so once we landed at about noon we all took a taxi to our hotel in Manhattan. We met up with the members and Sandy who were already out there and spent the day familiarizing ourselves with the area and schedule for the following day. We popped over to Grand Central Station albeit forgetting it was rush hour so naturally swarming with people!

Kelly and I managed to stay awake and had a wonderful Mexican dinner with all the girls.

Thursday, 11^th October

After logging in to check my emails we all had breakfast together before heading out for our first meeting of the day with Ceci Stationery.

Ceci Johnson was incredibly welcoming and her studio simply divine.

Looking at all her stationery designs was a joy and I sincerely hope to work with her in the future. I think my favourite was the invitation styled as a board game, the level of detail was astounding.

To be continued……

Photo Credit

Grand Central Station – New York Write Itself

All other photos - Andri Benson

I have the best job in the world, corny I know but its true, I get to plan one of the happiest days of a client’s life.

I bet a few of you have thought about how glamorous the job of a wedding planner is? But I have a little secret to tell you, the job is fun, exhilarating and rewarding, but sssh it’s not glamorous! The reality is working 7 days a week on a regular basis. The job is probably about 20% creative and 80% administrative. You spend long hours on the internet researching new products and services and meetings most days with either clients or suppliers. You also have to be incredibly organised because of course, its not just one wedding you’re working on at any one time.

I have been a wedding planner since 2002 and as such organising a wedding is second nature to me. But just what does my job entail? What’s it really like day to day for a regular wedding planner? I kept a diary for week commencing 11th June in the lead up to a client wedding, be warned there isn’t a dress fitting or cake tasting in sight!

MONDAY

The morning was spent relaxing before starting work at lunchtime, this is because I was working over the weekend at a clients wedding. I start work at midday on a 7th July wedding getting quotes for a mobile bar service and working on their budget. I confirm the DJ and recommend florists that are available. In fact I work late into the night sending final confirmations to suppliers for a wedding on the 16th June.

I sporadically check the BBC Weather and Met office for likelihood of rain on Saturday

TUESDAY

The morning is spent answering emails then speaking to the stationer for this weekends wedding oh and checking the forecast for the 16th June (the ceremony will be outside) – not looking good, darn that rain.

I send the delivery/collection schedule to Milden Hall (venue for the wedding) so they know when to expect deliveries. I finish uploading articles to the UKAWP blog for June before handing over to my fellow director Kelly Chandler, I also speak to some students about our courses.

In the evening Lisa and I have a final mtg with 16th June clients; they hand over various bits needed for the wedding that I’ll take with me on the Friday.

WEDNESDAY

In the Morning I drive to the local wholesalers so I can buy various widths of ribbon in shades of apple and plum to use at the wedding this weekend. We plan to use on trees hanging clear containers of flowers and buckets. I’ll use anywhere else we feel a bit of colour is needed!

I spend time comparing the different colours to the liberty fabric swatch used throughout the wedding design. Whilst there I spot some fabulous felt watering cans + windmills which are perfect for the children’s table.

I sporadically check the BBC Weather and Met office for likelihood of rain on Saturday – can you see a pattern yet?!

The afternoon was spent proofing final amendments for a wedding at the weekend then getting ready for a consultation in London. I don’t get home till after midnight as typically I just missed a train. Oh well coffee from Liverpool Street keeps me awake.

THURSDAY

I pop along to my local garden centre to choose pots and plants for the children table, this time matching colours to the windmills which will go in the pots. After lunch I drive to a seamstress to collect the table runners she has made for the wedding. When back in the office I print the final schedule and design plan and get my folder ready.

I call my 7th July client to talk about final decision for bars and send her instructions on making origami birds.

I sporadically check the BBC Weather and Met office for likelihood of rain on Saturday – it’s looking more hopeful!

FRIDAY

I sporadically check the BBC Weather and Met office for likelihood of rain on Saturday – I’m getting more confident on the outside ceremony, amazing how the weather changes drastically from torrential rain to no rain. Gotta love the British weather!

The morning is spent loading my car including some 3ft tables and wedding stationery for the wedding.

I collect my assistant (Lisa) and we arrive on site for 2pm, the priorities for today are:

• Getting the long tables in position and putting the table runners on them (phew they fit).

• The florist places hundreds (well perhaps slight exaggeration) of small vases down the centre of the tables.

• Lisa folds the napkins and attaches the personalised menus with alternating green and purple raffia.

• The children’s table is set up with the flowers and felt watering cans, looks great, wish I could sit there!

• The bar is delivered and set up, it looks like a leaning bar in Sudbury as the floor slopes down.

• Wedding Creative put a couple of backdrops up as well as fairy lights in the barn and festoon lighting in the courtyard

• Reluctantly I have organised a walkway from the barn to the bar just in case it rains, so I chat to the owner about positioning.

• I meet with Jackie, front of house for Chimneys Catering so we can run through the schedule and I give her a quick tour

• We cover the soft furnishings with green throws and an amazing quilted throw made from the liberty print – small things in life make me happy

We are there until 6pm before heading to supermarket to buy a few more last minute bits including our lunch for Saturday.

I come home to a lovely meal made by my husband and enjoy with some wine, ready for tomorrows wedding.

SATURDAY

The wedding! An amazing day, I hope to show you pictures very soon.

On the 2^nd & 3^rd of March the UKAWP held their 4^th annual seminar. As training director WPE is my ‘baby’ thus I spent many hours organising speakers & getting partners on board to create the perfect mix of business vs industry specific topics. Each year WPE is getting bigger and more exciting though with 31 delegates we are still not at the level of the U.S conferences which attract hundreds of planners from across the world. Maybe one day we can hold WPE in the Cayman Islands instead of London!

I headed to London on the 1^st March with my wonderful co-director Sandy Moretta so we could start stuffing the swag bags and work with 51 Buckingham Gate on the room set up. We were lucky this year to have so many fab suppliers on board for the bags.

We had cake (GC Couture) cake pops (NOTHS) bottle openers (iBarco) scented candles & massagers (51BG) magazines (brides & your London Wedding) greeting cards (cutture) cookies (the cake house) and of course chocolate (artisan du chocolat)

After a wonderful breakfast on the 2^nd we made our way to the seminar room to greet Simon & Victoria from Euphoric Flowers and James from Wedding Creative who were our WPE partners. Between them they created a sparkly blue backdrop for the stage & a pedestal of flowers inc. some wonderful blossom. On each table Euphoric had provided small cubes of plants as we didn’t want anything high, it was a conference after all! We then placed some cute lasercut butterflies & schedule provided by Cutture into the displays.

When delegates arrived they were given a delegate folder before enjoying some tea & pastries prior to the seminar starting. It was so nice seeing friends and colleagues from all over the UK, with many WPE is the only chance we get to see each other like Andrea from Cheshire and Nikki from Yorkshire. In fact I did have to keep telling the ‘Northern planners’ to behave during the seminar as they were rather enthusiastic!

Over the 2 days we had 11 speakers, too many to summarise here, but I did enjoy…..

Lloyd Dobbie – who explained post processing and what a difference it can make to the end image. It was fascinating seeing the difference of before & after shots. I till can’t understand why he can’t make me look like Angelina Jolie when he takes my picture but that’s another story altogether!

Jules Cardozo-Marsh – explained the key things to remember when hiring a make up artist but also gave us some great tips on makeup for us personally as wedding planners. And the best bet? She decided I’d be her muse for the demonstration.

TT Tents – Andrew was very enthusiastic with his presentation, when I saw the number of slides I did think how will he cover it all but we were able to whizz through. His presentation style was very entertaining and I know the planners learnt a lot from him.

IBarco – I use Debbie for many of my marquee and barn functions and I have a lot of respect for her. I think we all enjoyed the Thunder toffee vodka shot at the end of day 1. Some planners more then others!

Ellie Sanderson Boutique – Ellie runs 2 wonderful bridal boutiques (wish one was in Essex) and she explained abut trends she is seeing for dresses and accessories. She split us into teams and asked each team to create a different look , my team had to dress the model as if the wedding was in a Helsinki Cathedral. We had fun building the look and didn’t agree with the judge’s low scores (I think Ellie agreed with us though!)

Whitney Wing Drake – I have been liaising with Whitney for a joint Dream Occasions and Wish Wonder Dream project, and was delighted when she agreed to present at WPE. It was fascinating hearing about trends in the U.S but also the different services offered to brides.

 Photo Credit – Lloyd Dobbie

The beginning of the year is a busy time for wedding planners, we are meeting with potential clients and finalising the planning for current clients. We are spending time on our business marketing before the busy period really kicks in and wishing our suppliers a ‘Happy New Year’.

The start of a year is the time people start to reassess their career, maybe this is the year they will make that step to change their life. To some the career of an event planner is glamorous so perhaps it’s unsurprising I get contacted frequently by those wishing to enter this exciting industry. The questions I am asked are invariably the same each time, in fact it was from advising so many ‘newbie’s’ that the idea of the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners first came about back in 2004.

So if you wish to become an event planner read on for my advice:

Approaching other wedding planners for advice

Ok I mentioned I get contacted a lot? So here are the pet hates of mine, a sure way for me and no doubt other planners, to hit delete! 

• “I REALLY enjoyed planning my wedding; everyone said I’d make a fantastic planner.” Do you know HOW many times I have heard this line? Go on, take a guess… lets estimate 5 x p/w x say 50 weeks x 9 years = 1,250. Can you hear me scream? Please don’t say that line to me!
• Dear Sir/Madam – I have a name and yes it is plastered all over my website, twitter, facebook. Please just call me Bernadette
• I really want to be a planner, how do I do it, where do you get your clients, what should I charge, what services should I offer, where should I advertise….. the list goes on. Any planner out there will tell you I’m always happy to give advice but be specific, ask me a question and I’ll normally answer you but within reason!
• Can I see a copy of your proposal – err no! When conducting the training courses for the UKAWP we teach you what should be IN a proposal but don’t give you one to use. Imagine if we did, they’d be hundreds of planners out there using the same format – it needs to sure your creativity and personality.
• Can I see a copy of your contract – again no but you can purchase one via the UKAWP
• What is your profit? Just why would I tell you, seriously?!
• Pretending to be a bride – big no no, it’s disrespectful to small businesses out there. I know some online training courses suggest you do this but at the UKAWP we feel this is very bad practice.

Can I get a job?

Very few planners in the UK take on staff, some have part time assistants and freelancers in the peak summer season but if you think you will get a lovely, well paid job working for a planner think again. Unless you want to relocate to the US perhaps? It is for this reason that most planners start their own business but be patient – I’m coming onto that shortly!

So, if you don’t want to start your own business I suggest you contact large event companies or venues in your area that cater for weddings.  This gives you the opportunity to gain some experience whilst receiving the security of a regular salary.

What about work experience?

Well this is tricky, I get probably 5 C.V’s per week from people wanting to work for free to gain some experience. But in the government’s wisdom of supporting small businesses & young entrepreneurs like YOU, this is not possible as we would have to pay the minimum wage  of £6.08 p/h  

So even though YOU want to work for free for just a week or two part time, you can’t. Another possibility is to be a volunteer whereby you choose the hours & days you assist the planner, for more information on the definition go to here. It is frustrating as planners know you want to see what it is like for a wedding planner day to day but independent planners can rarely afford to pay £6.08 for an untrained helper.

So how can I become a wedding planner?

If you are serious about becoming a wedding planner and not approaching this as a hobby or whim then you need to do some serious research and get prepared! Here are my top tips but I have seriously condensed it (for proper training go to the UKAWP) 

1. First step is sign up to the UKAWP Business Practicalities course, I know I’m biased as the training director but I think the courses are fabulous. This course really explains how to launch as a wedding planning business. View here for more information. Don’t believe me? Just look at how super fabulous our members are, most of whom have attended our training courses. We run the courses spring and autumn, all the tutors have been in business for at least 9 years so we do know what we are talking about. We pass on real life experiences throughout the weekend and answer any questions you or the other students have. Do view the brochure for more information; don’t forget if you don’t attend the spring courses you will have to wait until the autumn….

2. Research into planners in your area, what is their websites like? What services do they offer and what prices do they charge? What is their USP? How can YOU be different? How can you stand out from them?

3. Start playing with company names, jot down ideas on a notepad and keep with you for those random moments when in bed/on the train/cooking dinner when you suddenly think of an idea! Then check if this name is taken via companies house + also check if the domain name is free. Don’t choose a name you can’t have the matching website to! Make sure it is easily spelt, not too similar to another and not cheesy as the name needs to grow with you as a business.

4. Ensure your website is professionally designed, after all you want to start your business professionally.

5. Meet other planners for coffee in your area, far better to be friendly then start your business under animosity. Attend events run by the UKAWP which include an annual seminar, evening workshops and social evenings.

6. Subscribe to the UKAWP blog for tips and information on industry events

7. Sign up to twitter and start following some respected planners & suppliers out there.

8. Really think about your pricing and take into account any costs, i.e telephone, broadband, travel, stationery & your time

9. Attend the UKAWP training courses – did I mention that already?

10.  Be patient, it wont happen over night

I hope this helps – best of luck for those embarking on this rewarding career.

Photo Credit

Kerry Morgan and Lloyd Dobbie

If you are getting married in 2012 have you set yourself some New Year resolutions to ensure the wedding is planned and executed beautifully? If not here are my suggestions:

1. Create a realistic budget and stick to it, more advice on creating your budget can be found via an article I wrote for English Wedding

2. Don’t try and do everything yourself, delegate some tasks to family members or friends who would love to be involved leaving you the fun tasks, you can then act as ‘project manager’ for all delegated menial tasks!

3. Involve your fiancé, it’s their wedding too! Talk about the areas of the wedding which are important to each of you and split up the duties.

4. Make a pledge to spend one evening per week NOT talking about the wedding, you don’t want to get to the wedding night with a deathly silence as you no longer know how to communicate to each other.

5. Remember less is more, do you really need favours, cameras, napkin decorations, wine charmsand trivia cards on the table?!

6. Keep your sanity, do you really have to match the favour ribbon to the bridesmaid dresses? Stop trying to match everything, sometimes using similar tones is more effective.

7. Forward plan, check with your suppliers when they need confirmed information from you, i.e. when is the latest date for the table plan to be printed, when do caterers need dietary choices – use this to then work out when invites need to be posted, allow enough time to print labels and get stamps (don’t forget to check with the post office if it is a regular or large stamp).

8. Remember you are not superheroes, if you become frantic at work or family health issues are making it difficult to organise the wedding, get a professional wedding planner in. Most will offer partial planning services so you are still in control. I cover the East Anglia region, please review my website for further details or for planners in different areas try the UKAWP.

9. Don’t be bullied, you may find family, suppliers and venues will try to enforce their opinions on you. Listen to what they are saying but remember it is YOUR wedding, do what you think is right for your wedding.

10. And finally have fun it’s not often you get the chance to plan a fabulous event with all your friends and family present so don’t get too stressed. If you have a budget and sensible timeline of when tasks need completing you can enjoy planning your wedding.

I’ve been debating whether to write this article for many months now as I’m sure there will be some backlash and no doubt I will offend many a supplier. But at the very least I’m hoping to see if the view below is just mine only!

REAL WEDDINGS

2010-2011 has definitely been the time for ‘vintage weddings’, ‘DIY weddings’, ‘fete & festival weddings’ etc. In fact if you look in the magazines and read the blogs sometimes it feels like this is pretty much the only style wedding you see. And this is what I have a problem with. But, was it my imagination; were all the blogs and magazines really only featuring ‘vintage/DIY/Fete’ weddings? Or did I just think they were?

Rather then publishing the results I invite you to look at some of the popular blogs & magazines and count how many times you see the following:

• Bunting
• Hay Bales
• Old vintage suitcases
• Tea cups/jugs/glass jars with country flowers
• Old typewriters/record players/cameras
• Battered old chairs/sofas

PERHAPS THE TERM ‘VINTAGE’ IS OVERUSED?

I wonder sometimes if the term vintage is overused? To some vintage means all the above but to others it can mean Victorian eras or the swinging 1920′s. Maybe instead of saying here is another vintage style wedding, we should start being more imaginative with the descriptions?

I think if you decide to have a ‘vintage/fete/festival’ type wedding, it should be because you LOVE it. Brides need inspiration so we can hardly blame them for going the above route if that is all they are shown.

PERHAPS THIS STYLE WEDDING IS ALL ABOUT THE ECONOMY

When I was talking to a supplier (who shall remain anonymous) recently about ‘vintage’ weddings they said ‘I don’t know why they don’t just call them second hand weddings’ because really that’s what they are. And maybe that is why ‘vintage’ is popular; maybe it is nothing to do with the brides preferred style but all to do with trying to save money in these difficult times?

THERE HAS TO BE PASSION

Two of my dear friends and colleagues run vintage hire companies and you might think that is a route I would go down with Dream Occasions Hire but you’d be wrong. I think you need to live and breathe vintage. I know this is something Kate from Vintage Style Hire  and Natalie from Fred & Rosie  do on a regular basis. They are both in heaven when discovering items for their hire companies at flea markets & boot sales.  They have a huge passion for creating the right style for their clients. I’m not so good at rummaging, never have been, clothes sales are my worse nightmare because I just can’t see through the mess ha ha!

But you have teacups in your gallery – yes you’re right, I do have touches of vintage in a couple of weddings but they were 2007 & 2008 – before vintage was mainstream. The role of an event planner and in fact any wedding specialist whether a cake maker or florist is to give your bride & grooms inspiration. You should suggest a theme that is unique to them. Come up with suggestions and ideas and I worry that isn’t happening. Maybe the fault lies with the suppliers not the blogs and magazines? After all, they can only publish the weddings that are sent to them.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

So what do I want? I would like to see more variety out there. Every bride & groom is different and unique so it stands to reason the weddings should be as well. There will always be trends, those that have been in the wedding industry for many years can back this up, gosh I remember thinking a few years back ‘please no more butterflies’.

Kerry Morgan Photography

Hmmm – maybe it’s ME that has the problem, if a bride wants tea cups and suitcases who the hell am I to tell her differently? Just because I’m bored of seeing the same design in magazines and on blogs – doesn’t mean the bride is….

I’d love to hear your views, what themes do you want to see for 2012?

Credit: Kerry Morgan