Well, what a fabulous time we had at our 'Love Weddings, Live Weddings' workshop. It's a day to find out all about wedding planning - the highs and lows, the essential information about starting out in this amazing industry and all the insider secrets from not one, but two multi award winning wedding planners. Really? Where else do you get that?!
The day was led by Julie Tooby and Tamryn Kirby but the real stars of the show were the wonderful people that came along - they joined in, they asked questions, they laughed, they cried (in a good way!) and they all left the room bouncing and bubbling over with enthusiasm. A huge success! It was great to have such a mixed bunch in the room - from those already working at venues and for Michelin starred chefs, through to stars of the West End, newlyweds and those looking for a career change. The one thing everyone had in common - a huge love of weddings - created a great atmosphere and so much energry, we could have powered most of Berkshire!
This day doesn't aim to teach you how to do the job because let's face it, who is anyone to pass judgement on your amibition? This day aims to be truthful - to answer questions (no reading from endless pages of pre-prepared notes for Julie & Tamryn - it's more thinking on your feet and dealing with anything thrown at them by those attending!), to talk about experiences and most of all, to be honest - about the good and bad. We talked about managing clients & budgets, trends, knock-out consultations and proposals, how to stand out in the marketplace, starting out and growing your business but the best bit was definitely answering all the questions from those on the course and there were hundreds! The opportunity to pick the brains of two wedding planners with almost twenty years experience between them was not one to pass up.
The day ended and everyone left clutching their notes and information CDs, with big smiles on their faces and minds buzzing with new ideas. The e-mails have been flooding into EY HQ ever since with lovely comments and happy vibes - more reminders to Julie & Tamryn why this is the best job in the world!
As we've already been asked to put more dates in the diary for another 'Love Weddings, Live Weddings' workshop with Julie & Tamryn, we're pleased to announce that we're doing it all again on Sunday 30th January 2011. If you'd like to be inspired and informed, contact us now to reserve your space and get ready for a huge dose of wedding planning widsom from two multi award winning wedding planners.
Here are a few of the comments we have received:
"The day has filled me with lots of confidence and boosted me self esteem, the whole day was brilliant and all very useful"
" Everything was interesting and full of useful information"
"Worth paying for and I could sit and listen about it everyday"
"You were brilliant. You've given me so many ideas I may burst. Thank you Julie & Tamryn"
"Lovely to meet you, you are both so inspiring, so wonderful to see the passion that you have for this industry"
"Just wanted to follow yesterdays wonderful workshop with a huge thank you. I feel completely inspired after meeting two such wonderful people and I hope to see you both again soon."
Article written by Julie Tooby and Tamryn Kirby
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Monday, 6 September 2010
Getting Married - without breaking the bank
‘How can we get married without breaking the bank?’
As VAT is set to rise, brides to be are still spending huge amounts of cash to get their dream day and almost half admit they will blow their budget to get the ultimate day.
But the quest for the ultimate wedding on a budget has a sad side and 67 percent of brides are struggling with the stress of organising without overspending.
As a specialist in planning chic weddings on realistic budgets,I know it’s easy to get carried away when organising a wedding and this can lead to stress, arguments and massive overspending. So many couples think that the only way to get a dream wedding is to buy it and that’s not the case. A wedding where the couple has put thought, rather than cash, into everything is so much more impressive to guests. As Wedding Planner of the Year 2009 and 2010, I'm aware that all brides want ‘something different’ for their big day but what everyone seems to have forgotten is that the best way to achieve that is to use their personalities, rather than their purse. You should be thinking about your hobbies and likes & dislikes, not where you can buy the most expensive thing.
Amazingly, UK weddings are currently running at a whopping £60 per minute and those planning for weddings in 2011 should act now to stop their big day becoming a big payday.
Take a down to earth approach, write your budget plan early on in the planning and stick to it. As the day gets closer and panic sets in, it’s easy to start hemorrhaging money. First of all make sure you write down everything you spend because it's often the little things that can send budgets out of the window.” The average wedding costs £20,273, with one in 10 couples taking extra jobs to pay for the union. While the big spend is often the wedding dress (pitching in at around the £1,000 mark) it’s the incidentals that can break the bank. Easy overspends include £20 on rolls of ribbon, £25 on cards for the bridal party, £50 for mums’ bouquets and £50 on mini cameras for the tables.
Avoid impulse purchases. The internet is a big culprit because it's easy to browse wedding sites, see something you like and before you know it you’ve bought it. If something isn't in your budget, you'll need to trim costs elsewhere before buying.
Here are some top tips to help you tick to your Wedding Budget
1. Use a wedding planner. Using savvy know-how, especially when it comes to negotiating with suppliers, will save stacks of cash.
2. Don't provide a floral arrangement for a top table at dinner – use your bouquet to decorate it for the photos.
3. If you pay for a dozen cases of wine for the meal, check how many are used – any 'leftovers' can be put behind the bar in the evening.
4. If you have a few large flower arrangements at your ceremony, move them to your reception and save some money.
5. Use your cake as dessert to avoid paying for an additional course and don’t forget that supermarket wedding cakes can look great and cost less.
6. Some hotel venues will give the bride and groom a complimentary room on the night. Negotiate before you book and remember, if you don’t ask, you don’t get and remember, venues will often do deals on weekday weddings.
7. Don’t ignore the high street for your bridesmaid dresses where you can save up to half on the cost of speciality gowns.
8. Book a photographer by the hour if you're not bothered about snaps of you getting ready, or at the evening party.
9. If a supplier's contract stipulates that you've got to feed them, there's no need to give them the same as the guests. A bar meal or a plate of sandwiches is cheaper.
10. Kids activity bags are great but can be expensive to put together - use websites to print free 'clip art' instead of buying colouring books.
Article by Julie Tooby
As VAT is set to rise, brides to be are still spending huge amounts of cash to get their dream day and almost half admit they will blow their budget to get the ultimate day.
But the quest for the ultimate wedding on a budget has a sad side and 67 percent of brides are struggling with the stress of organising without overspending.
As a specialist in planning chic weddings on realistic budgets,I know it’s easy to get carried away when organising a wedding and this can lead to stress, arguments and massive overspending. So many couples think that the only way to get a dream wedding is to buy it and that’s not the case. A wedding where the couple has put thought, rather than cash, into everything is so much more impressive to guests. As Wedding Planner of the Year 2009 and 2010, I'm aware that all brides want ‘something different’ for their big day but what everyone seems to have forgotten is that the best way to achieve that is to use their personalities, rather than their purse. You should be thinking about your hobbies and likes & dislikes, not where you can buy the most expensive thing.
Amazingly, UK weddings are currently running at a whopping £60 per minute and those planning for weddings in 2011 should act now to stop their big day becoming a big payday.
Take a down to earth approach, write your budget plan early on in the planning and stick to it. As the day gets closer and panic sets in, it’s easy to start hemorrhaging money. First of all make sure you write down everything you spend because it's often the little things that can send budgets out of the window.” The average wedding costs £20,273, with one in 10 couples taking extra jobs to pay for the union. While the big spend is often the wedding dress (pitching in at around the £1,000 mark) it’s the incidentals that can break the bank. Easy overspends include £20 on rolls of ribbon, £25 on cards for the bridal party, £50 for mums’ bouquets and £50 on mini cameras for the tables.
Avoid impulse purchases. The internet is a big culprit because it's easy to browse wedding sites, see something you like and before you know it you’ve bought it. If something isn't in your budget, you'll need to trim costs elsewhere before buying.
Here are some top tips to help you tick to your Wedding Budget
1. Use a wedding planner. Using savvy know-how, especially when it comes to negotiating with suppliers, will save stacks of cash.
2. Don't provide a floral arrangement for a top table at dinner – use your bouquet to decorate it for the photos.
3. If you pay for a dozen cases of wine for the meal, check how many are used – any 'leftovers' can be put behind the bar in the evening.
4. If you have a few large flower arrangements at your ceremony, move them to your reception and save some money.
5. Use your cake as dessert to avoid paying for an additional course and don’t forget that supermarket wedding cakes can look great and cost less.
6. Some hotel venues will give the bride and groom a complimentary room on the night. Negotiate before you book and remember, if you don’t ask, you don’t get and remember, venues will often do deals on weekday weddings.
7. Don’t ignore the high street for your bridesmaid dresses where you can save up to half on the cost of speciality gowns.
8. Book a photographer by the hour if you're not bothered about snaps of you getting ready, or at the evening party.
9. If a supplier's contract stipulates that you've got to feed them, there's no need to give them the same as the guests. A bar meal or a plate of sandwiches is cheaper.
10. Kids activity bags are great but can be expensive to put together - use websites to print free 'clip art' instead of buying colouring books.
Article by Julie Tooby
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Thursday, 12 August 2010
10 tips for planning your wedding
1. Don’t Panic! I know the thought of planning one of the most important days of your life is daunting, but simplify it. Make a list of what you think you want and tackle each item at a time.
2. Read the expert wedding advice articles on The Wedding Community. You will find all sorts of ideas and advice from specialists in different fields of the wedding industry. The Wedding Community forum is an excellent way to chat to other real brides to get ideas and discuss your plans.
3. Remember you are the client. Do not be pushed into things you don’t want by suppliers. Listen to their advice but put your own stamp on what you want. It is your day and they want your business.
4. Check out the internet. There are lots of sites to help you and this is a quick and productive way to get ideas, compare costs, find items and get reviews on suppliers.
5. Choose your wedding venue wisely. There are hundreds out there and they all want you to pick them, so negotiate what you want within the budget you have set, but remain realistic.
6. Stay focused on what you as a couple want for the day. Everyone will have an opinion and they will voice it, but this is your wedding so make sure it is about you and your dreams.
7. Do not let budgets take a nose dive and get out of control. Set your limits at the start, be realistic but stick to them, it is easy to get excited and overspend.
8. Choose a theme for your day and work around that. If you do this before you begin buying things such as table décor, you will save money in the long run and not end up with a box full of stuff you don’t use.
9. Do not set your heart on good weather. This is the only thing you cannot plan so don’t let a spot of rain or overcast day ruin the whole thing.
10. Hire a wedding planner. They do not always cost the earth and will be able to offer invaluable advice, as well as negotiating with suppliers and helping to ensure your wedding runs smoothly on the day.
Article by Julie Tooby for the www.theweddingcommunity.com
Image by LLewellyn Robbins www.lrphotography.co.uk
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Website
We have a new and exciting re-designed website and we LOVE it.
A huge thank you to Paul Rigby @ Ingensys, for working around the clock to make us look fantastic and just being a star and all round patient good egg!
Thursday, 8 July 2010
The Wedding Community
Have a look at the latest newsletter from the Wedding Community. Lots of info and a fantastic competition from the fantastic Sandals Resorts.
Monday, 5 July 2010
Top tips to keep guest entertained
1. To keep young minds active you may wish to hire or purchase some lawn games such as snakes and ladders, giant jenga and connect four, these can be an inexpensive way or creating fun; great bargains can be found on the internet. Plus the adults may enjoy it too!
2. Table trivia can provide a great icebreaker for during the wedding breakfast.
3. To add something totally different that will have your guests talking for months, look into “singing waiters”. These fellows mingle in with the waiting staff and when you least expect it burst into song! Great fun!
4. Video diary rooms are an interactive way of including your guests, they leave a private message, which can be downloaded to disc and viewed whenever you wish. Adding a lasting memory from your guests.
5. You could think about a magician for the drinks reception, these talented soles will keep young and old mesmerised for hours!
6. Fireworks in the evening at around 10 can add an extra dimension to the evening entertainment adding a late night WOW factor.
7. For younger guests think about favours on the table such as kinder eggs, not only a chocolate but also a treat inside; or you could look at kiddie bags to keep them entertained throughout dinner.
8. Live music in the evening is always a winner; choose carefully as this can be expensive so go off recommendation.
9. Caricaturists are also becoming more popular, not only a bit of fun but your guests get to take away a lasting memory of the day.
10. If you are inviting a few children, think about a children’s entertainer, this will keep the kids entertained and also free their parents to fully enjoy the your special day with you!!
Article by Award Winning Wedding Planner Julie Tooby
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