Giles & Elspeth, Leeming House - May 2011

I asked a questions to my Bride after their wonderful wedding day....

The Planning
- What was the most difficult part of planning?

The anticipation of not knowing how many people would be able to come after the invites went out.

- How did having a planner help?

Our wedding would not have been possible without a planner. We live abroad and so it was vital to have someone local who could inform all the parties involved of timings and also execute our ideas, drafting the relevant people in, like fireworks for example. Without a planner the day would not have flowed so smoothly.

- What would you do differently?

I don't think I would change anything about the way the overall day went. In terms of smaller things however, in hindsight I would have had a smaller bouquet of flowers as although they were beautiful they were quite heavy and inpractical.

The Wedding
- How did you feel before it all began?

I felt quite relaxed and excited about it all, but I didn't want to spend hours agonising over decisions. If we saw something we liked then we just went with that. I was keen for it not to take over our lives in the planning stage - another very good reason for having a wedding planner!

- Did anything happen that wasnt in the plan?

Er the torrential rain?! Which incidently kept everyone in the marquee and made for awesome dance floor action. Literally everyone danced.

- Did anything happen that was a problem?

Yes, the toilet unit that we rented from Borderloos stopped working at 5pm - when people had only just entered the marquee. In the women's side they literally just did not flush. We had the most beautiful marquee with the equivalent of festival toilets outside. Thank fully most guests went up to use the hotel's facilities.

- Were issued dealt with?

Our planner called Borderloos to get them fixed and although they promised someone would come out, no-one turned up. Subsequently the suppliers of our marquee spoke to Borderloos and we were given a full refund.

- How did a planner help on the day?

Immensely! She made sure the guests knew where they had to be and when and liaised with every party involved from the florist, the hotel, the marquee suppliers, the bands, the firework man, the wedding transport for the guests and the photographer. We did not have to get involved in anything - all we had to do was enjoy the day. Then once it had all finished the next day the planner packed up all the things that she thought we'd like to take from the marquee and helped us clear it out - so it's not just the build up to and the day itself but all the clearing up and sorting out afterwards and making sure that all the cards and gifts actually get to you.

- Do you remember any guests comments from the day?

Yes - I'll never forget them. "The best wedding we've ever been to." "Can't believe the effort that has gone into this  and all the personal touches" (As wedding favours we bought pashminas for the female guests which were very popular and put photos on the tables of all the times we shared together with them, my parents did the same for their friends too - little gestures that were so well appreciated.) "The best food and wine I've ever had at a wedding." "The best speeches I have ever heard at a wedding." People really do say the lovliest things on your wedding day. We have never felt so loved!

- Elspeth, Bride

On this occasion I was asked to help by the venue as it was a large wedding with a lot to organise. They had a wonderful sunlit cruise on Ullswater the night before then a service at Newton Reigny on their wedding day. Unfortunately, the weather just got worse and worse! By the time the band came, they got stuck in the mud and waiters had to be sent out to help! The fireworks only just happened and the loos were an unpredictable nightmare! But everyone had a blast! You would have never of guessed that so many things were going wrong, but thats the way I like it! Nobody else spoke to the couple as people only needed to talk to me. I take the strain! It was a very long day but worth it to see such happy faces! I wish them all the best in the future! 

Wilcox's Barn - Rachael's 21st Birthday Party - June 2011

"It was a great  idea to have Annabel as our party planner because...

She had the knowledge of caterers/DJ with a proven track record,

She helped relieve the stress of arranging a large function and made it a more enjoyable experience,

She had imaginative ideas regarding decoration of the venue,

She had good communication skills and promptly dealt with email queries,

She was of great assistance on the night coordinating everything.

Definitely worth the expense, I would happily recommend Annabel"

- Elaine, Mum or Birthday Girl

For this party a huge barn was cleared out and we had the challenge of making it look fab and create some atmosphere while staying within budget. Rachael picked some bold bright colours and made some wall decorations while fairy lights, uplighters and multicoloured accessories did the rest!

It looked great and everyone had a fab time, until the very early hours! 

Brougham Hall Party Day - June 2011

Weddings by Annabel hosted a day filled with fun as a celebration of moving to Brougham. It was a lovely day, brilliant weather and each supplier who helped me has received a booking from the event too! I hope we can do more like this in the future! 

The fabulous photography was taken by Eden Valley Photography and the family stayed to enjoy the day too! Thank you Mike & Emma!

http://www.edenvalleyphotography.co.uk/

Sally & Liam - Westmorland Hotel

"Hi Annabel,

It was nice to finally put a face to the name!

Thank you so much, the balloons were fantastic, Sally and Liam loved them. They were also touched by your card, thought it was a lovely gesture.

They are now en route to Disneyworld and I’m back to normality.

Thanks again,

Kind regards,

Lynnette" (Mother of the Bride)

Emma & Terry - Inn on the Lake

"The wedding was absolutely amazing and was even more than we ever dreamed of. The day was just absolutely perfect in every way.

Me and my husband want to say a massive, massive, massive thank you to you for the decorations on the evening do. Everybody loved them." - Emma, Bride

For their evening reception, we took care of the decor including balloons, trailing ivy and fairy lights galore! Very delicate and colour coordinated to their theme which was lilac and ivory.

Andrina & Nick - Holbeck Ghyll

"Just a small word on why a wedding planner helped me on my wedding day, in fact the full week. Annabel did all the arrangements and bookings and to see what comes out of the work she does is like a dream. I will never be able to thank her enough. The lodge was brilliant, the reception 5 star, everything was brilliant! All our love, Andrina & Nick xxx"

For Andrina & Nicks day they only wanted a very small ceremony in a stunning place with a meal for four people afterwards. For the week they wished for a log cabin near one of the beautiful Lakes where they could bring their dogs and maybe do some fishing. Their budget was a mere £1,500.

We booked it all including transport to and from the ceremony, accommodation for 5 nights next to Windermere, meal for four in a Michelin starred restaurant, Champagne, flowers, ceremony fees and planning fees for under their budget. It was a lovely afternoon at the wonderful Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel.

First Coverage!

New company starts with some good press coverage, I hope its just the beginning, plenty more up my sleeve!

 The piece...

Take us through a typical day

Checking emails is the first thing on my mind when I wake up, even though I sleep next to my phone so constantly check from there too! Once I know there are no emergencies, a cup of tea has to be the next priority! Creating a list of tasks for the day is next. I love lists and spreadsheets to keep me organised!

Once the list has been compiled, it’s going through bit by bit and concentrating on each couple or request. Every enquiry is so different and so I have to first familiarise myself with where / what / who / style / price etc. Then I know I can understand what the couple are looking for before quoting or suggesting ideas. I have an array of ideas to go through and suggest which can help the couple explore the variation of options available. For bookings, each has their own list of ‘to do’s’ which I keep an eye on through the day.

I am a big foodie so lunch is next. Normally my husband comes home so I can catch up with him before getting back on the computer. It’s too easy to not take a break so I like to step away for a while, husband or not!

The afternoon can be meetings or site visits or creating mood boards / decor items etc. Afternoons tend to go very quickly because these are the things I love to do the most! Site visits are so important as afterwards you can understand the atmosphere and what the venue can offer enquirers. Each is so very different.

It is the same with meeting each couple, their personalities should be reflected in the day and they should be able to work well with me, so I always try to meet and have a chat before they decide to use my services.

The day never really ends for me. I appreciate that a lot of couples can only get in contact in the evening or weekends so I try to be flexible. It’s also time to catch up if I have been away from my desk all day.

What do like most about your work?

Planning and decorating weddings joins my two joys, being organised and being creative. I love to look at a room or blank mood board and imagine what could be created. Letting my imagination run wild with the couples theme, then trying to tailor it to suit them and figure how to actually make it happen! The ease all depends on the chat we have had beforehand and the look and feel they are looking for.

Taking a step back from the actual occasion and working out the ins and outs, the technicalities, of an event takes a lot of concentration but I really enjoy it. Thinking through the scenarios and ‘what if’s’ is fascinating, especially when it pays off on the day!

Why did you want to do this job?

Through life you figure out what you love and hate about all the different roles you work in. I have been lucky and experienced a colourful variation which has helped me find my forte. Everything that you do you should learn from and I know now that events and the pretty things in life are for me!

What jobs have you done previously?

During and after university, I worked in roles that revolved around people and providing a service for them. From cocktail bars and a media centre for entrepreneurs to PR for a huge baby brand and events for a small town in wonderful Cumbria! Each taught me so much about how different people are and how important it is to listen and take in everything. The positions were mainly event and PR related which lead me to starting this company!

What qualifications or experience do you need in your position?

I have a degree in Marketing but I think getting the degree was great for learning how to organise myself and self-motivate! Experience working in the events industry is also a bonus as you understand the necessity of planning and foresight. It’s amazing how small parts can influence the flow of any event. This is why, even though I know that most couple feel they don’t need a planner or think they are a non-essential item for the budget, I know how much time and money can be saved having someone who has the experience involved. A good planner should be a saving not an added expense.

I have also studied art and design and kept a keen interest in crafts which helps inspire ideas and find unique décor tactics. There are some wonderful classes and workshops in the region and I intend to get around as many as I can! The quirkier the better!

What is a typical salary for your job?

The wedding industry is a tough one and so I don’t do it to make my millions! It’s the added bonus from a hard day’s work and a wonderful celebration. I enjoy the challenge, the people I get to work with and the result, never mind getting to travel around stunningly pretty Cumbria! The aim is to continue to provide a professional and personal service and to build on the services I provide.

Any advice for people wanting to get into your profession?

Be prepared to work hard with long hours and be very flexible. Knowing your customers, knowing what they like and dislike and understanding the event they envisage is vital. The relationship you have with local suppliers is also key in creating the best celebrations; complete communication between all involved. I like to use as many local suppliers as possible to not only create a wonderful working atmosphere but also help Cumbria’s economy.

CFM Radio's Cash for Kids Christmas Party

So, the Xmas season started with a bang for me! Not only was it a wonderful night which raised a load of money for wonderful Cumbrian kids, but it was my first booking as the new 'Weddings by Annabel'!

It was so nice to help the charity but also I received some fantastic comments about my work. Hope you like it too! The theme was red & cheery downstairs with Santa and the children's choir but black white & ice upstairs. Along with special touches around the room to draw everything together, the tables glistened with icicles and tiny lights. All adding to the atmosphere and setting the scene for a stunning night.

Susie & John - Marton House

"We hired Annabel for our wedding in August 2010 and it was the best day ever. We wanted a lovely summer wedding outside (always risky in Cumbria!) and Annabel helped us achieve this. We originally hired Annabel for a marquee but she helped out with every aspect of the day and thought of things that had never crossed our minds. Annabel helped us organise the bar, catering, venue and DJ around one another and helped us with all the legal things as well. She made it really personal and took an interest in our wedding which made us trust her even more, she was always there-even on the end of the phone if needed on the day. We would recommend Annabel to everybody." - Susie & John, Marton House

It was a pleasure helping Susie and the marquee was lovely! The trick was to ensure the venue was happy with the plan and each supplier understood how their role effected the day and the other suppliers involved. Over a coffee, Susie and I went through each part of the day and examined the options. I felt she went away with a good understanding of what was still required and how much she had already achieved.

On the day there were a few problems with the equipment but I was on the phone and, while they carried on with their day (as I ordered because I didn't want them to be worrying about it!), I spoke to the suppliers and it was all sorted. Problems will always arise so it worked well having a person 'in the know' and experienced to step in.

I'm so glad it went so well for them both and wish them all the very best for their married future! A x