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.
"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"
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'!
"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