More Stuff I Do Not Necessarily Involving Spreadsheets

What what what?  Surely there can’t be more, I hear you cry.  Why, Miss Beckingham, you are really spoiling us with your second blog in two days.  I feel I’m turning into that nice lady from Love my Dress.  

I met a lovely florist today:  Her name is Amy O’Boyle from Wookie Flowers and she specialises in fantastic floral design for weddings and special events.  Check out her website here:

http://www.wookieflowers.com/#!

Our British cultural resistance to wedding planners never ceases to amaze me: planning your wedding or civil partnership can take up to 250 hours – that’s about five weeks’ full time work; five whole weeks of trying and failing to get hold of people, becoming stressed, falling out with your bridesmaid and deciding that you hate your husband-to-be.

So...what other things are part of the mix? (“part of the mix”? Good God)

Negotiation

You may also like to know that before I jumped off the corporate ship, I had a 20 year + career in business and I know how to negotiate to get the best deal for you. I’m afraid that there are lots of brown envelopes with cash in them in the wedding industry (this would shock you and will be the subject of another blog) but I’m an independent wedding planner and although I know people who are grrrrrrrreeeaat, any cost reductions are passed on to you.

Also, couples often don’t know how much services should cost – why should they, most of them don’t make a habit of getting married on a frequent basis – and I understand how much someone should be charging and how much return on investment a charge should bring.

Tip: Don’t go with the cheapest supplier, make your decision on whether you like them – it’s as simple as that.  Rude and unhelpful people abound in the wedding sector, don’t be bullied by them they will probably be run over by a bus anyway.

Set Up

Before the Big Day or on the morning of your wedding, I’m most likely getting stuck in,  climbing up and down ladders and dressing your venue in the style of your choice.  My services in this aspect are flexible as I expect you’d want to get involved to a greater or lesser degree.  Or...perhaps you’re soooo chilled that you’re having your nails done at The Treatment Rooms.   

If you need a calm wedding best friend, I can be at your house from 7.00am on the day, making you some scrambled eggs. As a third party in effect “in charge”, I’m good at making sure everyone knows the schedule and that when I tell them not to bother you with stuff, they do what I say!

You must eat this on the morning of your wedding day.  It's the Law.

Any issues are directed in my general direction whilst you have another sneaky glass of champagne; oh, and I stop you drinking too much before you get in the car with your Dad.  Honestly, is there no beginning to my genius?

 Special Nice Things

There are lots of things absolutely to love about weddings but I love love love The Dress.  You wouldn’t believe how many wonderful talented wedding dress designers are out there – one day I shall name them all and you will thank me for it.

In the meantime you may like to take advantage of my Let’s Try on Wedding Dresses Day, err, OK I need to call it something a bit better than that but it includes you, me and your Mum or Bridesmaid and here’s how it works:

• A posh car transports you to three separate local dress designers
• You get the chance to try on various dress styles
• I take pix or video on my iPad
• We have lunch somewhere nice...
• We review styles/pictures over a glass of champagne at The Grand (or elsewhere!) at the end of the day
• I email you the pix or video afterwards·      

I know – a bit of a horrible job but someone has to do it.  There is an extra charge for this but I can tell you’re already thinking about it, aren’t you?

When it’s All Over

Normally, my services are completed at the end of your wedding day but for an extra fee, I will: 

• Oversee clear-up of the venue the next morning
• Deliver wedding presents which have been stored at the venue
• Bring round your wedding flowers (Aaaw!) if you want to keep enjoying them
• Return hired suits etc
• Assist with "thank you" letters and take care of correspondence

Shopping Trips

Yes, really.  If you’d like to me accompany you to get your accessories, you will soon understand that I have a passion for jewellery, an expert eye for colour and a bit of a thing for shoes. 

Update Meetings and Reports

Obvious really, but every week I send you an update of what’s been done and what’s on the To Do list for the following seven days; this keeps you up to speed and enables you and your other half to see where you are in the planning process.

Additionally, I encourage regular face-to-face meetings, not only to let you know what’s going on but to understand any worries you may have and to offer advice.  It’s really OK, you know, I’ve got it all in hand.

Costs

Just to remind you, all services are included in my fee, apart from the Dress Day and any services the day after the wedding.  Gosh, I’m rather good value really, aren’t I?

So...that’s all for now – there’s probably more stuff but “Pointless” on BBC1 is starting soon and I can’t decide whether I fancy Alexander Armstrong or that clever Richard bloke the most. What do you think?

Susan

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If you’d like Susan Beckingham to help plan your wedding, call 07816 684 756