WPE 12

Later this week I will be attending the UKAWP wedding planning excellence seminar. Over two days trading wedding planners get together to brush up on the many skills required to make an excellent wedding planner.
The UKAWP was founded with one purpose to promote professionalism in wedding planning. Lets face it there are no qualifications to becoming a wedding planner and anyone can do it if they want. As the industry is not regulated when you are looking to hire a wedding planner to help you be careful where you look.
The best way is by recommendation, the next best way is to look to see if they were trained or are members of the UKAWP. These are professional planners who are abide by a strict code of practice:

CODE OF BUSINESS PRACTICE

I agree to:

Respond to enquiries within 48 hours
Respect client confidentiality
Disclose any suppliers I have a vested interest in
Pass discounts and/or commission onto clients
Ensure my Public Liability insurance is up to date
Never give client details to any third party not involved with the wedding
Respect copyright from fellow wedding professionals
Represent each client fairly and honestly
Use legally sound business contracts with clients
 

You can rest assured, that by hiring a wedding planner is Essex or anywhere else for that matter if they have the UKAWP logo then you are hiring a professional who takes their work and your wedding seriously.
I am very much looking forward to catching up with my fellow planners and learning a few new things

www.ukawp.com

Heart FM Wedding Show - Part 2

On the Sunday at the Brentwood Centre, Essex wedding band, One Foot in the Groove provided the live music in the marquee. Throughout the day they played some party songs to get all the couples in the mood. This very versatile Essex wedding band were also able to play some lovely background jazz and swing, perfect for a drinks reception or wedding breakfast.
In the main arena you could find everything from cakes to gorgeous dresses,  photo booths to flowers. It really was wedding world.

I must say a big thank you to John at Vicarge Marquees, Richard at Fuud Ltd and Paul from MD Entertainments for allowing myself and the band to perform in the marquee over a very busy weekend.
www.fuudoutsidecaterers.co.uk
www.vicaragemarquees.co.uk
www.mdentertainments.co.uk

Hedingham Castle, Essex

Today I went to meet one of my couples at their venue, Hedingham Castle. As a musician I have played in the marquee before but I never got the chance to see the famous keep, where the civil ceremony will take place. I got totally lost absorbing all of the history of the place that I completely forgot to take any pictures!! (note to self, on the wedding day take pictures) If you have always thought about marrying in a castle then this could be for you.

Taken from the website: Hedingham Castle's Norman keep, 110 feet high, was built c.1140 by Aubrey de Vere and is still owned by one of his descendants, Jason Lindsay and his wife Demetra. There are four floors to explore, including a magnificent banquting hall spanned by a remarkable 28 foot arch, one of the largest Norman arches in England. A good view of this splendid room can be obtained from the Minstrels' Gallery, built within the thickness of the 12 foot walls. Castle weddings in medieval surroundings. For those wishing to get married in a Castle, it is now possible to have a romantic candlelit Civil Ceremony in the Banqueting Hall.

Small receptions can be held in the elegant rooms of the Georgian house which is a beautiful location for Wedding Receptions and is also perfect for delightful, intimate winter weddings. For larger parties or those requiring dancing, there is a marquee on the private Tulip Lawn. Drinks can be served on the terrace which has beautiful views over the lake.

Do have a look at the website, but if you want to be a princess for the day then this is it.

www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Hanbury Manor Wedding Fayre

Last Sunday I had a stand at the Hanbury Manor wedding fayre, with my musical hat on promoting Groove Music Management and Essex wedding band, One Foot in the Groove.
Hanbury Manor is a gorgeous hotel in the Hertfordshire countryside. It was my first fayre of the spring season, there are a few more coming up. I will keep you posted. We took a couple of provisional bookings for our main hertfordshire wedding band, One Foot in the groove, which was great and many more bride and grooms to be,  took the bands CD.
Its been a few years since I've been to Hanbury Manor and I had fogotten what a lovely place it is. Set in 200 acres of parkland, this 5 star hotel and country club is licensed for civil ceremonies and has several rooms suitable to hold your wedding. There is Poles Hall, a lovely wooden panelled room, which seats up to 120 guests. The Thundridge Suite, which overlooks the grounds and champion golf course, seats up to 180 guests and has a smaller suite attached for the bar and buffet in the evening.
My favourite part of this beautiful venue is The Garden Court, as its completely self contained. The conservatory for your civil ceremony and party in the evening, the lovely gardens for your photographs and the attached drawing room is perfect for the wedding breakfast. It even has its own bedrooms, so your wedding feels exclusive, as you are away from the rest of the venue at this wonderful 5 star resort. If you are looking for something elegant for your big day go and have a look.

Happy New Year

I just want to take this opportunity to say a very happy new year to everyone. If you are getting married next year, 2013 or even 2014 and would like some help, no matter how much or how little. Essex wedding planning company, EC Wedding Design can take the stress out of planning your wedding day without you loosing any control. Allowing you to thoroughly enjoy your very special day.
We have a variety of services and we only take on a certain amount of events each year so that we can give our couples the attention that they need and deserve.
Don't forget we also have a small range of services to enhance your wedding. Including: Our candy buffet, a fabulous alternative to favours. PA hire, great if you are having a ceremony outside. Our sister company, Groove Music Management can also help with all your entertainment needs from bands to disco's. www.groovemusicmanagement.co.uk

Hope 2012 brings all that your heart desires

We're back (for good) with new services

Its official, EC Weddings is has finally got round to launching. I have had a couple of false starts due to my commitments to my other wedding business, but now I have two fabulous clients lined up for 2012 so feel its time to get on with things, besides  I love blogging.
This is just a little introduction to the website. We have a new service for 2012 due to demand from brides, The Sweetie Buffet. You and your guests will love all the retro sweets, believe me the adults love it more than the kids. Further details can be found on the website.

Also for 2012 we will have PA hire, ideal for civil ceremonies and speeches, whats the point in saying your vows if your guests can't hear! same goes for the speeches. and we'll also have dance floor, DJ and lighting hire later on in the year, from our sister company www.groovemusicmanagement.co.uk so keep watching.