Postgraduate Diploma Wedding in Event Planning Management

Diploma in Event Management

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event journey
1. Strategic Planning Pitching
Invitation to pitch Receive Brief Interpret Brief Objectives & Mission Statement Develop Pitch Deliver Pitch & Win

2. Operational Planning Event Development

Planning (Marketing, Comms, Recruitments, Management, Post event etc) Event Management Production Logistics (venue management, staffing, crew, liaising with suppliers, travel, accommodation etc) Design Client liaison Budget management

3. Operational Planning Delivery & Implementation

On the Event Day

4. Operational Planning Post Event

Measurement of success (Audience experience, event team experience, client experience, objectives met, budget management, pioneering, technology etc) Debrief Reconciliation of Finances Next steps

Learning Objectives
After this module you should be able to: Grasp an overview of the UK wedding industry Understand the role of a (good) Wedding Planner Comprehend the different types of wedding ceremonies available in the UK Appreciate the legalities surrounding weddings and civil ceremonies Create a simple wedding budget Source suppliers and venues Understand how to plan and execute a wedding Recognise how to use various wedding documentation to enhance planning

Introductions

Who am I?

UK wedding industry (1)

285,390 marriages were registered in UK during 2011. 6,795 Civil Partnerships were formed by same-sex couples in the UK during 2011. In 2011 Civil Ceremonies 174,600 accounted for 70% of all marriages that took place. Around 11% of brides would consider hiring a wedding planner to help them organise their day. 53% of couples pay for most if the wedding costs. The average length of an engagement is 18 months.

UK wedding industry (2)

93% of couples plan to live together, or are already doing so, prior to their wedding. 45% of couples choose a religious ceremony. 17% of couples have their honeymoon in Europe.

The average of brides in 2010 is 33.6 and grooms is 36.2.

UK wedding industry (3)

The average overall cost of getting married is 22,858. The UK wedding industry is valued at 5.4 billion. 200 committed and professional wedding planning companies operating across the UK (UKAWP 2011)

Sources: Conde Nast Brides UK Wedding Industry survey results, 2008. You and Your Wedding magazine, statistics.gov.uk, Office for National Statistics, UK Alliance of Wedding Planners
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UK Wedding Industry Key Dates (1)

January - Engagement Season February Valentines Day, Engagement Season, National Marriage Week, National Wedding Show (London & Birmingham) March - Engagement Season, National Wedding Show (Manchester), Brides The Show, London

May Wedding Season

June - Wedding Season
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UK Wedding Industry Key Dates (2)

July - Wedding Season August - Wedding Season September - Wedding Season

October - National Wedding Show (London &

Birmingham), Brides The Show, London

December - Engagement Season

Role of the wedding planner

Guide on matters of trends, taste, etiquette and traditions Budget management Event Design Creative approach Negotiate with clients, parents and suppliers Network

Planning a wedding
Total number of guests Budget Theme/Style Preferred location/setting Religious or Civil Ceremony Date and time of day Clients Vision

Planning a reception
Detailed schedule Timings Bridal Party entrance Seating plan & top table seating arrangement Speeches Cake cutting Entertainment Dining style

Venue sourcing
The venue is arguably the most important element of planning a wedding. Its one of the the first decisions to be made. The venue sets the scene and should compliment the wedding theme. There are a number of approved venues to hold Civil Ceremonies and Civil Partnerships. Church of England in 2008 relaxed rules on whom they will marry in Church. www.churchofengland.org There are key questions to ask the venue to ensure the venue is suitable. For a comprehensive list of venue questions visit, www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-venues/venues/checklist.htm

Supplier sourcing
Your suppliers are crucial to the success of every wedding you plan. Suppliers you recommend should be licensed (where applicable), insured, registered and qualified. Professional wedding suppliers and services can be met by attending industry events, word of mouth, recommendations, local & national wedding shows, and via social media platform such as Twitter or Facebook. Remember to view portfolios, contact past clients and suppliers, read testimonials. Strategic partnerships which suppliers meet brides early in the planning process? Referrals are a great way to attract new business. Build relationships with suppliers. Leave some of your promotional material with suppliers you wish to work with and ask them to pass on to prospective clients.

Planning a wedding (2)

A timeline of tasks is essential An itinerary or schedule of the wedding day with specific timings locations, suppliers, contact details Group Exercise Putting together a wedding day schedule with timings

Wedding legalities (1)

Both parties must be at least 16 years old. In England and Wales, if either of the couple is under 18 years they must have parent or guardians permission to marry. They cant be closely related The marriage must take place in legal premises, such as a register office, religious venue or licensed venue. This must be a permanent structure with a fixed roof. The marriage must take place in the presence of a registrar or authorized official.

Wedding legalities (2)

The ceremony must take place between 8am and 6pm. Two witnesses who are old enough to understand the meaning of the ceremony must be present at both a civil and religious ceremony. They must be free and eligible to marry

Wedding budgets
When asking suppliers for a quote, be as specific possible. An estimate will not be the final amount so asking for a quote is advisable. Remember to include VAT and consider service charge The percentage allocations on the budget will vary depending on the clients priorities and their supplier preferences. Dont forget to include your planning fee!

Items Ceremony (fees) Reception (venue hire, catering, food beverages, staffing and Vat) Flowers, lighting and dcor Attire (wedding dress and grooms wear) Music and entertainment Photography and film Favours and gifts

Percentage of budget to allocate 2% 48-50% 10% 10% 10% 10% 3%

Stationery (table plan, name cards plus invitations, postage)

Transport

3%
3%

Being a good wedding planner

Skills needed Importance of effective communication Prioritising in and on your business It's all about the benefits

Exercise

Brainstorm a checklist of questions that you think you would need to ask in order to ensure that you have all the information you need...
Group 1 Venue Group 2 Florist Group 3 Caterer Group 4 Band/DJ

Exercise timings

Brainstorm Presentation Group discussion

15 minutes 3 mins/group 15 minutes

From start to finish...

Initial contact Meetings Proposals On The Day Co-ordination A word about full wedding planning/design

What could possibly go wrong? Think about things that could go wrong both before and on the wedding day. Discuss how you could prevent these things happening and how you would cope when/if things do go wrong.

Exercise timings

Brainstorm Presentation Group discussion

15 minutes 3 mins/group 15 minutes

Insight from the inside...

Pitfalls & how to avoid them Trends Identifying what couples want How to have the business you want

Starting your own wedding biz

Target Market Niche Sole trader Research your local market and competition Business plan Menu of services Business name Website design, layout, functionality V brochure site Supplier base Business cards Promotional material Associations Wedding media contacts

Useful resources
weddingpath.co.uk/downloads No.444, Wedding Planner. Business Opportunity Profile (BOP), Barclays Bank website Wedding planning software, www.confettiandcake.com