If you are thinking about hiring a wedding planner to be involved in some aspect of your wedding planning you will want to choose someone you are confident is the right fit for the job. The choice is yours whether you want wedding co-ordination from the day you say I do or for your planner to just make sure everything is in order on the day. Jeni, of Vanilla Rose Weddings & Events can help you with either or. We decided to find out a little more about her and her business.
1. What inspired you to become a wedding planner?
I’ve always worked in the 5* boutique hotel industry in London, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds, and also worked for a number of years planning high profile events for the Film and TV industry and thoroughly enjoyed the planning and co-ordination aspects whilst working with people. I’ve always loved weddings, and after completing my professional training with the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP) I decided to set up my own company – Vanilla Rose Weddings & Events.
2. What one thing should a bride prepare for most?
A Bride should always focus on being relaxed on their wedding day, and make the most of it – as it will fly by! I’m always there to take care of the suppliers and each and every detail throughout the day, so brides needn’t worry about a thing!
3. Have you seen any wedding disasters in your experiences?
No disasters thankfully, but there’s inevitably something which crops up on the day..Keeping control of many drunken guests can be a challenge at times!
4. How does one become a wedding planner?
The best advice I could give would be to enrol on a professional wedding planning course. The UKAWP holds a Business Practicalities and a Step by Step Wedding Planning course a couple of times a year, and it’s a great starting point for learning. Another great way to be involved is to shadow a wedding planner or events planner and gain experience that way.
5. If you were stranded on a dessert island what 3 things would you choose to have with you?
My two kittens – Max and Millie, and some music to keep me occupied until I was rescued!
6. Do you think men should become more involved in the overall wedding planning?
Yes, definitely! Us ladies may forget it sometimes, but it’s as much the Groom’s day as well and in my experience they have some great ideas about their wedding!
7. What is your favourite thing to eat?
I’m lucky that I have a trained Chef as a fiance so we’re always trying new things, but I often don’t have time to cook myself, so something quick and yummy like a stir fry is a popular choice!
8. Where would be your ideal destination wedding location and why?
I attended a wedding once in Capri, Italy and it was the most gorgeous cliff top location for a wedding… views over the crystal clear waters, the sunshine beating down creating beautiful light over the church, and fantastic food!
Based in Oxfordshire, Vanilla Rose Weddings & Events is on hand to offer guidance, expert advice and support to ensure each and every element of an event runs to perfection. Jeni can become involved at any stage of your preparations, and do as much or as little as you like. You may have already planned a considerable amount of your wedding, but feel you need some last minute guidance on the finer details, or would love to have someone co-ordinating your suppliers on your wedding day. They offer a range of services to suit everyone, whilst we are professional, exceptionally organised, and of course fun!
