Bride Interview with Kim Rix
Please take a moment to read this before contacting Your London Wedding Planner:
How long have you been in the business and when did you become a wedding planner?
In one way or another, my whole working life has involved dealing with people and managing events, but a turning point came around ten years ago. As a board-level PA with KPMG I found my services increasingly called upon to arrange garden parties, charity occasions, ski parties, boating weekends and the like. I enjoyed that so much I decided that this was my metier. I went part-time, set up my own events company, specialising in high-end events management--bespoke social events, day trips to Royal Ascot, Opera at Glyndebourne and so forth. Soon I was doing this full time, widening my experience and creating a team of regular service contacts in the process. However, the more I became involved with weddings, the more clearly I saw that this is a natural extension of my work. What I value is the greater personal element, and the real significance of these occasions for those taking part. That, and the unique possibilities for creative planning they offer, gives me great satisfaction.
That's fine, but what really sets you apart from all the other wedding planners out there?
Obviously I (Kim Rix) can't speak for every one of them, but Your London Wedding Planner does what it says on the tin. What I can offer you is a totally personal service. And I only work with top-end wedding profesionals and exclusive venues.
Nothing will be set in motion until you have shared your personal vision with me and feel absolutely confident that we are on the same wavelength. From that moment on, my time will be yours. This is what I do--so you don't have to worry about waiting days for a response.
Second, I have a passion for what I do, which I'm sure will be obvious when we meet and talk. My clients will tell you that when you work with me, you'll not only be getting someone who is open, sensitive and kind...but you'll also get someone who is reliable, hard-working and conscientious...and quietly forceful when needs be ;-)
It all sounds excellent. But it also seems expensive. Are we going to be able to afford all this?
It's a question of the value you place on your time and on my experience. Bear in mind that a full-scale ceremonial wedding can involve up to 400 hours of planning time, and the charges need to be seen in that context. You should also factor in the removal of stress--few life events are more stressful than the lead-up to a wedding. Seen in the context of the typical overall cost of the occasion--the fee paid to a professional wedding planner will seem like money well spent. There are several ways in which it can also save you money.
What sort of people do you work best with?
Experience suggests that it is the professional woman, who leads a discerning lifestyle, happy to pay a bit more but expects the best, who will find my services most helpful.
One of the first issues we shall discuss at that consultation is what exactly you want from me. If you already have a very clear idea of your dream wedding, but simply don't have the time or expertise to make it happen, that is relatively straightforward. On the other hand, if you are less decided and need to explore the endless possibilities with me, that's also fine. What I would ask is that once we have agreed our mutual roles and defined the boundaries, you then adhere to them.
The success of our collaboration will flow from our achieving a genuinely mutual trust and sympathy--which is why I offer a one-to-one preliminary consultation with no charge.
Will I lose control of my own wedding if you are planning it for me?
Not at all. It's totally your wedding--you make the decisions. We won't proceed until our respective roles are crystal clear and you are completely happy with them. We'll be in constant communication.
Will you work with suppliers of my own choosing?
Yes. I am happy to work with your own selection of people. However, I do have contacts at my fingertips that I can easily introduce you to, if you want that.
How do you take payment and can we have a payment plan?
Payment by direct bank transfer is preferred. And yes, we can set up a payment plan to give you peace of mind.
Do you have liability insurance?
Certainly.
Do you take on more than one wedding per day?
Certainly not. That would be against the whole idea of a personal service!
May we contact some of your former clients to see what it's like to work with you?
Yes, absolutely. Just ask us and I'll put you in touch.
You sound perfect for us, but we have a couple more questions before we get started. Can I call you to discuss??
Please feel free to call me at 0208 989 4886 or you can email me (kim@yourlondonweddingplanner.co.uk) to set up a complimentary ‘get acquainted' session. I want to hear about your wedding planning concerns as well as your vision of your dream wedding.
