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great deal of my time, as I will never suggest a wedding venue without physically vetting it myself. Recently though, I was asked if I could turn a wedding around in eight weeks! Normally I would be able to achieve this but unfortunately on this occasion the accessible venue was already booked up.
DO YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF ANY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE BRIDAL BOUTIQUES OR GROOM OUTFITTERS? I have an extensive list of very helpful bride and groom services from shops to seamstresses who can provide a service on an extremely individual basis. Some of the shops are willing to give my clients exclusive visiting times where you have the assistant’s undivided attention without the interruption of other customers. Also most of the shops I deal with have pictures of all dresses and suits in their magazines or online so brides can choose a selection of sizes and styles of dresses before they go so that the shop keeper can have them all ready.
FLORISTSCAN BE AWKWARD AND POKEY PLACES TO NEGOTIATE... I try to use fl orists where home visits can be arranged. The advantage here is that you can take your time over those important fl oral decisions. This is often an area where unusual requests are made – bouquets for
STUDYING WITH ICS... Caroline Bathurst decided to set up her business Pure Elegance Weddings after studying for a diploma in Wedding Planning with leading UK distance learning provider ICS. She spent fi ve months learning how to plan a wedding from fi nding suitable venues to helping a couple pick their perfect wedding cake. The wheelchair user believes that her own background gives her a real understanding of the needs of disabled couples looking for help with planning their perfect wedding day.
The ICS Wedding Planner Diploma that Caroline completed is one of the qualifi cations recognised by the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP), a trade organisation for the industry. Her tutor was UKAWP Membership Director Sandy Moretta, who has welcomed Caroline’s decision to target disabled people.
“Caroline is one of the very few wedding planners who can really claim to understand the specifi c requirements of disabled couples who are getting married,” Sandy explained. “She showed huge enthusiasm and knowledge during her course and I hope many disabled couples benefi t from her help in the years to come.”
wedding_planner_ab.indd 2
sitting brides, a fl ower pillow for guide dogs to carry rings!
WEDDING CARS ARE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT VEHICLES TO ACCESS – SO WHAT CAN YOU PROVIDE? We have a list of wheelchair accessible London taxis which fi t the occasion and, for those wanting something more traditional, we also have a host of vintage taxis to choose from.
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE MORE UNUSUAL REQUESTS THAT A BRIDE AND GROOM MIGHT HAVE? I have a complete repertoire of unusual but tasteful covers. For example, there are trains to go over the backs of wheelchairs, decorations for crutches walkers and scooters and even exclusive ranges of clothing and accessories for guide dogs!
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE JOB? Ensuring that what has been promised by a vendor is absolutely what my clients are going to receive. The only way to really make certain that everything is perfect is to visit every venue myself. Then, and only then, can my clients be assured of a worry-free beautiful wedding day!
Caroline managed to fi t her studies with ICS around taking her fi ve year old daughter to and from school. Her husband Jeff is also studying with ICS, learning to do 3D animation.
Managing director of ICS Sally Pulvertaft added: “Caroline is proof that fl exible learning really can transform your life. By studying with ICS, Caroline has been able to realise her dream of starting up her own business. We hope she helps many couples to enjoy the wedding day of their dreams in the future.”
MORE:
www.icslearn.co.uk
From button holes to bridal bouquets, from vintage cars to beautiful gowns, Caroline can provide it. Your wedding day can be as traditional or as imaginative as your wildest dreams, because at Pure Elegance Weddings, there are no barriers to achieving the best day of your life.
Pure Elegance Weddings 07518 693 361,
enquiries@pure-elegance-weddings.co.uk,
www.pure-elegance-weddings.co.uk
HOURS OF BUSINESS: 10.00am – 9.00pm Except: Thursday 10.00am – 5.00pm Sunday Closed
06/07/2010 10:03
“I have an extensive list of very helpful bride and groom services from shops to seamstresses who can provide a service on an extremely individual basis”
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