Funny Hours

I found myself up until silly o'clock this morning as I was busy on the internet reading up on businesses that I found in the Aug/Sept edition of Your West Midlands Wedding.

I was pleased to discover that the British Heart Foundation have branched out into supplying wedding favours, confetti and other paraphernalia including special confetti to stick onto cars. They have an online shop which can be accessed via their website www.bhf.org.uk - I think it is a brilliant way of supporting a charity whilst at the same time buying some nice and different things for your wedding.

At long last I think I may have found somewhere to sell my wedding dresses - they are far too good to go onto ebay and the lady at the local couture shop seems to no longer be keen on having a sale even though I was going to share the profits of the dresses with her. The shop that I have found is based in Kidderminster and they sell pre-loved dresses either through their shop or by attending parties and taking a few dresses along to the bride's home for her to try on. Selling your wedding dress is a good idea because not only do you get some money for your dress which would otherwise be gathering dust in the loft but its also an opportunity for others to have enjoyment and the pleasure of wearing something that they may not otherwise be able to afford. It cuts down waste so its very ethical and I am all for being ethical as far as is possible. www.wornoncewithlove.co.uk - I have tried to contact the shop today but the owner appears to be on holiday judging by the ringtone on the phone so I have emailed her instead to see what she has to say.

I am extremely frustrated at the moment because I have a lot of visits to book but am unable to do so until I get some new glasses - my eyesight has deteriorated to the point that it wouldnt be safe for me to drive :( Thankfully for some meetings I have arranged to meet people in Birmingham City Centre which is only a short bus ride away - I could take the train but I don't like New Street Station and feel extremely uneasy on the stairs - its not a very user friendly place if you are disabled.

I was exchanging emails with a fellow planner who was a tutor on my course (not my tutor but she gave me some brilliant advice and we are now friends) as she has become involved in setting up a Federation of Event & Wedding Planners which will be along the same lines as the Federation of Small Businesses. There is nothing in our industry that is an offical organisation, there are others such as the Institute of Professional Wedding Planners but they don't really support planners or provide regular information and from what I can see nor do UKAWP - this body are strange because they offer planning courses which are two days' long and you cannot possibly learn everything in two days whereas the Institute's course is longer and it gives you an opportunity to do some research and even get some suppliers under your belt.

I have had my final assignment marked and the Institute are being advised that I have now finished the course. Soon I shall be receiving a logo for my website along with my Diploma and I can now call myself Denise Meredith Dip.WP (Inst.WP) - who would have thought that I would ever have letters after my name? Roll on the next course in Event Planning - I could do this as an online course but I prefer to have literature that I can keep and refer back to - hopefully I will be able to claim this cost from the business and get some tax relief. I need to check that with my accountant Sammy. Again this course will give me new insights into organising events although I come from an events background one can never know everything plus it will give me yet more letters after my name and another logo for my website.