Do accreditations make a difference?

Hmmm difficult to say. yes an accreditation would be useful, but it would by no means be the be all and end all - i would look more for experience and previous testimonials. i have no idea as to what each of the different organisations offers, so how do i know which is good and which is bad?

its like doing a degree - say someone you meet has a degree in english with a 1st - you know that if it comes from oxford or cambridge it's definitely worth more than say a degree from the college of bluewater. but if you don't know of either the college of bluewater or the university of cambridge then they, effectively, mean the same.

ok so the above is a VERY long way of saying: it wouldn't mean much to me as a potential client.

i hope my rambled response has helped a small iota!!!

Cheers BW, you do make me laugh......but thanks for your response x

Hi Ruth, I've worked with various planners and to be honest, I think its much more about the person, your strengths, personality, ability etc than accreditations. Your testimonials are the key I guess, as well what 'you' can give to the clients.

A few things to consider...What does the membership actually give you? Are there any benefits, do you have to be assesed etc? If its just a case of buying the right to use the title, then do you think the investment would be worth it?

Nicky

Personally if I was looking for a wedding planner I wouldn't be swayed by one who had accreditations over one that didnt. The fact that you had a good reputation and you were a qualified wedding planner would be good enough for me. If there are benefits to you for getting the accreditation though and you can afford the £250 a year then there is no reason not to I suppose.

I know in other professions being accredited can be good as it often means that you're acountable not only to the customer, but to the accrediting body in case of complaint or dispute. If being accredited gives you something like this, then maybe it's worth it as it will give more nervous clients a sense of reassurance.

If it's only a piece of paper, then maybe not such a good use of your money.

Hi Millie

Thanks, I was looking at what they offer and there are opportunities for marketing and attending events plus the use of the students to help at larger events but I offer work experience to The Wedding Planner School Students so don't need that so much.

I agree about strengths etc but those are found out after you've contacted them, it's more to add another value to my services for those who are in the first stages of choosing a planner.

They check your references , from two clients and one supplier which is no problem but I don't think it reallys says that much. You are listed on their directory obviously, but not knowing how many people use it it's hard to say if that's worth it either.

I might contact a few members not in my area and see if they think it's been worth the money.

Ruth

x

There is a code of practice that you have to adhere to so I would so yes. The other thing that made me think it was a reputible association is when you apply for your listing on the hitched directory as a planner, they offer you the option of attaching the UKAWP logo if you're a member.

From thier website

"BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

The main benefit in joining is becoming part of a UK alliance that is passionate about the industry and that promotes the benefits of hiring a planner for today’s stylish weddings. By being accepted into the alliance, applicants will have had to prove their experience and knowledge. As wedding planners become more popular, the number of individuals wishing to set up will also increase so companies who set themselves apart by becoming members of the UKAWP will be marked as true professionals.

Members who pass the entrance criteria can look forward to the following benefits.

ALL MEMBERS

• Letter of acceptance into the UKAWP to be shown to future clients.
• Ability to refer potential clients to the UKAWP code of ethics and application process to gain enhanced client confidence.
• Inclusion on the UKAWP on-line database of member companies. This database is searchable by all visitors to the site and every entry will include website & e-mail links as well as other contact details.
• Quarterly newsletter with all the latest wedding related news. All members are invited to submit articles & features to the newsletter. This is also sent to major bridal publications as PR awareness.
• Increased media awareness of member companies. The UKAWP has links with a variety of media outlets and has an on-going press and public relations plan to continually increase the profile of the Alliance within the wedding industry.
• Benefit from the UKAWP’s ongoing advertising plan in national wedding publications. This alone will save you hundreds of pounds.
• No application fee, just an annual membership.
• Invitations to attend any UKAWP meetings, networking events, workshops or training courses.

FULL MEMBERS

• Use of the UKAWP full member logo on all literature.
• Priority involvement in UKAWP events.
• Students from the UKAWP course to help at larger events

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

• Use of the UKAWP associate member logo on all literature.

From the website

BECOMING A MEMBER

The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners welcomes applications from all wedding planners. However, to maintain the high standards of the Alliance, applicants will be required to meet the following entrance requirements:

FULL MEMBERS

• Companies must have been trading for at least 12 months at point of application.
• Companies must submit details of two past clients that the Alliance can contact to gather references, one of which must be for full wedding co-ordination from venue search through to attending on the day. Postal addresses, not just e-mail addresses, must be provided.
• Companies must provide one reference from a supplier or venue.
• Companies must supply proof of public liability insurance.
• Membership fee is £250 for 12 months.
• To download an application form please do so

_______________________________

To be honest - that is not a high bar to achive, infact it is abysmally low...

Take for example a virtual industry Noob, who has sucsessfully helped 2 clients in 1 year, who both have tiny weddings - is not exactly a high standard of membership. I recon I could join now, and pass the requirements (and I am a Wedding photographer!)

Of course Elizabeth (who is a wedding planner) would be able to join immediatally with no problems

Looking at the overall site - the focus is on thier business, not yours. You have no obligation to do any training, There is certainly no focus on the wedding. The next (single) seminar is in Feb, which to my mind is playing lip service to training and support

Richard

I don't think its that important to be honest...I'd be focusing more on if I liked you as a person, and the service you offer as opposed to an accreditation. Especially, as Richards post points out, there is not really anything they are accrediting you for! It just seems to me that you'll be paying out money to be accredited at something that no-one has actually checked you should be accredited for!

Maybe thats putting it a bit too simplistic, but I don't think its worth doing TBH. xx

I wouldn't be swayed by someone who had them. I believe if the person is good at their job, has plenty of genuinely happy Previous customers, then that speaks volumes.

Service by Reputation is by far a higher priority.

Thanks everyone

My goodness Richard, you're always so thorough on your posts, I think there should be a category in the awards for 'the most thorough answers to posts' ?

However, the decision is made, I'll keep the money and invest it somewhere else, (maybe a new bed for my son!!!?

You're right Sher, reputation and MOW has worked well so far, so will stick with that and my current means of advertising. Hope you're feeling better!

Thanks again

Ruth

x

Have to say i agree with Sherrie

its like photographers, some arent very good but are members of a photography association (excuse my ignorance Richard not knowing the actual title)

i also feel that if a planner is any good then surely they should become part of this association based on their experience, service offered etc and not because they have public liability insurance and can afford the £250.00 fee. i do agree with making a payment, but surely the association should spend time with the planner, at meetings with their clients, actually seeing them running a wedding etc to make sure they are worthy of joining the association. this is of course only my personal opinion and not in any way that of the majority (trying to get out of being flamed here)

we also do wedding planning and never have i been asked about being a member of the UKAWP but i get asked about past clients, and i pass on email addresses etc of the brides that allow me to do this (not everyone is happy to let you pass their details on willy nilly) then they can base their decision whether or not to hire me based on what i can do and as there are so many planners out there nowadays surely this is an important thing for brides to be happy about.

crikey i can go on when i get going

am sneaking off now before i get shouted at ?

Tracy xx

Hi Tracy

I think you're safe, no one would shout at you for that.

I agree with what you say about the way they validate a good planner isn't enough and I would gladly allow any professional body to assess me if that's what they did, but I don't think any do. The reason I um'd and ah'd is because I did think anyone could provide two references and a suppliers reference and it not mean much.

I too offer the opportunity for people to contact past clients, but I have to say that people have booked me without doing this so far. I think the fact that you can offer the opportunity for them to contact previous clients is sometimes enough. People do seem happy enough to book after the initial meeting. I was just wondering if would help entice new customers who have found me by a web search or on the directory of the UKAWP and encourage them to make that initial first contact. But as I said, I'm going to leave it and spend the money elsewhere!

Ruth

x

I would say no, its more about you. Were videographers and there are a whole raft of places we can join. However there all organizations where you pay money and they accept you no matter what. We see a lot of our peers have accreditations but feel the work is just awful.

No one has ever asked to see any accreditations and im sure many if not all have never heared of WEVA, IOV, APV, AA or RAC (little joke with the last two). We feel the more well known names are worth more like being Dolby certified.

If you feel your money gives you benefits you cant live without or gets you clients then I say go for it. but us, its all about the quality of our work.