Introducing Coco’s Resident Wedding Planner
We do love our wedding venues, but even I must admit that it takes a little more than four walls (or less) to create a beautiful wedding…
Over the two years we’ve been running this corner of the web, we’ve worked with, collaborated and discovered some wonderfully talented wedding suppliers – full of passion for what they do and with the ability to create the dreamiest of dreamy big days. So, step in Loved by Coco! This part of the blog is focused on showcasing the people we love; from photographers to dress designers, accessory boutiques to jewellery brands.
Today’s Loved by Coco has been a pleasure to put together, mostly because it’s all about my very dear friend Katrina Otter. This gal is beyond skilled in planning weddings and adores a schedule or three! We first met on Pinterest almost 2 years ago (true story) and since then we’ve created an extraordinary partnership. Katrina is Coco’s very own Resident Wedding Planner and together we’ve written a pretty fab series detailing all of the planning basics you’ll need to get you going.
We also create styled shoots together, shot on location at the venues right here on Coco Wedding Venues. We’re super proud to have been featured on many beautiful wedding blogs and in our most coveted print magazines. In fact, we have our brand new shoot being published in March so look out for that one!
So that’s a little bit of background about how I know this lady, but I oh so wish I’d met Katrina just a few months earlier. Because folks, if I had, I would have asked her to help plan my wedding day in a heart beat.
Here’s why…
(Oh and keep scrolling for a lovely little offer from Katrina!)
Katrina:
A big hello and belated Happy New Year from Katrina Otter Weddings!
I hope you’re all having a wonderful start to the year and have some really rather fabulous plans in place for 2016. If you’re newly engaged then CONGRATULATIONS and if you’re in the midst of wedding preparations then I hope you’re enjoying the planning process.
For me, 2016 has started off in rather epic fashion – that’s because I’m (finally) Loved by Coco!
If you’re as much of a fan of Coco Wedding Venues (and Mrs Hla) as I am then you may have already spotted my name on the Coco blog, Venue Finder and our collaborative Wedding Planning Page!
For those of you who are new to the blog or have seen my name but wondered who I am and what on earth I do, then here’s Katrina Otter Weddings in a nutshell…
I’m a Wedding Planner and former Events Producer, I’ve worked all over the World but now predominately plan weddings throughout the UK, I’m the resident Wedding Planner for Coco Wedding Venues, I’m a regular features contributor for Love My Dress AND I’m one half of the hashtag #cocoandkat! (Search for us on Instagram and also *watch this space*)
Before I delve into the details of what I currently do and the wedding planning services I offer, I thought I’d take you back to 2004!
See that’s the year I realised I was born to plan!
After graduating with a degree in Geography, my University Careers Adviser asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I literally had one of those moments of clarity when I blurted out that I LOVED schedules – seriously!
My first port of call was working as an Events Producer for a global brand experience agency based in London. Over the next 7 years I organised gala dinners, product launches, conventions and global summits in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and America. When I look back now I am so incredibly thankful for the experiences and opportunities I was given. The training I received provided with me with the essential tools and a solid foundation for starting my own business.
In 2010 I delved into the world of wedding planning with my first wedding at Bovey Castle in Dartmoor and from that moment on I’ve never looked back!
I officially launched Katrina Otter Weddings a few years later after completing a One to One training course with the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP), the leading industry body for the UK wedding planning market.
In the years that I’ve been working as a Wedding Planner, I’ve built a reputation for impeccably organised, classically elegant, stylish and timeless weddings. If you take a look through my portfolio, you’ll see just a few of the many highlights from my recent projects.
So, now that those introductions are out of the way, let me tell you a little bit more about exactly what I do and how I work with couples, just like you, to create beautiful and memorable weddings that are full of personality and individuality.
Well, everything starts with an initial free, no-obligation consultation. Whether chatting over Skype or face-to-face we can talk through your ideas, find out a little more about each other and discuss the level of support you require. From there, I produce a beautifully curated proposal outlining your specific requirements and then once we’ve agreed that I’m the Planner for you, it’s time to start work on your wedding!
In terms of the services I offer, I can give as little or as much support as you require, with my most popular services being Full Wedding Planning, Wedding Day Management and my increasingly popular Wedding Consultation service, whereby couples work with me on an hourly rate and can call me as and when they require a little guidance and an extra helping hand.
Whether you’d like my help organising your entire wedding, managing the day itself, creating the design for your day, finding the perfect venue or supplier, or a combination of the above, I’d be happy to tailor my services to suit your needs.
You see, hiring a Wedding Planner is increasingly seen not as a luxury but as a sensible option for couples who’d like someone to guide and reassure them as they plan an event that is, let’s face it, out of most people’s realm of experience. Selecting and commissioning talented and creative suppliers for such an important occasion can be extremely time consuming and slightly overwhelming, which is why having a Wedding Planner to guide you along the way can make the experience so much more enjoyable and ultimately, that’s what I want. I want your wedding to be enjoyable from the first moment we start working together until the last guest leaves at the end of the day.
Because I believe that your wedding should always be unquestionably yours, I don’t offer set packages. Instead, your personal proposal will always include a few different options and a detailed breakdown of the services so you’re guaranteed clarity and certainty from the outset.
Before I leave, and as a little New Year treat, I’m offering a 10% discount on all wedding planning services booked before the end of January 2016. Just mention COCO when you get in touch!
I look forward to hearing from you and providing more wedding planning advice as part of my series on the Coco Blog.
Lots of love..