22/08/2023
**IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT**
It is with regret and sadness that I have decided to close the UKAWP.
I am so incredibly proud of what the UKAWP has achieved since 2004, especially standardising professionalism in the industry. But we also experienced many firsts.
1) Launching the first wedding planner / supplier membership
2) Standardising a set of ethics to follow
3) Hosting wedding business workshops
4) Hosting 2 day seminars for wedding planners
5) Numerous courses + downloads
6) Wedding specific coffee mornings and evening soirees
7) Blazing a path for the no commission transparency
There are many reasons for my decision and truth is I have been battling with closing the UKAWP for a few years. There are many personal reasons including health and family, but primarily I don’t think it is needed now.
When I launched the UKAWP there were no memberships, industry bodies nor courses.
Our community was the only wedding planner community around.
Our courses were the only courses to take.
But in 2023 the online space has expanded. There are numerous wedding memberships, entrepreneur memberships not to mention courses and coaching. Which is truly so beautiful to see.
The result is I’m not so sure the UKAWP is needed.
Since losing my step dad in 2021 my focus has been “does it bring me joy”, and sadly running the UKAWP no longer does. It’s a tough decision to close a business that has been part of my business journey for (nearly) 20 years.
But I’m leaving behind a legacy, it feels right to walk away now and work on building new legacies. I have achieved so much over the last 20 years, grown as a leader, built relationships and supported many with personal and professional issues.
I’ll be honest, I no longer feel challenged, a light is shining in a different direction and like any true entrepreneur I must follow even though my heart bleeds at leaving the UKAWP behind.
I have so many plans for my consultancy business that I want to focus solely on this moving forward. This will include 1:1 consultancy, masterminds, training courses and downloadable products. Some will be wedding business focused and some for all creative.
Please know I am so incredibly proud of the UKAWP and all the business has achieved. Making this decision has been hard. Emotionally I feel tied to all my current and past students and members. But in order to scale my business it's time for change.
I hope you will stay connected with me over on Bernadette Chapman