Last month marked two years since my wedding Twitter networking hour started.
#UKWedLunch was born to cater for couples planning a wedding in their lunch break. It was designed to connect brides and grooms looking for recommendations with UK based wedding professionals networking in their lunch break.
It has around 1700 followers and counting; a different discussion topic (currently on the second and third week of the month); lively interaction; and lots of connections and new contacts have been formed as a result of #UKWedLunch.
Changing focus of wedding Twitter networking hours
However in the quieter networking times (which typically seem to coincide with school holidays and half terms), I question whether twitter networking hours have run their course in today’s busy and ever changing social media platforms.
The purpose of twitter networking hours (topics or conversation typically grouped together by a common hashtag at a regular time/day) has commonly been to find new contacts, discuss topics, gain more followers, share other people’s content, increase sales and primarily have a conversation with others (this is ‘social’ media after all!)
For me, twitter networking hours should be about contributing and participating in a conversation. The old saying ‘you get out what you put in’ is often true in any form of networking and more so when you’re online. After all, if you just tweet and run then how do you know if what you are saying is on message with the week’s current topic?
All networking is a huge time commitment. Nowadays, it seems that the twitter forum is saturated with networking hours and new ones pop up all the time. Within each networking hour, there are also an increasing number of sales tweets rather than quality advice or conversation. Rather than spreading a marketing message wide, it is often better to be selective with the networking you choose so you can be more focused and have a personal approach.
Additionally, the users of these hours is changing to become more about supplier relationships rather than couples searching for answers.
Evolution of wedding Twitter networking hours
So I’m left wondering whether twitter networking hours have had their day, who participates in them and what is the purpose of them now.
I feel that #UKWedLunch is at a crossroads and I’d like it to evolve to the next stage. It was one of the first wedding twitter hours to focus on a separate topic each week with top tips and advice. Now is the time for a new format in twitter networking.
You can help shape the future of wedding twitter networking hours by completing this short survey.
I’m looking forward to how things develop and the next year of networking. Please spread the word so others can join us on Wednesdays 1-2pm on Twitter.
As well as general wedding planning chat, today we are talking about keeping calm whilst wedding planning with top tips from Stephanie Varda Bridal Coach #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Do it together. Discuss things as a couple – talk to your partner about what you both want from your wedding. You don’t have to take responsibility for all the decision making involved in planning your wedding. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Get help. If friends and family offer help, then accept it. Either delegate some smaller tasks or accept advice where you need it. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Take breaks. Don’t live and breathe your wedding for the entire time you are planning. Take time out to do something else for a little while. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Adapt. Things might not go exactly to plan, and plans may change. Don’t get upset about things that you can’t do anything about, and stay flexible and open to change. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Prioritise. Decide which parts of the day are most important to you and which bits you don’t care so much about. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Think about the whole day and the bigger picture of what you want from your wedding. Don’t get caught up in worrying about the details. #UKWedLunch
What a day for celebration the fourth of July is: Independence Day, Alice Day and today is the 4th birthday of Hanami Dream weddings and special occasions!
four years since my first styled shoot
Yes, today marks four years since I published my first styled photo shoot under the umbrella of Hanami Dream. After that Alice in Wonderland shoot in 2014, came the Wizard of Oz, followed by a Wind in the Willows wedding in 2016. Last year saw the addition of 3 more styled bridal shoots: a modern Edwardian Secret Garden themed wedding, a real break from tradition with a Festival style wedding and also a lovely winter Journey to the Centre of the Earth themed wedding. I’m enjoying working with some amazing local suppliers!
Photography by Squib Photography
four years since my first tweet
From my first tweet in 2014, to a steadily increasing readership (and social media following) with around 1,100 unique page views a month on average. Plus a combined social media network of over 5,400 followers and ongoing promotion and networking means this is ever growing.
four years since my first blog post
It’s crazy to think how much has evolved over the past four years; now 310 blog posts later and this year I won the Event and Wedding category at the UK Blog Awards after being a finalist for the previous two years running, I’m now a Certified Wedding and Event Planner, and have recently had one of my shoots featured in Your Glos & Wilts Wedding magazine.
four years of further accolades
I’m really pleased to continue to add to my honoured collection of accolades, which include #QueenOf Wedding Inspiration by The Royal Connection, the #SmartSocial award from Marketme, #BrightPig’s Business of the Week, WOW Winner picked by Jacqueline Gold CBE. As well as winning Theo Paphitis’s #SBS (Small Business Sunday).
I am an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Certified Wedding and Event Planner with the UKAWEP.
Plus I launched #UKWedLunch nearly 2 years ago, as well as being a guest host on #BrideHour.
four years more experience
My focus has been on developing the blog commercially, as well as providing inspiration to brides and grooms in the Cotswolds. Plus I’ve continued to combine my previous 13 years of marketing experience, with my local knowledge, in the scope of the wedding industry. It has been great to provide marketing consultation to some local, independent wedding businesses in and around Witney, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. I’ve been affectionately titled the Wedding Inspector – a bit like the Alex Polizzi of the local wedding industry!
work with Hanami Dream
I look forward to working with more local wedding professionals, services and venues #keepitlocal. And I can’t wait to produce more styled photo shoots and have more opportunities to collaborate with local suppliers.
Please get in touch if you’d like to advertise on the blog, submit your own wedding details, would like to collaborate on a shoot, write a guest post or need some marketing advice and guidance. Together we can build the local wedding industry and inspire brides and grooms for their special day.
Happy birthday to Hanami Dream – definitely time for cake now!
As well as general wedding planning chat, today will be about wedding insurance with top tips from Wedding Insurance Group #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: insure your wedding just like your other life assets, car and property #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: protect your wedding ceremony and reception in case of cancellation due to illness, fire, flood or adverse weather conditions #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: check for policies that cover bankruptcy or liquidation of suppliers plus cover for wedding cars and transport for breakdowns or accidents #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: think about additional cover for wedding gifts, rings, flowers, wedding cake and attendants gifts #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: check with your venue if you need additional public liability to cover accidental injury or loss of all guests #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: consider bespoke cover for ceremonial sword, marquee, mobile WC, overseas etc #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, today will be about toasts at weddings #UKWedLunch
WHY: traditionally toasts were a way of checking your drink wasn’t poisoned, or the clink was to keep evil spirits at bay. An actual bit of toast was put in drinks to soak up the dregs (with the person being honoured receiving the saturated piece of toast). #UKWedLunch
WHO: The welcome toast is by the host / father of bride = toasts the bride and groom
The groom = toasts the bridesmaid(s)
The best man = final toast to the bride and groom
#UKWedLunch
WHEN: after speeches, toasts bring the formal part of the wedding day to an end, so the informal part can begin #UKWedLunch
WHAT: traditionally toasts are with champagne, sparkling wine, prosecco, or alternatives may include shots, a signature cocktail, sparkling elderflower or have your guests choose their own drink
HOW: arm raised and outstretched with glass in hand and say either: please be upstanding, please raise your glasses, join me in toasting. Followed by a sentence for everyone else to repeat like ‘to the bride and groom’ or ‘to good health’ #UKWedLunch
HOW MUCH: allow 1 bottle for every 8 guests for the champagne toast and only pour half glasses (as most guests will just take sip and go back to their original drink) #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips were about toasts at weddings. Take a look at previous top tips from #UKWedLunch networking hours
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week will be about networking #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
As well as general wedding planning chat, today we are talking about catering at weddings with top tips from Ross and Ross Food #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: consider food stations – different types of food that your guests can approach & select what they want to create a social aspect to your wedding & allows variety instead of a plated dish #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: use seasonal food – to ensure the produce is fresh and of excellent quality #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: think about a sharing board – great for your guests to connect and socialise #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: establish dietary requirements – construct a menu with your caterer to suit your guests’ needs. Confirm with guests and show them specific ingredient lists from the chef #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: communication is key – let your caterers know enough in advance about any special requirements or changes so they can plan and prepare for different meals #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: trust in your suppliers – you have chosen them for a reason, so relax and leave the work to them #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, today will be about wedding photographs #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Keep a traditional photographer – nothing beats professional photographs! Think about the style of photos you want and pick a photographer who has this style in their portfolio whether that be formal, candid or reportage. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Consider having an engagement shoot so that you can get comfortable in front of the camera with your photographer before the big day. Plus it gives you a chance to recce some good photo locations at your venue. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Share running order of the day with photographer so they don’t miss key moments. Put together a shot list for your obscure requests. Think about shots you’d like to sum up the day (formal, candid and details). And feed your photographer – it’s a long day! #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Guests – please make sure that you don’t block the photographer on the day. Plus, the couple want to see your faces not your phones when they look back on their photographs. Chose a moment in the ceremony when guests can take their own photos. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Think about contingency plans – what happens if the photographer can’t do your wedding at the last minute? Do they have a stand in? Check what your insurance covers and ask your venue if they have a designated space for group shots in case it rains. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Hold your flowers by your belly button to have a nice shape with your arms. Take group photo of all the guests from up high to see all the faces and fit everyone in. Take phones and keys out of pockets. Get plenty of full length shots of the dress. Smile:) #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips were about wedding photographs. Take a look at previous top tips from #UKWedLunch networking hours.
Thank you for all the RTs, follows and likes! Hope to see you again next Wednesday 1-2pm for more wedding planning chat #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week will be about networking
As well as general wedding planning chat, today will be about drinks at weddings #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: drink seasonally – if it’s hot you’ll need cool drinks (and possibly extra ice) and vice versa #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: If guests are self serving then they may pour more than a bar tender. However they may drink less depending on time of wedding or on a weekday #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: main alcohols to stock a basic wedding bar include: gin, vodka, rum, tequila, whisky, beer, wine, and champagne #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: roughly you can get 4 servings per bottle of wine and 18 servings per bottle of liquor #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: allow 1 bottle for every 8 guests for the champagne toast and only pour half glasses (as most guests will just take sip and go back to their original drink) #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Here’s a quick sum to give you a rough number of drinks needed for your wedding = number of guests x 1.5 x number of hours of serving #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips were about drinks at weddings Take a look at previous top tips from #UKWedLunch networking hours
Thank you for all the RTs, follows and likes! Hope to see you again next Wednesday 1-2pm for more wedding planning chat #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week will be about networking #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
As well as general wedding planning chat, today there will be about local marriage requirements #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: You need to give notice of marriage in your local registration district. If you and your partner live in different areas, you will both need to give notice in your own district. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: You can get married in a church, registry office or an approved venue. Or you could choose a legal service followed by a celebratory ceremony (if your venue is not licensed for ceremonies) #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: If you’re using a celebrant then there’s no restrictions when it comes to location (as long as you have permission from the land owner) nor temperature, or time of day! #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: To give notice of marriage in a registration office, you must have lived in that district for minimum of seven days. The earliest notice of marriage can be given is 12 months before. Normally, 28 clear days’ notice is required. #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: You will be asked to produce evidence of your full name, nationality, age and proof of current address plus evidence of marital status #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Two registrars will attend a civil wedding: one to conduct the ceremony and the other to register your marriage. You need two adults to be your witnesses – friends or relatives over the age of 16 and able to understand English. #UKWedLunch
