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I dreamed about planning my own wedding for years. But when my husband Simon and I got married, Crafter’s Companion was just getting up and running so I actually ended up outsourcing all of the planning to my sister, mam and bridesmaid!
So when the BBC approached me about becoming a judge on Ultimate Wedding Planner, I leapt at the chance! Because, you see, I LOVE weddings. I love finding out the themes, the colour schemes, the flowers and surprise surprise, the handmade finishing touches. The whole thing was just right up my street.
I was joined by hospitality expert and maitre d’ Fred Siriex and industry expert Ray Somaiya to mentor, guide and support eight aspiring wedding planners as they competed for the title of Ultimate Wedding Planner.
Six couples were brave (or mad) enough to let our wedding planners take control of their big day. And it was our job to travel the length and breadth of the country to offer feedback and support as they developed their skills in the wedding planning industry.
I was there as the expert judge for craft, looking at the crafty decorations and creative centrepieces. There are a lot of handmade elements in a wedding, from invitations and favours to spectacular decorative displays so I had a lot to keep me occupied (and in my happy place!).
I also brought my business nose along to check on whether the wedding planners could project manage each event effectively and keep it all within budget whilst delivering something spectacular – no mean feat!
It was the most fun to film! We all got to dress up and attend some truly sensational weddings. From 1950s vintage and rustic farm to aviation and millionaire’s garden party themes – every celebration was just out-of-this-world amazing.
And I had the best wedding dates on my arm – getting to know Fred was a joy and we had such a laugh together alongside Raj.
We worked with the most fabulous team and they did such a great job of capturing the unique magic of the show. It was broadcast over eight weeks on BBC 2 in the summer of 2023.
If you’re a wedding enthusiast or looking for inspiration, don’t miss the chance to watch Ultimate Wedding Planner on BBC iPlayer. This show will brighten your day with sensational weddings, creative themes, and the journey of aspiring wedding planners.
