My Story

 For many years, I have worked at the same company in Southampton, which for various reasons will remain nameless. My job involves talking to customers. entering details onto a computer, supervising other telephonists, taking complaints and delivering exceptional customer service.

I have seen many changes at this company, including expansion, movement to bigger premises, the updating of computer systems and lots of changes in company policies. I would like to think that even in the tiniest of ways, I've helped to contribute to the success of the company. I'm very proud of how much they've achieved and if anyone is reading this from there, then I wish you every success for the future.

For some time now I have found myself sat at my desk thinking "Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life" I know my job inside out but I am a reasonably educated person and you don't have to be Einstein to do my job.

Then my boyfriend of 11 months and I moved in together and although I do not find the 40 mile trip to work every morning, it does add another 2 hours to my working day every day.

My boyfriend soon proposed and over the next 13 months we set about planning our wedding.

I loved it, so many people said planning a wedding is hard work and stressful, and perhaps to a certain extent it is. I spent many an hour wondering whether to invite "Sue and Jim" to the whole day or just the evening and wondering if it was safe to sit "John" with "Phil and Rachel". However, the guest list is all I worried about. Through careful planning I was able to relax and look forward to our wedding.

The months past and so quickly and soon our wedding day arrived. It was just as we imagined it,perfect. Everyone commented on what a lovely day it was and how wonderful all the little finishing touches were "You can plan my wedding" said one guest and "You should become a wedding planner" said another.

We spent our honeymoon exploring the Scottish Highlands and then it was back to earth with a bump and little to look forward to, except life with my husband of course.

Then I fell out with a good friend who was a bridesmaid and now I find it difficult to look at some wedding pictures.

However, it becomes more difficult than that as I introduced her to her boyfriend, who works with me. It's not too bad now but the situation was very delicate and it is my personal belief that a few people are, for some reasons of their own agenda trying to use it to their own advantage*.

Of course this is not something I can or want to take about but it has been going on for a while now.

So I thought "what do I want to do" and the truth is, I want to plan weddings. I looked into things and decided to take a diploma in wedding planning and now I'm a qualified wedding planner.



I'm not one to dwell on the past or hold grudges and I wish EVERYONE from my past happiness and best wishes for the future. We all made mistakes but somewhere along the way most of us learnt from the,. I certainly learned a very hard lesson in friendship but I also learned that I really do have the best husband in the world and that if you really do want to do something that badly then do it because you only live once.

It is still early days for my company yet I am confident I can make it a success. Now it is time to move up to the next level and turn my dreams into reality.

Goodbye Vicky, hello Victoria

* this is my own personal opinion and one that is not necessarily supported by anyone else.

Please note that pictures here and from my own wedding. Enjoy x

My press release

I've had a few people ask me for a copy of my press release recently so I have included it here for you to use as you wish.

Forsaking all others untangles the plans so brides can tie the knot

A new wedding planner has opened for clients in the Sussex, Hampshire and surrounding areas.

With a diploma in wedding planning, Victoria, who trades under the name Forsaking All Others offers a range of services from complete and comprehensive wedding planning to ad hoc tasks, including venue and supplier sourcing.

Victoria has a long career background in customer service and hopes that this experience, along with her brilliant negotiation and organisational skills will stand her in good stead in a highly competitive industry.

“I believe that every wedding should be unique” says Victoria “and by using my skills, and by getting to know the bride and groom I can create a day that that my clients will cherish and their guests will remember forever.”

Victoria already has a vast wealth of knowledge of venues and suppliers and thinks nothing of going that extra mile to find that special place or item saying:

“If I don’t feel a venue or supplier is right, I’ll endeavor to find one that is perfect for the occasion.”

Forsaking All Others is not just another wedding planning company. Forsaking All Others is THE wedding planning company.

(Picture with thanks to the Flower Company - http://theflowerco.co.uk/)

Editor’s note: Victoria is based in Bognor Regis but works all over the South of England. You can find her website at www.forsakingallothers.co.uk and contact her at victoria@forsakingallothers.co.uk or on 07969022854.

About Forsaking all others

Why settle for a lovely wedding when you could have the wedding of your dreams?

Nearly three quarters of brides wish they'd hired a wedding planner to organise, co-ordinate and oversee the preparation for their wedding.

There are many reasons why you may require the services of a wedding planner. Perhaps you just do not know where to start with planning your wedding or maybe you just do not have the time. Perhaps you have still to find that special venue or maybe you need someone to co-ordinate suppliers and relieve the pressure many brides feel on their wedding day. The list is endless but whatever your needs, Forsaking all others can help.

NO wedding is too large or small.

Because Forsaking all others believes that every wedding should be unique, we offer a completely bespoke service made specifically to your requirements. That way, if you just want Forsaking all others to source a venue or a special supplier then you only pay for that service. Similarly, if you require full wedding planning, then we will work within your budget to ensure we can cover everything.

Contact Forsaking all others to see how we can help turn your dreams into reality.

Let our imagination run wild...Anything is possible, even the impossible!

Victoria

victoria@forsakingallothers.co.uk   07969022854

Chimney Sweeps

We have all heard that meeting a chimney sweep on the way to your wedding is lucky but not many of us know how or why this tradition came about.

We cannot be sure when the tradition of a chimney sweep came about, but its been around for centuries. The chimney sweep is meant to bring good luck, health and happiness to the bride and groom as well as to sweep away troublesome spirits.

In the 18th century, King George was saved from a bolting horse by a chimney sweep and thus decreed that all chimney sweeps should be honoured. This enhanced their reputation further.

Over the years, the tradition of meeting or shaking hands with a chimney sweep has grown and even our own Royal Family have honoured this tradiion. On the night before he married the Queen, Prince Phillip himself left his home to shake hands with a chimney sweep who "just happened to be passing".

Like many traditions, this one is in danger of being committed to the history books. Perhaps this is due to the dying need for a chimney sweep for his real uses.

I am getting quite a few links at the moment. Thank you to all that have added me.

For search engine optmisation (boring but important stuff) reasons I am adding them here



http://www.apix-photography.com/wedding-planning


http://www.thespinettes.co.uk/links.html


http://www.dmweddingvideos.co.uk/links.html

Welcome to Forsaking all others

Forsaking all others is a new wedding planning service set up to fill a gap in the market in the West Sussex and Hampshire area, although I will travel further afield on request.

The purpose of this blog is to keep you updated with what I am doing and on any other information that maybe of assistance to you.

Please check back here regulary for updates. In the meantime, if I can be of any help to you at all, please do not hesitate to contact me at victoria@forsakingallothers.co.uk

Victoria