WE SPEAK TO LUXURY EVENT PLANNER EXTRAORDINAIRE TIM HANBURY AT APOLLO EVENT CONSULTANTS
1 . Going back to 2002 what made you decide to launch Apollo Event Consultants and how long before this did you decide this is what you wanted to do ? It was actually circumstantial . I had always wanted to do my own thing , but never brave enough to do it . Then I was made redundant in 2001 and wrote to all the clients I was working with and they said If I did my own thing , they would come with me . So , it was a no brainer really . The rest is history !!
2 . When planning an event whether it is a wedding , birthday party or corporate event do you have a required time period that you like to work with ensuring you have plenty of time to work with the client to create the best possible event ? Realistically yes ! 6 Months is a good time , however with preferred dates getting booked up quicker and quicker we ’ re finding a year is quite normal . However , that ’ s not always the case and we can usually turn things around in 3 months if suppliers are free and the client is good at making decisions !!
3 . With the event planning business being rather competitive what would you say has set APOLLO apart from the competition and been key to your success ? I ’ ve been in the business for over 35 years , so well established . We have a vast experience in all areas of the business . Whether its talking marquees , generators , lighting and sound or catering , we ’ ve pretty much seen it all . So , we can talk with real confidence with our clients about the planning , looking at the bigger picture , not just the fun colourful bit !! We decided to concentrate on country weddings and parties at guests ’ private family homes , rather than venues , as it gives us so much more scope . We not restricted in what we do , by too many rules and regulations , that London venues can have . We have a very calm approach to everything we do , and I over see every event to make sure its perfect . We will only take on one party a weekend , unless it ’ s an old client that we need to fit in . We have a small team of staff throughout the year and an extremely professional network of free lancers who help out when required .
4 . If you could offer some advice to our readers before they start to think about choosing a planner for their event what would you say ? Always call Apollo first !! Seriously though , I would look for some recommendations , word of mouth is so powerful these days . You have to
THE ART OF LUXURY Issue 58 2023