Celebrate in Style
Anne Mann Celebrates is the latest wedding and events co-ordination enterprise to spring from the creative talents of celebrated wedding planner Anne Mann. And by all accounts, it looks like she will be giving her clients plenty to celebrate about!
It all started without a formal business plan and only a dose of intuition. Nevertheless, it worked and Anne Mann has not looked back since. From a small one person business, Anne’s wedding co-ordination company expanded into a multi faceted enterprise, and now this passionate lady has come full circle and is returning to her roots and the very personal approach for which she was originally known. “In our current global climate, I believe people desperately need more direct interaction. Life has simply become too busy, and for this very reason it is imperative that one allows enough time to listen to your clients; to help them focus and to understand them! We so often hear, but do we really listen?”
But let’s start at the beginning. After five years of running an exceptionally busy banqueting department in Cape Town, Anne saw the urgent need to assist distressed brides with their big day. “At the time, we had just experienced the first ‘brain drain’ and many university graduates were leaving South Africa to seek better employment opportunities. While living and working abroad, they very often met their spouses there, but came home to get married. This was mainly due to the favourable exchange rate, but also because most of their family still resided here. Those living abroad were also given the ideal opportunity to make a holiday of it. Many brides were flying in from abroad with little or no help on the ground. They simply needed a fairy godmother!” explains Anne.
And so, in 1999, the foundation was laid for Anne Mann Weddings and things progressed at a rapid rate. “Many of my decisions are passion driven and intuitive. If it feels right, I sit up and listen! I love people, I love understanding people and interpreting their thoughts and dreams. I could not imagine life without this form of interaction.”
By 2004, the industry had changed dramatically. The word “wedding planner” was no longer a foreign concept, and a number of competing businesses had emerged. The bar had been lifted, growth was necessary and so Anne Mann Weddings rebranded and expanded.
A few years down the line, two small children later, and after the sale of her business and a shift in vision, Anne is now revisiting the wedding and events industry with a fresh approach and renewed vigour. “I believe one has to reinvent oneself every so often. It is imperative in a creative capacity. I would almost go so far as to say that it is a duty one owes your clients. In fact, a good friend once told me that the Argentineans go a step further. They have a saying along the lines of: ‘Don’t reinvent, evolve.’ I think that is amazing!”
The need to fuel her creativity and passion brought Anne back to the doors of her own enterprise once more. This time Anne’s new venture – Anne Mann Celebrates – is not focused exclusively on weddings, but on celebrations in general. If there is a need to pay tribute to a special occasion, Anne has all the answers.
Anne Mann Celebrates also marks a powerful collaboration between Anne and Aleit Swanepoel of The Aleit Group – recognised as two of the greatest creative minds in the wedding and events planning industry. Their combined talents are gauranteed to be a source of limitless potential and chic style for the busy bride and time strapped individual.
Whether it’s a contemporary or more classical celebration, with Aleit and Anne taking care of your event, you’ll be assured of the ultimate experience.
Story by Aleit
