Meet Sarah Davies - Ultimate Wedding Planner Judge

You’re a judge on Ultimate Wedding Planner! Tell us about the process and any highlights from the series.

Being a judge is unlike anything I’ve ever done before. My role is a combination of judge and presenter, so to start with it was really out of my comfort zone. Being on Dragons’ Den is a business meeting that gets filmed essentially and I’ve done a little bit of presenting previously, but this was a big step up for me. I really trusted the team who made the show and said on the first day of filming “look, this is my first time doing anything like this, so I want to get better every day and need your feedback.” I loved the personal development I went on through the show, as well as, of course, enjoying the weddings and seeing the planners grow.

So, it was a learning experience for you?

It was a huge learning experience for me. I wanted to be myself, but I also wanted to be the best version of myself, as well as delivering what the show needed. I felt a lot of pressure but also, I was looking at the wedding planners - who were nervous about being judged - I often wanted to give them a hug and tell them “it’s going to be okay”. I wanted to be a great mentor to them while also doing myself justice, so it was a lot of pressure.

Without spoilers, were there any moments that blew you away?

Yes! I think it was wedding two where we gave the planners feedback that we wanted more social media moments. We wanted the wedding guests to be so blown away by what they were seeing and I remember walking in after that feedback and they had really taken that on board. I was there with my phone out making Fred take selfies with me and I was so proud because they had created those big moments. The problem then was that every week they had to try and outdo the previous week. They were working as a team, while also trying to stand out as individuals. That created a really fascinating dynamic.

Were there any mishaps?

Fred kept saying the planners had to learn, so he’d point something out that could go wrong, but he wouldn’t labour the point too much and then, at the weddings, a couple of times I saw said thing unfolding and I’d have Fred on my shoulder going “I told you that wouldn’t work.” The show has a lot of drama.

How much did you have to intervene to help the planners?

Fred and I had a more hands off role. We’d come in the day before the wedding and give our assessment, but it was just our opinion. The planners didn’t have to take our feedback on board, whereas Raj was with them all the time and he had a much more intense experience. He’s the one that would be going, “this isn’t good enough, sort it out now”.

What did you enjoy most about being a judge?

What I hadn’t appreciated before this show is how you can make people a better version of themselves and contribute to their success. I look at the eight wedding planners now who have come out of this process, and they are all better wedding planners than they were going in and it’s lovely to know that I’ve contributed to that. Knowing that my feedback has helped them on their journey is a really big thing. The relationship I had with the planners was great and they were never frightened to show their emotions. It was sometimes stressful for them, and we sometimes had tears, but that’s when I’d give them a hug, sometimes they would just need that bit of support. I’ve been where they are, I was judged in a competition when I did Strictly Come Dancing, so I had such empathy for them.

What’s your favourite aspect of a wedding?

My favourite moment in any wedding is when the couple see each other for the first time at either end of the aisle. At that point, I’m looking at the emotion on their faces as they move towards each other. When I go to weddings in real life it’s always the highlight of the day for me.

Sum up Ultimate Wedding Planner in three words.

Ambitious. Creative. Intense.

Why should we watch Ultimate Wedding Planner?

What I love about this show is that if you’re planning a wedding, you’ll get so many tips and ideas, so you’re going to love it. Personally, I love good telly when it’s something I can watch with the whole family - my husband, my mum, grandma, with the kids – and this is that. All generations can sit down and enjoy something different. It’s got so much warmth and you can’t help falling in love with the couples every single week and want the planners to succeed. It’s a real rollercoaster that you’re on with them every week.