What is your most memorable wedding?
My own! I can't tell you how much fun I had planning our wedding day! It was an opportunity to be really creative, to draw on all the wonderful musicians and music in our lives and create a musical journey that we will never forget! From a live music jam the night before, self-composed aisle music, friends and family forming a choir singing arrangements of our favourite songs during the ceremony, my brother singing a solo during the signing of the register, my partner and I leading a musical parade roaming into the streets and town centre when we left the ceremony (a video of this put on YouTube by a stranger went viral!), our friends performing our favourite Beach Boys songs as guests gathered before the meal, my best friend serenading us from the balcony with a breathtaking rendition of 'Edelweiss' from our favourite film 'The Sound Of Music', to the best live band anyone could ever dream of having at their wedding, with the most talented musicians and friends all wanting to get involved - they even wrote personalised Michael Jackson and Queen medleys for us! I will never forget it. This is when I realised how much I would love to help others come up with thoughtful and creative ways to personalise the musical backdrop to their special day. I set up Tie The Note, and now I get to do this for a living! It's the dream!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Quality, personal, thoughtful, creative, trustworthy
What about your business are you most proud of?
I'm most proud of the care and thought that I dedicate to each couple that I work with. I'm proud to be able to offer a really valuable service to couples from any background, budget, couples who have very specific ideas about what they want, or have absolutely no idea and are looking for help and guidance. I only work with professional musicians, the best in the industry, and would only ever recommend an artist who I would be happy to have performing at my own wedding. My biggest joy comes from the happy and grateful feedback from couples who I have helped, and I love seeing photos and videos of the day itself. As I set up the business, I will always maintain the personal nature, I really want couples to know that they are dealing with a person and not an automated system. I think that's really important.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Get a videographer! The amount of people I know who didn't think they wanted or needed one, who now regret it, is crazy! Myself included. The day goes by in a flash, and you will inevitably miss out on some really special moments that are happening in other parts of the venue, or that you missed when talking to people. More importantly though, memories do fade, and if I could watch a video of our day, and see my parents and grandparents enjoying it all, that would just be amazing. If you can find a way to do it, even on a budget with a slightly more DIY approach, then do! My friend had a GoPro on the day, and did a good job of capturing a few bits here and there, and I always find myself going to back to them.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
The personal touches, that make every wedding day unique, are always the best part of the day. My favourite was at a wedding of friends of mine, the husband had commissioned myself and some friends to write an arrangement of his wife's favourite song, for every instrument that any friend or family at the wedding could play. She was kept distracted in another room whilst we all set up, and then everyone was led in, to a huge array of musicians forming a band/orchestra, performing her favourite song by candle light. Needless to say it was very emotional! She was then gifted a beautifully bound copy of the bespoke music, with all the parts, and has the recording of this moment to keep forever :)
Describe your typical process with a couple.
Once I receive an enquiry, I arrange a quick chat to find out what you are looking for. Once I have all the information I need (type of artist, wedding date, budget, venue, etc) I check availability of all the artists I think would be a good match. I then put together an private online portfolio for you, which includes all the best artists available, alongside links to their videos and info, and personalised quotes which are inclusive of everything (artist travel, PA, lighting, insurance, etc), so there are no hidden charges. There is no fee for this service and no obligation to book with us. You can then ask questions or ask for guidance, and if you decide on an artist, we just need a deposit to secure the date, a signed contract, and the remaining balance is due 28 days before your wedding date. We take care of all contracts and payments, and can also organise last minute replacements in the very unlikely event that an artist has to cancel.
What makes a romantic first dance?
When the couple can just be themselves, with each other. A first dance shouldn't be a show, just a moment to connect with each other amongst a very overwhelming and busy day!
What is your number one floor-filler?
Anything Michael Jackson!
Which band from the past would you most like to have been part of?
The Spice Girls!
What is the soundtrack to your life?
Whatever I'm in the mood for, it varies every day according to my mood. I tend to listen to music that reflects my mood. In the morning generally up beat stuff like Beach Boys, when I'm working classical, and in the evening maybe jazz or 50s stuff.