What is your most memorable wedding?
Every wedding is memorable for its own reasons! Ones where significant details change unexpectedly do stand out, however. For example, the date of one wedding I planned changed – 3 months before it was due to take place! It was rescheduled for peak season so it meant negotiating and consulting with the venue and suppliers to ensure everyone could accommodate the new date. I managed to get it all back on track and it was so rewarding to see the couple and their guests having so much fun on the day. Despite a last minute date change taking us into a new season, everything came together perfectly and it was just the most amazing day for everyone involved.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Elegant, sophisticated, polished, a bit sassy yet finessed!
What about your business are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the personal, professional approach I provide. Thanks to my background in hospitality and sales, I’m confident negotiating the best rates with suppliers and managing large-scale events. I’m most proud, however, that I can combine all that professional experience with an ability to grasp people’s vision quickly and deliver the wedding or event they’d hoped for. It’s so rewarding to see people truly experiencing and enjoying their wedding day (or event) – it’s what dreams are made of!
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Step one: nail the budget! The budget will dictate every decision so getting this right in the beginning is essential. It’s also one area in which a wedding planner can really help. For example, I have so much experience in setting and managing budgets, I can help a couple prioritise and decide on what’s important to them, which means a budget that allows for spending more on the important aspects and less so on others. I can also help ensure all the little extras that can crop up unexpectedly are accounted for.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
Another hard question to answer because all weddings are so personal!
Describe your typical process with a couple.
During an initial consultation, I ask a couple about their wedding day aspirations – do they want a small or large affair, what ‘mood’ do they want to create e.g. traditional, themed, relaxed. We’ll also talk through how involved they want to be in the planning process and what timescales they want to work to. At this stage, my aim is to get a real feel for a couple’s dream wedding. After this, I help the couple to prioritise what’s important to them so a budget can be set. From there, I set about creating schedules, coordinating venues and suppliers and helping the couple plan their perfect wedding! I offer full, partial and on-the-day packages so I can help couples in a way that suits them. Have a look at my website for more details on what each package offers.
What is the most unusual thing you’ve been asked to plan?
A Bollywood vintage wedding in a barn. It was a most exquisite event!
How do you ensure a stress-free wedding?
The devil is in the details as the saying goes. I believe in applying a meticulous attention to detail so that every aspect of the event and its planning is considered and taken care of. Also, I have a wealth of professional experience behind me and can anticipate, and therefore plan for unexpected events and unusual occurrences. And even when something that I haven’t planned for does arise, because everything else is so well managed, I have room to deal with the unexpected quickly and easily. When every little detail is covered, there is nothing to be stressed about.
What do you love most about your job?
It’s a true honour to be part of a couple’s wedding day in the way that I am. It’s so rewarding to see everything come together on their big day and to see them so happy. I know I’m helping to create lifelong memories and it’s such a privilege. I also love every aspect of event planning! I’m very pedantic and methodical by nature - two traits very suited to this job. I’m also a skilled negotiator and love getting best deals for my clients.
What is your favourite moment at a wedding?
Aside from the exchange of vows, I love the moment when, having dealt with all the formalities, the wedding couple truly relaxes into the day/evening. You can literally see their bodies loosen and their smiles widen and you know they are cherishing every moment, really experiencing it. It’s such an honour to be able to handle the planning and manage the day so that the wedding couple, and their guests, can have such a wonderful time.