What is your most memorable wedding?
Definitely Danny and Shelley in July 2015, as it was also the first wedding I'd worked on that I was actually invited to attend as well! An absolutely smashing couple, we became firm friends throughout the process and it was an honour to be there on the big day.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Personal, effortless, classy, individual, wow-factor.
What about your business are you most proud of?
We are foremost a family run business and though small, we knock the big boys out of the park when it comes to personal service, quality of service and aftercare. No one does personal better than us and I'm proud to say that the majority of our clients have become personal friends throughout the process of my creating their clothes.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Remember the day is about you so don't obsess over trying to achieve 100% perfection - you'll never reach it (80% is about right!) and in striving to do so you'll end up miserable in the run up to the big day. Remember to breathe through the process, remember it's all about the two of you and not everyone else. The start of wedding planning is the beginning of some special memories for the two of you leading to this wonderful event.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
My friends Steve and Jaime's wedding, when we sat waiting for the bride we noticed that Jaime had pinned the cards she had saved - birthdays, anniversaries, valentines - to each of the guests chairs. They'd been together since childhood so had already been together some 18 odd years before getting married and it was just the sweetest thing to see, almost like snippets of their entire relationship!
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I like to get to know them - how can I help create something individual for an individual if I don't know the individual?! So we start of with a telephone consultation, then a face to face meeting where I present some of the ideas and listen to any further thoughts they have. Often they trust me to then get on with creating the magic as it were - and the real pleasure comes at the first try-on especially when the bride is present and you can see how different you've made their man look and how happy they are with the result!
What are your favourite wedding traditions for men?
Not so much a tradition but I love grooms who plan ahead and don't leave things to the last minute, who help their fiancée with the planning process and treat the big day as seriously as their partner is treating it.
What is the best way to make the groomsmen stand out from the crowd?
Think of it like a pyramid or hierarchy. So when dressing the groom and the groomsmen, I start with the groom and we want him looking like the absolute boss of everybody (except his fiancée of course). The best man either matches or is styled a slight step down. The groomsmen are then styled a step down from there. The starting point of course always depends on the theme and dress code for the wedding, so in a situation where the guests are all going to be in black tie for example, then accessories such as matching ties and buttonholes that tie in with the colour theme of the bridesmaids or flower arrangements help to make the groomsmen stand out from everyone else.
Why is groomswear just as important as bridalwear?
The bride typically spends a lot of time, money and effort to look perfect for her magical day. Why should the groom do at least nearly the same? They should have one goal in mind - when their bride walks down that aisle they should be dressed well enough to be deserving of her beauty and grace at their side. Which is where I come in!
What is the most original outfit you have seen a groom wear?
Tweed. That's the most original outfit I've ever created for a groom - a country style tweed jacket/waistcoat/trouser combination for a wedding that took place in a hay barn and was country (like yee ha! country) themed.