What is your most memorable wedding?
The wedding I organised for a couple in NYC, ceremony in Central Park, vintage yellow taxi to meet the couple on Park Avenue, cocktails in a roof top bar and fancy steak dinner reception. It was small, intimate and an adventure and so much fun to plan!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Classic, bold, elegant, quirky, true
What about your business are you most proud of?
The drive for equality, the effect we are having on the world. Little by little, each suppliers and venue we work with, we are affecting change. Creating equality and inclusion, not just acceptance. Enhanced by our work with Diversity Role Models, giving back to the future generation.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Get a wedding planner! Also, don't forget each other. Don't get so caught up in the planning you forget why you fell in love
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
At a country -themed wedding recently. As there was no sit-down meal. The couple attached favors to name cards in the marquee. Each little bag held LoveHearts with the couple's initials printed on but also a hand made charm for your champagne/wine glass. Each one had the guest's initial and a charm representing them or what they meant to the couple. Very sweet and thoughtful, and useful as the drinks flowed too!
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I love to get to know a couple before we begin working together, usually in the shape of a phone call, then a meet up. We discuss briefs; musts and 'no-nos'. We agree time scales and budgets, then I get to work, producing venue for the couple to select a shortlist, then we go to see them. I work out pricing and inclusions with the venue and present to the couple to approve. Then over the course of the next 3 months, we source florist, food, drinks, entertainment and outfits. All with the couple's onboard and choosing at each stage. Depending on the package we offer guest list and budget management. We produce stationery, website etc for guests. We have meetings with our clients regularly, attend appointments for fittings etc if required. We are the honesty when/if needed!
With 4 weeks to go we go over the plan for the day, final checks with all suppliers and finalise payments to these suppliers with clients. Then it here! Your big day, each step clients know the format, whats next and can sit back and enjoy their magical day with their loved ones, celebrating their love for each other. They get to the day feeling relaxed, well rested and excited, knowing its all been taken care of and there will only ever be the one Hitch that day!
What is the most unusual thing you’ve been asked to plan?
A vow renewal in a cave - different but do-able. The most challenging part was finding a cave that was not a tidal risk!
How do you ensure a stress-free wedding?
Plan! Write down your ideas (or use Pinterest to pin likes/ dislikes), write the order of planning, keep up to date with suppliers and ensure you have planned payment; save for a year, or take out an interest free credit card are options, as long as you can pay them back or save without causing financial strain. Keep talking! Anything that pops up, talk about it together and seek help where needed. Ask questions; there is lots of jargon out there, if you don't understand or are not sure why - ask! Anyone good supplier will be happy to explain!
What do you love most about your job?
Take 5 minutes, after the ceremony, before you get caught up in circulating and chatting with your guests to be together and breathe. Look around at all the people who love and support you, look at each other - I mean really take the time to take each other in as a newly married couple! Feel that love for each other and then go and celebrate!
What is your favourite moment at a wedding?
For me it's the speeches, when handled well, speeches can be a great way for your guests to find out more about you, for your to share more of who you are as a couple and for your closest people to really express what you mean to them. So much love!