COUTURE EVENTS
Hi, I’m Susannah! I’m a luxury wedding planner and my niche is designing and producing one of a kind weddings in luxury hotels and country house estates in London and the Home Counties.
I’ve worked in events my whole career, my first job after University was as an event manager at a London venue, after 2 years there I went on to a corporate hospitality broker and learnt to deal with high end clients with even higher expectations. I moved into party planning after the birth of my first child and then spent over a decade working for one of London’s biggest party planners, partnering with London’s finest suppliers at a range of prestigious and historic venues. I decided in 2018 that I wanted to run my own business and to specialise in weddings - I just love the feeling of helping people and knowing that I can use the knowledge, skills, trusted contacts and expertise that I have built up over the last 15 years or more to relieve my clients of their feelings of overwhelm and pressures at what should be one of the happiest times of their lives is a feeling that can’t be beaten. In terms of an interesting fact … how about two? I adore giraffes (probably because like them, I am tall!) and my house and office are full of images and models of them but I have a ridiculous phobia of tortoises!! I live in Surrey, I’m happily married and have 3 children (Henry Freddie and Poppy) and a fox red Labrador puppy, Hudson!
2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Trusted Expert: Creative, Connected & Calm
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
To quote the Hannibal Smith (if you remember the A Team?!) “I love it when a plan comes together”
Whether I work with my couples for over a year or a matter of months, I still get the same buzz from knowing that I can take what started out as a myriad of complex and varied arrangements (dreams, designs, budgets, bookings, logistics, layouts, timings) with a wide range of suppliers such as your stationery, venue, ceremony, catering, bar, accommodation, transport, floral designs, technical production, tableware, venue styling, wedding cake, photography, videography, hair and make up, entertainers etc and expertly dovetail them all together into one comprehensive plan, working closely to create one big team, all working together for the shared end goal of delighting and enchanting my couple and creating a seamless, exquisite, unforgettable wedding day for my couple and all their guests
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
It’s hard to condense wedding advice but to be brief, my advice is always:
1) Be organised – a folder, a timeline, a to do list and a budget
2) Be clear – discuss and agree with your fiance/e what are the ‘must haves’, the ‘nice to haves’ and the ‘could do withouts’ and allocate time and budget accordingly
3) Be calm – don’t sweat the small stuff – the most important part of the day is your ceremony and then celebrating with your loved ones. No one will notice if the napkins don’t match the exact shade of your bridesmaids shoes so don’t lose sleep over it!
4) Engage me as your wedding planner ;-) I can help with full planning, partial planning or wedding day management
5) What is your favourite city & why?
Barcelona - I lived there during my third year ‘out’ as I studied French and Spanish for my degree. I really got to know the city really well as I lived right in the centre, near the Placa Catalunya and I thoroughly enjoyed everything it had to offer - the weather, the food, the historic buildings and gardens, the Olympic Village and the beach a little further away at Sitges!
Image credits : Kate Nielen Photography
.
BLOOMOLOGIE FLOWERS
I grew up in Shropshire, surrounded by the most lovely garden and beautiful countryside, and it still has a huge influence over my work today - wild, untamed and always seasonal. I started out my career in journalism and my first job was at Cosmopolitan magazine, but I was slowly pulled back to gardening and flowers - I loved gardening at home, then I did my RHS Horticulture qualifications at night school, and eventually, when I was on maternity leave, I did a floristry course. But I was always told off at college because my work was “too big, too wild and too messy”, so I made that my USP!
When I got married I’d only ever been to one wedding, and this was years before I became a florist, so my own wedding flowers were quite simple - I just wanted them to look as though they’d been picked from a meadow, not arranged or styled. But my bouquet was all David Austin Roses because I grew up in the village where they are grown.
2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Fine-art, seasonal, organic, romantic and wild.
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
Undoubtedly it’s being up a ladder, making big installation pieces, I love the big scale stuff, and I love the actual making - seeing our ideas and best-laid plans come to life. I’m a maker at heart and I love creating mess and seeing where my mood takes me! Lots of floristry is about working out how to do something - I spend a lot of time in DIY stores - so there’s often a heart-in-the-mouth moment when you try something new for the first time!
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
Know your budget from the outset, and know that flowers are expensive. It’s worth being honest about that up-front! You can spend £500, or £5,000, or £50,000 on your wedding flowers and it’s impossible for a florist to tell you how much your wedding will cost if you don’t have an idea of what you want to spend, and what you want to have.
That’s the second thing, be ready with a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. How many buttonholes, bouquets, table centres do you need? And what can you compromise on if you don’t have the budget… It’s much better to have one statement urn of flowers for the ceremony that wows everyone, than to have ten tiny pew ends and a small vase for the same price, for instance.
Third, know what's available when you get married - have a look to see what’s going to be in season. You can’t have peonies at Christmas or anemones in July.
Lastly, have a play on Pinterest or get a few wedding magazines and get an idea of what you like. You don’t have to go crazy, but if you have a quick look because floral styles differ a lot and it’s so helpful if you have an idea of what you love, and what you don’t.
Lots of couples have never had to think about flowers in their life before so it’s understandable that they don’t know, but flowers can truly transform your wedding space, so it’s worth taking a bit of time make sure they reflect your personality.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
I never get tired of New York - I used to nearly every month when I was a writer and I love the food, the bars, the fashion, the atmosphere, it’s always so vibrant and clings onto small indie shops and businesses in a way that we haven’t in the UK.
But my idea of a break now is getting out of the city. I adore the Lake District - the food (always the food!), the walks, the views, the rugged landscape and the colours - why do people go to Tuscany to get married when they could be in the Lakes (okay, there’s the rain. It’s the rain, I know!)?
Image credits :
https://cecelinaphotography.com/, https://sarahhannam.com/,
https://www.annelimarinovich.com/, https://www.instagram.com/claire.graham/
https://www.bloomologie.co.uk/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bloomologieflowers/
hello@bloomologie.co.uk
. . .
ELEGANTE BY MICHELLE J
2) Describe your business in 5 words…
A hug not a handshake
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
I am very fortunate, because I love it all, both the creative design and the logistical planning, but my favourite part of the day is always the ceremony... as after all, this is the reason why everyone has gathered together. The reception afterwards, however amazing it might be (and it generally is), is simply a celebration of the ceremony everyone has just witnessed.
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
Think very carefully about what you both want, and try not to be influenced too much by the opinions of others.... it's your day, and it should be exactly as you want it to be.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
I spend a lot of time in Florence, as it is a favourite city for couples getting married and I have now planned many weddings there and in the surrounding countryside. Florence provides the most romantic and beautiful backdrop for weddings and having worked there regularly over the last few years, I now find that each time I drive into the city, I feel as if I am coming home.
Image credits : https://www.davidbastianoni.com/
https://elegantebymichellej.com/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/elegantebymichellej/
michelle@elegantebymichellej.com
MON ANNIE CAKES
I’ve always loved baking, but never really had the time to do it. In 2013 I became severely mentally ill, and baking was literally the only thing I could do. It was my therapy, and then it became my voice- and something I wanted to share with the world.
2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Flavour, Bespoke, Elegant, Timeless, Narrative.
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
It’s hard to choose! I like the baking, and it will always be my first love; however I love the finer details of the sugar flowers and creating textures on the cake.
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
It’s YOUR wedding. Don’t be afraid to be you. Take your time to pick suppliers who will help you bring your vision to life.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
I love Paris. It’s beautiful and has some of the best patisserie. I felt like a kid in a candy shop!
Image credits : Charlotte Wise, Maxeen Kim
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/monanniecakes/
hello@monanniecakes.com
BY CHENAI WEDDINGS & EVENTS
My name is Chenai, I'm a West London based event planner, planning weddings and parties all over the UK And beyond.
My professional background was actually in commercial Supply Chain management for a major retailer , skills I used and developed to be an effective event planner. I combine this with my natural curiosity for the creative - I was an arts student most of my life and I love to express myself in that way. I also love a great party, my mom was the ultimate hostess with the most and I love nothing more than getting my friends together around my table , cooking an awesome dinner that ends with some dancing in the wee hours to a brilliant playlist.
Where wedding planning is concerned, I've found that clients either want a logistical expert or a creative to hep them with their look /decor and I have combined my natural affinity to get stuff done, with my love for creating . Being a natural extrovert also helps! I always new wedding planning was for me , I planned my first wedding back in 2015 , I loved every minute of it despite the long hours and sore feet at the end of the day , I then started researching the industry, planned some more weddings and launched ByChenai Events in 2017.
Interesting facts?
Chenai is a Shona name from Zimbabwe (not the place in India, that has 2 N's) where I am originally from.
I speak 3 languages
I have never seen Star Wars.
I created and host my own supper club called the West 10 Supper club which is a creative outlet and passion project rather than a business venture.
2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Contemporary, elegant, professional, stylish, bespoke.
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
Sounds corny but it's the people and the little journey we go on together. No client is the same, I love the opportunity to get to know my clients, understand their vision and bring it to life! I love a great party but I also enjoy being apart of one of the most intimate and thoughtful celebrations a couple will have in their relationship, It is a real source of joy for me.
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
It's your day , do it your way. I have respect for traditions, they have their place especially in cultural weddings but I advocate the fact that as it's the most personal celebration you will share with those you love and care for, it must be a reflection of above all else, who you are as a couple.. So there is nothing you have to do or should do, the day must be about how you want to celebrate it. Express yourselves in a way that echoes your values and style. I'd also advocate taking the time to enjoy the process. After engagement there is no need to rush into an overwhelming stream of research and inspiration, decide what you'd like your day to look like, what is important to you, agree on a budget (that you can stick to) and then go from there. Finally, get help! Whether it's with a professional planner like myself or a friends and family who are willing and able to especially if project managing, planning and the creative elements are not your forte.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
London. It's the home I've chosen as an adult and it is an inspiring place to be. I love the pace of the city, the variety ,the diversity. I love the idea that whatever your passion is , you can find it in London and whilst it is a big city, I have never felt small in it. I find inspiration everywhere , good restaurants, traditional spaces like museums, performance spaces and galleries and the unconventional street art , Londoners have great style and the breadth of culture is astounding. The juxtaposition of the old (historic landmarks) and new ( shiny skyscrapers) is one of the main reasons I enjoy the city. I love how each part of the city has it's own identity, East London is very different to neighbourhoods south of the river as is West from North. There is always something going on something new to experience, It feels like nothing is impossible here and if you want to be a part of it you can. It also has some surprising and truly beautiful quiet spaces, the green spaces in the city are abundant.
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bychenai/
kanjani@bychenai.com
EVA TARNOK PHOTOGRAPHY
My name is Eva, and I am a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in London. After graduating I initially worked in banking. I enjoyed the corporate life, the travel and I learned a lot, however when I become a mother I decided to start my own business to have the flexibility I needed and the creative outlet, which was I was craving so much during my banking years. I initially photographed children and families, however after photographing a friend’s wedding, my focus changed to wedding photography. I love weddings and capturing all the emotions and excitement of the day, and I feel privileged to be a part of so many beautiful weddings. I have photographed intimate elopements, church weddings, a wedding in a two hundred years old sailing boat, luxury hotels and exclusive private clubs and even in Royal Castles. I loved them all!
2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Beautiful, Natural, Soulful, Timeless, Elegant
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
There are many things I enjoy about my job. I love connecting with my couples and finding out what they like, dislike, what they are worried about etc. Couples need to be able to trust their wedding photographer in order to be able to really relax on their wedding day. I also very much get into my ‘flow’ when I am photographing a wedding and I especially love the getting ready and the couple portraits part. Capturing emotions is really what wedding photography is all about.
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
My advice to couples is to get a great team of suppliers around you. Have a clear vision on what you like, the style, the colours, the details and once you communicated this to your suppliers, trust them to make it a reality. I even advise couples that after this point stop looking at the wedding blogs and social media as this could potentially make them unconfident and unsure. On the wedding day, your only job is to embrace the day and truly let go and enjoy yourself.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
There are lots of cities I love, but my favourite has to be London where I live. I love this vibrant, multicultural city with its beautiful green spaces, culture, food and people.
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/evatarnok/
tarnoke@gmail.com