Suppliers we Love
Below you will find a growing list of Suppliers we Love as part of our Suppliers Showcase Series!
Every other Friday, a wedding supplier from the showcase series will be added to the list, each showcasing their work and answering 5 questions.
Let's begin...
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SOMETHING WHITE
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
For 8 years I worked in the city of London as a project manager in the design and print industry. I am forever grateful for the skill set this career gave me (the organisational skills required were intense) so this set me up greatly for wedding planning. I always wanted the freedom of running my own business, combining 3 things I love the most - parties, styling and organising - so after helping a few friends with their weddings I created Something White in 2015. Most people are shocked to find out that I still haven't planned my own wedding!!!
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2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Creative, modern, stylish, stress-free, fun
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
On the day coordination - seeing how happy and relaxed my couples always are, and watching all of the plans unfold and the design come to life is unbelievably rewarding.
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
Forget the word wedding and just plan the best party ever. Never put pressure on yourself to please others, you will only regret not doing things the way you really wanted.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
New York! Each time I go there every sidewalk reminds me of a movie, it just always feels very surreal and magical. I would be in my element planning a wedding at a New York roof top bar!
http://www.something-white.co.uk/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/something_white/
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DAISY ALEXANDRA WEDDINGS
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
I am Hannah Benn. I am originally a trained professional actress (interesting fact.. once starring on Casualty 😊) but then went on to become a football agent and managed the careers and lives of many household names. This lead me onto training with the UKAWP after having my two children and setting up Daisy Alexandra Weddings.
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2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Luxurious, meticulous, creative, passionate & friendly
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
Seeing clients faces when all their dreams become reality. Honestly nothing beats it!
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
To enjoy the process. Much too often it is allowed to be thought of as a stressful process. If a clear and accurate budget is created on day one, it can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
London. Despite travelling to so many cities across the world, there is no place like London for me! We are so lucky to live in this wonderful cosmopolitan city. The shops, venues, restaurants, bars, architecture, people, theatres, museums & parkland make it the best city in the world for me.
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/daisyalexandraweddings/
info@daisyalexandra.com
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MALARKEY CAKES
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
I’ve always been into art and I’ve always loved baking and anything to do with cakes (mostly eating them) but I didn’t marry the two together until later on...
I studied graphic design at uni and then decided that wasn’t for me in the real world, as I couldn’t stay awake sat at a desk all day. I worked in loads of different, very boring temp jobs while I worked out what I wanted to do next and I went travelling by myself for six months, which is one of the best things I’ve ever done!
When I was in Thailand I met a group of English language teachers from the US. This was what I wanted to do! So I went to live in Spain, did an English teaching course there and got my first teaching job in Vietnam. I spent a year teaching there and in Cambodia and loved it. I carried on teaching English for 9 years. The majority of it was spent in London where it is so fascinating teaching such a mix of people from all over the world in one classroom.
But something was definitely missing. I wasn’t doing anything creative. When I met my, now husband Daniel, we got engaged pretty quickly; after 4 months together! I decided I would make the cake. Everyone told me not to, but I embarked on some kind of mission and I did it. I made a whole dessert table of cakes! Along the way, I decided that this was what I wanted to do and my business was born. I just have to resist the urge to get on a plane and disappear, now that I have responsibilities!
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2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Creative, modern, unique, personal, specialised
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
My favourite part of my job is when I am lucky enough to get clients who completely trust me with the creative process of designing their cake. They have an idea of colours or some kind of detail. When I have full creative reign to design something inspired by the architecture of the building where they are getting married or the pattern on the groomsmen’s ties, for example, I get really excited! Creating my digital design sketches and seeing the cake in situ are my happiest moments!
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
The kind of couples I love working with are the ones doing things their own way. I’d always advise couples not to try and please everyone, or they’ll end up pleasing no one! I really think a wedding day should be a reflection of who a couple really are, which will surely make them even happier on the day. If a couple feel happy and not massively stressed out on the day, guests can see their happiness and that in turn makes for happy guests, I think.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
It’s too hard for me to choose my favourite city, but as I am biased. London is hard to beat, but let’s be honest. London isn’t the friendliest place in the world. I lived in Phnom Penh in Cambodia and that’s a place where, once you get through the chaotic exterior, the people are incredible considering their past, the heat is intense and the food is super cheap and fantastic. I love the rumble of South East Asian cities. I also absolutely love Rio with it’s mountains and beach. So that’s my top 3!
Image credits :
https://www.sophielakeweddings.co.uk/
http://www.malarkeycakes.co.uk/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/malarkeycakes/
hello@malarkeycakes.co.uk
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FOOD SHOW
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
In 2017 I joined Food Show as Sales and Events Planner and as Food Show’s resident wedding specialist! Having delivered over 100 weddings in my career, my eye for detail and capturing the clients romance and styling for their events is second to none. I have a broad knowledge of venue, fixed site and events catering; having worked for notable names such as Tudor Barn, Prescott and Conran and The London Kitchen to name a few. I takes the lead in the majority of wedding enquiries. In recognition of my performance I was recently promoted to Senior Sales and Events Planner / Wedding Specialist.
Interesting Fact: I lived in Barcelona for 6 years and Madrid for 2 years and can speak fluent Spanish and Catalan
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2) Describe Food Show in 5 words…
Creating Spectacular Food & Inspired Events
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
There are so many different parts to my job which I love from the variety; in the space of a single day you could be checking out a new venue, meeting with clients brainstorming ideas or even being onsite! The people! 100% the best part of the job is working with the clients as well as the team, at Food Show we are not just a team but we are all really good friends and we have worked together for years! Travelling - Event planning can take you anywhere and I love that one moment I’ll be in London and then the next the Cotswolds! Creativity - As an event planner you get to explore your creative vision and see an idea be turned into reality, from concept to execution and the most important one … the wow factor. I love the reaction of the bride and groom seeing all the months of planning the details come together on the wedding day!
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
Take it one step at a time and don’t be afraid to ask your wedding planner for help or advice
5) What is your favourite city & why?
As soon as I arrived in Florence, I fell in love! Not only do I love all things pasta, pizza (and who else does it better than the Italians!) and prosecco; it was also the first holiday I took with my boyfriend and since then we go back to Florence every year.
Image credits :
http://twobytwovideo.co.uk/#us http://www.maryjanevaughan.co.uk/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/foodshowltd/
Ellie@foodshowltd.com
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ELEGANTE BY MICHELLE J
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
Events started out for me as a hobby and then I moved into the business professionally when I started working for an event caterer in their in-house event planning team. Wedding very quickly became my passion, and I realised that I wanted to be able to provide an independent and full wedding planning, design and co-ordination services for my couples. So, I worked out the remainder for the wedding season and established my own business, Elegante by Michelle J. Over the last few years, I have specialised even further, and my niche is now very much destination weddings, both overseas and here in the UK where I love to plan logistically complex UK wedding weekends for couples who for various reasons feel that an overseas wedding is not for them, but they want to have a wedding weekend, where they get the chance to spend quality time with all of their guests. My mission is always to create the most memorable and magical of weddings for my couples, their families and their guests.
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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
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MON ANNIE CAKES
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
I was born and raised in a beautiful city called Ibadan in South Western Nigeria. I moved to the UK when I was 15 to study, and completed my medical degree in Cardiff. An interesting fact- twins run in my family. My brothers are twins and 3 of my 4 siblings have had twins.
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.
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.
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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
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OCCASION QUEENS
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
Hey! So my name's Nina and I run Occasion Queens, we specialise in on the day coordination and set up for weddings and events and also consultancy for venues new or looking to grow within the wedding industry.
I started in events at university (some 16 years ago) where I ran all the club nights - I did very little for my degree but came away with a 2:1 and decided to pursue my passion for organising (instead of Film & TV which is what I studied). I started in the corporate world doing everything from conferences, networking events, exhibitions to balls and gala dinners. I quickly realised that if I was going to work so hard, it should be to do good so I went on to organise events for a national charity within their fundraising department - I literally did it all! From sponsored dips in the North Sea to treks in amazing places around the world. A lot more fun as well as rewarding! However, as soon as it came to planning my own wedding I realised that there was a gap in the market that I knew I could fill. I wanted to allow everyone the opportunity to have a stress free day and lets face it, I have always wanted to be J Lo in The Wedding Planner so, cue OQ! I wanted to make sure that people who didn't want or need a full wedding planner still had access to support that allowed them to truly enjoy their day. Four years later, on the day coordination is now becoming a massive part of the industry and I have loved watching it evolve whilst staying true to our ethos.
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2) Describe your business in 5 words…
Attentive, Stylish, Quality, Detailed and Easy
3) What is the favourite part of your job & why?
Ah that's sooo hard! I bloody love it all! Inspiration session get me super excited for everything they have planned, recommending suppliers gives me a buzz to know I am supporting amazing companies within the industry whilst bringing the couples ideas to life, final planning meetings I get to see the fruits of their labour and how the things we discussed have evolved and on the day - well you don't get any better than watching their dreams come true...
4) What advice would you give to couples when planning their wedding?
There is so much advice out there already, everyone has a top tips blogs but honestly, I think there are two big ones - stay true to you as a couple, if it doesn't feel right then don't do it as you can't take it back. Secondly, prioritise your budget in order of what is important to you. Invest in the things you love and then you know that you will be super happy with those things on the day.
5) What is your favourite city & why?
That's a tough one between London (home is where the heart is and London at night is truly magical) and Toronto (the happiest place in the world where everyone is proud of their city).
Image credits : Chpbranding Stories, Matt Parry, Andy Gaines, Fiona Kelly
https://www.occasionqueens.com/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/occasion.queens/
letschat@occasionqueens.com
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BY CHENAI WEDDINGS & EVENTS
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
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
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EVA TARNOK PHOTOGRAPHY
1) Tell us about you! Your background, an interesting fact & your journey into the wedding industry…
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
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