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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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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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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