On the day coordinator in Essex
On the day coordinator in Essex
Thought about hiring an Essex based on the day coordinator for your wedding?
Planning a wedding is an exhilarating journey filled with aspirations and endless to-do lists (oh those lists are never ending!) From selecting the perfect venue to coordinating with suppliers and finalising guest lists (and juggling the ones who haven’t replied!), every detail plays a crucial role in creating your dream day. Amidst the whirlwind of wedding preparations, my role of an on-the-day coordinator often gets overlooked. However, for engaged couples in the UK, especially those hosting their celebrations in diverse venues like stately homes or intimate marquee setups in Essex, having a dedicated on-the-day coordinator can be the key to a stress-free and unforgettable wedding experience (check out my testimonials if you don’t believe me).
I love Essex, with its picturesque landscapes, historic estates, and charming countryside, it serves as a captivating backdrop for weddings of all styles and sizes. Whether you're envisioning a grand affair in a regal stately home or an intimate gathering under the stars in a quaint garden marquee, my on-the-day coordinator service is the one for you as I can turn your vision into a seamless reality.
H&N contacted me after they realised the intricacies of managing a wedding in their parents/in-laws garden. They wanted to embrace the day and not get burdened with juggling suppliers, questions and any issues that may arise. Their main concern was being fully present with their guests and making sure all of their efforts paid off on the day, that’s where I stepped in to ensure everything went to plan.
Photo by Jason Little at a private marquee wedding in Essex.
What are the pros to hiring me as your wedding planner for an on the day coordination service?:
Expertise in Essex Venues: As your Essex on-the-day coordinator, I bring a wealth of local knowledge and expertise. I understand the intricacies of different wedding venues across the county, from historic manors to sprawling gardens. This allows me to ensure that every aspect of your wedding is perfectly tailored to its surroundings.
Seamless Coordination: On your wedding day, I'll be your point person, orchestrating every detail behind the scenes to ensure smooth transitions, seamless supplier coordination, and timely execution of all planned activities. This means you can relax and savour every moment without worrying about logistics.
Personalised Attention: Your wedding day should reflect your love story and unique personalities. I take the time to understand your vision, preferences, and priorities, translating them into personalised touches that elevate your experience.
Stress-Free Experience: By entrusting me with on-the-day coordination, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that someone experienced is managing the logistics. From handling all supplier communications to resolving last-minute hiccups, I'll ensure everything runs smoothly.
Emergency Preparedness: Despite meticulous planning, unforeseen circumstances can arise. Rest assured, I'm equipped to handle any challenges swiftly and effectively, ensuring disruptions are minimised.
Photo by Jason Little at a private marquee wedding in Essex
Investing in the services of an on-the-day coordinator like myself is a decision that promises immense returns in peace of mind, personalised attention, and flawless execution, as well as a professional shoulder for you to rest on. Whether you're exchanging vows in a majestic stately home or dancing the night away in a cosy marquee, my expertise ensures your wedding day unfolds seamlessly, allowing you to focus on celebrating your love and creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
Planning a destination wedding in the UK
How a UK Wedding Planner Can Turn Your Destination Wedding Dreams into Reality
How a UK Wedding Planner Can Turn Your Destination Wedding Dreams into Reality
Dreaming of tying the knot amidst the rolling green hills or bustling city of London in the UK? Whether you've always envisioned a fairy-tale castle wedding or a quaint British countryside affair, planning a destination wedding in the UK can be an adventure. But let's face it, orchestrating the perfect celebration from afar can feel like an endless task, hitting brick walls and frustration when it comes to speaking to vendors due to the time difference along with the complexities of juggling the budget and preparations. That's where a UK-based wedding planner comes in to save your sanity and ensure your big day goes off without a hitch.
Photo by Images by Anna at Butley Priory, Suffolk
So, why should you consider enlisting the help of a wedding planner on this side of the pond? Let's break it down!
Why Hire a UK Wedding Planner?
1. Navigating the British Bureaucracy Ah, bureaucracy, the universal language of paperwork and red tape. Planning a wedding in a foreign land means wading through a sea of permits, licenses, and legalities that can leave even the most organised couple feeling like they've stumbled into a maze. But fear not! Your trusty wedding planner is fluent in the language of British bureaucracy, adept at securing all the necessary documents with ease, leaving you free to focus on more important matters—like cake tasting!
Photo by Martin Beard at Hengrave Hall, Suffolk
2. Local Knowledge, Global Flair From the quaint charm of a Cotswolds village to the vibrant energy of London's bustling streets, the UK is a treasure trove of diverse landscapes and cultures. A UK-based wedding planner brings invaluable local knowledge to the table, helping you discover hidden gems and unique venues that perfectly reflect your personal style and vision. Whether you're craving a traditional English tea party or a contemporary urban bash, your planner will sprinkle their magic to ensure every detail is tailor-made to perfection.
3. Weather Woes? No Problem! Let's be real—British weather can be as unpredictable as a toddler's mood swings. But don't let a little rain dampen your spirits! A seasoned wedding planner knows how to weatherproof your celebration, whether it means arranging cosy indoor alternatives or providing stylish umbrellas for a romantic rainy-day photoshoot. After all, they say a wet knot is harder to untie, right?
4. Stress-Free Journey Planning a wedding is like embarking on a rollercoaster ride—with all the highs, lows, and occasional loop-de-loops. But fear not, your wedding planner is the ultimate co-pilot, guiding you through every twist and turn with grace and expertise. From wrangling vendors to managing timelines, they'll handle the nitty-gritty details so you can focus on savouring every moment of your journey to "I do."
5. Peace of Mind, Priceless Memories At the end of the day, a wedding isn't just about the flowers, the cake, or the fancy table settings—it's about creating memories that will last a lifetime. By entrusting your dreams to a UK-based wedding planner, you're not just investing in a flawless event; you're investing in peace of mind and priceless memories that you'll cherish for years to come. So sit back, relax, and let the magic unfold!
In conclusion, planning a destination wedding in the UK may seem like a daunting task, but with the right wedding planner by your side, it's a journey filled with excitement, fun, and peace of mind. So what are you waiting for? Let's make some UK wedding magic together!
Looking for an award winning wedding planner in Essex?
WINNER OF BEST Wedding Planner in ESSEX 2023
When looking for a wedding planner or wedding coordinator in Essex, there is so much choice that you might not know where to start, it’s a minefield right?
Luckily for you, the folks over at the Essex Wedding Awards chose their planner of the year and guess what… it’s ME!
#donttakeyourselftooseriously
I understand that choosing your suppliers can be stressful, there’s a lot to choose from and also you don’t really know which ones are best to use, that’s where I come in. With a range of services available to suit your needs and budget, we work together closely to make sure that all of that hard work you have put into creating your dream wedding day, does not get missed - which I know for a fact is a couples biggest fear.
Let me talk you through my preparations for this award… it’s emotional!
I was due to find out if I was through to the finals by mid October so I had started thinking about booking time off to attend the awards ceremony (just in case I was lucky enough to be chosen) and I went through this awful emotional ping pong of ‘Ah, I’m not going to win anyway’ to ‘No! You DESERVE to win, you’ve got this!’ to ‘I’m definitely not going to win’ to manifesting good vibes and positive outcomes with daily mantras ‘You ARE going to win!’.
I even came across a TikTok that told me some extra good news was coming my way in November (as I’m sure 40,000,000 other people did too) but I still didn’t read too much into it. Anyway, I found out I was in the finals so it warranted a little shopping trip to find an outfit for this black tie event and I quickly found this stunning little number from Quiz for a bargain £39.99 - now I have no issues with the fact I am short but I did have to pay to get it shortened otherwise I’d have looked like a fish trying to get around, not a good look!
I then toyed with the idea of getting my hair and makeup booked in but honestly, I think I’d convinced myself I wasn’t going to win so what’s the point in spending even more money? I ended up doing my own and instantly regretted it as trying to do a smoky eye look when I’ve been mainly working from home for the last 3 years and living in my natural ‘shabby chic’ look was a challenge I can tell you, eyeshadow EVERYWHERE!
Anyway.. onto the night itself and I dragged my other half along (to be fair, he actually wanted to come and support me), he was convinced I was going to win and wanted to be there to see me celebrate (as well as enjoy a few cheeky pops of course!) Here he is looking rather delicious even if I do say so myself!
The time came for the ‘Wedding Planner of the Year’ category and I was lucky enough to be sat on the table with another local wedding planner, Hayley Jayne Weddings & Events. We were both so incredibly nervous but I think we helped each other through it all. Another lovely Wedding planner Louisa May who I know, was sat on the other side of the room unfortunately, it would have been great to have all sat together.
Anyway, we worked out that the cameraperson would stand near the winners table before the announcement was made and who could I see standing by ours?…. Mr Cameraman! Even then, I convinced myself they were there for the other Hayley and not me so when they read MY name out, I literally didn’t know where to look. I started crying and shaking instantly (drama Queen, I know) but I was absolutely gobsmacked. How I made it up onto the stage to collect my award I have no idea?! My next thought was ‘OMG I’ve not walked in heels for years, please don’t fall!!!’
After composing myself and getting lots of ‘well done’ hugs, we quickly headed to the bar to get only the finest prosecco available and we toasted to my new award! I even got an enquiry within 15 minutes but I think that was just good timing, that or word got around super-fast (we’ll go with the latter)!
This is me trying to look awesome and definitely not pulling it off, more like ‘I’ve had too much to drink’ pose or ‘who is going to help me up from here?!’
So there you have it, my adventures winning the 2023 category of Wedding Planner of the Year in Essex. I hope you enjoyed my little journey and if you feel like we are vibing and you want to talk further about me helping with your planning… get in touch HERE
Love, Hayley
(Essex Wedding Planner of the Year 2023)
P.s. I do cover the whole of the East of England too
Wedding Coordinator Vs Wedding Planner
What's the difference between a Wedding Planner & a Wedding Coordinator?
Both are invaluable to your planning process but join me as I discuss the benefits of both along with my 3 step guide as to whether you need a wedding planner.
What’s the difference between a Wedding Coordinator and a Wedding Planner?
Hiring a wedding planner can be seen as ‘so American’ but Wedding Planners always have and always will be a popular addition to your planning process. So join me as I talk about the difference between a coordinator and a planner and the benefits both bring to you.
Now, some of you may question the need for a wedding planner, if the venue is providing a coordinator in the cost of the package.
Wedding coordinators based at the venue are amazing, they know their venue inside out and have fantastic relationships with the venue team. They will have run numerous weddings at the venue and have a wealth of knowledge about what things do and don’t work well there. They will get in touch with you a few months before your wedding day and go through all of the details to do with the wedding day to ensure everything runs smoothly.
The following is in no way meant to take away from what a coordinator does (I’ve been one myself so I speak first hand) but I am simply pointing out the facts of the things they don’t do, that a Wedding Planner can*.
*Make sure you discuss exactly what’s included in your package with your planner/coordinator
Wedding Planners:
Can get involved from the very start of your planning process (the minute you are engaged)
Dedicates around 300 hours + to you and your day with the full coordination service
Helps create your whole vision, not just the wedding day itself
Creates mood boards and themes
Creates a budget plan and controls your finances
Vetting and liaising with all of your suppliers
Schedules all your meetings
Initiates difficult family conversations
Sets up your wedding website
Send, monitor and chase responses from your invitations
After being with you every step of the way, ensuring nothing gets missed on the day itself and that it all comes to fruition
So much more!
There are a lot of companies that advertise as wedding planners when in fact they are wedding stylists (the likes of companies that you hire accessories for your day from) but, some do offer a planning service also so make sure you check before committing if it is an actual wedding planner/coordinator that you are seeking .
Similarly, wedding planners offer coordination services. This is great if you are the sort of couple that wants to organise your wedding yourselves, but you want someone experienced there on the day itself to ensure everything runs smoothly and to make sure you and your hubby/wife are fully taken care of.
Wedding Planners are an invaluable investment to your planning process and take a considerable amount of pressure away from you. Your planning process should be fun, not stressful (hate that word!). So before you decide if a wedding planner is right for you, consider these 3 things:
Can you afford a planner? (most planners will actually save you money)
Do you have the time to invest into planning your wedding?
Will you need support with the logistics and formalities of wedding planning?
Don’t forget, I offer a complimentary consultation so will be more than happy to have an honest and frank discussion with you and if I feel you would not benefit from having a planner, I will recommend an alternative option.
Can’t wait to speak with you!
Contact Hayley.
A Suffolk Barn Styled Shoot
BY SUFFOLK WEDDING PLANNER AMAE EVENTS
Last year when I created Amae Weddings & Events, the first thing I wanted to do as a Wedding Planner was create a styled shoot, well... drum roll… the results are here for you to see and I couldn’t be any more excited (lets out a little squeal!)
Firstly, I had to choose a Venue (we all know how difficult this can be right?)... I really wanted to find somewhere that I could step away from the typical ‘rustic’ look that is very poplar in barns. Although I do love the rustic look, I really wanted to inject a more contemporary feel into the shoot to prove you don’t have to go ‘full on rustic’ just because it’s a barn.
I researched a lot of venues but Copdock Hall in Ipswich, Suffolk were an absolute dream to deal with. Having managed venues, I know what goes into keeping a venue afloat and I found Copdock Hall to be extremely open minded, customer focused and so passionate about weddings (and just generally really nice!). I LOVE a barn venue and so for me, Copdock Hall was the perfect setting for the shoot.
It’s a stunning Grade II Elizabethan brick barn with this beautiful vibe, when you arrive at the Barn, the quaint Parish Church of St Peters sits comfortably in your eye-line, it’s a very short walk from the hall right next to Copdock Halls Vineyard (I know right, can you imagine working next to a vineyard? There’d be no wine left!). Then as you step inside the barn, the first thing you notice is the marvelous high roof and gorgeous beams stretching from one side to the next. It also has these quaint little windows that really compliment the architecture.
Picture Credit: Dominic Whiten
Next was carefully selecting the suppliers to work their magic. I chose people who I trust and know how to achieve the best look possible, it was important to me that we were all ready to work as a team and collaborate on this shoot to bring my vision to life, exactly how it would be on your wedding day.
Dominic Whiten - An amazing photographer that I have worked with for years, I felt it was important to have someone that the whole team felt comfortable around. Dominic has this amazing ability to get the best out of people and also stay calm even at the toughest of times, it’s one of his strong points, he’s like Superman without a cape!
Capturedit Films - Emran and I are new to working with each other but one thing that strikes me about him is his passion for the wedding industry and drive to make sure only the best memories are recorded, he is so discreet but somehow manages to capture the most amazing footage whilst being completely in-obtrusive.
The Bridal Lounge - Charlotte and I started working together back in 2014 and her personality is just one you cannot forget, she has this ability to make you feel so precious (which is what you need trying on the most important dress of your life right?!) Her dresses are beyond perfect and I will 100% be buying one from her in the future (even if it is just to do the shopping in!)
For this shoot Charlotte supplied the most exquisite dresses from Stella York and St Patrick. With the unmistakable Stella York dresses, 2 came with a minimalist look but with a timeless modern twist, the other, a modern, high halter neck with a feminine and curvy silhouette, while the St Patrick dress provides a flattering plunge bodice with classic cap sleeves and beautiful lace detail.
Helen Newman Florist - I’ve also worked with Helen since 2014, an extremely professional and knowledgeable florist who has this amazing eye for detail, her flowers have always looked like a lot of love goes into them so she was definitely my first choice for the shoot. Again, Helen is one of those people you instantly feel comfortable around, a must have when you’re organising your wedding.
Helen’s great eye for detail meant we had a mixture of (to name but a few) lush Hydrangea’s, Anemone, White Lisianthus, Phalaenopsis and even pampas grass which really added a whole new twist to the shoot, I’ve not seen anyone use this combination of flowers before, we love to try new things and it really paid off!
Amelies Kitchen - Helens cakes are nothing less than perfection, I have never seen her make anything ‘mediocre’ and I have no idea how she does it (I’m sure there’s more to it than chucking a few eggs, flour and milk in a bowl right?). Helen’s ability to match details of your wedding day to the cake is phenomenal and with her own stencils, she is able to create the most beautiful displays.
Helen created a bespoke tiered cake for this shoot adding blush grey and pink hues, she hand crafted the most perfect sugar roses (you would think they are real flowers!)
Ivory & Craft - Katie first caught my eye when I followed her on Insta (yes, I’m down with the kids!) I was instantly a fan of her work and our relationship has blossomed since. I knew I had to have Katie designing the stationary and boy, she didn’t let me down. I really pushed the limits and even made some (very) last minute changes, she was just like ‘Yeah sure, no problem’. This girl knows her stuff and is so lovely to work with!
Katie and I exchanged so many ideas for this shoot but we finally settled on a more contemporary feel focusing on the blush pink and grey theme for our main look. The fonts were simply perfect for what we were trying to achieve and look great in the paler shade of pink. Katie also created some stunning stationary with cute floral detail underneath a velum wrap, simply gorgeous!
Makeup by Faye Neill - I met Faye about 3 years ago when I hired her to make me beautiful for a wedding I was going to and I have used her since, she is also a regular at the stunning Gosfield Hall and is so popular with Brides for creating a fresh, polished look & enhancing your features. She is just beyond lovely and makes you feel so relaxed in her presence, a true beaut.
For Clare, Faye created a modern bridal look, fresh, clean and detailed whilst for Tegan, a Hollywood glam look, winged eyeliner with stunning red lips to complete the look.
Carly Williams Hair - if you can’t have the one and only Carly Williams, who else even is there? Carly’s style is unmistakable and with her vast experience, knows exactly what style looks best on you. She is so funny and easy to be around so it was a no-brainer to have her with us.
For Clare, Carly styled a dreamy ‘messy’ textured up-do with delicate pieces of hair hanging down along the front and back, in look two, it was transformed into a higher bun up-do creating added height to match the traditional St Patrick dress & show off the pretty lace back.
On Tegan, the most stunning Hollywood glam wave which totally complimented Faye’s work on the make-up.
JF Styling - One of a kind James is taking the styling industry by storm currently, in demand for his ability to visualise any request and transform it into reality - he’s like a walking Pinterest. He and his team work tirelessly and have access to some of the best, current on-trend products on the market.
James provided a range of different materials, colours, textures, crockery and cutlery for the shoot, I really could not have done it without him.
True Nature Events - Have you seen Jordan’s wooden tables and chairs?! I knew we had to have these as part of the shoot, I felt they would really enhance the beautiful brick barn and the look I was hoping to achieve and they looked absolutely amazing.
Coes - have been nothing but supportive and have been great to deal with. They have a broad range of suits that include Day Suits, Tail Suits, Wedding Suits, Edward and Albert Frock Coat Suits and Nehru Suits so it was easy to find a suit that would look good on the shoot.
Models: Clare, Nathan and Tegan are personal friends of mine so rather than using professional models, I wanted to show the true beauty in my friends and they did not let me down, gorgeous happy smiley people!
So there we have it, date set, team complete, plans organised, mood boards sorted, endless meetings had, numerous emails and group chats, 3 months later the following look was achieved and I could not be any more proud of the team that made this possible…
If you’ve read this far you’re in for a treat with my bonus bits!… I really wanted to create more than just one look to show the range of styles that can be done on your wedding day. With help from James at JF Styling, we sat and discussed in length what I wanted to do and how we were going to do it.. James has access to some of the most amazing product range I have ever seen, so picking and choosing which looks to go for was made so much easier with his expertise. In the end we managed to achieve 5 different looks in total on this shoot!! The team did an immense job & pulled together to create some exquisite looks, so here is a snapshot before they get released on social media (you lucky things, you!)…
For any help or support planning your wedding or event, contact Hayley
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You don't NEED a Wedding/Event Planner
but how does a wedding or event planner organise your event?
You are absolutely right, you certainly don’t NEED a planner, thousands of people plan their wedding or event without a hitch, but… what I’m going to talk you about is why you should WANT a planner; your time is precious
I’m going to give you a scenario; when I was younger and I wanted to book a holiday, I’d go into a local Travel Agents and they would do it all for me (or I’d check Teletext holidays!) it was easy, they knew what they were doing, they’d even been to some of the locations I wanted to visit and were able to give first hand information on the location - perfect! They even made sure I got the best price and stuck to my budget. Then in came the DIY holiday packages, now don’t get me wrong, these are amazing, I love sitting there for hours and hours planning my own holiday, researching where to go and what to do, where to avoid and for some reason, I always like to research what the locals wear (don’t ask!)
But… this all comes at a cost, my precious time, my money, my patience, sometimes even my sanity. The worst thing is, I’ve travelled to some places and then discovered when I got home that someone I know had already visited and could have recommended the BEST restaurant on the island (that I ironically did not visit!).
My point is this, anyone with organisational skills can plan a wedding or event but wouldn’t you feel so much more comfortable hiring a professional who has unlimited experience managing weddings and events and can recommend the best ways to run the celebration, minus the stress. After all, we’ve experienced the hiccups, the power cuts, the suppliers not turning up, the family arguments… and luckily for you, we know exactly how to handle them.
“If I cry at my wedding it’s because I’m overjoyed that the planning is finally over”
Planners are extremely useful if you are planning a last minute wedding or event, trying to fit it all in is just too much and actually, not everyone is good at planning or event wants to plan their own event. There are also times when there are family conflicts and the thought of making decisions with fear of backlash is just daunting. Hiring a planner gives you the ability to ‘pass the buck’ - we don’t mind having difficult conversations with family/friends if we know something is important to you.
Bringing a planner in from the very start of your planning process means you get to work closely with them, they will get to know you and they will get to know what you like and don’t like. We are all extremely busy people and it is very difficult setting time aside to plan your wedding or event to perfection, the reality is you won’t understand how much time, effort and money goes into planning an event, especially if this is your first time, that is why I am here to support you. Make sure you check my amazing testimonials!
Regularly working with the best suppliers in the area means I am able to negotiate on costs for you, so if I am able to save you money, I will - this could then be put towards the costs of my services.
Specifically your wedding day should exude peace, love, calm and romance (oh and lots of FUN!), just don’t take the risk of things going wrong, get in touch for a FREE consultation and I can get to know you better and understand your vision and goals, I can’t wait! Let’s get planning!
Contact Hayley
Goodbye 2019, it's been emotional
What are the 2020 wedding trends?
Wow! What a year 2019 has been… the biggest (and proudest) change saw me leave my career in Wedding Venue Management and embark on my own setting up Amae Weddings & Events (pronounced am-may). What a fun rollercoaster I am on and I cannot even tell you how excited I am, I can’t wait to work with couples under my own business name, there’s going to be a lot more flexibility with what we can achieve working with a variety of venues and suppliers. The biggest thing I want to bring to couples weddings is a sense of fun, I want to make each day unforgettable but it will always be done with huge smiles on our faces
2019 has without doubt been my favourite year to date, I feel so lucky to have done the things I’ve done this year…
It started with me meeting my great Nephew, what a cutie he is! I hate seeing him grow up through pictures and facetime but as he is in Wales, it’s difficult to get home often. Maybe I’ll get a chance to organise a Welsh Wedding or event and then I can pop home!
I love a concert and have seen my fair share but my favourites this year have been Boyz ll Men and Backstreet Boys (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!)
Richard and I took a trip to Lake Garda for his birthday, if you have not been, I suggest you pop it on your list, it’s breathtaking there and unlike any holiday I’ve been on before
I organised Richards parents 50th Wedding Anniversary party, it made a nice change from organising weddings in that I was able to see the happiness and love for one another 50 years down the line (so cute!)
Then came the big 40 (shhhh), I was so so so lucky to get to travel to Mauritius at the start of November, then at the end, a surprise trip to NYC - literally the luckiest girl alive! My birthday was definitely one to remember and I have taken a tonne of memories away from 2019 - best year EVER!
So, what else happened in 2019 and which celebs tied the knot?
2019 expected to see wedding couples choosing a more boho chic style, there was a huge uptake of people wishing to be more eco-friendly and conscientious with the choices made for their big days - a great step forward in my opinion!
2019 saw a huge number of weddings, to name but a few - Jennifer Lawrence & Cooke Maroney, Zoë Kravitz and Karl Glusman, Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber, Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling, Sabrina Dhowre Elba and Idris Elba, Marc Jacobs and Charly Defrancesco,
Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner and singer/actor Joe Jonas married in May at a surprise Vegas wedding at the infamous The Little White Chapel, only a select few were invited including his brothers and their wives. So to ensure everyone could celebrate, they didn’t stop there and they held another party at a lavish chateau in the South of France at the end of June and opted for chic white flower décor with glass encased candles (I LOVE candles!) to create a gorgeous backdrop to their nuptials.
June saw the Californian wedding of Avengers star Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger (yes, Arnie’s daughter), they married on a 500 acre ranch surrounded by tonnes of greenery, it was an intimate affair with all the food sourced locally for the Wedding Breakfast. Katherine wore a stunning traditional lace Armani dress with a beautiful long train, however Katherine changed into yet another elegant ivory dress for the evening - and why not! Lots of brides change in the evening to something less restrictive when busting out some dance moves!
My personal favourite however, in August, Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) married his sweetheart Lauren Hashian in an intimate ceremony in Hawaii, both wore white for this stunning celebration of their marriage. Their goal was for complete privacy and everything they had on the day was created by hand by the wedding staff or family only - what a perfect and relaxed day it looked too!
Sneaking in right at the end of the year, Hilary Duff married Matthew Koma in yet another low key wedding in their backyard in LA. Wearing the unmistakable Jenny Packham, Hilary looked absolutely stunning in her ivory, custom made dress. Hilary stated she felt ‘Really comfortable’ and that it was ‘everything I’ve dreamed of’ - that’s what it’s all about right?
With 2020 literally just around the corner, what can we expect to see with forecasted wedding trends? Believe it or not, the more traditional wedding trends are quickly being thrown out of the window, things like receiving lines, bouquet throws and even cutting of the cake are reported as ‘so last year’. So what is it being replaced with? This is the beauty of it, couples can do what they like and put their own touch on traditions (if they want to of course), let me give you an example; I was Wedding Planner for a couple who didn’t want to stick to traditions of cake cutting (they didn’t even have a cake!) and so one of my suggestions was that they plant a seed in a pot after the ceremony and the plan was to plant it in their back garden and watch it grow over the years in their family home. Not only is this highly eco-friendly, it steps away from the alternatives of balloon / lantern / dove releases etc which are not great for the environment or animal welfare in my opinion.
Other 2020 trends are seeing things like statement veils, sustainable weddings from things like vintage rings, flowers, dresses, the list goes on. It’s great to have so many contacts in the wedding industry and I would love to organise an eco-friendly/vegan wedding.
On the subject of Veils, I spoke to the wonderful Heather from Sash and Veil, a local artisan veil maker, she has a store in London and also one here in lovely Colchester - her items are just out of this world so make sure you check her out! She said:
“The trend for individuality in bridal wear continues to gain momentum into the new decade and is carried though into the bride’s choice of accessories, including the veil. I have noticed an increase in demand for bespoke veils across this year and this will continue with brides more keen to bring their individuality into their look. Embroidered initials, special dates and meaningful quotations have all found their way onto wedding veils I will be making for 2020. In terms of silhouette, the soft draping boho veil will share the aisle with more structured 1980s-inspired designs and our appetite for sustainability and conscious choices will mean brides will increasingly look at upcycling heirloom veils, reworking an existing veil to make it their own.”
So what now? Well with the website launched I have received a few enquiries for 2020 weddings, couples are considering the 2020 Panatone colour - classic blue 19-4052. Often confused for representing the cold, classic blue offers a timeless and calm vibe. It fits in well with so many other colours and shades that it’s adaptability is proving to be extremely popular heading into the New Year. What colours are you choosing in 2020?
Finally, whatever you are up to tonight, have an absolutely amazing night, stay safe and have fun! See you in 2020.
Goodbye 2019, it’s been emotional!
Contact Hayley