This is my first ever blog, I hope it is an enjoyable and informative read. Here goes...
At the beginning of March I set about trying to organise a Style shoot. I wanted to help showcase not only my own small business but also a collection of other small local businesses. 2020 has been a tough year for many in so many ways but it has also given a lot of people the time and opportunity to take the leap into the unknown of owning and pushing forward their dreams of having their own small but successful businesses.
I have been involved in floral design since my own wedding in 2015 and it really is my 'happy place'. I grew my own flowers in my garden and cut them for arrangements for myself, family and friends and also made the decision to grow, cut and arrange my own wedding flowers.
Until 2019 I was a secondary science teacher so didn't have the time to start my own business the way I would have liked to and as a hay-fever sufferer it was not always a pleasant experience with streaming eyes and everything else that comes with hay-fever that I probably don't need to share - use your imagination! I left teaching and fell pregnant (after many years of trying and 2x rounds of ICSI). This gave me the time to research alternatives... faux flowers became the number 1 option for me. During my maternity leave I spent hours and hours and lots of money sourcing the highest quality faux flowers I could find. This was not an easy task, a lot were returned!! I wanted to 'banish the stigma surrounding faux flowers' and show everyone they can look just as beautiful as the real thing and the added bonus being... they last! It broke my heart to throw away my wedding flowers after all of the hard work, time and effort that went into creating them. I wish i'd have thought about faux flowers back then, I would still have them on show, looking as good as new, in my home today!
In November of 2020 I made that scary jump into the realm of being a 'business owner'. I already have a little experience as my husband and I also have a mobile dog grooming business (Dial A Dog Wash) and we have had that since since 2018 but i've always had my husband there as my 'team'. This is all me and only me! Weddings have always been a passion of mine. I am the biggest romantic out there and there are always tears when I witness a wedding, even if it is on the TV. I knew I would be a great addition to anyone's wedding planning process as I am a perfectionist and I want everyone to have their most perfect wedding day. When you love what you do you want to show it off to the world and make sure as many people as possible can benefit from it along the way.
So, in March 2021 I started the search for local suppliers that would like to be involved in a styled shoot. With the help of Instagram stories i made a quick post and within 24hrs our team was assembled. I knew exactly which venue I wanted to use. The Tipi Tribe have a number of sites where they put on the most beautiful weddings under canvas. I contacted them and they happily obliged. Their permanent site at Hackthorn Estate was booked!
I will list all of the suppliers below and when the professional images are ready I will share them in an additional blog and more than likely throughout my website and Instagram account.
Issy a wedding and events planning coordinator from 'Wildflowers and Candlelight' was our stylist. With her vision and creativity we came up with the theme 'A Midsummer Nights Dream'. A bohemian style with dusky pinks and splashes of burgundy and pampas grasses. Issy gave birth to her first born just 3 weeks prior to the shoot day but she was ever the professional and rocked up without question. Amazing!
We had beautiful 'Macrame' from Monika at 'Go For Macrame Wall'. Stunning hand designed vases for the table arrangements from Emma at 'The Fairy Workshop' and gorgeous artistic place cards, 'Welcome' signs and 'Table Plans' from Rhi and Becky at 'Rhirhidesigns' and 'Quirkyfontsuk'.... it was all coming together nicely.
Katie from 'Hedera Artistry' designed and created the most beautiful stationary that was actually made from seeded paper that could be torn up, scattered in the garden or in a plant pot and planted after the day...these would have been a great favour for the guests, the perfect way to reuse and repurpose items with the current environmental concerns but as well as this we had another option with Sam from 'K and K Chocolates' who made some really unique personalised chocolate favours with edible flowers and they tasted divine! One of the benefits of being involved in a styled shoot is that you get to sample the products... Yummy!!
Chloe from 'Chloe Gels Photo and Video was our photographer and George from 'G W J Hughes Films' was our videographer. We were very excited to get drone footage of the venue but unfortunately due the venues close proximity to RAF Scampton, the home of the Red Arrows, we were unable to gain the relevant licences in time. Next time for sure!
Both Chloe and George were relaxed, approachable and professional. They were constantly thinking outside the box in order to get the most beautiful images and footage, I really cannot wait to see the final results but they are both super busy with the wedding industry finally kicking off again, understandably we are not the priority. Customers always come first! Stay tuned to keep updated.
Our Bride, Elle and Groom, Thomas were a recently married couple and the brides sister, Issy (not the stylist) was a bridesmaid. We also had Emma's two daughters as flower girls, so cute! Zoe from 'Tarias Attic' designed and created the most beautiful tutus for the bride and flower girls (the Bridesmaid wore a stunning dress of her own). These tutus were right out of a fairy tale... if you want to feel like a princess then you need one of these. She also creates mini ones for babies that are just adorable, If my husband would allow it I would have definitely put one on my baby boy haha!! Ok, Maybe not. But they were VERY CUTE!!
Finally I have to mention Samantha from 'Samantha Kate Bridal' and Vicky from 'V S Nails Lincoln who worked their magic with stunning make up and nail design for all of our models... not sure if Thomas got involved at this stage haha.
I have to say that meeting and working with so many talented, local businesses was an absolute honour. I think I speak for all of us when I say we had an absolute blast, created some fabulous images, footage and memories that will not only help to grow our businesses but also gave us the opportunity to do the all important 'networking' and now I have worked alongside all of these amazing suppliers I will gladly recommend their services.
I hope, being my first blog, this has sparked the interest of those reading it. Please do go and check out all of the wonderful suppliers on Instagram. Any feedback would be gratefully received and I will start work on my next blog soon.
Thanks for reading. Emma. xx
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