Wedding Wonder of the Week - Samantha Whitehead-Young Wedding Design

 Happy Wednesday!

Today's Wedding Wonder of the Week is the lovely Samantha from Samantha Whitehead-Young Wedding Design. 

·         Tell me a bit about yourself and your company.

I started my career co-ordinating many exciting and innovative weddings in the hospitality industry as a Wedding and Events Manager. It was through this that my passion for weddings grew and Samantha Whitehead-Young Wedding Design was established in 2003. That passion has not faded over all these years and every wedding is different which makes for an exciting and interesting life 

Howard Keith photography

We offer couples many services to assist in the planning of their wedding from an hour consultation to full wedding planning 

We are a supplier-independent therefore we are not tied to any specific allegiances or interests allowing us to create the perfect occasion without compromise. We have however over the years built a lot of relationships with local and national suppliers to help save you money. We negotiate the best prices possible and pass on all discounts and benefits to our clients through our clear accounting system . In fact, these cost savings quite often negate the cost of our fees altogether.

We understand that it is the couples wedding day, and follow their wishes to the letter creating the day that they dreamed of without all the stress that is inevitably involved.

Howard Keith photography

·         Are you married?

o       If no: do you have a secret wedding wish list?

Howard Keith photography

No I am not married:)) 

I have planned many beautiful weddings both large and small, for me personally I would prefer a small ceremony with close friends and family in a church that I could walk to.

I love the outdoors and nature so an al fresco wedding breakfast using stunning views as a backdrop with huge ice buckets of champagne

Followed by a huge reception party with lots of trees wrapped in fairy lights and candles lighting the area in their soft hues

Huge outdoor sofas for guests to lounge on and live music to dance the night away under the stars

The most important aspect would be that it was very relaxed and everyone would enjoy themselves sharing in the celebration of what the day was about.

·         What is your favourite part of working with bride & grooms (to-be)?

The excitement of the upcoming day, the love between the couple and knowing that they are enjoying the planning process of their wedding stress free.

Howard Keith photography

·         What is your most favourite wedding theme at the moment?

So many.... All out classic glamour : silvers and whites, oversized candelabras, crystals, calligraphy and sumptuous floral arrangements. Keep it simple and elegant for a fabulously breathtaking glamour theme.

Howard Keith photography

·         Top wedding tip?

Organisation, organisation, organisation:) A well organised wedding is a successful wedding!

·         What do you think the next big wedding trends might be?

Looking at the 2013 bridal gown shows, the influence of the vintage theme still remains strong including vintage Hollywood and the glamour of 1930’s Paris.

Bold colours will be a strong influence I feel with designers such as Vera Wang showcasing dresses in scarlet, crimson, vermillion and dahlia.

·         Where can we find your fabulous company?

Our main office is based in Northallerton in North Yorkshire, however we plan weddings all over the UK and beyond. 

And of course via the website, on Facebook and Twitter

Howard Keith photography

·         What are your plans for the future?

SWY is simply a wedding planning company, we dont do hire packages, we don’t sell stationery, we simply concentrate on what we do best and support brides and grooms along with their families in the planning process of their wedding. The future consists of us maintaining these ethos with many more couples and ensuring that they have the day of their dreams without any of the worry or stress.

Many thanks to Samantha for sharing all of this with us!

Love Kate x

Wedding Wonder of the Week: Philosophy Flowers

Happy Wednesday all!

Today I have an utterly gorgeous company to introduce you to; Philosophy Flowers. I stumbled upon these fab girls on Twitter not so long ago and instantly 'clicked' with them, I think it was the lure of the beautiful butterfly they use as their 'symbol'.......which incidentally Rebecca had at her own wedding scattered around bushes for decoration. Just gorgeous!
I'm over the moon that Philosophy Flowers are my Wedding Wonder of the Week so here you go......

PHILOSOPHY FLOWERS

• Tell me a bit about yourself and your company.

Philosophy Flowers was formed by two sisters, Sarah and Rebecca. We have both always had a keen interest in floristry and pursued something that was once a hobby into something more when our eldest sister married in 2005. Once we were fully qualified we decided to focus on wedding floristry which enables us to offer a very focused and personalised service to the bride and groom.  Being freelance wedding florists enabled us to be more specialised in style and trends of the industry, it’s all in the details. As our first client was our sister we have always aimed to make our bride and grooms feel part of the Philosophy family. As we are a two person team we only ever work on one wedding at a time so a couple get our undivided attention and love.

• Are you married and if so will you share some of your details?

Rebecca married Mark in 2009. We decided to have an intimate ceremony and breakfast with 45 close friends and family. The reception was held in Rebecca’s parent’s garden in a marquee followed by an evening reception at the Castlefield Rooms where we were joined by more friends and extended family. Highlights of the day was an insane down pour, our fantastic band at the evening reception but most of all our vintage black and ivory double decker bus we used to ferry our guests from venue to venue. The flowers of course were our favourite flower of all time, peonies and we mixed in muted foliage and herbs, sweet avalanche roses, Spanish moss and sweet William. We wanted to have a classic but vintage theme so opted for a black and white colour theme with pink flowers. We went to town on the flowers for the evening reception trying to create an old ‘Italiano’ feel. We used various props to contain the flowers such as candelabras, urns and birdcages.  My favourite thing of all was my bouquet which was a simple hand tie of pink and white peonies, with a few sprigs of rosemary for added fragrance.

• What attracted you to working in the wedding industry?

We have also had a keen eye for detail and wedding flowers open up the opportunity to work on something beautiful themes. What better way to showcase beautiful flowers and displays than in a grand wedding venue with a captive audience, who want to soak up the whole atmosphere. We also thrive under pressure and wedding flowers are certainly quite a pressured area of the industry. Working with live flowers that all need individual preparation, handling, care and attention certainly has its moments! But our experience allows us to work with each flower to ensure it reaches the venue in perfect condition. There is also nothing more lovely than handing a bride her bouquet on the morning of her wedding and to see her cry with joy as we have created exactly what she has been picturing and more. Although we certainly don’t aim to make bride’s cry!

• What is your favourite part of working with bride & grooms (to-be)?

It’s always lovely to meet with brides and grooms especially from the floral aspect, sitting down together and going over their ideas and getting their creative juices flowing. I think during our consultations we give the bride and groom the opportunity to envisage their wedding day. A big part of our job is coaxing out little details from a client that could really give their wedding flowers a real wow factor. How we achieve expectations and beyond is very rewarding.

• What is your most favourite wedding theme at the moment?

Of course the recent trend for all things vintage and shabby chic has been lovely to work to as every bride’s vision and take in it is slightly different. The chance to incorporate lots of typically English flowers into pretty natural looking display has been fantastic. However, our favourite recently was a wedding we travelled to Hickling in Norfolk for as the bride really embraced her country / farming roots and wanted a really natural look. Using lots of glass pots and jars, jugs and milk urns with fantastic flowers, thistles and herbs was amazing. The journey down to Norfolk with a husband who suffers from hay fever was interesting though!

• Top wedding tip?

Part of our aim in setting up and creating our website and facebook page was to impart as much neutral advice as possible to any potential couples that may be looking for wedding inspiration, even if they don’t use us for their flowers. As such this is why we try to give a Wedding Flowers tip every day if possible. We also use our blog and facebook page to keep any visitors up to date with all the styles and wedding trends that we hope they would find useful.

However we think that our number 1 tip would be that no matter what your budget and theme if you are resourceful and do as much homework as possible then your florist will be able to perfectly create your dream flowers. The more information you can give us at your consultation the more creative we can be in relation to your theme.

• What do you think the next big wedding trends might be?

We feel the recent claim that the ‘vintage wedding trend is dead’ is a little off the mark but we do see a move towards more understated classic glamour. Think Audrey Hepburn and we don’t think you will be far from the mark. However, we always try to steer our clients to a vision that perfectly encapsulates their style and inspiration. Wedding trends are there to give brides and grooms inspiration for what kind of wedding they ‘could’ have. By keeping abreast of these latest trends we can offer advice on what elements could work for a given bride’s style and vision.

• Where can we find your fabulous company?

We are actually located in a little town called Atherton (in Manchester) but generally our working locale is the whole of the Manchester region, Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. As mentioned before we have travelled as far as Norfolk and have also completed a number of weddings in Yorkshire.  As freelance florists we don’t actually have a shop front so to speak of so we travel to clients to for our consultations. We think this helps to keep brides relaxed and at ease during their initial meeting with us.

Website: www.philosophyflowers.co.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PhilosophyF   

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhilosophyFlowers

• What are your plans for the future?

Without doubt we have a vision of opening our own little shop sometime in the future. We do feel the location and time needs to be right to do this though as we hope to offer not just wedding flowers but also our hand made items. At the moment we make wooden love hearts, card boxes, post boxes and pedestals so our brides can also hire those to complete their day. As we also have glassware, birdcages, candelabras etc our shop would be a real treasure trove of wedding style when we eventually open it. We also would love to run flower workshops as we really want to pass our skills on also. A lovely bonus would be if we can some how incorporate a cake / tea room as well this would perfectly complete our vision. We can only dream!


I'd like to say a huge thanks to these lovely girls for sharing all of this with us, and also to wish them every success for the future I'm sure they will go far!


Love Kate x

Wedding Wonder of the Week: Jade Langton Evans Photography

Happy Humpday (as in middle of the week, not the other!)

I almost didn't have a Wedding Wonder of the Week this week.....how did Wednesday sneak up so quickly!?.......but thankfully Jade saved the day! Today's 'Wonder' is an incredibly talented photographer - her pictures perfectly capture that bubble of excitement between couples in love.......you'll see what I mean. 


So I give you Jade Langton Evans Photography...........

• Tell us a bit about yourself and your company.

I have always loved art and beautiful imagery for as long as I can remember. It has always been a part of who I am. I became interested in photography when my art teacher encouraged me to photograph as part of a project I was working on. I began to fall in love with photography and went on to learn more about developing in the dark room. I became most interested in capturing “moments” my inspiration being Jaques Henri Lartigue and Henri Cartier Bresson. I became in love with capturing special moments of love, laughter, happiness and smiles.

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

My company Jade Langton Evans Photography I specialise in wedding and portrait photography for couples, families, babies, bumps and children. It makes me happy. This is how I feel. “Photography is my life, my passion and my love. Capturing beautiful moments within weddings and portraiture brings me great happiness and joy. It is art, it is love, it is expression of the heart. My work speaks for itself to those who love feelings and emotions.

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

I am greatly honoured to be apart of documenting ones intimate moments and life stories. I am in love with what I do and I hope to inspire others and stand out to those who want me to photograph their story.”

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

• Are you married?  And if so will you share some of your details?

Yes I am married! Very newly actually! I married my gorgeous hubby just last year April 2nd 2010. We became best friends first and both share a huge love of food! We fell in love and the rest is history, I couldn’t imagine my life with anyone else. He really is an amazing person, so patient so full of love! What more could any girl ask for! The wedding plans were a bit mad and I organised everything! It was great though, spring wedding, lemon bridemaids dresses, designed my own dress and had it custom made beautiful! Lots of food, people we love. Amazing photographer, cellist who played beautifully! And I wore my wellies :)

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

• What attracted you to working in the wedding industry?

I firstly enjoyed taking my camera to weddings I attended and from then I had several friends who asked me and it went from there really. For a very long time I knew that my passion is photographing people and it was a big leap from working another job to it actually being a photographer in business. But its amazing doing something I love. It really doesn’t feel like work most of the time! The other reason.. I LOVE weddings! Its really great when I get to have a chat with prospective bride and grooms and chat about their special day. All their details and themes I just love! But most of all what an honour to be able to capture lasting memories as the wedding story of brides and grooms. I feel special to be a part of the wedding day and really capture the spirit that’s there, the happiness of the couple and the celebration of their future life together.

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

• What is your favourite part of working with bride & grooms (to-be)?

I love the engagement photo shoot, it’s a really great opportunity to meet beforehand and go to amazing locations, get some great shots, Have a good laugh and make it all about them. Getting to know each other I always find makes it so much more relaxed on the wedding day.

I especially enjoy themed shoots with the couple as this can make it really about them and really reflects their personality and happiness as a couple.

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

• What is your most favourite wedding theme at the moment?

Gotta love vintage! I really do! Little tea cups with flowers, bunting, lace,

I also love just really quirky themes that people have to which makes it all about them. Anything personal to the couple makes it more exciting.

• Top wedding tip?

Don’t get stressed! That’s a biggie…I did majorly! Enjoy..the planning and don’t let anyone else tell you how to do your wedding! :) It s all about you..

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

• What do you think the next big wedding trends might be?

I think people are getting more wacky with their ideas and its becoming a trend in itself. I've seen some really mad weddings like on Halloween for instance where they dress all halloweeny down to venue and facepaints..so who knows!

• Where can we find your fabulous company?

I am based in Shropshire, but I will travel anywhere if you love my style! :)

You can find me on facebook Jade Langton Evans Photography

My website is www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk 

You can also find Jade on Twitter @JLE_Photographs

http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/

• What are your plans for the future?

I’m always thinking up new ideas, learning new things; my main thing which I will always do is to keep inspired.  Keeping my mind with lots of creative ideas helps me to keep things flowing. The photos I create, especially for portraiture are creative pieces of Art. I’m also hoping to do a lot more trash the dress session and have a lot of fun creating art for people to enjoy in their home.

I'd like to say a huge thanks to Jade for sharing her story and these gorgeous photos with us. And for getting it all over to me in record time - you're a blog saver Jade :)

Hope you've enjoyed......

Love Kate x

Wedding Wonder of the Week: Claire Penn Photography

Hello Wednesday! Halfway already, where is this week, month, year going!!!

Well it's time to have a brew and read my Wedding Wonder of the Week - the gorgeousness that is Claire Penn Photography. Not only is Claire a superb photographer she is a smashing girl to boot......read for yourself:

• Tell me a bit about yourself and your company

Photography has always played a big part in my life; I grew up helping my Dad in his darkroom and can still remember my first camera… a trusty Kodak with those cute flash cubes that went on top!  I had never taken it that seriously until I got to Italy on my honeymoon... I think it was being in such a passionate country, surrounded by so much beauty and all loved up with my new husband, something just changed.  I started seeing things differently and knew instantly that I wanted to get into photography more. 

When we got home I promptly sold my wedding dress so I could buy my first dSLR camera; I paid for one-to-one tutoring with my own wedding photographer; I joined Flickr; I read books; I attended courses; I practiced, a lot. And the rest, as they say, is history.  I shot my first wedding in August 2009 as a favour for a friend and never looked back

• Are you married?

I am! Our first date was on Valentine’s Day so naturally I’m a bit of a sap when it comes to romance. We got married 4 years later on Leap Day so have a big ‘first’ anniversary coming up in Feb 2012!

The planning didn’t go very smoothly which was a little embarrassing as I used to be an Events Coordinator!  The wedding dress shop closed down a week after I’d ordered my dress, the florists sold up shop and our venue (a Tuscan restaurant set in a stunning Jacobean hall in Chester) closed down 6 weeks before the wedding!  They told us by text message. #customerservicefail

So after the initial shock we got busy re-planning and with the help of friends and family we arranged the whole wedding again in those final few weeks.  It turned out a little more traditional than we had originally planned but the day was better than we could ever have imagined.  It made me realise... you can have the most amazing dress, cake, flowers, shoes... but ultimately none of that matters because it’s about the marriage and people that share the day with you. 

• What attracted you to working in the wedding industry?

What’s not to love? Working in such a creative environment, alongside ridiculously talented people and getting to ‘freeze’ important little nuggets of people’s lives forever and capture them in an artistic way.  Yes it can be hard work but it‘s the best job in the world. 

• What is your favourite part of working with bride & grooms (to-be)?

Getting to know them and how they interact with one another.  It’s so important because I need to be able to produce real images that portray who they are.  This is why the pre-wedding shoot is so important, we meet up for a cuppa and a chat, keep it relaxed and just shoot some fun photos. Coffee is usually involved somewhere along the way too. and cake.   

• What is your most favourite wedding theme at the moment?

I don’t really have a favourite theme as such – although yes, predictably I love all things vintage!  For me it’s more about creative couples who stamp their own personalities on their day, the little extra touches that make it unmistakably THEIR wedding.  Whatever the theme, those are my favourite types of wedding.

• Top wedding tip?

Relax!  As I can testify, even when things go wrong everything has a way of working out.  Also (and yes I’m totally biased but...) do your research when it comes to wedding photographers.  Find a style that you love rather than basing your judgement solely on price. Often the old adage is true, you get what you pay for. 

The photographs of your wedding day will long outlast your wedding cake, your shoes and possibly even your dress.  They will be the one thing (apart from maybe a video) that you have to look back on in years to come.  It does frustrate me when people place so little value on such an important part of their wedding. 

• What do you think the next big wedding trends might be?

Well... as the trends usually come from our friends over the pond... I would have to say ‘first look’.  I LOVE the idea.  Rather than the couple first seeing each other at the altar or registrar’s table, they actually meet-up before the ceremony, in private and see each other for the first time. 

It’s uber special – a rare moment of quiet between the two of them. It allows the couple that time to just take it all in, settle their nerves and share an imtimate moment.  And of course it means that I can get some beautiful, emotive and really powerful shots from those initial reactions... perfect.

• Where can we find your fabulous company?

I’m based in Chester but available all over the UK and for destination weddings.  (You got that I fell in love with Italy yes?)

On the net you can find me here:

Website:  http://www.clairepennphotography.com

Blog:  http://clairepennphotography.blogspot.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/clairepennphotography

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/clairepennphoto

• What are your plans for the future?

There’s a shiny new blog in the pipeline for the New Year which I’m excited about.  Other than that simply to keep learning, trying new things and loving what I do!   

I'd like to say a huge thanks to Claire for doing this feature and for letting me show you her fabulous photos! I love the 'first look' moment - I would have loved this on our wedding day, you get so swept along in the day, it would be such a breath of fresh air to have that!

Would love to know your comments....

Have a happy day

Love Kate x