PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

We are Stam and Liam, the couple behind Liam cOllard Photography. Don’t be fooled by the name, Stam joined the business after two years and been the creative force driving us forward ever since.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

We both love photography and getting to do that for a living is such a privilege. Weddings are such a great way to make other people really happy whilst doing something you love.

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

Busy, we both rush around trying to capture every moment of the day. We are very mindful of the days special meaning and always work organically around what’s going on.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Making couples so delighted is the best part, just after they receive their final images.

TELL US ABOUT THE VENUE

Shoreditch Studios is one of London’s most established photographic studios for big brand fashion shoots but in the past 5 years, the venue has also become one of London’s most popular alternative wedding venues. The venue consists of two high ceiling railway arch studios and a huge courtyard space. The venue is perfect for seated weddings from 80-170 or standing reception parties with up to 220 guests. Shoreditch Studios is regularly featured in popular wedding blogs and every year the venue breaks its record for hosting more weddings, especially in summer months hosting three weddings on some weekends.

WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE UNIQUE?

Shoreditch Studios is in such a great location, surrounded by Shoreditch street art and the venue has some really beautiful features like the floor to ceiling infinity cove, perfect for ceremonies and wedding photos. You can hang anything from the venues industrial lighting truss, flowers, candles and of loads of pretty lights of course! The venue also has stunning Victorian era brickwork, a wrought iron spiral staircase which leads to the mezzanine lounge room, there are also two large green rooms and a huge outdoor space which is open to guests until 8pm.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Hi, my names Keisher & I run a boutique all-female live music company for weddings and events UK and Worldwide. We have a hand selection of the finest all female bands and Dj’s. I pride the company on being honest and exceptional quality.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I absolutely love singing and I got the oppourtunity to sing at a family membesr st dance, then coincidentally a friend asked me to cover her on a gig of hers a few weeks later and the rest is history. I loved it. It makes my heart burts seeing two people uterly in love.

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

I love to start my day with a bit of meditatation which follows quite quickly by running around after my daughter and getting her to nursery. Then the gym then home for consultations with coupels and organising up and coming events.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Honestly, I love the consultations and getting to know clients. Hearing their love stories (which can range from being hilarious to making me cry!) and once they’re booked in, the ‘Set List Zoom parties’ a month or so before the wedding is usually so much fun. We bring wine, have a dance, decide what you DONT want (very important), and ensure the dancefloor will be full all night! 

Curating the perfect songs for a couple and then seeing it all come together on the dancefloor is brilliant.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Hello! I’m Glenn and I’m That Celebrant Guy. I live in the Vegas of the North (HA!)…Sunny Blackpool. Originally I’m from the Cotswolds but after almost a decade living in The Balearic Islands as Head of Entertainment for a Hotel Chain, I came back to the UK with my partner. So, we stayed here, got two amazing dogs and started out on some new adventures. A fun fact about me (because who doesn’t love a fun fact, right?) is that I was actually in the final 5 kids to play Harry Potter in the films. Of course I was pipped to the post, but it was fun all the same, and thus the stagey kid was thrust into the world!

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I love a wedding, of course. Although originally it was never really in the pipeline.

It all started very much by chance. I started out just doing ceremonies for free for family and friends. My whole life I’ve always been into performing and being on stage, so I trained in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at Bird College in Sidcup. After graduating, I moved to The Balaerics for a long while and of course friends and would come to visit lots. They saw that I was pretty comfortable being in front of people presenting and hosting in my own style, so I guess it’s why they asked me to be their celebrant.

It just so happened that after my cousins wedding, her friend asked her who “that celebrant guy” was, and that’s where it all began. All through word of mouth. It all seemed to take off super quickly, and I’ve never looked back! It has been the most amazing few years.

I have been to so many weddings as a guest and I have heard (more often than I’d like) A LOT people saying that the ceremony is “boring, forgetful, not the main event, dull”…you know, words to that effect. Granted, it’s possible it wasn’t a celebrant wedding because these should be anything but those things. So, I wanted to take away that thought process and make people remember that part of the day, because after all, what is a wedding without a ceremony?

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

Tough question! Each day is mega different…just how I like it…”Variety is the spice of life” I believe is the saying. However, if we look at it quite broadly, probably as follows:

– I’ll get up nice and early and have my morning coffee (white, 2 sweeteners…just so you know) and check my emails, instagram and Facebook. I’ll then throw on something comfy and take out my dogs.

– When I get home, it’s another coffee and up to the office for some work. Then, I write ceremonies, do some basic wedding crafting for things like vow cards or printed candles, and sing loudly to whatever comes on Spotify.

– I’ll probably have a zoom chat or 2 with couples further afield, but often it’s a walk in a local park (with or without the dogs) with couples who are either already booked, or thinking of booking. We talk for ages and then they can decide if I’m the guy for them. If they’ve already booked then it’s usually a catch up to see where things are at.

– On a ceremony day, the couple have exclusive booking of that day. I get to the venue an an hour and a half before to set up and make sure everyone is good to go. After the ceremony is over, quite often I’ll stick around for a toast with the couple, family and friends, before heading home.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Where to begin?!

I love sitting and writing and being able to exercise my artistic license.

I love knowing that what I’ve created and delivered is something the couple have dreamed of for their big day.

I love it when at a ceremony the couple look so in love with each other that nothing else on this planet matters right now.

I love working closely with couples and becoming friends as the process goes on.

I love getting the cards, emails, letters, gifts of thanks from the couples. It literally gives me such a lump in my throat every time when I read them.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Hi, I’m Fiona…or Fee as most people call me and I’m the one behind the camera. I specialise in beautiful, natural and creative wedding photography. I’m based in London but shoot weddings all over the UK.

I’m originally from the Lake District and still very much a Northerner despite having been in London for over 20 years. I live in Purley, South London, with my husband, our son, a grumpy cat called Chilli and a crazy fuzzball cockapoo called Baxter. There’s never a dull moment between school runs, sports clubs, cat & dog standoffs and running my business. I wouldn’t have it any other way though!

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I have been photographing weddings for nearly 11 years. I was pregnant with my son when the business really started so I can easily keep track! My journey into photography was a round-about route. I started my career as a graphic designer and photographic art director for fashion and lifestyle brands. The experience I gained as an art director has proved so useful when I was starting out as a photographer. It felt like a sideways step, rather than a complete change of direction.

Things changed after getting married myself. We got married in Las Vegas (it was totally planned and the most amazing experience!) Part of our wedding package included a photographer to take photos during the ceremony. One of my best friends, who came with us and happened to be a photographer, took ones of the time before the ceremony and of the party time after. When we looked at the official photos we were happy enough, they were what we expected. But the ones my friend had taken were so full of life and captured much more than just the events. It was a real eye-opener and a bit of a eureka moment. I loved the idea of being able to do photos like this for a whole wedding. It wasn’t long after that I photographed my first wedding and that was it….I was totally hooked!

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

Weekdays are all about working around the school run and any clubs my son has going on (he has a lot!). I like to fit a workout or dog walk in first thing as it’s a great way to start the day and the one way of guaranteeing I do some exercise. Then it’s down to checking emails, editing and writing blog posts. I often do family shoots, commercial shoots or engagement shoots on weekdays, so some days I will have a shoot booked in. 

There is always something to do. Even during the quieter months. Then I spend my time planning for the business or working on marketing for the coming months. Im not very good at sitting and doing nothing!

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Without a doubt, it’s the couples I work with. They trust me to capture their wedding days and make me feel so welcome and part of everything. The biggest compliment I can get is when one of my couples tell me it was like having another friend there and I made them feel really relaxed about having their photo taken. 
This is one such comment that really makes me smile “Fiona’s ability to take natural shots that capture the moment separates her from the crowd. She has exceptional vision and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Fiona’s clearly a professional in her field, but she’s also so warm and kind that it makes us happy that she got to share our special day with us.”

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Hello there! I’m Kathryn (she/her), I’m a Wedding Celebrant accredited by Humanists UK. My role is to work with couples to create, curate and deliver a unique, bespoke wedding ceremony. Every wedding ceremony I deliver is written entirely from scratch and completely authentic and inclusive to you both! No templates, no delete as appropriate and no crossed fingers during the bits that don’t reflect you!

I’ll make sure that instead of feeling constrained by tradition and expectation, your ceremony is full of warmth, fun and joy. I live in South East London with my hubby David and our gorgeous cat Timba. but happily travel, creating unique wedding ceremonies for modern couples who are getting creative and making meaningful wedding choices that reflect them.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I became a Humanist wedding celebrant because I love people and I love working with them to make sure they have a wonderful time! I had been to a lot of humanist wedding ceremonies and loved each and every one!

I also love ritual & celebration, humans have been marking milestones by gathering people around them for thousands of years. I’m honoured to be part of that for every couple I create a humanist wedding ceremony for. One of my favourite things is a fabulous day filled with love that makes people feel good! Basically I love people and weddings, and people at weddings.

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

Well on a wedding day…I’ll be at your wedding venue at least an hour before the guests to make sure we’re all set. I’ll coordinate with photographers, venue staff, musicians and readers. I’ll also be there to reassure you both! Finally, I’ll conduct your feel-good ceremony, kicking off your fabulous day and your fabulous marriage!

On other days, I’ll usually start my day by checking in and answering new enquiries, then I’ll start writing; either ceremony scripts for upcoming weddings, blogs, Instagram posts. Then, usually in the evenings I’ll have intro calls with potential couples or planning chats (usually in person covid-permitting) with couples whose ceremonies I’m creating.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Meeting amazing couples and being able to be even just a tiny part of creating a beautiful wedding ceremony for them is just the most incredible feeling! I always raise a toast to every couple when I get home. I’m lucky enough to now be friends with the couples I’ve married.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Hi I’m Amy, the owner and main driver of Lil & Blue. We provide adorable vintage fiat 500s for weddings, photoshoots and special occasions. We have two fabulous cars, Lily and Bluebell available for chauffeur driven hire. Our little cars are real head-turners attracting attention wherever they go. They bring so much fun and we love sharing their joy with couples on their big day!

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I have always wanted to own a classic fiat 500. With it’s gorgeous good looks, fabulous retro features and adorable picnic basket what’s not to love?! In May 2019 I finally got my long held wish – off I went to a specialist in South London and I came home with not one but two! It was a a bit like buying a puppy. There were two there – how could I possibly buy one and not the other. The way they looked at me with those big headlight eyes! At first they were just meant as a hobby but like most of the country, the pandemic got me rethinking my priorities. When I was made redundant from my unfulfilling office job in the city, I found myself with a perfect opportunity. Finally I could do something I love (making people happy) with something I love (my wonderful feel-good fiats!). I launched my little business shortly after and haven’t looked back!

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

After bundling the kids off to school I usually have a little moment where I reflect on how nice it is to be my own boss (and could watch day time tv for the next 3 hours if I wanted). Then I start panicking about how I am now my own boss and get quickly to work!. So it’s on with the emails, admin, website tweaking, instagramming and car fiddling. The wedding days really are the best days though. I love the excitement of prepping the cars, giving them a really good polish and getting them all decorated in whatever flower garlands or wreaths the couple have chosen. And then of course there’s seeing the look on their faces when you arrive to pick them up. It’s just such a brilliant feeling!

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Driving around in these fabulous little cars with a happy couple in the back and seeing people’s faces absolutely light up with joy as you drive by. The London weddings are really fun, they attract so much attention – tooting, clapping and cheering! It’s such a lovely feeling for my newly wed passengers to be at the centre of. There is something seriously therapeutic about these little cars. They instantly make people feel happy. I have lost count of how many people have said they want to give them a cuddle. I often wonder if I should start cuddle therapy sessions with them as an add-on for couples

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF 

I’m Cat – the spectacular, spectacle-wearing lady person who founded Fin Flükra. We specialise in creating boundary-breaking weddings for modern couples planning to marry or elope in Scotland. How best to describe me? My personality is pretty much a mix of Monica Geller (73%) with a smattering of Phoebe Buffay (27%)… the perfect combination of super organised whilst still having plenty of fun!

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS? 

My boyfriend (now husband) turned to me whilst walking along the beach in Nairn, Scotland when we were discussing our future career paths and said to me… ‘what about wedding planning?’. The seed was planted and I never looked back!

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE? 

Currently, due to the current situation, A LOT of my time over the past year has been supporting my couples through postponing their plans, working with their venues and suppliers to find an alternative that suits everyone as much as possible. As well as discussing scaling down their guest list and helping them reimagine their day for those choosing to go ahead. It’s been a real rollercoaster for everyone this year and it’s a privilege to be trusted by my couples to support them throughout these challenges.

Prior to the pandemic, my days varied… I start the day off with a cup of tea and some custard cream biscuits, emails, seating plans, researching suppliers/venues, site visits, emails, updating social media, meetings with couples or suppliers, more tea and custard cream biscuits, timelines, design briefs, calls and so on… there’s no such thing as a typical day in my job and I love the variety it brings!

Plus on a wedding day itself, I can easily cover at least the distance of a half marathon over a 10-12 hour day ensuring everything is exactly as planned. As one of my brides called me – a wedding ninja! I’ll take that thank you very much :)

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? 

My couples – simple. I ADORE my couples and getting to work closely with them for on average 18 months to plan their wedding is a really intimate and unique experience (although with COVID some will be stuck with me for nearly 3 years by the time their wedding comes round!). Seeing them say their vows to one another on their wedding day is always a sucker punch for me and I can usually be found hidden at the back having a good sob cause I’m so happy for them… the best part of the job 100%!