It’s International Women’s Day!

As a small business we know how important it is to support other small businesses and to have their support in turn.

To celebrate International Women’s Day we have written a short blog on some wonderful wonder women whose businesses are small & bridal related! We hope that this blog gives you some useful inspiration & contacts if you’re planning a wedding, and even if you aren’t I hope that it inspires you to keep shouting out those women around you who are working hard to follow their dreams and help make other’s dreams come true…after all, isn’t that what the wedding business is all about?

Madi x

The Crafter: Marie Canning

After studying ceramics during my 3-dimensional design degree I set up my business using my name ‘Marie Canning’. This was 5 years ago and since then my jewellery and bridal accessories are now available in gallery shops and bridal boutiques in Britain, Austria and the USA.

Each of my porcelain pieces is handcrafted by me in my studio in Hebden Bridge, where I work up a hill overlooking the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. I’m passionate about nature and how we can protect it and enjoy it. I love the effect that nature has on our wellbeing and how free and accessible it is for us. I try to use this passion to create beautiful pieces that celebrate this.

Last year I became a little obsessed with strawberries, especially as they lined the path home through the summer months. Little ceramic strawberries form a big part of my 2018 collection alongside elderflowers, apple blossom, poppies and buttercups.

You can find Marie’s stunning designs and pieces on sale in our Boutique and on her website here: http://mariecanning.co.uk

The Photographer – Sophie Evans

I’ve always loved seeing the detail in things and the pretty in everything so I found an affinity with taking photographs. I was studying photography at the same time I was looking to book a photographer for my own wedding day. I spent ages making sure that I found someone who captured the emotion in a natural, stylish and un-obtrusive way – the things that were most important to me.

When I received my wedding photos, it inspired me to pass on the overwhelming feeling I felt to others through my own work.

From taking family portraits, I soon got asked to photograph my first wedding. It seems like so long ago on one hand, but just like yesterday on the other. From there my confidence grew and I started getting more and more bookings. Gaining the trust of a couple to capture their special day is a big deal and something I am always so proud to be asked to do. Photographing the day excites me so much – I feel very fortunate to do something I love so much and delivering the photos and seeing the reaction is what it’s all about. I love that I am able to capture memories for couples to look back at over and over again and one day be shared with future generations.

Photographs above – Sophie Evans Photography & all brides are wearing dresses from our boutique. (Top row Essense of Australia, and bottom is Jesus Peiro)

You can find more of Sophie’s stunning photographs and contact details on her website here: sophieevansphotography.co.uk

The Big Idea – The Little Gin Company

The Little Gin Company was set up in 2015 by local friends, Emma & Nicola, simply because they love gin!!! Inspired by local street food units, they purchased a vintage style horse trailer and converted it into a mobile gin bar. You can find them at a variety of local food and music events and they are also available for private and corporate hire. Outside of the horse trailer, Emma & Nicola also host gin tasting sessions, perfect for hen & stag do’s. The girls also own The Little Rum Company…because they love Rum, just as much as they love gin!!

You can find more details on The Little Gin Company on their website here thelittlegincompany.com

The Make-Up Artist – Clair Louise

Ever since I can remember I have always loved beauty products, I always loved art and being creative so after high school I went to study beauty therapy in Henely in arden and it was from that point we’re my beauty career begin for me. After completing my studies I trained as a Clairns therapist in  London where I worked in a spa but I found myself ejoying the make up side of the industry more, at the age of 19 I became a make up artist for space NK working with brands such as Laura Mercier , Nars, By Terry and Stila, my love for make up just grow grow  and at the age of 24 I left to go and work for Bobbi brown to increase my artistry skills even more, it was at this point I thought to myself I love making people feel good and teaching them new skills why don’t I become a freelance bridle make up artist.Over the years I have been part of some amazing weddings and have made many  friends along the way, I do what I do because I love being part of someone special day knowing that I helped them to feel beautiful and at their best. 

To see more of Clair’s work or to contact her, you can visit her Facebook page here facebook.com/clairlouisemakeupandbeauty/

The Shoe Designer – Harriet Wilde

I’m a mama of 2 kids and I built up the business whilst most people would be on a maternity break, I’m passionate and love what I do, this drives me to succeed. I am a creative person, and I love making a 2D drawing and then the drawing becomes 3D, this is pure magic. As for shoes, I have always loved shoes since a being a small kid, I studied ceramics and started to make pottery shoes this lead me to wanting to design shoes, I found you could study a shoe design degree and the rest is history! 

You can find Harriet’s stunning shoes in our boutique in Henley in Arden and also online here harrietwilde.com

Our next trunk show is Essense of Australia on Saturday 31st March click here for more information

If you’d like more wedding inspiration you can see our Wedding Venue Open Days Guide here & have a look at our Pinterest boards here too!