The Gioia Mia blog is now over on Wordpress:
http://gioiamiadesigns.wordpress.com/
There's lots more beautiful weddings, fabulous suppliers and help and advice!
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Gioia Mia loves Samantha Whitehead-Young Wedding Design
Hallo everyone!
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my work is getting to know some very talented and fabulous peeps. As soon as I started chatting with Sam, I knew that she would be incredibly good at what she does. I'm really delighted to feature her work on my blog. Over to Sam!
Can you tell me a bit about your business?
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.
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.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love working with the couples and their ideas, as mentioned before each couple and wedding is different and it makes for a working life where one day is never the same.
The whole process is enjoyable from the day that you realise their design dream via an inspiration board to providing the dream wedding within budget.
However, the finale of the wedding day itself is where it all comes together and having the pleasure of experiencing everything from the look on the groom's face when he first glimpses his bride, the emotion of family and friends throughout the day and the ever increasingly interesting first dances!
I enjoy the end of this day not because I am glad it is over, but because they have had the day they have been dreaming of so long and will remember with their friends and family forevermore.
What plans do you have for your business for the future?
Our future plans consist of many more SWY couples having the wedding of their dreams!
Kind words
'All the work for The SERIOUS Hat Band and [the top hat band] comes from word of mouth. We think this is because we’re obsessed with making sure our clients are nothing less than delighted with our performance on and off stage. Clients tell us that our meticulous and efficient organisation means they have complete confidence that we’ve thought of everything. And fortunately, we’ve been around long enough not to have to work with anyone who doesn’t take the same approach. We’re proud to be picky and we can count the number of agents, party organisers and wedding planners with whom we work, on the fingers of one hand. We’re delighted to include Samantha on that list and even more delighted to be included on her list of trusted suppliers. All her events run like clockwork and her calm and capable organisation makes for a perfect event every time.'
Howard Keith Wedding Photography
'We have only had the opportunity of working with Samantha a couple of times and in that time we have found her approach to wedding planning extremely refreshing. She is courteous, efficient and amiable. Above all, she loves what she does.
Wedding planning is more than just organising people around a set of times, it’s knowing the couple’s aspirations and understanding every variable at a wedding…and there are many! I hope we have an opportunity to work with Samantha in the very near future.'
Sarah & Lee
'Just a line to say thank you so much for our wedding day. I know perfect days like that do not happen without a lot of hard work and effort.'
Helen & David
'Samantha is incredibly dedicated to what she does and has a great passion for weddings. Throughout the planning process and through the day itself I was incredibly relaxed, knowing that Samantha had everything in control.'
Online
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Yemi Kosibah on bridal trends for 2013
Hallo everyone!
As well as including wedding and event planners, florists, stationers, cake makers, and bridal gown retailers in my 'Bridal Trends 2013' series, I wanted to feature wedding dress designer/makers whose work I respect and admire.
One such designer/maker is the multi award-winning Yemi Osunkoya, of Kosibah. Working from a studio in London, Yemi's beautiful couture bridal and evening wear designs are worn by women the world over. His work both celebrates and enhances the female figure, emphasising a woman's natural grace and elegance. He is known for his impeccable craftsmanship, his elegant corsetry, his use of luxurious fabrics and his sumptuous embellishments.
Over to Yemi, for what to look out for in 2013:
I see the resurgence of the fitted fishtail gown with lots of light and or textured volume on the lower part of the dress. The Red Carpet has a heavy influence in this trend. Gowns with shoulder covering and/or sleeves are also going to be popular. Sleeves would be sheer in fabrics such as lace, tulle and organza. The dress 'Odette' epitomises most of these trends. Colour also will play a significant part in gowns for 2013.
'Odette' image by Funmi & Adrian Omotade-Tan of FO Photography
'Odette' image by Funmi & Adrian Omotade-Tan of FO Photography
A very warm thank you to Yemi for so generously sharing his thoughts with me. I really love the sound of all of his ideas, and look forward to seeing yet more of his beautiful bespoke gowns.
Please do check out Yemi's wonderful website and Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter too - he's a most generous and gracious tweeter!
Online
Previous Bridal Trends 2013 posts
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Ivory Whites on bridal trends for 2013
Hallo everyone!
Catriona, at Ivory Whites, is today's expert on my 'Bridal Trends for 2013' series.
I first met Catriona at a wedding fair in Glasgow a couple of years ago, and then again earlier in the year, at a fair in Perth. I loved the beautiful range of dresses and accessories she had on display. Although it was just a small range of the handpicked collection available in her shop, her knowledge and expertise of both national and international designers was very evident.
Over to Catriona for what to look out for in 2013:
Villais is an established Spanish bridalwear company who’s contemporary collection is finally hitting our Scottish bridal boutiques this year. Along with Ivory Whites, there are just 3 stockists in Scotland. From this August, Ivory Whites will have a selection of gowns from the 2013 collection and we think you’ll love them! The designers pride themselves on high quality, however, with price tags in the region of £995.00 to £1600.00 they are well within many budgets. Expect Spanish layering, hand-crafted laces and delicate straps.
I loved Annasul.Y's new collection at the White Gallery, May 2012. They have stayed true to their roots which are vintage-inspired soft lines with adorable layered laces and tulle detailing, but for 2013 Annasul.Y have brought in some dramatic fishtails and delicate high neck lace gowns.
I also noticed a trend of cowl backs at the White Gallery. I have the gorgeous 'Marlene' and 'Levezza' by British Bridal Designer of the Year, 2012, Ritva Westenius, at Ivory Whites for girls to try on!
This multi-award winning accessories brand has always been a favourite at Ivory Whites but the fabulous ‘Porcelaine’ headband has taken our breath away! Diamante and pearls are clustered amongst a vintage lace and set on a comfortable headband this is easy to wear, looks adorable and is heavenly with any lace gown.
This new British headwear designer has been a firm favourite at Ivory Whites since she started in 2011. Her new ‘Amberley’ collection is a delightful mix of tiaras, headbands, combs and lace bracelets. The style we are currently drooling over at Ivory Whites is the ‘Anderton’ headband with matching lace bracelet – adorable!
A huge thank you to Catriona for such a fabulous post! And please do check out Ivory Whites' website and Facebook page, for lots more information about the great range of designers they stock.
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