London-based wedding planner Stewart-Brown Events explains how she started her career in journalism but ventured into wedding planning.
How did you get into wedding planning? Are you self-taught or formally trained?
I started my career working in journalism at GQ magazine and then decided I wanted a change of scenery. I am a very organized person, yet creative at the same time so someone suggested event planning which I thought would fit me well. In the last nine years, I have worked for two bespoke events companies planning weddings and private parties in the UK and across Europe. In 2018, I decided to start up on my own and haven’t looked back. I have been fortunate enough to organize an array of beautiful weddings in the last year from London to Tuscany, from traditional to rustic, for 50 to 350 guests… and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Describe your style in one sentence.
Creative, sophisticated and fun!
What’s been your favorite experience as a wedding planner?
Meeting people, understanding their dreams and preferred style, and making it all happen for them on the most important day of their life!
What do you love most about planning weddings? Why do you work with weddings in particular?
I love seeing the different styles and looks that each couple are drawn too and bringing them to life in different ways for each and every wedding. No matter how different peoples tastes are, they always want their wedding to look beautiful and I have always adored creating beautiful and romantic settings.
Where is the most interesting or unique place you’ve planned a wedding? Was there anything especially challenging about it?
It would have to be one of the abroad weddings. They are always more challenging because of the language barrier and different currency but they are great fun on the day and the guests are always extra happy as they are abroad on holiday!
As a planner, what has been your biggest wedding day challenge?
I did a winter wedding at the start of this year and the vicar was nowhere to be seen! I was with the bride and her family at the time, but my assistant called me to say everyone was at the church ready apart from the vicar! We tried calling him several times but there was no answer. Just as we were about to try and make other arrangements, he showed up thankfully, with the AA towing him down the lane!
What are your favorite wedding trends right now?
I love bringing the outside in! So many of my clients this year have requested the ‘Petersham nurseries’ style so we have really brought the outside greenery inside. This can create such a beautiful, cozy and intimate space and can be done is so many different ways. Another trend I have noticed is more and more people are stepping away from the white frame tent, and asking for more rustic, yet smart marquees such as pole tents and raj tents.
How do you think an app like Joy can help make weddings better?
It can help the couple hugely with the guest logistics side of the things and if a wedding is perhaps abroad, or has many different parts over different days for example, it allows the couple to invite guests to certain things and not others. It also allows the couple to provide all the relevant travel and accommodation information to the guests so people have all the information.
If you weren’t a wedding photographer, what would you be doing?
I would be an event florist. I think you can create such beautiful things using all the different colored flowers and foliage etc and it can truly bring a space to light…. along with good lighting!
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?
The joy and love felt at a couple’s wedding truly does last forever. It is a day they will never forget and will always put a smile on their face.
