Little Black Book
We know how many decisions are involved when planning your wedding, and finding a team of suppliers who really ‘get you’ is one of the most important of all. Here’s a round up of some of the wonderfully talented people that we’ve loved working with to help you assemble your own dream team.
VENUES
The Old Parish Rooms : EXCLUSIVE TO GATHER & FEAST
A quirky and cool setting for intimate weddings with a white modern interior which is a photographers dream! This lovely venue is in Rayleigh, Essex with a great team to help you design your perfect day.
Bryony and the team at Lodge Farm in Nazeing have worked so hard to transform their barns into truly stunning spaces. We love working at this venue – the levels of customer service are absolutely faultless for clients and suppliers alike.
Anne of Cleeves Barn
Beautiful gardens, a vineyard, a lake, woodlands a historic barn built for the former wife of King Henry VIII… and an onsite herd of alpacas – this venue has it all! The team here pride themselves on their flexibility, with options to suit you whatever your style.
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An idyllic haven on the Blackwater Estuary that feels like it hasn't yet made it to the 20th Century with access via an ancient Roman causeway. The island is ultimately a blank canvas for the wedding of your dreams.
MARQUEES & TIPIS
Events Under Canvas:
A leading supplier of tipis, sailcloth and glamping tents in the South East of England. Events Under Canvas are perfect for you if your wedding has a boho edge.
BSW Marquees:
With over 45 years of experience, this family run Essex marquee company really are experts in their field. Specialising in traditional marquees and exceptionally knowledgeable about their craft, you’re in safe hands here.
Chelmer Marquees:
Chelmer Marquees offer a range of tented options at an exceptionally high quality. They manufacture their own pole marquees, making them particular specialists in quintessential English country garden weddings.
County Marquees:
Flexible and friendly, the team at County Marquees can guide you through every step of the process to make sure you find the structure that’s right for your wedding. Having built more than 1000 wedding marquees, they’ve seen it all, and can advise on the right choices for any venue or style of event.
Three Diamond Tipis:
A specialist in British made, big hat tipis, this boutique Essex-based company add spectacular festival style to any event.
Green Yurts:
The incredible 42ft wedding yurt really is a sight to behold. Beautifully bohemian and incredibly stylish, you can transform it into your own little world with lights and flowers. Also available are glamping yurts and bell tents.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Three Flower's Photography:
Charlotte specialises in unobtrusive storytelling, which makes her a bit like a ninja with a camera. She’s brilliant to work with, and seems to unfailingly be able to capture the most intense and gorgeous moments effortlessly.
Jess Soper:
Music loving adventurer Jess’s portfolio is packed full of the sort of weddings that make us excited. A fan of the non-traditional, she creates truly beautifully imagery that’s packed with personality.
Kelsie Low:
Kelsie was awarded British Wedding Photographer of the Year in 2018, and with good reason – her work is absolutely stunning! Based in Essex, Kelsie’s a fellow foodie who gravitates towards those who are a little bit wild at heart.
Veronika Ward:
We love Veronika’s laid-back yet high-end style of photography. The work she produces is absolutely beautiful – emotive and creative with an alternative twist.
Laura Jane:
Self-proclaimed country girl and animal lover Laura fills her images with light. They’re beautifully airy and luxurious, and packed with joy and emotion, too.
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Husband & wife team, Tom & Nell Halliday. Tom has been a professional photographer since he was eighteen, working in a studio and on location for a variety of companies. Nell comes from an art and design background, specialising in interior design.
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Joseph brings a young, fresh and imaginative approach to wedding photography, combining documentary and editorial images.
FLORISTS & VENUE DÉCOR
Starry Eyed Weddings:
Hayley and the Starry Eyed team have made it their mission to create amazing spaces in humble places. They’re absolute masters at transforming dry hire venues and blank canvases and turning them into something wonderful with their styling, décor, flowers and props. Select from three gorgeous décor themes or go totally bespoke and bring your own ideas to the table.
The Country Garden Flower Company:
Patrick and Sheree create floral wonderlands from homegrown flowers – cultivating over 1000 varieties in their stunning 2 acre plot near Colchester. It means they can guarantee seasonal arrangements all year round.
Little Tin Shed:
Creating luxury flowers for weddings across Essex and beyond, Little Tin Shed are experts at flowering a range of venues – from stately homes to festival-esque tepees and everything in between. Check out their fabulously named ‘Wall of Joy’ to see reviews from some seriously happy customers.
The Botanical Shed:
Louise’s enthusiasm for her work is totally infectious, and from her base in the beautiful Essex countryside she creates gorgeous flowers for weddings and parties.
Blossom Hill:
Friendly and knowledgable, Anne and her team at Blossom Hill Flowers in Danbury are brilliant at guiding couples towards their dream flowers over a cuppa and a slice of cake. The Wedding Flower Workshops taught by award-winner Elaine are also well worth a look.
EVENT HIRE SERVICES
CMA Hire:
Geoff and Emily are consummate professionals, who have hired out their impressive range of linens, glassware, crockery, cutlery and furniture to over 16,000 weddings! They’ve got a great amount of choice and everything is of beautiful quality.
Party Party Event Hire:
If you’re planning a rustic chic event, you need to check out Party Party Event hire. This family run North Essex business has a great range of indoor and outdoor furniture, and some fun garden games available too.
Anthology Vintage Hire:
Amy’s collection of furniture and props is something we could happily browse for hours or possibly days! Everything has been carefully chosen and curated to fit the vintage, rustic style. These are stunning, handmade pieces – think gorgeous velvet sofas and armchairs, or dressers made from reclaimed wood. The collection of large and small props for hire can also add a touch of whimsy to your big day.
Dreamwave Events:
Looking to transform your venue with incredible lighting? Look no further. From twinkling canopies of festooned fairy lights, to funky Edison bulbs and amazing illuminated backdrops, Dreamwave have the creativity and the expertise to make your event look amazing.
Mobile Thrones:
Who says the practical stuff can’t be luxurious? Mobile thrones range of high-end portable toilets for hire will help your guests to feel pampered and looked after.
Mobile Bar Hire
Boston & Co:
Beautiful wooden, scandi style bars in several sizes, experienced, friendly bar staff and a range of high quality drinks. For a modern rustic wedding, what more could you ask for?
Beyond Bar Hire:
We love the range of bar styles available from Beyond Bars (check out the Regency and Prosecco bar options!), and the team have a flexible selection of options to suit your wedding, from dry bar hire to staffed free and cash bars.
Gather Bars:
Gather Bars are such fun! Whatever your requirements, they have a bar to suit you – from converted horseboxes, to welcome drink tricycles, to pop up pubs. Each one is named after a bird. We think our favourite might be the Coot and Moorhen, with its focus on gin and prosecco.
MUSIC
Three Mile Hill:
A three-piece band with a boho, folky vibe, we love Three Mile Hill’s vibe. They call themselves a blend of Mumford and Sons, The Beatles and Vance Joy, and that’s a combo that we wholeheartedly support.
Fox & Braces:
Spectacular DJs who are guaranteed to keep the dance floor full all night long. There’s a custom made DJ booth that blends in perfectly with rustic weddings, a catalogue of over 20,000 songs, and really personal service too. We love these guys!
Jupiter Ray:
Specialising in floor-filling motown, pop and party classics, Jupiter Ray have some serious experience under their belts. The guys have played stages at Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading, and they’re masters at getting crowds moving and on their feet.
Solo saxophonist David brings his own brand of cool funk to every event. From enlivening your welcome drinks, to giving your dance floor a jazzy edge, we’ve been blown away by how talented he is.
CELEBRANTS
Bespoke Celebrant Ceremonies:
Nichola’s flexible approach and gentle, warm delivery makes her a perfect choice for leading your personalised wedding ceremony. She’ll work closely with you to write a unique ceremony that reflects your love story.
Katie Matthews:
Katie crafts totally bespoke humanist ceremonies for every couple, teasing out the hilarious stories and heartwarming memories and weaving them in seamlessly. A fan of sing alongs, sequins and love that’s not afraid to be a bit silly sometimes, we love Katie’s colourful style and promise of superstar ceremonies that shine.
DRESSES
Suzanne Harrington:
Suzanne’s dresses are light and comfortable, with a bit of bohemian romance to them. Perfect for twirling through the woods, saying ‘I do’ among wildflowers or dancing under the stars. Each one is handmade in her Walthamstow studio, and created bespoke for each bride.
Rock The Frock Bridal:
Rock the Frock is no ordinary bridal boutique. Promising ‘exclusive dresses and inclusive boutiques’, the team at RTF curate an incredible selection of modern, cool and avant garde bridal wear for contemporary brides everywhere. Their first in house collection is a stunner, too.
Lucy Can't Dance:
Who says wedding dresses have to be white? We adore Lucy’s modern dip-dyed gowns and separates, and her colourful, bohemian and festival inspired style. These are dresses for brides with personality.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Knot your Average Bride:
Zoe specialises in natural hair and makeup – bringing a more wearable, modern style to the traditional bridal looks. If you want to look glowing and fashion forward but supremely comfortable in your own skin, Zoe’s your woman.
Laura & Haleigh:
Laura-Kate & Haleigh have joined forces and produced a team of two that are passionate, professional and provide a high-end hair & makeup service
STATIONERY
Jenna’s studio collections are some of our absolute favourites – luxuriously bohemian with contemporary design twists, hand painted details and amazing textural elements. She also offers a totally custom design service if you’re looking for something that’s unique to you.
Gemma’s the talented designer behind Polly Pickle. She loves contemporary designs and gorgeous typography, and we love her stylish and elegant suites of stationery.
Lydia Packham Calligraphy is a UK based Modern Calligrapher. Providing Essex based workshops as well a luxury modern calligraphy design service for weddings, events & gifts.