Super Supplier Saturday! Huntsmill Farm

This month's Super Saturday Wedding Supplier is wedding venue Huntmill Farm in Shalstone, Buckinghamshire.

The Huntsmill family consists of Chris, Fiona, Henry and Ruth.  Chris is the farmer, Fiona runs the self catering cottages, Henry is the 'weddings man' and Ruth deals with social media and marketing.

Henry and Ruth themselves married at the farm in 2014 this inspired Henry to create the perfect wedding venue!  They converted the last barn on the farm's stunning courtyard in April 2017, work was completed in May 2018 and now the barn is a beautiful feature.  A space where you can get married with accommodation located onsite around the stunning courtyard. The quiet location means you and your guests will not be disturbed and you can even decorate the barn and gardens however your heart desires!

They have a lovely group of preferred suppliers who have all worked at Huntsmill weddings, which I am lucky enough to be a part of.  If you are searching for your perfect country wedding venue Huntsmill farm is the place for you!  

Emily Fensome, Wedding & Events Coordinator, is the newest addition to the Huntsmill team and has answered my Q&A below.

As the images below show the team are full of fun and energy to make your wedding day extra special!  

Emily Fensome Q&A:

What advice would you give to couples currently searching for a wedding venue?

Decide what your ‘tick boxes’ are before researching venues and enquire into venues that best match your criteria.  Always trust your gut instinct as it will always do you right and make sure you feel in good hands from the start of your enquiry to visiting the venue.  Having a good rapour with the venue’s staff will definitely help to make the planning of your big day so much more enjoyable.

How far in advance should a couple choose a venue?

We recommend 12-18 months as dates start to fill up quickly during the engagement seasons, however we have seen recently those that can turn their big day around in 6!!!

What is your top tip for couples?

Enjoy the whole process, the day goes by so quickly so really treasure the planning as well as the wedding day itself.

Why do you love working in the wedding industry?

Mainly being part of each couples wedding day and being one element that helps to provide them with special memories.  We love meeting people and seeing people enjoy our venue as much as we do!  The Industry has fast changing trends constantly so its nice to have your career continue to give you wow factors!

Describe your Style?

Rustic, current and family orientated.

Why should a couple choose you?

There are so many reasons!  Aside from its beautiful grounds, perfect photo backdrops and amazing staff(!!!) it provides the ultimate wedding experience. The stone barn is so versatile in complimenting any theme or colour and allows each couple to make it their own.  The free flow of the barn also ensures guests are able to enjoy all aspects of the day.  The accommodation is so unique in terms of providing a home from home experience and creates such a social atmosphere.  It enables couples to have an extended celebration period rather than just the wedding day itself.  Huntsmill also transforms from day to night and creates the most beautiful ambience during the evening and continues to give wow factors throughout the day.

https://huntsmillweddings.co.uk

@huntsmillfarmweddings

Super Supplier Saturday! Victoria @ Berkeley Bridal

This month's Super Saturday Wedding Supplier is Victoria from Berkeley Bridal who stocks a variety of dreamy wedding dresses for your special day.

Berkeley Bridal is an independent family run business set within the grounds of the stunning Luton Hoo Estate in  Hertfordshire.

They are the Official Premium dealer of beautiful Pronovias dresses in Hertfordshire and can ensure you will have the very best selection of dresses at their boutique.

Visit www.berkeleybridal.com to make your appointment.

Esmé Robinson Q&A:

What advice would you give to Brides currently searching for a wedding dress?

Choose the dress that makes you feel incredible, the one you love, the one you don’t want to take off, don’t worry if it wasn’t what you came into the shop thinking you would want. 

How far in advance should a Bride choose a dress?

Its best to start as soon as possible, but I would say a minimum of 7 months is preferred to have enough time to make the dress and have time for alterations. However, most of our dresses, we can also sell to you today, as we are happy to sell our samples to brides. 

What is your top tip for Brides?

Enjoy the experience, hopefully you will only do this once, so enjoy every moment, try and relax and find happiness in it all. 

Why do you love working in the wedding industry?

 Meeting lots of happy, excited friendly people everyday and being able to make brides dreams come true

Describe your style?

 Our boutique covers a range of styles, modern, traditional, boho and romantic. 

Why should a Bride choose you?

Because we genuinely care! We give each bride the whole boutique to themselves (with bubbles!) to make sure they have our full attention to make it a very special exclusive experience. 

Visit www.berkeleybridal.com to make your appointment.

https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybridallondon/

@berkeleybridal

Super Supplier Saturday! Hair by Jaydean

May's "Super Saturday Wedding Supplier" is Jaydean Lenaghan, a Hertfordshire based fully qualified freelance hairstylist who covers the south east region and beyond. Jaydean has over fifteen years experience in the hairdressing industry and previously trained and worked within the Saks & Aveda salon groups. She specialises in Bridal hair, vintage hair and all other occasion hairstyling as well as cutting and colouring services.

Jaydean began her creative journey into hairdressing at a young age styling the hair of her dolls in her own words all perfectly lined up, hair neatly barrel rolled!

I am lucky enough to have found a great friend who I have worked with at so many weddings for almost ten years now.  Jaydean is always a calming presence on a wedding day and is super talented at what she does, my wedding partner in crime!

Jaydean Lenaghan Q&A

What advice would you give to Brides currently searching for a hairstylist? 

Use the time to do your research... there are lots of online platforms created by wedding suppliers that aren’t hugely experienced in the wedding industry. Linked suppliers and recommendations work best.

How far in advance should a Bride book you?

As soon as you’ve secured your wedding date. These days prime spots get booked up! 

What are your top tips for Brides?

Try not to sweat the small stuff

Book a venue you love the look and feel of without any added decor

don't scrimp on the styling - taking the pressure off having your hair and makeup done on the day will ensure you can look and feel your best!

Why do you love working in the wedding industry?

Adding the instant feel good factor to each brides special day is an amazing privilege 

Describe your style?

Hmmm. I call it a blended style. I can adapt depending on my mood haha and the weather!

Why should a Bride choose you?

“I’ve been working in the wedding industry for 15 years it has taught me a lot about wedding days, wedding pressure, brides expectations and I’ve seen a lot of change over the years. 

Things keep evolving with trends but when it comes down to it, people choose people for a reason. It’s personal, it’s style, experience, personality - someone you can connect with and rely on .. on the biggest day of your life.”

www.hairbyjaydean.com

https://www.facebook.com/HairByJaydean/

https://www.instagram.com/hair_by_jaydean/ 

Super Supplier Saturday! Wedding Photographer Esmé Robinson

My next Super Saturday Wedding Supplier is Esmé Robinson who is a Bedfordshire based Photographer with over fifteen years experience.  Esmé began taking photographs as little girl when her dad brought her an SLR camera for her tenth birthday, she has been photographing ever since.  Now Esmé is fully qualified with The Masters Photography Association, The British Institute for Professional Photographers and The Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers.  

Her photography in her own words is all about capturing the love - between couples, parents and children and family members.  

As the image below shows Esmé will always be full of fun and energy on your wedding day!  I am lucky enough to have worked with Esmé at many weddings and can say she is really great to have around and super talented as well!

Esmé Robinson Q & A:

What advice would you give to couples currently searching for a Photographer?

Corona specific: We still need to be making forward plans, it is so important to keeping things moving and for our own well-being. 2021 and 22 now look to be bumper years with so many couples changing their dates. Keep booking things up if you can. 

Non-Corona specific; 

I think of it a little bit like a job interview, you wouldn't necessarily want to employ someone with the flashiest looking CV.  I would, instead, ask questions about how long they have been doing it? Are they fully insured? Do they have any industry qualifications or awards? How would they handle a wet, rainy wedding day? If you have a rambunctious groups of guests, ask how they are at confidently organising group shots and ensure you see images taken in non-ideal situations as well as the sunny-day ones. 

How far in advance should a couple book you?

My average booking date is about 12 months to 2 years, but sometimes I have some peak dates still available just a few months before, so it is always worth enquiring. 

What is your top tip for Brides?

Brides (and grooms!) shouldn't worry too much about anything being "perfect",  for me some of the best and funniest moments that occur at weddings are the unplanned things that just happen! If some of the favours haven't arrived in time or the bouquet isn't exactly the right shade of pink. Dont worry! Nobody else will know but you and I promise you these things are not worth bothering about in the big scheme of things. 

Why do you love working in the wedding industry?

I love working in the wedding industry and we get to be a part of such a special day in a couples life! We get to see everyone looking their best, celebrating and relaxing and share in such a wonderful day.  Within the industry, I find the vast majority of suppliers are just so professional, friendly and so willing to help each other.  I know I am always happy to recommend others good suppliers like Niki, who are always fabulous to work with and help to keep our couples happy!

Describe your style?

I learnt on film, so my style is a little more classic than some photographers about at the moment.  I love to take natural and candid images of you and your guests having a great time; love toddler tantrums, grumpy guests and drunken exploits as much as the next photographer and take these as they happen throughout the day! However, I also feel there is an inherent value with timeless and classically styled images and I love to deliver these too. So my style generally tries to stay away from trends - ie: I didn't partake in the vintage photography look that was huge a few years ago - instead my images and editing like to represent true colours.  I think every couple, regardless of age etc deserve something classical and self-indulgent; something to pass down the family and something to shamelessly admire in 30 years time.

 

Why should a couple choose you?

I would hope a couple would choose me first and foremost because they got on with me and loved my work!  My couples come from all kind of backgrounds, so some might choose me as part of a huge budget and others might be having an intimate, relaxed wedding but prioritise funds for myself (something I always take as a huge honour). I imagine experience is reassuring, so many of me couples choose me because of my 13 years in the industry of 550+ weddings and hopefully all of my testimonials from happy couples help as well :) 

Even after all that time, I still love my job (occasionally slightly obsessively!) and find it such a privilege to shoot different couples and their versions of the perfect wedding day. 

Check out more of Esmé's work below:

Instagram: esmérobinson_photo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EsmeRobinsonPhoto

www.esmerobinson.com