The Vanilla Pod Bakery: Supplier Spotlight

Wingfield Digby London

13:21

Today we get to know Alice Sevier, owner of the fantastic Wingfield Digby London, an English brand that specialises in crafting luxury gifts and accessories that are inspired by nature,

Describe your business in five words?

Luxury gifts for country lovers

When and why did you start your business?

I started the business in 2010 because of the love of feathers. Growing up in the countryside, I ate a lot of pheasant and would see beautiful feathers being thrown away. I wanted to use the feathers and turn them into luxury products that would last forever.

What do you love most about the work you do?

Showcasing the natural beauty of feathers, the colours and the iridescence. I love the response people have when they first see our feather products.

How can your service/product complement a couple's special day?

The feather photo frames look stunning with the cocktail list in at the bar and on the tables with the wedding dinner menu in. The white goose feathers fit particularly well to the bridal theme and the neutral hones of the duck add a touch of chic. The feather frames and place-mats make fantastic wedding gifts too. They all come exquisitely presented in black and cream boxes making them ideal for special occasions.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

Anywhere by the sea, I never get bored of the twinkling colours of the water and hearing the waves.

Besides weddings, what else do you love?

Holidays! We try to have a honeymoon every year.

Do you have any funny wedding stories or moments to tell?

My wedding had a feather theme throughout and part of my dress was made from white feathers around the waist and neck. On the dance floor I was stroking my feathered belly and one of the guest thought I was telling them I was already expecting! (I assume it was the way I was stroking my belly rather than the over-indulgence of the champagne and wedding cake making me bulge!)

How can brides and grooms find you?

We are on several wedding gift lists; Wedding Present Direct, Simply Wedding Gifts and The Wedding Shop. The range are also available online at www.WingfieldDigby.co.uk

And finally, what is your ‘one’ top tip you can give to a bride and groom?

Continue to invest in your relationship after your married, go on dates, spoil each other and importantly eat dinner at the table not in front of the TV so you can talk properly and laugh together daily.

Nice to meet you, Alice.

Best wishes,

Pia x

Supplier Spotlight

Dearly Beloved

16:00

Supplier Spotlight

Photography By Stefanie

05:15

Today, we are catching up with the fantastic Stefanie Calleja-Gera, owner of the brilliant Photography By Stefanie.

Describe your business in five words?

Story-telling weddings through creative images

When and why did you start your business?

2 years ago when I decided to go out there and be my own boss!

What do you love most about the work you do?

I’ve always been a photographer so I love everything about my job and count myself extremely lucky.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

Cheltenham. Oh, wait, I already live here! I LOVE the Cotswolds and bar maybe New Zealand, can’t think of anywhere more stunning to live!

Besides weddings, what else do you love?

I love shooting people in general (with my camera that is!) I also shoot quite a lot of fashion and corporate images which helps to keep my work fantastically varied - I love it, every day is different!

Do you have any funny wedding stories or moments to tell?

I was shooting a wedding once with my husband who acts as my second photographer and he literally had to lunge to save a cake from topping to the ground as it had been set on a bit of a sloping table in a marquee! I think the bride was quite grateful despite a slight dent in it - at least it didn’t go all over the floor!

How can brides and grooms find you?

I’m a preferred supplier at some fabulous country manor venues including Foxhill manor, Wyck Hill & Lower Slaughter to name a few but I’m also listed with SoGlos weddings and of course, my website: www.photographybystefanie.co.uk

And finally, what is your ‘one’ top tip you can give to a bride and groom?

Please always remember that despite what anyone says or what happens on the day, it’s YOUR day. Embrace and revel in it - this is the one day when it truly is all about you, so just have the most fun you possibly can and not only will it be the best day of your life but you’ll see it in every image!

It was great to meet you Stefanie

Best wishes,

Pia x

Supplier Spotlight

Monika Vrublova

04:00

On the blog today is the lovely Monika Vrublova, a fantastic Make-up & Hair Stylist and a Photo Shoot Director.

Describe your business in five words?

Bespoke Hair-styling and Make-up

When and why did you start your business?

Three years ago. I studied hair and makeup/beauty for 7 years in the Czech Republic and always knew that’s what I wanted and was going to do.

What do you love most about the work you do?

Making people not only Look Gorgeous but Feel Great too. As we all feel better when we look better. :)

But mainly I love being creative and so creating that perfect look for brides on their wedding day, which has to include Hairstyling & Makeup, is something that I cannot explain how I feel when I can be part of such a special day of their life and work my little magic on them. :)

I also love meeting new interesting people and in the fashion industry where I get involved in photo shoots there are lots of creative & smart people, that I love learning from and getting inspired by.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else than here in Cheltenham in the UK :-)

I have been in the UK for 8 years and as it hasn’t been an easy journey, now I finally feel that this town is part of my life and belong here. The people I’ve met here and am meeting are incredibly kind and nice.

BUT! Never say never, so if my destiny is to be elsewhere then I will be.

At the moment I am exactly where I am suppose to be.

But I have my dreams. :) And so I would like to start travelling and perhaps buy a property in Spain and go there whenever I would want for a short break or a long holiday. So I’d say to have a second home somewhere sunny.

Besides weddings, what else do you love?

I love planning and organising photo shoots or events where I can bring a team of great people together and work on creating something amazing in a day or two with them. Part of it is to see those people being happy on the day and enjoying what they got involved in.

I must admit that I am a perfectionist and this does show in my work and attitude during work. However once the work is done it is time for some fun. :)

Do you have any funny wedding stories or moments to tell?

Not a funny story from any of my weddings as I can only think of those funny videos I’ve seen on Facebook.

However what I would mention is the difference between us stylists who watch those videos where the bride slips into a pool or a lake and most people would be laughing loud but our reaction is:

“Oh my! All that hard work in those hours making her looking so gorgeous is gone within seconds.” And the worst part is that there is probably no one to fix it….

How can brides and grooms find you?

Mainly online (social media is a very powerful tool for advertising these days, and it is a definite MUST DO in any business!)

Or they could hear about me from their friends who I had the pleasure of being involved in hair/makeup styling for their wedding.

There is no better way of advertising than a word of mouth from satisfied clients!

And finally, what is your ‘one’ top tip you can give to a bride and groom?

Your wedding day is a very important day of your life however sometimes the whole planning process can be very hard and stressful.

Make sure that you have the right suppliers helping you to make that special day the best day of your life and that you two don’t forget to enjoy those special moments spent with your family and friends.