LGBTQ supplier

LGBTQ supplier

LGBTQ supplier

As my ( almost! ) 6 year old daughter would tell you ‘’Love is love’’, and I couldn’t put it any better myself!  During lockdown I’ve been doing what I can to ensure that I stay learning and educating myself about all sorts of topics – not just those directly related to hair services or make up. It’s important for me to stay productive and have something to focus on and work towards.

A couple of weeks back I found the LGTBQ awareness course by the Wedding Business School.

It’s a really interesting short course designed to educate those within the wedding industry in regard to inclusivity. It’s made up of short videos and light reading and I found it really informative.  If you’re in the wedding industry, or even if you’re just interested to know more and educate yourself then be sure to head over and take a look. It really gets you thinking.

‘’Inclusivity and diversity does not begin and end with a course. It is an on-going effort to continue building your knowledge and staying up to date with current affairs.’’

Here’s what the course creators had to say….

‘’This course was created out of a need for change in the wedding industry. A lack of LGBTQ inclusivity within the industry that results in excluding LGBTQ couples still exists. Sometimes it isn’t even a matter of intentional exclusivity, it can be a lack of not knowing how to be inclusive. Or knowing the right thing to say or language to use to ensure that it is appropriate. ‘’

I’ve always been LGBTQ friendly… and now I have the badge to prove it!  My business is centered around making people feel good about themselves regardless of any other aspect, whatever that may be. I really believe that if you can make someone happy and feel good that’s a superpower in itself! I love that my job allows me to give people that feeling and I’m really proud that I’m able to do that. And just as my ( very nearly ) 6 year old will tell you ‘’Love is love’’, and it’s as simple as that!

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A return to work

A return to work

A return to work

The last few months have been strange to say the least, what would normally be a busy wedding season for me, looks a little different! Most of my 2020 brides have made the decision to reschedule their wedding dates so whilst I’m enjoying a quieter summer season now – next year is looking pretty busy already!

For those of you that have booked with me and moved your date then I wanted to take an opportunity to thank you.  Not only for supporting my business and booking me but also for your patience while I rearranged everything and got myself organized! I’m honestly really excited to join you at your wedding day and it will be so worth the wait! 

The government recently announced that hair dressers can return to work as of July 4th.  As yet, we have no official guidance as to when beauty and make up will be allowed to return. This means that while I could offer hair only, I’m unable to offer to make up services at this time. As soon as anything changes and I can resume wedding hair and make up preview sessions and trials I will be in touch with everyone to let them know and book them in! I have really missed meeting with my brides, hearing about their wedding plans and getting excited with you all! I’ve missed creating beautiful hair styles and I’ve really really missed creating your wedding make up looks, helping to transform you from your everyday self into the most beautiful brides!

Based on the guidelines given things are going to look a little different. I don’t have the same job I had four months ago and will be taking extra care to ensure that I can keep both myself, and my clients safe. This might look something like this:

I’ll be wearing a visor –

This is a government requirement. I will be wearing a plastic visor covering my face.  I may also be wearing a mask, please bring your own mask to the appointment.

I may wear gloves –

Most of you are more than familiar with me wearing gloves for hair colour but should I need to then I may wear gloves for other services now too.

Sanitise –

I will sanitise my hands often, and I may ask you to do the same upon arrival and upon leaving our appointment. You will also notice that there will be regular cleaning of surfaces, products, and tools. This is mandatory for every service and every client so please do not be concerned if you see me cleaning more regularly than usual.

Cancellation –

Please let me know if you feel unwell at all before your appointment. I will be happy to reschedule your session at no additional cost. If you have a temperature please do not attend your appointment.

Timing –

It’s even more important than ever I keep to the timings of my appointment so that I have enough time to clean and sanitise correctly between clients.  Please take note of your appointment time and arrive on time. If you are coming to my studio then please wait in the car until your allocated start time and I will come out to collect you as there are no waiting facilities.

Drinks –

Usually I would offer you a drink however I am unable to do this at present. Please feel free to bring your own bottle of water with you.

Group bookings –

At the moment I am only able to offer one appointment at a time, to one person at a time. I know that often Brides love to come with other members of the bridal party but currently, in order to adhere to safety guidelines this is not possible. I am however more than happy to take videos/photos etc for you to send to everyone and they are more than welcome to join in virtually should they wish!

If you have any questions or you’d like to chat about how these new rules affect you then please do give me a call. I’m still taking booking for 2021 weddings so make sure you get in early if you have a specific date in mind – the diary is filling fast!

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Choosing your bridal prep venue

Choosing your bridal prep venue

Choosing your bridal prep venue

As a bride, your wedding venue is one of the most important choices for your big day. There are so many things to consider – location, style, indoors or outdoors. As a wedding hair and make up artist I get to see some of the most beautiful wedding venues in Kent , everything from historic castles to quirky beachside homes.

Whilst many brides might fall in love with a venue to have their wedding day at , a lot of brides struggle when it comes to choosing where to get ready. Here are some important factors to consider when looking for your bridal prep venue and some things that you might not have even thought about…..

At your venue

By far the easiest and most simple of all the options is to get ready at your venue. A lot of venues have a private space for the bridal party to get ready and some can even offer you the option to stay with them the night before hand. Cooling Castle Barn offers you an entire large and spacious room , exclusive for you and your bridal party on the morning of the wedding. It means that you have the perfect backdrop for those all important bridal prep shots and enough space for everyone to relax and enjoy the morning with you. They even provide breakfast and are always on hand should you need anything.

Another great thing to consider about getting ready at your venue is that you don’t have to travel. There’s no need to allow any additional time for getting from one place to the next and no risk of getting stuck in traffic. Goodnestone Park offer their couples exclusive use of their fabulous venue and grounds meaning that not only can you stay on site, but your guests can too.

Local hotel or accommodation

Some brides choose to stay at a hotel the night before their big day. Hotels such as Hempstead House  mean that you can include spa options for a real relaxing treat the night before the big day. This is an ideal option if you want a chilled out evening with your bridesmaids and a bit of a pamper!

One of my favorite ‘hotel’ type options is the fabulous Green Farm House, this boutique B & B is filled with the most welcoming, warm, and attentive staff.  Its also home to some of the coolest looking chickens too! Nothing is too much trouble and the grounds and garden are perfect for your pre-ceremony photo opportunities.

Air B & B

I have been to some of the most beautiful hidden gems across Kent in the form of Air B & B rentals. Private hire means that often you can rent a house for an entire weekend. A great way to get the family together and perfect if you want to settle somewhere for more than just one night.

At home

If you’re a traditional at heart then maybe you want to leave from your parent’s house on your wedding morning, or even your own home. There’s certainly something special about being at the place where you grew up or the home that you love on the morning of your wedding day. For lots of brides being in their own surroundings help to relieve any stress and makes everything a little less overwhelming. Just remember to organise yourself with some breakfast so you’re fully prepared!

When it comes to your wedding hair and make up I can set up pretty much anywhere but the more space the better, and the more comfortable you’ll be. If you’re in a hotel then make sure you ask for a larger or family room so there’s plenty of space. If you’re getting ready for me to arrive at home then it’s ideal for me to be able to sit near a window so I have lots of natural light.

If you’re getting married in Kent and want some advice on finding the perfect venue to get ready at then let me know and I can happily offer some suggestions!

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Real Brides: A classic wedding hair and make up look for Eleanor at The Barnyard

Real Brides: A classic wedding hair and make up look for Eleanor at The Barnyard

Real Brides: A classic wedding hair and make up look for Eleanor at The Barnyard

There’s something pretty magical about a twilight wedding. The whole day is spent in anticipation for the coming evening events and as the lights start to dim, the excitement mounts!

Eleanor and Joe were married in an evening ceremony at The Barnyard, Kent. I met Eleanor in the afternoon to begin our bridal preparations at The Green Farm House. This particular venue is starting to become a popular choice for brides marrying at the local venues and its easy to see why.

Not only is The Green farm house a beautiful setting with low ceilings and wooden beams, it’s also available for private hire. There’s plenty of rooms, meaning you can accommodate your entire bridal party and beyond and the place is full of character and photo opportunity. There’s a driveway for your wedding car to collect you right from the front door and theres also a garden, ideal for those first shots of you in your dress.

Beyond all that, the customer service at this lovely venue is faultless. The attention to detail for brides is beyond reassuring and the warm welcome received from the team makes you feel instantly comfortable in the new surroundings. As a supplier, it’s very easy to be overlooked but the staff here go above and beyond to ensure that everyone knows and feels like they are welcome.

Eleanor wasn’t a heavy make up wearer in her daily life so I decided to focus my attention to ensure that her lovely skin had that perfect bridal glow. I used airbrush make up to ensure a light but even coverage and kept to a neutral and soft colour palette.
For hair we went for an on trend undone undo, gathering her hair at he nape and allowing a few face framing curls to fall. The low bun we created was textured without being too rigid, adding to the romantic style, without making Eleanor feel overdone or ‘different’. A lot of brides tell me that although they want to look and feel amazing, they still want to look like themselves … just a really good version!

It’s important that the bridal look you choose enhances your features, not masks them. That’s why it’s important to me that at the consultation point of your booking we really have a good chance to discuss not only what you like, but also what you don’t like. It’s just as important for me to know what to avoid or alter for you, as it is for me to know what we’re working towards.

If you’d like to have a chat in more detail about the vision you have for your wedding hair and make up then don’t hesitate to get in touch – I look forward to hearing from you !

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Things to read when you’re a bride to be

Things to read when you’re a bride to be

Things to read when you’re a bride to be

So, other than heading to your nearest supermarket and stocking up on every magazine you can see with the word ‘bride’ in the title – where exactly to brides to be go to get their wedding inspiration for their big day?

Below I’ve compiled a short list of some of the most popular options when it comes to getting yourself wedding ready. Whether you’re just getting ideas or you’re in full blown wedding planning mode , check out the resources below

YOUR KENT WEDDING MAGAZINE

Your Kent wedding: A popular magazine for Kent Brides gives you the option to read their latest edition online. An easy way to access the latest bridal trends and get some inspiration from their Real brides features too.

https://www.yourkent.wedding/free-download

ROCK AND ROLL BRIDE

Rock and Roll Bride: If you’re planning an alternative wedding or if you just want some fresh new ideas that don’t meet with the typical ‘traditional’ wedding requirements then check out Rock and Roll bride. It’s an online website packed with content about how you can make your wedding different. They also produce a magazine that you can order directly from their site. A great source of alternative inspiration, the editor Kat Williams also has a book for brides to be that want to do things a little different.

https://www.rocknrollbride.com

DIY WEDDING MANUAL BOOK

The DIY Wedding Manual – The perfect gift for the bride on a budget. If you just don’t know where to start with planning then this book ( available on Amazon ) is recommended as a perfect way to begin the planning process.

WEDDING HAIR AND MAKE UP INSPIRATION

Head over to my ‘Guides for Brides’ page to find lots of inspiration and advice for brides to be. If there’s anything in particular that’s not covered then please do just ask and I’ll happily get something together for you .
You can take a look at my own wedding hair and makeup brochure here and I’ve also compiled a 2021 hair and make up look book for you too. It’s full of 2021 wedding trends and inspiration when it comes to choosing your wedding hair and makeup style so be sure to take a look.

If you have any more suggestions or if you’ve enjoyed any more wedding resources in the run up to your big day then please do share them with me!

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