Best Day Ever! An Interview with Wedding Stylist and Co-ordinator Katie
Interviews 25.08.2021
If there’s one supplier to Ash Barton whose name crops up again and again, it’s Katie at Best Day Ever. As a wedding stylist and wedding co-ordinator, Katie works with couples to create the overall look for their wedding day, and is often on hand on the day itself to make sure everything runs super smoothly. No wonder Ash Barton brides refer to her as an angel.
We were lucky to find an hour in her busy schedule recently to have a quick chat about styling and co-ordinating a wedding, and among things, we discussed safety pins, pink flamingos and the film that inspired Katie’s career!
So tell us about the services you provide for Ash Barton couples Katie?
"I organise everything from lighting, décor and table settings to signage, vintage prop hire and giant games. I can even organise other services such as dog walking and babysitting. We do anything and everything to make sure every wedding is super special and ensure the couple can relax and enjoy the day."
“We brought Katie in at the very last minute to co-ordinate our day and we couldn't have done it without her.” Gen and Dan
What do you most love about a wedding held at Ash Barton?
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"So much! It really does feel like home from home. Whoever gets married there becomes part of the Ash Barton family. And as a wedding co-ordinator you’re a part of a happy occasion.
"Unlike a hotel which can be pretty regimented with a lot of rules about what can and cannot be touched, Ash Barton gives couples complete flexibility to do what they want. It’s just such a happy place and an amazing venue to have your wedding."
“By far the best investment we made. Katie and Emily were like real life angels! Went above and beyond the day before, the day of and the day after. Not only did they style the venue into a wedding wonderland but they ensured the whole day ran like clockwork. We’d have been lost without you!” Megan and Matt
How did you get into wedding co-ordinating?
"Believe it or not, I really wanted to be a wedding planner when I left school because I’d seen the film Father of the Bride with Steve Martin and thought ‘there’s a job I’d like to do!’ But my school career adviser told me it wasn’t a real job. So I went off to university and then became a teacher and taught for 17 years.
"But as I’d studied theatre studies including set design, costume design and make-up, I was always doing creative bits and pieces, such as creating things to sell, or doing bridal make-up, or sign writing or styling. And then eventually in 2017, I left teaching altogether and went into wedding styling and co-ordinating full-time."
So what happens on the actual day of a wedding?
"The day before the wedding, I meet with the family and the bridal party and we run through timings and where they’re going to be and when.
"On the day itself, depending on what time the ceremony is, we usually arrive four hours beforehand. Hair and make-up are usually in progress, so it’s about meeting all the suppliers as they arrive, such as the photographer or the DJ or the band and walking them through the space. I’ll also talk to the registrar.
"At some point I’ll probably be up a ladder fixing something or scrambling under a table!
"Sometimes I'll be paying suppliers such as the face painters. And then really it’s just about making sure people are where they need be. This is where my years of being a teacher come in useful!
"I make sure the couple have a glass of fizz in their hand after the ceremony. And I also make sure the catering team saves some canapes for them too. Then it’s about dealing with anything else the rocks up, from finding lost children’s toys, to helping unwell guests, to fixing wayward dress straps. We always have cable ties and safety pins to hand!"
How would you describe your style and approach?
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"It's about being friendly and approachable and listening to what a couple wants, and then developing their ideas to suit the style of the wedding and their budget. I love it when a couple creates a Pinterest board and links me to it. I can see how their ideas are developing.
"On the day, I try and stay in the background and not be too visible or intrusive. A bride once said we were like wedding fairies flitting around and just making things happen!"
Do you have a team working with you?
"The lovely Emily works most weddings with me. And then there’s Robin who does all the lighting work. Depending on the size of the project, I may have a few other people come and help me set up. Some of them were my old teaching assistants.
"I may also get the groomsmen to help too. Especially when there are 150 hay bales to move!"
What is popular in wedding styling right now?
"Photobooths are always fun. And everyone loves fireworks. Pete at Ash Barton is so good at letting them off! And we’re seeing a lot of bespoke cocktails at weddings where each cocktail is especially created and given a quirky name that means something to the couple.
"Pretty bunting and festoon lights in the trees always look lovely. And foliage and natural styles mixed with some quirky vintage items are popular. As is the boho botanical look with dried flowers and grasses. Festival-style weddings with lots of colour are great to style too. I recently made the pom poms for a festival wedding bouquet!"
"We really couldn't have done it without Katie. We were so happy with the table settings and her gentle guidance and organising on the day." Anna and Adrian
Not forgetting the pink flamingos!
"Yes! The pink flamingos. I think I first purchased those for an Alice in Wonderland themed party and now they crop up at weddings all the time. They’re fun and everyone loves them."
Where do you find all the amazing items you hire out?
"I love using preloved items I find at antique centres, boot fairs and flea markets. Upcycling and recycling items reduces waste and is better for the environment too. I love items with individual character, history and a story to tell, rather than mass produced factory décor. It also helps supports local independent suppliers and small businesses.
"I also dry used flowers and foliage to make confetti and I use old fabrics in creating wall art!"
What’s the most unusual or challenging wedding you’ve styled or co-ordinated?
"Sometimes it can be fairly last minute when a bride changes her mind about a certain style or item. But we’re adaptable and work hard to source the right items and pull it all together.
"I’m currently organising a horse for a couple to have at their wedding. And I once arranged for a bird of prey to fly into the ceremony and deliver the rings. That was pretty unusual!"
How often do you meet or talk to couples before the big day?
"It usually starts with an email, and then we chat over the telephone or via Zoom. Then I might meet couples at Ash Barton when they’re back at the venue for a follow up visit. It’s good to walk around the venue and discuss ideas and wet weather back up plans. It’s important for couples to know that irrespective of the weather they’re going to have a fantastic day. We might also chat about how the venue can be used on the other days too.
"As I always say to couples: call me or email me however many times you like. I’m here to help. Ask me anything that’s on your mind, so nothing becomes a worry, no question is too big or too small and nothing is ever a silly question."
“Katie from Best Day Ever is an absolute must if you use this venue!" Samantha and Nathan
And do you offer a range of different packages?
"Everything is bespoke and depends on the scale of the wedding and the budget. So a couple might want me to just style their wedding for them or they may want me to be on hand for the whole day, co-ordinating everything."
And lastly, what tips would you give to Ash Barton couples?
"Take the time to enjoy it. Savour every moment. The day goes really quickly. Try not to do everything yourselves. Offload jobs to other people but not your immediate family. Talk to Simon the owner and Pete as well. He really looks after everybody. Oh, and give me a call!"
