Louise is the wonderfully talented lady behind the modern luxury stationery brand, LouPaper.  We caught up with her on all things weddings and how beautifully created stationery can have a real impact on your wedding day!

What made you decide to work in the wedding industry? 

I actually had a Saturday job at my local wedding boutique so my love for weddings started at the age of 15, I just adored working with such happy people planning the most amazing day. I studied graphic design at university and merged this passion for the industry with my love of all things creative and that’s when LouPaper was born!

How would you describe your style of stationery? 

Luxury and modern with personal touches. I specialise in modern calligraphy and hand lettering so each design comes with it’s own quirks and character. I believe that stationery gives each couple an opportunity to reflect their personality and interests, so I try to capture this in all my designs.

L – Jonny MP; R – Philippa Sian

 

What is your favourite part of stationery to create for a couple? 

For me wedding stationery is about translating each of my couples love story onto paper, celebrating them and their big day. Bringing this to life through hand lettering, tactile card and luxurious finishes is my favourite bit!

What is the one piece of stationery that you would recommend every couple invest in?

There are a few must have items of stationery for the big day, but some gorgeous welcome signage never fails to impress. Positioned at the entrance to welcome each guest and set the tone for the big day. I can also include an order of the day on the same sign so everyone knows the plan ahead, your guests will want to know what time food and drinks are!

L –  Holly Booth Studio; TR – Sarah Legge Photography; BR – Jonny MP

 

Can you share some of your favourite moments from your Millbridge Court couples? 

There are a few stand out weddings for me. Rebecca & Michael got married at the end of last year and worked with a dream team of suppliers. I always get so much joy seeing my stationery styled with gorgeous blooms, so this one was extra special. Rebecca had a keen eye for detail and all her hard work and planning really paid off on the day.

Another was Hannah & Tom’s August wedding day, again a fabulous team and beautiful styling. Hannah was another details driven bride (my favourite) and thought of every element with so much attention and thought. It all looked so beautiful on the day.

TL – Kirsty Mackenzie Photography; BL  – Sophie Duckworth; R – Matthew Lawrence Photography

 

Apart from a calligraphy pen, what other items can you not do your job without? 

My trusty mac, I work on this most of the day, designing with the Adobe creative suite. I use my apple pencil & ipad to make my calligraphy digital which saves a lot of time. And then I of course have an abundance of stationery for production & packing, including my Sellotape dispenser which I couldn’t live without!

What do you love most about Millbridge Court?

All of the interior details, from the divine smelling candles always burning and sumptuous soft seating, to the one way window in the bridal prep room and rustic furniture. Millbridge has it all covered and it’s a beauty!

Kit Myers Photography

As the nights are drawing out, and lighter evenings are coming, we wanted to inject a little pop of colour into your wedding flowers inspiration and talk all things floral trends for 2024. We caught up with some of our lovely floristry partners for an insight into their world!

We asked Camilla Creations:

What is your favourite display to create?

I adore creating table flowers, specifically bowl arrangements. They work perfectly for both round and long tables, and are the perfect choice for impact without becoming over powering to the room, or impairing guests’ view and interaction.

Favourite flower?

This changes with most seasons, and it’s almost impossible to pick one! If I really had to choose, it would be sweet peas. They are so delicate, with the most divine scent. I use them as much as I can when they are with us between the Spring and Summer.

Any tips for couples looking to book a florist for their big day?

My first piece of advise would be not to enquire with too many florists, as it will quickly become overwhelming. Look through your venue’s recommended suppliers and chose no more than 3 florists whos style align with the vision you have with your date. My second piece of advise would be to not base your decision on the cheapest quote received, but on the proposal that has you the most excited, and the florist who you feel you can trust to not only deliver what you desire, but exceed your expectations!

We asked Hannah Berry Flowers:

What do you see being the biggest trend of 2024?

Colour! Clients are being braver and choosing bolder colours to work with which excites me a lot! Maybe inspired by the release of ‘Barbie’ last year or ‘Peach Fuzz’ – the Pantone colour for 2024. We have lots of  colourful weddings this year!

What is your favourite flower?

Now this is a hard one! It really depends on the season … I adore a delicate Galanthus Nivalis aka a Snow Drop. One of the first flowers to pop up after a long dark winter and there are so many different varieties. When you take the time to take a closer look at them, you really appreciate their delicate flower form and pure white colour.

A close second is a woodland Digitalis aka a Fox Glove. A tall, charming and some what magical flower form in pretty colours – I just adore them.

Do you have any tips for couples when they are choosing their florist?

Create a mood board of inspiration and have a list of desired floral items you can share with your floral `designer. This will really help them understand and develop personalised designs that reflect your ideas. If you have a budget in mind for florals, its important to share this information too. This will allow them to be honest with what they can achieve and help guide and suggest designs that will create the biggest impact on the day.

We asked Bloomantic:

Eloise and Mitch recently became a Millbridge Court Partner!  We loved working with them throughout the 2023 season and so we wanted to catch up with them to give you a little glimpse into the world of a wedding photographer.

What first made you fall in love with photography?

I have always adored photos. Being able to have a glimpse into my family’s life before I even existed is magic. I love to be able to look back on memories and moments. Photography gives us the opportunity to pause time, capturing unique instances that would otherwise pass by in a blur.

The excitement stems from knowing that every photograph tells its own story, revealing emotions and experiences that words often fail to capture adequately. Each photograph is like opening a door into another world brimming with nostalgia and joy. In our fast-paced lives, having the ability to document and preserve these memories brings me happiness.

What made you decide to work in the wedding industry?

I always loved the idea of being in the wedding industry and it all began when I started working for a venue as a wedding planner! I was so young; I took a few years out to go travelling and this is where I met Mitch. He was an established filmmaker in the music industry and the creative element really intrigued me.

We first met in September and then moved in together February. When you know, you know! After a few years, our perspective shifted from living for the weekends to cherishing each moment. We realised that true happiness lay not in accumulating possessions but in cultivating meaningful experiences. We found ourselves yearning for something more meaningful and purposeful in our lives. Our shared experiences and deep conversations made us realise that true fulfilment came from pursuing our passions which was telling visual stories through photo and film. We went with this gut feeling and we started ‘Eloise and Mitch’ which really is the best thing we have ever done!

How would you describe your style of photography?

Photos with feeling!

To be a good photographer, I believe you have to be very empathetic. It’s about immersing yourself into the world of your subject and truly understanding their emotions, their struggles, and their joys. It allows you to connect with people on a deeper level, gaining their trust and enabling you to capture raw, authentic moments that resonate.

Our ethos is “It’s about beauty in the passing moments.” Being able to read between the lines, anticipating what might happen next. The ability to understand others’ perspectives creates photos that truly mean something.

What is your favourite part or parts of a wedding day to capture?

I love looking out for moments with meaning and joy! Every moment is so special on your wedding day and it’s such a pleasure to document. A moment that tends to be filled with joy is just after you have said “I do”.

What top tips and advice do you give to couples ahead of their wedding day?

Remember it’s a celebration of your love. Try not to get too caught up with “trends” and “what your wedding should be”. Your wedding should feel personal to you both.

Be present and just have the time of your life!!!

Can you share some of your favourite moments from your Millbridge Court couples?

There are so many to choose from! A moment that springs to mind is Louise and Jacks’ Day, it was torrential rain, and we all ran outside with umbrellas and embraced that moment. It was so romantic and fun which in turn created some of my favourite images.

Apart from your camera’s, what other things can you not go to a wedding day without?

Good energy and trust! This is all I need!

What do you love most about Millbridge Court?

The venue is just beautiful. The way that the team ensure that the day runs seamlessly and how they are always thinking about the little details. I love how there is room for everyone to get ready at Millbridge Court and how they have a beautiful hideaway too for the evening of your wedding.

The 2024 wedding season will soon be upon us, and for all you 2024 brides, the dress may be the one of the next big things on your list of to-do’s! We wanted to catch up with some of our partners and talk about all things bridal trends.

We asked Bridal Indulgence:

What do you see as the biggest trends for 2024?

Minimalist elegance: clean lines, simple silhouettes, and understated details have been popular in wedding dresses. Minimalist designs often feature sleek fabrics, such as satin or crepe, with minimal embellishments.

Statement sleeves: dramatic sleeves have been a prominent trend, with options like fitted sleeves, puff sleeves, or bell sleeves. These statement sleeves can add a touch of romance or vintage charm to a wedding dress.

Bows: who doesn’t love a bow? From a small bow that works as a finishing touch to a big dramatic bow that is the statement of your dress; they’re feminine and fun and we’re loving them!

Non-traditional colours: while ivory remains a classic choice, some brides want something a little more non-traditional like blush, champagne, or even bold hues like black or blue. These unconventional colours can add a unique touch to the wedding dress.

Detachable elements: wedding dresses with detachable elements, such as removable skirts, sleeves, capes, or overskirts, continue to be a popular choice. These versatile designs allow brides to have different looks throughout their wedding day, without spending out on multiple dresses.

What is your favourite look?

That’s really hard to narrow down just one look! But we’re currently loving how brides are switching up their look throughout the day with same dress with detachable sleeves, straps, and overskirts.

 

We asked The Farnham Boutique:

Give us a little insight into the designers you are stocking this year?

We have 4 designers at The Farnham Boutique, and each brings something different to the party. Made With Love brings contemporary, sophisticated elegance. Madi Lane brings romance. Evie Young boasts drama and Dama Couture has a bohemian coolness that we are so excited to introduce in 2024!

Veils – yes or no?!

YES! Veils add something quite spectacular to your photos (especially when the wind blows) and of course to your dress. It’s all about picking the right one. We love a long plain veil for that dramatic look!

What is your absolute all-time favourite look?

It’s so hard to choose as it changes all the time. At the moment we love the plain, fitted dress but it all depends on who wears which dress. Every bride is so unique, and the dress has to reflect that.

We asked Sophie Rose Bridal:

What do you think the biggest trends for this year will be?

It’s all about the sleeves! Long sleeves, puff sleeves, detachable sleeves, they’re all back and I’m VERY happy about it. I’m not a big believer in trends when it comes to wedding dresses, as I think it’s about simply wearing an outfit that makes you feel truly you and your most beautiful self, but I find sleeves often help women feel so much more comfortable and confident, so I’m all for it.

How would describe your collection for the upcoming year?

 I’ve just released the Studio Collection, which is a collection of dresses that have an edge of simplicity but still with a romantic, relaxed feeling. I think women are realising more and more that there aren’t any ‘shoulds’ when it comes to bridalwear and wearing what makes you feel most comfortable is what’s important. More intimate weddings are also becoming more popular, and I think the Studio Collection suits that really well.

Any tips for brides looking for their dream dress?

Take time to research where you’re going to book an appointment to try on dresses. If somewhere resonates with you and they have the style that excites you, then they’re the places to go. I’d also suggest going with only a couple of people maximum. Choosing your dress can only really be your decision and having lots of voices as part of that decision can be very overwhelming and confusing! There will be plenty of fitting appointments that your special people can be a part of if you wish, so you can still have them as part of your dress experience.

 

Meet Grace!  She’s been a Millbridge Court partner for just over a year now and every time she is here at the venue, we are in absolute awe of her floral gorgeousness. The rustic designs, use of natural foliage and our shared love for Autumnal floral installations – we just had to share some of Grace’s recent work – simply stunning!

How would you describe your style of floristry?

Romantic, feminine, elegantly wild, unconventional and artistic.

With the warmer summer days coming to an end, and the cosy autumn nights here to stay for a little while, we wanted to take a minute to reflect on what a wonderful season we have had.  We feel so lucky to have been a part of so many beautiful celebrations and we cannot thank our couples enough for choosing Millbridge Court!  We are very excited to see what the next few months bring and look forward to hosting our beautiful winter weddings…

But before we get too excited about the festive period, we couldn’t not share a day full of so much colour, love and the most stunning hand crafted dress!  L&A’s celebrations were nothing short of the perfect Spring day!

Tell us a bit about yourselves – how did you meet and what’s the proposal story?

We met at medical school 9 years ago. We were living in the same flat in the halls of residence. We were really good friends, and then eventually got closer and started dating – Adam came to meet my parents before Christmas! I took Adam to one of the nearby country parks by the sea, and we had a really lovely time, and it was beautiful. Adam took me again 7 years later, but this time popped out a ring! A really beautiful proposal, with just the waves and sunshine to witness it!

Why did you choose Millbridge Court?

We got warm, friendly vibes when we visited. We loved the décor, and the outside ceremony area was stunning. We could imagine it well and it was always a dream to get married outside with lots of greenery and flowers! Living in England though, we were very much aware that it might rain, but loved how Millbridge were so flexible with deciding on inside/outside on the morning of the wedding. The wedding hall is also beautiful, with high ceilings and so much natural light!

What did you love about having a Spring wedding?

The outside ceremony 100% – we were SO lucky that on the day it was super sunny, honestly very blessed! The garden and the flowers were looking stunning outside too and the guests could all hang out and have drinks outside too.

Tell us more about your suppliers and why you chose them.

We chose Gill Pike for our flowers – she was suggested to us by Millbridge but also, we loved her style. She was very friendly and personable when we met her, and we loved how chilled she was. When we talked about our ideas, she always kept in mind our budget and made sure we kept within. The flowers were beautiful – she killed!

Botanico cakes by Naomi was our wedding cake designer – again she delivered so well, made a scrumptious cake that all the guests complimented, and managed to create a stunning cake with her intricate flowers.

The band that we had were called Slingshot – we loved their music list and the sound of them, and they had amazing reviews. They absolutely smashed it – all our guests were up on the dance floor and asking for their contact numbers by the end too!

The wedding dress was by Sophie Rose Bridal – she did the best job of creating Lynnie’s dream dress, we could not have asked for more. She was so personable, and her studio was such a welcoming environment.

We had photography and videography done by VLA. They are a married couple who have worked a lot at Millbridge – they are very passionate about their work. They captured so many magical moments, and created a beautiful wedding video that we still love to watch.

The wonderful Stephanie Dorelli was in charge of making Lynnie look her absolute best on the day. She had a trial arranged a few months beforehand, and Stephanie’s studio created the most relaxing and friendly atmosphere for having a pampering day. Lynnie was quite anxious beforehand because she had had a previous experience of where she didn’t look herself after having make up done for her. So it was really reassuring when Stephanie asked for Lynnie’s pictures beforehand so she knew what look she normally went for so that on the day, she would still look like herself, just a very glowed up version! Stephanie did the best job with the make up, but the hair was the best part – she created the most beautiful whimsical look with braids and a flower crown – it was even better than we had imagined. She also offered to help with our bridesmaids’ hair and helped pin in flowers and do the finishing touches which was really appreciated – thank you!

Did your vision for the wedding change over the planning process?

Not really, we always Imagined an outdoor wedding with lots of flowers, people dancing and enjoying themselves. I think the weather was very much the biggest factor in this, which was out of our control. However, we knew that If it was bad – we would still have had the incredible indoor area. Millbridge were so thoughtful and considerate about everything, nothing was a chore!

Are there any memorable anecdotes from the day you could share?

One of our groomsmen had a few too many drinks and had to have the microphone taken off him. He was getting a bit too risqué with his announcements – this made us laugh a lot and is a story we reminisce on when talking about our wedding day!

For both of us, the moment we saw each other, as Lynnie walked down the aisle was one of the best moments of our lives. It was emotionally overwhelming, with so much happiness, seeing all our loved ones and each other. The beautiful outdoor setting made it even more joyful, everything just coming together and feeling so perfect, It was amazing.

Tell us something that we wouldn’t know about your day from the pictures.

Lots of Lynnie’s family had flown over from Myanmar. We weren’t sure if they would be able to make it. We haven’t been able to see them for around 4 years because of COVID and then the political situation in their country, so to have them there was incredibly special.

When we first met at university, we were put in a flat together with 4 other people. All of us are still friends 9 years later, and all of those original flatmates were at the wedding.

Favourite part of your wedding journey?

The whole process was very enjoyable, from booking the venue to picking the flowers. But it was really nice to see how it all culminated on the day, walking into the venue and seeing all the wonderful flower arrangements and tables set up was an incredible feeling. But most of all when we saw each other for the first time on the day as Lynnie walked down the aisle. That was the best part of the whole journey.

Any words of wisdom for future couples?

Start by giving yourselves plenty of time to plan – we had 2 years from getting engaged to getting married, and it meant we had time to enjoy the whole planning process rather than having to rush to get things organised. Then, on your wedding day, make sure you take some time for yourselves to absorb everything. It is one of the best days of your life, but it goes so quickly and you want to savour it as much as possible.

With a wonderful season drawing to a close, it was only right we sat down with Le Papillon for a cup of tea and slice of delicious cake.

We caught up with Neil for an insight into his baking world and to discuss all those delicious flavours!

What first made you fall in love with baking?

Baking has always been a big part of my life, I knew from school age that I wanted to be a pastry chef, and studied patisserie at college straight after school.

How would you describe your style of cakes? 

We have a pretty broad range of styles, usually more natural looking with modern twists.  Our main focus though is flavour, being from a chef background, our foundation has always been great tasting cakes!  Too many cakes look nice but are let down with taste and texture.  This is where we are different.

What made you decide to work in the wedding industry?

This happened organically for me. Weddings were always a side part of the business but eventually over took everything else!  Now we are almost exclusively weddings.

Can you explain a little about what couples can expect when they book with you? 

I like to think our process is really relaxed and stress free.  I’m not one for over complicating a process.  We generally will help find you a style you like and then work from there.  You will get to taste our full range as part of the process too.

What is your favourite part or parts of a wedding day? 

Definitely the reception!  The Ceremony is obviously really important, but I love the buzz of the drinks reception, canapés, champagne and then the party!

What top tips and advice do you give to couples ahead of their wedding day? 

Try to relax!  People overthink way too much.  Quite honestly if your guests are well fed and watered they will have a great time.  Don’t sweat the details.

What do you love most about Millbridge Court? 

Well recently the pizza oven!  I’m a bit of a pizza enthusiast myself and have a wood fired oven at home.  I just think this is such a nice addition to the venue.

What cake trends are you seeing for 2023?

Taller, slimmer cakes for sure, lots of natural details and simplicity.

And lastly…what is your favourite flavour of cake?

My favourite cake is probably carrot cake.  I love the spice!  I do also love our chocolate hazelnut cake which reminds me a lot of Nutella.

Anyone that has had the pleasure of having their hair &/or make up done by Olivia will be able to tell you she acts as an honorary bridesmaid. Not only will she make you feel beautiful but her attention to detail means she will also keep you on track with your timings, ensure you are well hydrated and position the train of your dress just perfectly for those all important first pictures.

Essentially, she has you covered!

We sat down with Olivia to give you a little glimpse into her world.

We are always so excited to receive a gallery from The Springles, and with the autumnal light hitting just right, we simply had to share a snippet of Maya & Adam’s wedding day from October last year.  From the bohemian dress from Farnham Boutique to the tables adorned with mini white pumpkins the day was such a pleasure to host.

How did you meet?

We were introduced by our mutual friend Hatice at University.  Adam studied Forensic Computing and I studied Musical Theatre – so definitely not in the same buildings!

Why did you choose Millbridge Court?

By the time we visited Millbridge Court we had seen around 8 venues.  We wanted a space that was light and airy with beautiful countryside surroundings.

The thing that stood out most was the attention to detail and support from staff on the day!

We love the attention to detail from your day! What was your main inspiration?

We absolutely wanted to capture the autumnal time of year throughout our day.  Adam proposed outside our first home just after Halloween, so there were pumpkins everywhere.  Once we found our florist we knew these had to be incorporated in our decorations.

 

Who took charge of the planning or was it a shared experience?

It was definitely a shared experience, which was lovely as we both had equal input into our day.  We booked Millbridge just before the first lockdown so we spent a lot of hours in Pinterest!

Tell us more about your suppliers and why you chose them.

We had an amazing team of suppliers; we chose the majority as they felt they could deliver our theme.

Our florist was Alice from Meadowfolk.  I had scoured through Instagram to try and find a florist who had that calming Boho vibe.  Alice was so excited by our theme of using pumpkins, music and cricket throughout the day.  She came up with so many ways to subtly add these touches.

Our photographers were The Springles (Kat & Ash), what a fantastic duo!  They captured every special moment from our pre-wedding shoot to the day itself.  They were both so helpful from start to finish.  Their style is what made us want to instantly book after a visit at Millbridge.  It’s autumnal dreamy vibes.

Most people think I was crazy for doing it, but I made our wedding cake.  I run a baking business called Sass&Bake and I couldn’t imagine anyone else making it.

Wow, Maya you are super talented!  If anyone needs an excuse to get some deep dish cookies on order, do it now!

Tough question, favourite part of your wedding journey?

We both loved our ceremony (of course) as we incorporated so many special things to us.  From readings that childhood friends wrote, to our grandparents favourite songs as we walked down the aisle.

But our absolute favourite part of the day was during our wedding breakfast.  I think a lot of couples will tell you how fast the day can go.  Just after starters At Last by Etta James was playing in the background.  We both instantly welled up as our son was born to this song.

 

Any words of wisdom for future couples?

Enjoy yourselves and make sure you take a few moments in the day to soak it all in, but you’re safe hands with the fantastic Millbridge & Kalm Kitchen teams.