I am a relative newcomer to the wedding industry, so perhaps I was a bit unprepared for this. But there seems to be an awful lot of ill will between wedding industry folk at the moment. Between "
that post", Twitter snipes, Facebook jabs ... you name the social media outlet, and someone, somewhere is probably badmouthing someone else on it.
There has already been a lot written about this subject (for a very thoughtful assessment, check out Shabby Chic Bride's post
here), so I won't bore you with my personal view on all the details.
What I'd really like to write about today is all kindness, warmth and generosity I have come across in this industry, and specifically some of the amazing people I had the huge pleasure of working with this weekend.
It all started as a spur-of-the-moment idea for a shoot between Claire from
Claire Penn Photography and myself. A few people have asked me how I came to know Claire - the honest answer is I don't actually know: it just seemed to grow organically out of some very kind Facebook mentions (from Claire) and a few chatty tweets and before I knew it I had a new friend, all the way over in Chester!
The plans for the shoot seemed to grow and grow - Claire asked Mandy from
Saddleworth Shindigs to work with us on the styling, we found a gorgeous model called Kit Williams (a cross between Kate Winslet and Angelina Jolie. Yes. Seriously) and a fabulously talented, bright pink-haired makeup artist called Victoria Thomas. We had a very kind offer to borrow dresses from Rosie at
Vintage Rose Bridal thanks to
Lace Bridal Cheshire and found the most stunning venue at
Abbeywood Estate.
So on a fairly chilly Saturday morning (early. bloody early.) I set off for Euston Station, sparkle-filled wheelie-bag and husband in tow. Said husband loaded me up with coffee (decaf obv), blueberry muffins and jam sandwiches, tied a "if lost..." note around me and sent me on my way up 't North.
I have to admit, I was a little nervous. Meeting new people is always a little scary, isn't it? But I needn't have worried. From the moment I got off the train, Claire's warmth and generosity, Victoria's infectious laugh, Kit's loveliness, Mandy's (and her amazing husband Chris) cheerful and tireless efforts to create the most stunning settings, all just filled me happiness.
We had the most amazing day - everyone worked incredibly hard all day long, and everyone was just so... well...
nice. Seriously. Chris had brought his camping stove and out of nowhere surprised us all with bacon sandwiches. Amazing bacon sandwiches, I might add. His parents had spent the days prior to the shoot gathering moss in local woodlands and ferrying our dresses around. Mandy had spent hours planning and designing the settings, which were nothing short of amazing. Claire had spent the previous weekend scouting locations for our shoot at Abbeywood, made sure we were all well watered and fed on the day, and, oh yes, took several thousand A-M-A-Z-I-N-G photos. Victoria worked her magic on Kit, and cheered us all on with her friendly chatting throughout the day. And Kit was an absolute pleasure to work with, happily shuffling around shoe-less and shivering in a wedding dress in the woods, and never complained once.
So what am I getting at with all of this? Well, it seems to me that in this industry, there are two paths to be followed.
The first is to make friends. And I mean friends - not colleagues, aquaintances, peers... but friends. There are hundreds of incredibly kind, honest, warm people out there just waiting to meet you and share a glass of wine and a chat. I have made more new friends (and I do consider you friends... I hope you do too... ) in the last 6 months than I have in the last 6 years in London. A little kindness goes a very long way.
And the second, where you can't make friends, that's OK. We are running businesses.
Professional businesses. You don't have to like everyone, and not everyone will like you. But hard work, honesty, integrity, service and dedication
will earn you respect from everyone.
Thanks for reading - and keep an eye out for the pictures from our shoot, they are truly fabulous.
Vicky
x
P.S. I am heading off on holiday this evening for a few weeks, so normal posting will resume on my return :)
