With a keen eye for the elements that make a setting beautiful, Amelia from Make Your Day Wedding Styling has loved styling from the ripe old age of her teenage years. Couple that with organisational ability, a love of colour, the joy of seeing it all come together, and a one stop shop in Brunswick (Melbourne) then you have one energetic and creative person who is available to style your wedding day. Here’s Amelia’s story.
How did you get into all things wedding styling?
As a teenager I had a business called “Party Planners” styling children’s parties. It was a great way to earn extra pocket money and I fell in love with organizing special celebrations and running my own business. As I got older I found myself offering to help with any event from the family Christmas to 50th birthdays. I remember buying my first wedding magazine and pouring over the pages with delight, and after I discovered wedding blogs it become a secret obsession. After University I realized I couldn’t ignore this obsession anymore and enrolled to do Event Management at TAFE. From there I got a job putting on chair covers for weddings and then as a wedding consultant with the company. The rest is history, I had always planned on running my own business and once I found my beautiful store it all just fell into place.
What sorts of styling packages do you offer?
We don’t really have a set package because every wedding is different. We can help brides with as little or as much as they need. Everything from full wedding styling to a little help on the day, it all depends on the bride. It’s pretty common for a bride to pop in who is just looking for invites or favours and ends up booking her whole wedding with us, we are a bit of a one stop shop!
Image by Tigs Macallan Photography
Can you give us some examples of the things you can offer?
We have a couple of cute ideas for brides if they are just looking to add one extra element to their day such as our vintage beverage stand or sparkler bar. If we style an entire wedding that usually includes custom invitations and stationery, bridal flowers, ceremony setup, centerpieces, décor, installations, dessert bars, favours and anything else the couple might dream up.
Image by Make Your Day Wedding Styling
It’s really a ‘one stop business’ for the bride and groom. Can you describe the process you go through to help the couple put their own stamp on the wedding?
The first step is the initial appointment at the store. I have learnt the best thing to do is really listen to the couple and guide them through all the different areas we can help with. I try not to push them in any one direction to begin with. Once the concept starts coming together I will make suggestions, I love thinking of new ways for the couple to include things that they love, even if they might not seem “weddingy”.
What does the initial consultation with the couple involve, and what is the next step in the planning process?
The initial consultation is free and I encourage couples to start by describing their ultimate wish list. We talk about their story and plans for the wedding so I can get a clear picture of the day in my mind. From there I put together an initial quote and inspiration board to check we are on the right track both with the concept and the wedding budget. I think it’s really important couples start with a quote for everything they dream of at the beginning and then we can always work backwards from there. I hate hearing that a couple never got quoted for something they wanted because they were worried it was too expensive, only to find out they could have had it.
Image by Make Your Day Wedding Styling
What do you love the most about your chosen career?
I think it’s the same for all wedding stylists, that moment as you add the last touch before the guests enter the room. Looking around and seeing what you have created is such a rush, and if you are lucky getting to see the couple’s dreams come to life in front of their eyes.
Image by Corey Photography
For brides who prefer to go to your store, can you give us the address?
The store is located in Melbourne in an eclectic little laneway called Sparta Place. It’s just off Sydney Road in Brunswick and surrounded by quirky little shops and lots of big name bridal wear stores. We are open Thursdays-Sundays and it’s the perfect place for some wedding inspiration.
What sorts of items do your stock?
All the little details that make for a very special wedding. We stock all our favourite bridal magazines and books, with special emphasis on alternative weddings and crafting. There’s a DIY section filled with stamps, wax seals, favour bags and even paint it yourself cake toppers. My favourite part of the store is our stationery section where we have a fantastic collection of cards, invites and placecards.
You mention you stock DIY supplies – can you give us a fresh idea for a DIY project for a wedding?
I’m loving wax seals at the moment. The range we sell come in a variety of different colours and the old wick ones have been replaced by a wax gun similar to a hot glue gun. They are so easy to use and look really effective when used throughout a wedding. Obviously invites but also place cards, favour bags and jars look so much more glam with a vintage wax seal.
Do you see any new styling trends emerging for 2014?
Water colour style invites with beautiful hand written calligraphy. I’m also seeing lots of tropical style elements being incorporated into weddings at the moment, lots of pineapples and coconuts!
Image by Tigs Macallan Photography
If you could style a wedding for anyone, who would it be, and how would you style it?
One of my closest girlfriends would be amazing. I’m ashamed to admit I may even have a couple of secret Pinterest boards with all the details that are already mapped out in my head. They think it’s hilarious, none of them are even engaged!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Cook and eat! I’m a Masterchef addict and have every Donna Hay, Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver cookbook I can get my hands on. I read a lot of foodie blogs and annoy my boyfriend with constant ranting about which restaurants are next on my list to go to. I have even been known to drag him to wedding venues I’ll be styling in the future in the name of research!
Thank you Amelia for sharing your interesting story with us today. To find out more about Amelia and Make Your Day Wedding Styling visit the website.
Headshot courtesy of Regarde-moi Photography
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