Sometimes it can get overwhelming when looking at blogs, wedding magazines, Instagram and Pinterest when planning your wedding. Of the many things that catch your eye, what should you include, what should you leave out? This is where the services of a stylist who can design, plan and set everything up just as you envisaged it, is so invaluable. Some people just have a talent for pulling the various elements you’re considering into a cohesive and elegant setting and Miss Mooi is one of them. Stacey knows just what to add (and subtract!) to perfect the ‘picture’ and ‘feel’ of the design, to ensure that your wedding day decor looks finessed and polished. And you can relax, knowing that your wedding will look just as you imagined it – only so much better!
Why did you start Miss Mooi?
Qualified in Interior Design, I have always had a passion for beautiful yet clever design. Funnily enough though, I kind of fell into Human Resources and then when planning my own wedding, I discovered just how much I missed designing and being creative. So upon my return from Europe, Miss Mooi was born and now offers a range of services from on the day styling set up, full concept and design and planning. We also have a small boutique hire range that has been doing quite well.
Imaginative business name – can you please explain its origins?
Absolutely! My now husband has called me his Miss Mooi (pronounced Moy and meaning ‘beautiful’ in his native Dutch) from the moment we met. It is such a nod to who we are so it made perfect sense to name our business that. After all, that is what we specialize in. We love to translate our couples own love stories through the use of tangible and unforgettable details. My husband is also a huge part of the business due to his furniture making talents.
Image by Milk Photography. Flowers by Floretta
What special qualities and talents do you bring to styling and planning a wedding?
I am quietly laughing, as this forces me to admit that I am slightly OCD and detail obsessed. Happily though, it is this obsession that is an asset to me in creating unique and beautiful weddings. Getting the detail just right is very important to me and as a stylist, exercising restraint is as equally important to avoid a look that is ‘over-styled’. Having been the corporate gal, I have extensive project management and spread-sheeting experience which is super handy when planning events for our couples.
What do your styling and event planning services include?
Our ‘On the Day Styling Set Up’ package is perfect for the bride who has a flair for styling, has sourced all of her styling elements and just needs a pair of expert hands on the day to ensure it is set up and styled to perfection. Our full concept and design package is just that. We will be there every step of the way for the design from concept creation, to sourcing those special pieces through to flawless execution of all styling elements on the day. For couples wanting full planning, this is the ultimate package and will see that we look after everything from day one. We will be your own personal wedding experts and ensure your planning is stress free and enjoyable, just as it should be.
Image by Gus Reyes Photography. Timber trestles and chairs from Dress My Wedding Flowers by Floretta
Do you feel you have a signature style and design philosophy?
With a passion for interiors, I adore how a home can truly represent a person’s style and personality through the use of eclectic well thought out pieces. I see that coming through in my style and love the mix of organic and luxe pieces for a sophisticated look.
How do you ensure that the couple’s personality shines through in your styling?
It is so important that we get to know our couples. And I don’t mean just in the ‘we-are-about-to-get-married’ sense either. During our concept discovery phase, we spend time with our couples to really understand what makes them ‘them’. We explore what inspires our couples both inside and outside the world of weddings so we can help them focus on what is truly important to them for their must-haves on the day. This could be impeccable food, that incredible location, a favourite colour (neon pink perhaps?) or a blend of family traditions. This allows us to come up with descriptive ‘mood’ words that will encapsulate the over-all look and feel for the wedding which then of course underpins the creation of the concept.
Image by Oy Photography. Flowers by Floretta
Do you have a network of suppliers you can recommend to the bridal couple?
We have an extensive supplier network including some of Melbourne and Regional Victoria’s most talented wedding professionals to ensure we deliver the best possible outcomes for our couples.
What are some styling suggestions that deliver big impact for small dollars?
The way you can do this varies for each couple. I am working with a gorgeous couple on a marquee wedding and suggested we introduce matt black crockery in place of white. It goes perfectly with their concept and will create maximum impact for little ‘extra’ cost. I am always looking for ways to get the most value out of our couple’s styling budget.
Where do you find your passion and aesthetics for styling and organizing beautiful weddings?
I find inspiration everywhere but mostly I feel inspired by nature, architecture and gorgeous interiors, food and diverse cultures. I feel so blessed to live in Melbourne for this. I also feel incredibly inspired by my couples and knowing that I am able to help create a day that is special and unique to them is such a big part of why I do what I do.
Image by Gus Reyes Photography. Flowers by Floretta
Miss Mooi also offers hire pieces – What sorts of items can be hired from you?
Our hire collection starts with smaller styling pieces such as vintage brass candle holders, French baskets, crates, chandeliers, signage and festoon lights right through to larger pieces such as bar service furniture, French linen seating, bench seats, vintage chairs and ceremony packages. We will be making a few changes over the coming months to ensure our range aligns perfectly with our organic, luxe and sophisticated design aesthetic which is pretty exciting.
Do you offer hiring packages?
We offer bespoke ceremony packages that are a little unique and totally gorgeous. The packages include the ceremony arch, 30 chairs for your guests, a signing table and two chairs and include delivery, set up and pack-down. We also have a range of seating from bench seats, to French bistro chairs to white or timber mismatched vintage chairs which can be interchanged depending on what our couples like. There are also add on options such as a large jute rug or aisle runner and custom signage. We have two new packages launching by the end of the year to provide more options for our couples as well.
What are the requirements as far as delivery, setup and pack down?
Delivery, set up and pack down differs for each couple based on their requirements and as such we customize each quote. Generally if a couple wants extensive set up on the day I tend to point them to our on the day styling set up package. If it less involved though, we quote separately within their hire quote.
Image by Milk Photography. Flowers by Floretta
How do you both decide what furniture or props to make – is the decision based on demand, or on a new idea that would be exciting to introduce?
As we are striving for a unique aesthetic, it definitely needs to be something we love first up. Then if we think there is demand, we go for it and hope that we got it right and our couples love it too.
A perfect place to visit for a short break is….
Definitely Daylesford for its close proximity to Melbourne and the great selection of boutique accommodation, vintage shopping, gorgeous spa treatments and to-die-for local produce inspired dining.
Our favourite coffee spot is…
Being a breakfast kind of gal, my favourite breakfast come coffee spot is The Corner Store in Yarraville. Delicious food, great coffee and at times it is challenging to get a table but the wait is definitely worth it.
Thank you Stacey for sharing your story. With Miss Mooi’s styling talents and her hire items, your wedding can’t help but look gorgeous! To find out more about Miss Mooi visit the website.
Headshot by Lisa Poggi
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