I caught up with Katie from Katie Lou Weddings for a coffee and we had a good old chat about our work in weddings, venues we love and plans for the future. Katie’s an all-round lovely lady and top-notch wedding planner, based in Oxfordshire and worthy winner of TWIA Wedding Planner of the year. Here are her thoughts about some of the important things in life … board games, emojis and the best gift she’s ever received … oh and weddings too of course!
Grab a quick cuppa and get to know her a little better …
Bucket list venue
It’s very hard to only list one, so here are my top five!
- Euridge Manor – I did a styled shoot there a few months ago and it’s utterly gorgeous.
- Cornwell Manor – It’s local to me and I would love to put up an Orangery marquee there.
- Kew Gardens
- Wilderness Reserve
- Port Lympne
Favourite wedding cake style and flavour
Raspberry and white chocolate is always a win for me. Charlene at Terre et Lune is your girl for the most breath-taking cakes, a real artist.
What inspired you to become an wedding planner
I started my career in large scale outdoor events, festivals and experiential campaigns, before training to be a wedding planner with the UKAWP back in 2010. Now I get to turn my creativity, eye for detail and logistical mind to celebrating the most important things in life every day.
Three new wedding trends to look out for
- Pearl detailing and big bows both continue to be on trend and create an eye-catching look.
- Male bridesmaids, bridesmen or man of honour. I love this break in tradition and that male friends are now celebrated within the wedding party.
- Alternative entertainment – live artists, close up magicians, mixologists, roaming bands, sax with DJs …
Your happy place
In Betty our campervan with my husband and two daughters with a hot chocolate, good tunes and a game of Uno.
Most used emoji
Definitely the heart – the red heart, the smiley face with hearts or the one with heart eyes.
How do your clients describe you
Unflappable, calming and as cool as a cucumber are words I often hear, but my favourite feedback is ‘creator of happiness’. I now use this on my email sign off, on my branded clothing and on my business cards.
Craziest problem you’ve had to solve on the day
I’m sure like other wedding suppliers I could write a book about the crazy problems we have to overcome, from collapsed wedding cakes, to the best man sporting a Mr Bump plaster. The prize for the craziest though, has to go to the impaled guest on a spiked fence. I had to cut off his trousers and tourniquet his leg before the ambulance arrived. I was very pleased I’d done a first aid course the week before.
Best gift you’ve ever been given
A duck shadow shower curtain! I have a collection of over 40 rubber ducks, of all different characters.
Also, for my 40th birthday my daughter put together a beautiful frame with messages from all my family. This is very precious to me and takes pride of place in my garden office.
Favourite Christmas board game
We were given a personalised Monopoly board as a wedding gift 14 years ago and this always comes out at Christmas. Telestrations was also a winner last year and inclusive of all ages and the amount of wine drunk!
Shout out to an unsung hero or wedding supplier bestie
Shout out to TEC (That Event Company) – always the first on site and the last to leave, plus they’re always on hand to help with techie problems with a smile on their faces.
Bluebell Ceremonies – Creating beautiful, bespoke ceremonies to celebrate the special moments in your life.
Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and the Cotswolds.
