I’m writing my first blog post and I thought the best place to start would be at the beginning. For me that’s the beginning of my business, when Weddings By Emma-Louise stopped being an idea that I thought about in the small hours the day and became a serious business that I have thrown myself into. One that will build my future but also help couples realise the celebration of their dreams.
In November of last year, I took the leap of faith and registered myself for Planning Redefined’s two day residential course ‘Redefined 2019’ – and let me tell you it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!
I knew I had the skills it would take to become a professional wedding planner, however I wanted to find myself a support network of likeminded people and some advice for running a business. I could attend any business course or forum, but having the advice and support from a wedding industry specific course was invaluable.
When I met Kat & Louise at a Planning Redefined 2019 coffee morning at The Savoy, I was swept away with their infectious passion for the industry and felt like I had found the community I belonged in.
Of course I had been silently stalking and fan-girling over Kat’s wedding of Katrina Otter Weddings for a number of months, and was already hooked on working with her. Meeting Louise of Louise Perry Weddings really convinced me that Planning Redefined would be the best course for me, her people centred approach and business mind meant that I knew the course would be the best mix of drop dead gorgeous pretty things and business lesson’s that I would need.
I left that day, calling my partner and just saying this is it, this is where I belong and this is what I want to do.

The setting for the course was Millbridge Court, and walking into the welcome room is like a fresh, but cozy hug. Millbridge Court for anyone that hasn’t visited (you really should) has two chapel like rooms with floor to ceiling windows that pour in light and present vistas into the gardens and fields beyond. It also has eight rooms for guests staying overnight and a secluded hideaway for the married couple.
Bountiful floral displays were arranged by Linz at The White Horse Flower Company. Flowers organically sprung from all directions, creating a tiered display of beauty. Linz’s arrangements were the star of the styling throughout. The two days were catered for by the wonderful Kalm Kitchen, who create inventive food which not only tasted amazing but were also visually stunning.
Linz, The White Horse Flowers Company tiered floral arrangement Afternoon cocktails by Kalm Kitchen
The course was impeccably planned as you would expect from industry leading wedding planners. The agenda for the two day residential was jam packed with practical workshops, inspiring industry leading speakers and open honest conversations which covered a variety of subjects. The course was focused around the business of planning weddings, the budgeting and styling. There was also an aspect of branding and marketing a wedding business. It really opened my eyes to all the aspects of not only working in the business, but also on the business.
Evening dinner table setting styled by Cara, at Katrina Otter weddings Making buttonholes with Linz, The White Horse Flower Company
There was talks from Matthew & Bertie of world renowned destination Matthew Oliver Weddings. Styling lessons from Emma of Coco Wedding Venues and a workshop with Linz of The Whitehorse Flower Company not forgetting invaluable advice from branding & marketing agency Chapter.
In summary if you are looking for a deep dive into this industry and what it takes to become a wedding planner, then I couldn’t recommend Redefined, or any of Kat and Louise’s courses enough. There was a wonderful mix of practical learning, open honest Q & A’s, academic learning and networking. If you wanted a better idea of what to expect then please do reach out to me or better still get in contact with Kat and Louise.
Until next time
Emma
2 days captured by the glorious Hannah Duffy Photography

Share the love – List of suppliers for Redefined & contact list
Venue – http://www.millbridgecourt.com / @millbridgecourt
Hosts – @planningredefined
Kat, http://www.katerinaotterweddings.co.uk / @katrinaotterwed & Louise, http://www.louiseperryweddings.com / @louiseperryweddings
Photography – http://www.hannahduffyphotography.com / @hannahduffyphotography
Food – http://www.kalmkitchen.com / @kalmkitchenltd
Stationary – http://www.natspaperstudio.com / @natspaperstudio
Flowers – http://www.thewhitehorseflowercompany.co.uk / @thewhitehorseflower
Guests –
http://www.matthewoliverweddings.com / @matthew_oliver_weddings & @bertie_matthewoliver
http://www.cocoandkat.com / @cocoandkat
http://www.chaptermarketing.co.uk / @chaptercomms
Event hire –
http://www.88events.com / @88eventscompany
http://www.couvert.co.uk / @couverthire
http://www.wedhead.co.uk/ @wedhead_london
http://www.weddingshop.com / @theweddingshopuk