We’re delighted to launch our very first Supplier Spotlight by featuring one of our most trusted and long-standing Recommended Suppliers, Emma of Be.You.Tiful Events. A true creative at heart, Emma is a wedding décor specialist whose work is entirely led by each couple’s vision, bringing personality, colour and thoughtful detail to every celebration. As a special bonus, Emma also has her own studio located right here at the venue, making collaboration seamless and inspiration never far away. When deciding who should feature in our very first spotlight, it felt only right to begin with one of our very best supporters – a supplier who knows our spaces inside out and consistently goes above and beyond for our couples. We’re excited to share more about Emma, her journey and her passion for creating unforgettable wedding days in the interview below.
Getting to Know You
What inspired you to start your venue décor business?
A bride inspired us, she asked us to do chair covers, sashes and runners for her wedding along with her flowers, so we said yes, from that day on it went from strength to strength.
How would you describe your décor style in three words?
We don’t have a style; it’s led by the couples so I suppose it would be “couples inspired vision”
What sets your company apart from other wedding decorators?
I think being a florist for 30 years helps as we can offer tailored made centrepieces and decor which gives couples flexibility in what we can offer and what they can have on their day, it gives the couples a more varied choice.
Experience & Expertise
How do you begin the design process with a couple?
We would begin this process from the first second we see the couple. We always ask what their style/theme or vision is that they want to achieve and work from that.
What are some décor trends you’re loving for weddings right now?
Colour is making a comeback. I love the coloured candles and coloured glassware to compliment the couple’s themes.
Do you have a signature look or element you’re known for?
The answer to this would be no. As couples’ weddings are so individual it’s hard to have a signature look.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve decorated and why?
It’s impossible to answer as to me they are all memorable in their own way, the quirkier ones we have done stay in the memory longer such as Star Wars weddings, gothic weddings etc.
Collaboration With Venue
What do you love about working at our venue?
Where do I start, I think the first port of call is the staff and the event team Paul and Sarah. The whole team (even the cleaners) are all so very friendly and they make you feel like part of their family, they will go out of their way to help you, which makes you feel working at the venue more relaxed, and valued. Secondly would be the building itself, especially the Lister suite and the gardens, it’s just so beautiful, we have done so many venues, and this is certainly one of our favourite places
Are there particular spaces here that inspire your creativity?
Yes, that would be The Lister, Foyer and Stairs and the Armitage suite. The reasons are. 1: The Lister, this is a gorgeous room and leads itself to any décor and has soo much scope for décor. 2: the staircase and foyer as it’s the first thing the guests see. There is so much that can be done on the staircase and in the foyer. 3: the Armitage suite, it’s such a blank canvas it can be transformed into any theme, and any colours go in the room.
How do you customize décor to complement a venue’s features?
We listen to the couple first for their requirements (colour, style etc.) we then advise what we think would better or not at the particular venue. For instance, if someone wants charger plates at a certain venue in Derbyshire, we know that they won’t fit on the tables so we advise them against having them, or at a another venue certain sashes don’t work on the chairs so we advise them. I think it’s all about knowing the venue so you can let the couple know what looks good and what doesn’t.
Advice for Couples
What is one décor choice that makes the biggest impact on a wedding day?
That’s got the be the décor on the chairs such as chair covers and sashes or drapes. Whether it’s banquet chairs or chivari chairs. Chairs fill the room and take up so much space, by just dressing the chairs it can instantly change the room.
What’s a budget-friendly décor tip you wish every couple knew?
1: It’s OK to re-use your items from the ceremony room for the wedding breakfast room (that’s if the venue allows it) For instance, you can re-use your registrar arrangement for your top table, you can reuse the aisle lanterns on stairs or somewhere around the venue.
2: Don’t follow peer pressure and think you have to have the same as your friend’s wedding that may have been an elaborate one, it’s your day to have how you want it.
Are there any décor mistakes couples often overlook?
1: Yes, it’s always the seating plan names where couples have duplicated names, it’s best to have surnames on seating plans and place names.
2: They also forget to include themselves in the numbers and forget about the registrar(s) needing a chair.
Showcase & Personal Touch
What décor items or installations are you most excited about offering this year?
We are getting a new Archway in this year which has lots of gypsophila in but is very simplistic.
What’s your favourite moment on a wedding day once everything is finished?
Seeing the couples vision come to reality after months of planning, and also if the bride pops into the room and sees what we have done, her reaction makes all the hard work worth it.
What’s one fun fact about your team or business that couples might not know?
As I like things a certain way, I get called “Diva” a lot. If things aren’t done right, I have told my staff to redo it the way in like it to be done.
Get in touch with Emma for all your Event Decorating needs: Be.You.Tiful Event, wedding and event venue dresser in Staffordshire, West Midlands