Wedding Fever
I was 12 years old when I started in the wedding business - that's 42 years on and off! My parents owned a hotel, and if you're the child of hoteliers or publicans, you'll know exactly where i'm coming from when I say that it's literally 'all hands on deck' during certain seasons - namely summer for weddings and Christmas for parties.
My first - and only - modelling assignment c.1980 outside my parents hotel which was a popular venue for small weddings back then.
As soon as I was old enough to hold a serving fork and spoon in one hand and a silver salver in the other, I became a waitress. There were lots of weddings all summer long and I absolutely loved them. From the anticipation of seeing the bride step out of her car, to the raucous party afterwards where after a long day helping to serve the wedding breakfast, i’d be clearing glasses into the early hours, weaving through the dancers to the beat of the band (it was always a band in those days!).
Every year until I was well into my late teens I was working on weddings most weekends. My mother was the events coordinator of the business - and an excellent role model definately influenced my own career.
When I left school I followed in my mothers footprints as a meeting and event organiser, with one of my last jobs in the outside world being the Conference Manager at an Oxford College. I was the go to wedding organiser for alumni wishing to tie the knot (in those days it was only alumni who could wed in a college). I absoultely loved this role of wedding co-ordinator, working directly with the brides, grooms, and sometimes the odd wedding planner. I’m still friends with some of the brides, it’s just such satisfying work - my favourite bit being how the brides lit up on their special day, completely radiant, and free from the stresses leading up to the wedding. When I became a corsetiere, the brides still came. And I welcomed them.
So you see, I have had 'Wedding Fever' since I was 12 .. I just love weddings! The run up to a wedding is stressful, ofcourse, I’ve had my own, I know what it’s like. But it’s exciting, full of joy, hope, anticipation and love - really the best of all things. Just the unbridled joy of a wedding celebration, it rubs off. Many people find working with brides or weddings quite difficult, but I relish every opportunity.
My first bridal corsetry commission was in 2011 and Marianna's corset became the cover of the book I wrote about corsetry which was published in 2012. I am not sure if she knows how 'famous' her corset is to this day.
Marianna’s corset was my first bridal commission back in 2010. it had detachable straps, and was to be worn under a vintage dress.
So this year, having gone full time on the corset making, I've had a few more brides than usual, and their grooms are getting in on the act too! The more the merrier!
It's always such fun to be involved with brides. I know lots of corsetiere's shy away from them but I say come one come all! Tell me your stories and lets create some perfection!
I've already signed up 2 brides for 2024 - they're marrying eachother! But I only have limited full ensemble bridal slots, so if you're thinking of a corset and gown for your big day. Read all about our bridal corsetry service HERE.