STYLED TO PERFECTION: ADVICE FROM AWARD-WINNING WEDDING STYLIST LOUISE HUGHES

As a wedding supplier, I am privileged to know and have worked with some of the most talented suppliers in the Industry. In this series of blogs I want to to introduce you to some of the best and share with you some of their wisdom and advice to help you on your planning journey, with a little inside knowledge, you will be sure to find wedding planning a stress-free experience.

Today I am going to start with ‘Wedding Styling and decor’ and caught up with one of my long-time colleagues Louise Hughes from Lush Occasions Louise is a fabulous award-winning wedding and event stylist whom I have had the great pleasure of working with for a number of years. I have witnessed first hand her impeccable eye for detail and levels of perfection that are second to none, I don’t think I have ever met anyone who goes above and beyond like this lady so when it came to styling and decor, I knew she was the one to ask.

Louise, introduce yourself and tell us a little about you and your wedding styling business.

Hello! I’m Louise, Founder and Creative Director at Lush Occasions. Having always wanted to work in the Wedding Industry I finally got the courage to set my own business up in 2007 which is when Lush Occasions was born. I get my creative gene form my gorgeous Spanish Mum who grew up on a little village, up in the mountains on mainland Spain. There she was taught the art of embroidery and sewing, and her need for perfection in all she does shows in the intricate details in her work. I too inherited this gene which is perfect for when I am setting up weddings. The attention to detail and needing everything to be perfect is one of the reasons my clients choose Lush Occasions to style their weddings. I come from a large family and have a twin sister, yes there are two of us!, I am married with 3 gorgeous children, who are grown up now and are all part of my ‘team’. I love coffee and cake, and when I’m not working and entertaining, my favourite evening is spending time with friends and family over a table of ‘tapas’ and a glass or two of sangria!

What exactly is the role of a wedding stylist?

The role of a wedding stylist is to understand the story behind a couple, how they met, their interests, likes and dislikes and vision for their special day. With this information and visiting their venue and setting where the wedding will take place, my role is to design the perfect décor for my clients within their budget, to achieve the perfect look and ambiance for their wedding day.

What should couples consider when choosing styling for their big day?

I always advise my couples to consider the style of the venue and colour theme of the decor at the venue, as a starting point. This is really important as it needs to be complimentary, does this lend itself to a particular theme e.g. is it a Stately Home where an elegant romantic theme would suit? or is the setting a barn that suits a more relaxed rustic vibe perhaps?

Next couples need to consider their budget, are they happy with an off the shelf package for styling or would they like a bespoke design, tailored to their vision and personality? This is crucial to understand so we can work within this, and design something that works for them.

Lastly, I think its vital couples find a stylist who they have a great rapport with, is approachable, has a great reputation and that they feel confident working with. I recommend looking at examples of their work, is there attention to detail and is the standard good enough for your wedding? My bugbears are creased table cloths which aren’t floor length and leave the table legs on show, items that aren’t in line and just no attention to the finer details. Ask your chosen stylist to lay an example table for you, so you can see for yourself, do their standards and style measure up to your expectations?

How do you work with couples to design the perfect look for them? What is your process?

I start with an initial telephone consultation where I can get an idea of theme, guest numbers and budget and get to know a little about my couple. Is there anything they would like to be included in their wedding decor to make it more personal and ooze their personality? Have they already got a mood board? Have they seen any of my work that they particularly like?

Next I visit their venue to get a good feel for the space I will be styling and following this I will start designing and put together a proposal and quote which is very visual so will give my clients a good idea of my vision for them. I always keep up to date with and follow wedding trends but I am not a slave to them and love to inspire my couples. With every couple I will meet with them at their venue and walk through their wedding day discussing what props they might like and style a practice table so I know they will love it on the day and this gives them and I the confidence that it will be absolutely perfect.

I always try to ensure the background for their photos for the 4 main parts of their day are beautiful. These include exchanging of their vows, backdrop to the speeches, cutting of the cake and their first dance. So often these are neglected and all their photos will show is a blank wall behind or their amazing cake shoved in an ugly corner. These parts of the day are what your photos will show and how you will remember your wedding so I think these images need to reflect the theme and look stunning.

What do you enjoy most about being a stylist?

I am a romantic at heart and love designing elegant, romantic settings, this comes through in the softness of my styling. Whether the venue be a stately home or rustic barn I love working with beautiful fabrics and gorgeous lighting to create relaxed but beautiful spaces for my couples and their guests. I love creating the wedding they have dreamed of and making the best day of their lives even more special. Every wedding I treat as if it was my own and the satisfaction of seeing the finished setting, just perfect and making my last few tweaks to ensure it is so, gives me the best feeling. I love my job and genuinely love working with my clients and going above an beyond to exceed their expectations.

If Louise’s styling and advice has captured your attention and you would like to chat to her about decor for your wedding day, check out more of her work on Social media or at her website LUSH OCCASIONS

You might also want to check out some of my work with Louise HERE .

Until the next time,

Happy Planning!