| HIRING A STYLIST| With Fox & Barker
Advice From The Experts
Having never done it before, planning a wedding can feel like a mammoth task…
Where to start? What are the essentials? What should I ask? Fear not, we are calling on our industry friends to give you the lowdown starting with styling. Fox & Barker are a boutique family company offering bespoke wedding planning and styling services across the East Midlands. We spoke to Laura, the visionary of Fox & Barker, and Jane, the planner extraordinaire, to get their top tips for hiring a stylist…
Ok, so what are the advantages of hiring a stylist?
A stylist can help you create the day of your dreams. They’ll bring everything together to make your ceremony and celebration unique and personal to you, including your chosen colour palette, design elements and décor. When you and your guests walk in to your venue, you want everything to look absolutely stunning. Working with a good stylist will help you achieve that – and take away the stress of planning it all.
So let’s start with the basics, what exactly does a stylist do?
A stylist should want to find out about your story and style as a couple and what you’re looking for. We like to meet our brides and grooms at their chosen venue so we can explore the space together and visualise the setting for each element of their big day. Then we’ll work together to bring all your thoughts, ideas and inspirations to life – from the overall look and feel of the space to the tiniest of touches.
How do you find the stylist that’s right for you?
Personality is key. You could be working with your stylist for months in the run up to your wedding so you need to be the right fit for each other. We believe planning your big day should be fun and we make sure our brides and grooms enjoy it along the way. Having a budget in mind is also essential, so everyone understands what’s possible.
Should you be influenced by trends and what are the trends to watch?
We look at trends as a source of inspiration but ultimately, your wedding is unique and personal to you. It’s about picking things that are meaningful. A good stylist knows how to weave those things together to create a beautiful, coherent whole.
As pandemic restrictions end, we’ll see the return of big weddings with big elements like bright, bold flowers, theatrical installations and wonderfully glamorous brides – alongside very special touches like wedding favours personalised to each individual guest. Sustainability is a huge trend too, with brides and grooms choosing native blooms, locally-sourced food and drink and artisan suppliers. There’ll always still be micro-weddings though, as some couples want to share a relaxed, intimate day with the people they’re really close to.
Fox & Barker’s Bitesize Guide
How to get started:
Your venue will usually have stylists they recommend, or you could ask the suppliers you’re working with, such as your florist. You’ll also be able to meet and talk to stylists at wedding fayres.
Top tips for hiring a stylist:
1. Know your budget and decide on your must-haves and maybes.
2.Make sure you choose a stylist you’ll enjoy working with.
3.Ask lots of questions to check they know their stuff.
4.Meet at your chosen venue – setting is everything.
5.Get recommendations from trusted suppliers and take a look at stylists’ previous work to get a real feel for what they do.
GET IN TOUCH FOX & BARKER | @FOXANDBARKER | Hello@foxandbarker.com | 01629 391071
Images by Leigh Mcara & Matt Brown Photography
