A bit about me

Some 17 years ago in the hills of the Scottish borders, a young 22 year old girl – West Yorkshire born and fresh back from traveling the Eastern seas, decided to buy a hotel with her Canadian partner. That young girl was me, and little did I know at the time, I would go on to spend the next 17 years planning and delivering the happiest days of people’s lives.

In 1994 I planned my first wedding; a member of my staff was getting married at Gretna Green but had no reception venue, florist, car, photographer and virtually no savings. I decided my wedding present to them would be to organise and deliver their day on a budget. I made the bouquets using flowers from the garden, drove them to the register office, organised a ‘bring your own dish’ buffet, took the photographs on my camera, and my partner Marty played the guitar for entertainment. It was simple, romantic and chock full of heart; but the buzz I got from planning the whole day was euphoric, I was hooked. The next week I advertised the hotel as a wedding venue, and have never looked back. I am now the wedding coordinator at Castle Howard (since 2010), Newby Hall (since 2008) and Byland Abbey and the Abbey Inn (since 1997).

17 years and over 300 weddings later, even a marriage of my own (yes, I eventually married the Canadian wannabe rock star); I have two beautiful rugby playing boys Sam 14yrs, and Joe 12yrs. I’m a full time wedding coordinator, full time mother and part time rugby spectator!

For me, success has been a result of seriously hard work, the support of my family and my inherent passion for creating perfectly planned weddings.