Simply a Franchise in Focus: Alex who runs our Harrogate office

 I am Alexandra Stead and I cover the Harrogate Area, My venues include, Rudding Park, Wood Hall, Goldsborough Hall, Allerton Castle, and all the Harrogate Town Centre Hotels.

I was trained in Hotel Catering and Institutional Management and worked in hotels at home and abroad. I always enjoyed dealing with the customers and the fact that no two days were the same. Latterly I worked in a variety of small businesses being involved closely in the day to day running of the operation.

 I had known Sarah a number of years and was a huge admirer of her drive and enthusiasm as well as her business acumen. She told me of her idea when she started the company and always said she would like to have me on board. I had seen the company grow and when I was made redundant in 2011 due to the recession I did not need asking twice.

 I have never been someone who leaves the job when I leave the office. I would follow things up in my own time if it was necessary. As I worked for small companies I had always managed to make the job suit my lifestyle. Working for myself is not a whole lot different but the rewards and credits are mine not someone else’s.

It can be quite lonely working for yourself, with the franchise it is the best of both worlds as the support and back up from the rest of the team is second to none. Our marketing and website is something that would be hard to achieve as a sole trader, and Sarah has initially sourced some fantastic suppliers which ensures the quality of the brand.

Where do I see my business in a years time? In a years time I see the franchise having grown about 100% in the volume of orders and venues that are using our service. I also see myself having dressed some prestigious events. In three years I hope that this growth has continued and we have 2 or 3 teams out dressing events regularly. I would like to think that we will be the primary supplier in the Harrogate Area due to the quality of our product and the efficiency of our service.

 The last two years have been exciting and fun. I am constantly learning things about my business and even about myself. The wedding industry is a fun and vibrant one to be involved in and I have met some lovely people. I would recommended it to anyone!

Simply Bows Real Life Bride Jennifer marries in Harrogate

What are your first names?

David and Jennifer

Where and when did you get engaged?

On a bridge in Brugges October 2010

What was your wedding date?

18th August 2012

Where did you get married?

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Why did you choose your venue?

We wanted somewhere with a relaxed feel about it, where guests could relax feel at home. The Bridge is a privately owned hotel so it has a very personal feeling to it, plus the staff were really accommodating and friendly every time we visited.

Did you have a “theme”?

Not really, although the tables were all named after our favourite chocolates, Malteasers, Rolos etc and we used boxes of the chocolates as favours. We went through about 40 Chocolate Oranges before the day- it was so hard having them in the house!

What was your wedding colour scheme?

Blush pink, silver, and cornflower blue

Why did you choose Simply Bows and Chair Covers and what were they like to work with?

Alex really listened to what we wanted and worked with us to make sure the colours were an exact match, and she also came up with loads of new ideas we hadn’t thought of to decorate the tables. The chair covers looked amazing on the day, making the room look very elegant, and we received lots of compliments.

What sort of dress did you choose and where from?

It was a fitted lace dress with a very vintage feel to it and a fairly long train- the complete opposite of the dress I had in mind when I set out.

What did your bridesmaids wear?

Knee length cornflower blue dresses by debut at Debenhams, we went for something quite simple to suit their three very different shapes and personalities.

Who was your photographer?

Charlotte Hedgecock of Baroque photography and her partner, they were excellent- we hardly knew they were there but they managed to get loads of natural shots of us and our guests.

What “special touches” did you add to your day?

A family friend provided flowers for the church and did a great job, while another decorated the decking at the venue- it was so touching to have people we knew helping out in those ways.

What was your favourite part of the day?

Walking out following the ceremony and seeing all our guests for the first time (I was in a daze on the way in!)

Where did you go on honeymoon?

We had 2 weeks in Vancouver, Canada, a lifelong dream destination

What would be your top tip for another bride to be?

 Make sure you have some alone time with your new husband on the day- it’s so easy to let it all fly by and hardly see each other!

Simply Congratulations from Team Simply! New GM at The Cairn Hotel, Harrogate

The Cairn Hotel was built during Harrogate's period as a Spa Town when people came from far and wide to take the waters. It is one of the largest hotels in Harrogate standing in beautiful grounds and gardens.

Carefully modernised, the grand original features still welcome you to this charming Victorian hotel, you have the feeling of grandness as you walk into the main hall. It is the perfect Harrogate venue for a wedding and at The Cairn, they pride themselves on offering a truly personal service, extending from your initial enquiry through to the last ‘dance’ of the evening. The Cairn is fully licensed to hold Civil Ceremonies and Civil Partnerships. From wonderful traditional style Weddings to fabulously colorful Ethnic style celebrations they can do them all with a capacity for up to 450 guests seated.

From May The Cairn will have a new General Manager Martin Wilks. Martin has 30 Years management experience in the Hospitality Industry. He has worked at 4 Star hotels at senior management level, four of which have been in Harrogate so he is no stranger to the town. He will be an absolute asset to the hotel and we very much look forward to working with him.

Congratulations to Martin from Simply Bows and Chair Covers we wish him every success in his new position!