Simply a new dynamic duo! We welcome husand and wife Andrew and Jaimie to the team!

Introduce yourself, name, age, which region/ venues you cover...

Hi, we are husband and wife team, Andrew and Jaimie. We have recently taken over the West Northumberland and Cumbria office from Kristy who now works for Simply Bows and Chair Covers Head Office.

Andrew is in denial about turning forty in December and Jaimie is a little younger, but soon to be 37!

We are based very centrally in Alston, Cumbria. We can facilitate weddings and events in Brampton, Carlisle, Penrith, Appleby-In-Westmorland, Keswick, Armathwaite, Bassenthwaite, Wigton, Workington, Cockermouth, Gretna Green and all surrounding areas. We have close working relationships with all of the hotels within the region and are also preferred supplier to venues, such as, the family run Beaumont Hotel in Hexham, the majestic Langley Castle, the delightful Heather Glen and the unique setting of Tullie House to name a few.

 What is your background?

We are a creative husband and wife team who know full well the trials and tribulations of weddings and events having planned and organised our own wedding in 2005.

Before tying the knot, Jaimie worked for an event theming company in the South who work for notable companies from around the world.

Andrew is a qualified blacksmith, having made wrought ironwork commissions for the likes of Harrods Andrew made the copper bat weather vane which sits proudly on top of Chilling Castle.

Since being married, Andrew and Jaimie have gained 7 years' experience in the wedding and events industry, offering wedding and event planning services along with venue styling, table decoration and hire services. They pride themselves on customer service, coordination and attention to detail nothing is too much trouble!

Why did you take a franchise with Simply Bows?

Through our work in the wedding and event industry we received many enquiries from clients wanting to know who we recommended as a good chair cover supplier in Cumbria. We always recommended Simply Bows and Chair Covers for their high standards and the quality of the products that stand them apart from any other chair cover companies.

  Why do you love being a Simply Bows franchisee

The opportunity to be a Simply Bows franchisee means that we are privileged to be part of an award winning established business which emulates our high standards, the attention to detail we pride ourselves on and the need for great customer service. It also means that we can work together as a team we're not sick of each other yet!

Why do you love working for yourself

Working for ourselves means that we can be in control of our day, planning things to fit in with our lives without compromising on the customer care we provide. It also means we can indulge in our OCD, making sure everything looks the way it should do! The wedding and events business is a vibrant and exciting industry and this saying sums up how we feel about being a part of it

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." ~ Confucius

Which "look" that you can create is your favourite and why?

Simply Bows and Chair Covers franchisees have come up with some inspired and original ideas for dressing chairs and tables. It's hard to choose a favourite way of tieing a sash, but Andrew's top choice would be a side tied bow.

Heather Glen

 Jaimie would have to choose the two colours of sash tied in a traditional bow, fanned to show both colours.

Image supplied by Picture U

Why choose Simply Bows over another linen provider?

Our experience in planning and decorating for weddings and events centers around being creative and doing things differently. We liked the bespoke nature of Simply Bows and Chair Covers products and the inspiration they offer their clients. We love that nothing is too much trouble and as a specialist linen provider, anything can be made to fit a client's requirements rather than offering a limited choice.

How can Simply Bows blog readers get in touch with you?

Simply Bows and Chair Covers blog readers can get in touch with us by telephone or email and we'd love you to 'follow' us on Twitter @SimplyBowsNE_NW and add us as a friend on Facebook @Jaimie SBows

 Anything else to tell us/ share?

We met on a blind date and will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary next year!

Simply Bows and Chair Covers Real Life Bride Jess and her Langley Castle wedding!

What are your first names? 

Jessica and Robert

 

Where and when did you get engaged? 

Top of Rockefeller certre new York on the 26 of November 2012

What was your wedding date? 

22^nd November 2013

 

 Where did you get married? 

Langley castle

 

Why did you choose your venue? 

We have both worked at Langley Castle for a long time and that is also how we met!

 

Did you have a “theme”?

Not really, it was more about our colour scheme :)

 

What was your wedding colour scheme? 

 Gold and burgandy

 

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

We chose Kristy is a friend of mine after she herself worked at Langley Castle before buying a Simply Bows and Chair Covers franchise and also because I get to see first hand the quality of their work as I work on the wedding side of things at Langley Castle daily! Kristy was lovely to work with as always!

 

What sort of dress did you choose and where from? 

It was a lace dress with full skirt from Mia Sposa

 

What did your bridesmaids wear? 

Burgundy dresses by Dessy

 

 

Who was your photographer? 

Alan Mason

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

We took Langley Castle on on an exclusive basis so that it was completely private and nobody could enter venue unless a guest!

 

 What was your favourite part of the day?  

All of it!! But we could really relax and dance in the evening!

 

Where did you go on honeymoon? 

The Vineyard Hotel for two nights then on the Queen Mary 2 cruise liner to Bruge and Paris. 

 

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

Relax, don’t stress too much and enjoy every moment because its your number one day!!

 

 

Simply pleased to meet you Janine! New Director of North Northumberland office Janine Robertson reveals how she came to join the team....

My Name is Janine Robinson, I am 28 years old and cover North Northumberland. This includes Doxford Hall, Eshott Hall, Ellingham Hall, Longhirst Hall, Linden Hall, Woodhill Hall, The Alnwick Garden and Castle, Guyzance Hall, Newton Hall and many more….

What is your background?

My background is in Renewable Energy events, whereas PA to David Still CBE I organized and attended exhibitions and high profile events as well as managing the National Renewable Energy Centre’s conference centre prior to that.

Why did you take a franchise with Simply Bows?
I worked with Simply Bows and Chair Covers on part time basis dressing weddings and events in my spare time. When the opportunity came up to become a franchisee I jumped at the chance of becoming part of this excellent team and well-known brand.

Why do you love working for yourself?
The main reason I love working for myself is it gives me the flexibility to spend time with my 2 year old daughter Halle

Why do you love being a Simply Bows franchisee?
Being part of someone’s wedding is very special and helping them create the look they want for their day is very rewarding, it’s great to walk away from a venue knowing you have made such a difference

Which "look" that you can create is your favourite and why?

I love using the ruffles and chair veils, they create something totally different and unique.

If you could dress a celebrity wedding - whose would you choose?

Taylor Swift – so that she might actually stop singing about break ups!

 Any really memorable weddings that you have dressed?
We dressed a beautiful Christmas wedding at Doxford Hall in Ruby Red with Champagne flock.

How would your friends describe you in three words?

Thoughtful, Funny, Caring – From the horses mouth, honestly I asked them! :)

Are you married?
I am married, my husband Lee and I were married at Matfen Hall on 22^nd August 2009. We had a burnt orange a chocolate brown colour scheme with Orange organza bows

Why choose SImply Bows over another linen provider?
Our quality speaks for itself and our customer service is second to none, regardless as to the area you are in. Our business is award winning, and I bet there aren’t many others that can say that.

How can Simply Bows blog readers get in touch with you?
Email me on janine@simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk or telephone 07581 707539

Simply Successful: In today's Journal

Today Sarah Pittendrigh, Managing Director is Simply Bows and Chair Covers is on the front page of the business section in The Journal!

See more here...

http://www.journallive.co.uk/src/webroot/nebusiness/business-news/latest-business-news/2012/04/13/entrepreneur-s-success-after-starting-out-from-scratch-51140-30748819/ 

Simply Floral Fantastic: Bels Flowers

What is company name and what is your line of business?

Bels flowers and I am a florist dedicated to creating beautiful flowers!

 How and why the company begin?

I went to university to study PR and worked in PR and Marketing for four years after graduating, and while I liked it I really wanted to LOVE my job. I’d always really wanted to be a florist so I went part time in Marketing and re trained as a florist at college. Following finishing my training I worked alongside another florist for a while before setting up bels – now I do LOVE my job!! 

Are you married?

Yes, I got married in August 2010

Why do brides come to you?

Brides come to me as they have seen my work or one of my lovely brides, clients or contacts has recommended me! I’m very blessed to have a fantastic network of people and companies I work with regularly – including Simply Bows and Chair Covers!

I think when brides come to me they get a really special service – making them feel, as they should on their special day, the centre of attention and like nothing is too much trouble!

  

What is your favourite design and why ?

I LOVE hydrangea and a type of rose called ‘Green Tea’. Anything with those flowers in are my favourites! But I also love simple classic designs – all abundant and luxurious though!

 What is the most popular item you supply and why?

I find most of my brides go for a very English country garden, relaxed style – I think because that’s the style I tend to do a lot. The style and colours for that type of arrangement are really on trend for the vintage look. And fantastically will age gracefully!

 Where do you get your inspiration from?

My mums’ garden is a great inspiration- she’s a very talented gardener and the combinations of flowers, colours and textures create a good mood board for inspiration! She’s always created a very tranquil inspirational space in her garden.

I also love to look at fashions of dresses, and colours – not necessarily in bridal fashions in all fashion. And looking at blogs are fantastic inspiration – they’re some brilliant ones to loose yourself in for hours!

What is in store for you in 2012

I have lots of lovely brides I’m very excited to be working with in 2012!!! More weddings at lots of beautiful venues all over the North East and beyond! I also have some bookings in London which I’m very excited about.

And I’m extending my work space to have lots more capacity!

Who would be your dream client, and what sort of design would you envisage for them?

Cheesy as it sounds I am working with lots of dream clients!! Some of the brides I’m working with over the next 12 months have such amazing ideas about the styling, overall look and finish to the wedding. When I first finished college I made bouquets and buttonholes for weddings and now I work with the bride to create the whole ambience and feeling of the wedding – which is incredible.

 What would be your top tips for brides when searching for a supplier in your industry?

Get recommendations! And make sure you see lots of pictures of their wedding work. A good indication of the quality of supplier is where they work and who they work with regularly.

Where are you based and where can you supply?

I work from home in Jesmond and I work all over the UK! I have done wedding flowers in Cornwall, Wales, Edinburgh, The Lakes, Liverpool….

How can I get in touch to discuss my requirements or place an order?

I can be contacted by phone on 07976 245 853 or email info@belsflowers.co.uk. My website is www.belsflowers.co.uk and I have lots more pictures on my facebook page www.facebook.com/belsflowers - I always meet brides to discuss their bespoke quote

Why do you like to work with Simply Bows and Chair Covers?

Charlotte at Simply Bows is fantastic; she has great ideas, wonderful style and has the same work ethic of making every bride feel special, as do the whole Simply Bows and Chair Covers team. The quality of the linen is the best I’ve seen and the attention to detail is second to none!