An Essex Wedding - Page number 54 - July/August 2021 (Issue 99)

54 Tell us about your company… The Only Way Is Gin is the latest gin to come from Essex, and it’s perfect for celebrations. We offer virtual gin parties, which are ideal for hen and stag dos, while our DIY cocktail boxes let you create the best cocktail-bar experience at your wedding. What’s your most popular wedding product? Our live cocktail classes have proven perfect for hen dos. They include cocktail boxes with our craft gin and the best ingredients, a gin tasting, lots of cocktail making and discounts off your next purchase with us. Why should couples choose local suppliers for their wedding? We shout out proudly about where we’re from! We also try to work with other local suppliers as much as we can. We are over the moon when a couple chooses us, and we’re so proud to be a part of their big day. What does your dream customer look like? A gin-loving couple who are looking for a fun-filled party experience with a top quality product. Visit www.theonlywayisgin.co.uk MEET NIKKI MENDES OF THE ONLY WAY IS GIN MEET KAY PATEL OF THE SEED CARD COMPANY Tell us about your company… We offer a fully sustainable, biodegradable, eco- friendly alternative to wedding stationery – from save-the-dates and invitations to order-of- services, menus and place settings. The wedding suites are printed with vegan-friendly ink and when planted grow into beautiful wildflowers. Myself and the other founders have worked in the stationery industry for many years. What’s your most popular wedding product? It has to be our invitations. Couples are becoming very aware of the items they’re purchasing and what their guests may or may not do with their invites afterwards. Our couples love the idea that their invitations can be planted and offer a continuous memory of their special day. Why should couples choose local suppliers for their wedding? Supporting a small business means you are supporting a family in your community – helping put food on the table and clothes on their back. You’re also working with a company that really cares about what they do and loves producing something that your guests will adore. What’s your signature style? We love working with florals, from traditional roses to sustainable pampas grass. These are great assets to use when designing so you can link your stationery with your wedding flowers and theme. Visit www.theseedcardcompany.com Tell us about your company… I’m a trained professional artist who will paint you and your guests live on your special day so that you have a unique keepsake to take home. I believe a painting can illustrate the magic of a celebration. Your guests will love seeing the picture unfold throughout the festivities. What’s your most popular wedding product? A bespoke acrylic painting on canvas of the couple – and their guests, if desired. Why should couples choose local suppliers for their wedding? Essex communities have really supported each other throughout the pandemic. Through social media and other online enterprises I have met great friends in the wedding industry who are all fighting to keep their dream jobs going. It’s important to support these local people; maintaining their passion and drive will help support the whole community. What’s your signature style? I love that all couples are different; the best theme for any wedding is love and that’s what I try to capture in my work. I see the couple and their loved ones’ inner beauty and recreate that in paint. Visit www.seeemilypaint.com MEET EMILY DAVEY OF SEE EMILY PAINT