Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding - May/June 2019 (Issue 74)

All the latest from around the region Congratulations! We’re well aware of the wealth of wonderful wedding suppliers in the region, but did you know that the talent pool includes one of the nation’s finest? Sass & Grace Bridal Boutique near Winchester has netted the coveted title of Best Bridal Retailer at the prestigious British Wedding Awards 2019. It’s a massive honour as the awards, now in their 11 th year, are among the most respected in the industry. Created to champion excellence and to celebrate all-things wedding, only brides themselves vote for who wins, with more than 100,000 votes cast this year. Owner Sam Walsh opened Sass & Grace in rural Hampshire in January 2016 and has enjoyed tremendous success since then, earning a number of industry accolades and recognition, including being selected as the exclusive stockist of the luxury award-winning British bridal designer Sabina Motasem. Located in a beautifully converted barn just outside East Stratton, the boutique offers a wide range of hand-picked designer wedding dresses for all styles, shapes and budgets. On winning the British Wedding Award Sam said, “We’re so thrilled to have been crowned Best Bridal Retailer in the UK and would like to thank all our amazing brides who took the time to vote for us. It’s thanks to them that we’re winners.” For more information visit sassandgrace.co.uk Nearlywed NEWS WEDDING ANGEL If the big-day planning is getting you down and the to-do list seems never-ending, don’t fret – help is at hand. Southampton-based Stacey Page has turned her love of all things wedding into a career. After a number of years working in events and after organising her own wedding in May 2017, she’s now launched her own business Stacey Page Events, doing what she loves most. “After returning from my honeymoon, I started a wedding and events coordinator role at a Southampton hotel where I was able to gain further excellent experience. I left the hotel in September 2018 to go on maternity leave following the birth of my gorgeous boy Harley! This spurred me to go freelance and follow my passion,” she explains. She launched her website staceypageevents.co.uk and social media pages earlier this year and is looking forward to helping many more brides-to- be to realise their wedding dreams. BESIDE THE SEA It’s full steam ahead for weddings on the historic pier at Swanage. Dorset-based wedding planners Blue Bay Events are helping the Swanage Pier Trust to launch wedding ceremonies and post-vows drinks packages at the iconic venue. The packages will include a fully dressed marquee from Chique Marquees (chiquemarquees.co.uk) to ensure the pier can be used in all weather. Owner of the award-winning events business Polly Smith says, “We will be able to host our first weddings in August 2019 and look forward to this becoming a very popular venue in Dorset due to its fantastic setting!” For full details email events@bluebayevents.co.uk and turn to page 33 to find out more about this landmark local venue. tashandwill.co.uk YOUR ESSENTIALS 9