Your Kent Wedding - July/August 2020 (Issue 91)

FIVE MINUTES WITH… This issue we catch up with the lovely Jo Moody of Kent-based Moody Blooms. How did you get into floristry? The family business is floristry. My nan was the original trailblazer and learnt her trade as a GI bride. After completing my degree, I took professional floristry courses at Reaseheath Agricultural College in Cheshire, before opening my own floristry shop, Moody Blooms, at the age of 23 in my hometown of Stoke. I moved to Kent after meeting my now husband and have continued to work in the floral industry. I’ve worked as a designer for major retailers in the UK and as a consultant for floral start-up projects in various countries, as well as teaching floristry here in the UK. Flowers, floriculture and the communities it supports is a subject I’m hugely passionate about, and I love where my career has taken me. What would your dream bouquet look like? Natural, loose, lots of foliage, full of textures and slightly asymmetric in shape. Seasonal, British-grown cottage-garden flowers are my absolute favourites. Think peonies, ranuncuus, anenomes, sweet peas, and show-off dahlias, along with David Austin garden roses, herbs and a trail of sweet-scented jasmine or honeysuckle. Basically, everything I have in my garden! How are you coping with lockdown? Keeping busy and active at home has been important for our wellbeing. There’s been gardening, growing vegetables and flowers, yoga, a virtual book club with friends, daily telephone calls with my parents and baking - my go to stress-buster. As a mum to two daughters, aged 7 and 11, home-schooling has also been a big part of our daily routine. We’ve enjoyed lots of walks and bike rides as a family, which have been great for boosting our mood. Find out more about Moody Blooms at www.moody-blooms.co.uk NEW AT THE BARNYARD You may have heard whispers of an exciting new renovation going on at The BarnYard in Sittingbourne, which started just before lockdown. Well, the team have been busy while we’ve all been shut up indoors and can now reveal this new wedding area: The Apple Barn and Courtyard. This delightful new space, surrounded by beautiful orchards, meadows and woodland, can host twilight wedding ceremonies for up to 100 guests, with space for 200 in the evening.   What’s more, you now have the option to host your “I dos” inside the barn itself or al fresco in the beautiful Courtyard Gazebo. The barn has been fitted with state-of-the-art lighting equipment and DJ decks set high above the dancefloor, which is available to those who book the venue’s DJ inclusive package. None of this detracts, of course, from the luxurious permanent marquee, with bi-folding windows along its length, which can be thrown open to allow fresh air to flood in. It can accommodate up to 300 loved ones for seated dining and evening bash. For more information on weddings at The BarnYard check out www.the-barnyard.com or email events@the-barnyard.com Honeymoon hair While Kent-based hair and make-up artist Katie Hawkins is on hand to create your dream wedding-day do, after that it’s back over to you. She says, “At a time when lots of brides were heading off on honeymoon, I found myself being asked for any handy tips or tricks that would allow them to attempt something beautiful with their own locks, without too much difficulty. That’s when I came up with the idea to create my Honeymoon Hair ebook.” Each style in this super-handy digital tome can be adapted to suit and is accompanied with ideas about when to wear and how to accessorise. Available to every bride who feels she might like a little help in creating her own honeymoon-inspired looks, you can download the 20-page ebook now from www.prettypleasebykatie.co.uk SNAP IT UP If you haven’t yet booked your photographer, Matt James Photography is offering 10 per cent off of his wedding packages, including video, second photographer and photo kiosk. The offer applies to weddings held at certain venues only, so get in touch for the full list and find out if you’re eligible for this fab deal. Contact Matt at matt@mattjamesphotography.co.uk or on 07939 041 105. Also check out www.mattjamesphotography.co.uk www.mattjamesphotography.co.uk www.kayy oungphotography.com www.tom jeavonsphotography.co 10