Your Kent Wedding -September/October 2020 (Issue 92)

Catch up on all the latest from around the county Nearlywed NEWS FLORAL REVOLUTION In an age of internet floristry, where florists act as stylists, MDJ Flower Wall Designs has become the latest contemporary floral business to become an influencers’ favourite. Chislehurst’s Monique Dior Jacobs is the visionary behind the brand and specialises in combining traditional flower arrangements and extravagant horticultural trends, influenced by her background in fashion. Following the company’s launch in July 2019, focusing on flower wall hire, Monique realised that the business was seasonal and was soon looking to diversify. Fast forward to 2020, when MDJ was awarded a £2,000 entrepreneur mentoring grant from SJL Insurance, and the brand is now evolving its offerings into balloon and flower installations, as well as unique floral bouquets. Having debuted her first dried flower arrangement in June 2020, Monique says, “I posted it on Instagram and the response I got was phenomenal. I was still hesitant because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, but it did make introducing preserved flowers timely and sustainable.” Stay up to date at www.instagram.com/mdjwalls Gifts for the girls Arian Hare Jewellery brings you brilliantly affordable jewellery – the perfect gifts for your bridesmaids or that finishing touch you’ve been looking for. With most pieces priced between £10 to £50, and carefully selected from reputable British companies, every item is packaged to create something special. The Kent-based company is the latest venture of much-loved wedding industry professional Karina O’Donnell. She tells us, “Having been in retail for many years, I’ve always had an interest in fashion and jewellery. My bridal boutique, Pumpkins and Dragonflies, opened on the high street in 2004 and remained in Folkestone for 10 years. After six successful years as a wedding celebrant following the boutique’s closure, the Covid-19 pandemic meant that 2020 would see me create and present zero weddings for my couples. Thankfully, all have postponed to 2021, but this has left me without work for now. The opportunity arose to set up a retail business again, and Arian Hare was born.” Discover more at www.facebook.com/Arianharejewellery  NEVER TASTED SO GOOD Old Dairy Brewery has raised £630 for the East Kent Hospitals Charity through sales of its new pale ale, Frontline. Paying tribute to the NHS, the brewery launched the special edition beer in March and has been donating 15 pence for every bottle sold. The Helping Your Hospitals appeal was launched to raise funds to support the wellbeing of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of the local communities and businesses, East Kent Hospitals Charity has been able to fund a range of support systems; providing drinks and snacks to teams on the front line, making improvements to showering and changing facilities and implementing training programs to assist with emotional wellbeing. Find out more about the brewery at www.olddairybrewery.com YOUR ESSENTIALS 9