Today we introduce you to the lovely Alexandra of The Bijou Bride……

How did it all start?

I’ve always been a creative planner, as one of my friends put it I “turn everything into an event” from birthday parties to Pancake day.  It was whilst working at a major film company organising premieres, exciting team away days and so on as well as freelance fashion styling that I had that lightbulb moment.  I realised that there was a career that would allow me to combine both my creative and organisational talents – wedding planning.  I had organised my own Midsummer Night’s Dream wedding (my middle name is Titania so needless to say it was a theme) within a 5 month time frame and been assisting various friends when I took the plunge and enrolled in an International Wedding & Event Planning course.  Luckily I passed with flying colours and the rest, as they say, is history.

Do you have a favourite venue?

I love a mixture of venues ‘variety is the spice of life’ after all.  This year I’ll be working in virtually every type of wedding venue from a bare warehouse space to the luxurious surroundings of The Dorchester hotel, each with their own unique challenges.

How would clients describe you? 

Friendly, organised, creative.  One of my recent client testimonials included the line “we really felt as though she was enjoying the planning as much as we were.”  I am so passionate about weddings I can’t help but be excited for all my clients.

Wedding planner/s you admire?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Always Andri on a styled shoot, she has such a calming presence and heaps of great ideas.  And of course like all other planners I admire Mark Niemierko who is always perfectly polished and just so enviable.

How do you unwind?

Reclining on my sofa with a good magazine or book in the presence of lots of candles.

What themes are you working on for 2014? 

I’m lucky to be working with the most amazing clients whose ideas and personalities are all completely different.  This year I have the pleasure of planning an elegant city celebration with deco notes, a contemporary luxe garden party, a laidback reception in a crypt and a festival themed wedding amongst others.

What trends are you seeing? 

There is definitely a move towards toned down and understated styling or as I’ve dubbed it ‘bare naked elegance’ that is reliant on a great setting and good furniture.  Also some micro wedding trends that seem to be on the rise are street food trucks and drink carts, confetti filled balloons and the use of succulents instead of traditional floral arrangements.

What is your signature dish?

I have mastered the art of making my own pasta so from ravioli to papperdelle that’s my dinner party staple.

Whose celebrity wedding (dead or alive) would you love to design?

Ooh such a great question – Nicole Richie’s wedding is still one of my all time faves with that dress, the after party and… an elephant!

Is the job as glamorous as you thought? 

I wasn’t expecting it to be glamourous, creating the magic from behind the scenes never is.  However I do possess lots of fashionable flat shoes and am pretty good at up do’s so my working style could be described as practical glamour.

What is your vice?

Anything with a high sugar content, glitter and sparkle – I must have been a magpie in a previous life!