Student Feature—The Bijou Bride
Alexandra Merri aka The Bijou Bride is a creative wedding planner and stylist based in the U.K. Alexandra believes no two couples are the same and therefore no two weddings should be either. Her services offer a bespoke approach to wedding planning that’s tailored to suit each couple’s lifestyle and budget.
What first motivated you to get into wedding planning?
I’ve always been a creative planner, as one of my friend’s put it I “turn everything into an event” from birthday parties to Pancake day. It was whilst working at a major film company organizing premieres, exciting team away days and so on as well as freelance fashion styling that I had that light bulb moment. I realized that there was a career that would allow me to combine both my creative and organizational 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 the QC International Wedding & Event Planning course. Luckily I passed with flying colors and the rest, as they say, is history.
How did you choose QC Event School? What did you like most about your studies?
I researched the most valued, in depth event planning study programs and knew that I needed a flexible course which is what led me to QC. Those messages from my mentor were so much nicer than just a typed email and I felt really supported by the QC team throughout my studies and long after.
You graduated from QC Event School in 2011, how has your career evolved since then?
It hasn’t been easy but then nothing that’s worth striving for is. The real challenge is getting your name known and working out your niche within the industry.
Your website is absolutely beautiful. What inspired the design?
I wanted it to be clean and contemporary, I found that a lot of planning company’s sites were pink and swirly which just isn’t me. Inspiration came from some of my favorite sites like Kate Spade and Topshop I think it’s important to stay true to who you are, your loves and taste.
What came first, the name or the tagline? How did you come to decide on this unique brand identity?
I wanted to find a word that summed up my approach and ‘Bijou’ does just that. By definition it is ‘desirable, fashionable, stylish, chic, sought-after, to die for’ just how a wedding should be. The tagline just came to me; I want all my clients to feel that their wedding day is quintessentially them not a projection of others’ expectations.
We know you must always be juggling a dozen tasks. How do you keep on top of everything?
My Google calendar is invaluable, I log my to do list in 30 minute slots and have it synced with my mobile phone so I never miss a thing.
Wedding trends change every year; what 2014 wedding trend are you most excited to work with?
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.
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve planned to date?
That is a tough one as they are all memorable in their own way. A snowy winter wedding with a James Bond theme and 4 am finish time is probably the quirkiest though.
You’ve been featured in quite a few notable publications and sites. Tell us! What do you see in The Bijou Bride’s future?
This year is my busiest to date for wedding bookings but I’m hoping to take on further branding projects with bridal designers and venues. I love being creative so a variety of projects is never a bad thing.
