As Featured in vogue

The Wedding Edit May 2020

Pamella Dunn’s enviable style and designs guarantee they are the most sought after UK based, multi award winning, Wedding Planning and Design team. Pamella’s work has been featured within many of the UK’s top bridal magazines, favoured by fashionistas who share their love of travel.

See her events online at  www.pamelladunn.co.uk  and on Instagram @PamellaDunn +44 7900216132

Rihanna

Pamella is an experienced, ambitious and highly respected luxury wedding planner and business coach. Her impressive track record of high end weddings across Yorkshire, the UK, and internationally has seen her receive numerous industry awards, including the much coveted Bridebook UK Wedding Planner of the year.

Having worked and established her business in Yorkshire where she is permanently based, she also has offices in Amsterdam and Lisbon.

During the past 10 years she has worked alongside many of the major hotels, event companies and industry leading vendors. Travelling across Europe, and around the world she is invited to promote venues, luxury brands, and her network of premium contacts is extensive.

Pamella

We know your wedding will stand out from the crowd.

It’s easy to be influenced by brands you admire, Instagram, friends and relatives weddings you have attended, stylists and designers who are leading the way and at the top of their game. There’s rarely an original idea, truly most things have been done, but if you really explore what it is that you are creating with Pamella, what style, vision and personality you’d love to show the world on your magical day – if only you were brave enough! I can guarantee you will have a unique, signature, and beautiful personal wedding to remember. 

Featuring in the Vogue Wedding Edit

As the considerations are seemingly endless the earlier you discuss your plans with a professional the less likely you are to encounter any issues further down the line that were so important to you. These could be COVID-19 restrictions, limited guest numbers, flight and quarantine rules, venue stipulations that don’t allow naked flames or even insist on their own preferred suppliers. We will discuss the potential of crazy weather conditions and the precautions you can take, as well as your timings, the additional costs that squeeze your budget, or noise restrictions that can exclude your favourite band. Saving precious time early in the process could be the best wedding decision you make. 

2020 may not have been the year of the luxury wedding – but we can promise we are planning something very special for 2021 weddings.

Much love for now from all the team at Pamella Dunn Events

xoxo

The Rise Of The OUTDOOR CEREMONY.

Summer wedding flowers, and contemporary acrylic plinths for a beautiful outdoor wedding on the lawn at the breathtaking Yorkshire wedding venue

Holdsworth House.

Caught up in lockdown limitations we are still navigating our way through these exceptional times, but it seemed like the right time to share a common theme running through some of the recent requests that have landed in the inbox, and our latest advice on weddings as we live and work through the Covid-19 pandemic.

White wooden chairs and fabulous wedding florals.

Now more than ever planning for a celebration is something we are all looking forward to. Weddings, parties, ceremonies and events will all return, but they may not look like they used to do for quite sometime.

Huge flower balls by the incredibly talented River & Rose, line the aisle before taking centre stage as the wedding breakfast centrepieces.

How we envisage the future is very personal, and how we plan for a scaled back socially distant wedding will be one persons idea of the perfect day and another’s ultimate horror. We know you need vision and guidance to create events of the future, that you’ll be looking for the lead from your guests and your venue, and as we live in a constantly changing era we will continue to be a trusted space where you can turn for help and our thoughts on the current situation.

A handmade, exquisite English Country Garden wedding cake by Pretty Sugar Cake Company

As you can imagine we have quite a few questions for the government, such as, will there be a change in the laws, will the option to get married anywhere – as you currently can in Scotland – be introduced in Britain. This would be a welcome boost for the industry, whilst offering scope for couples to get married in their own garden, on a lake, or at a favourite beauty spot for instance.

Huge pink roses, and white pom poms of hydrangeas, paired with soft foliage are a winning combination for outdoor ceremonies.

Unsurprisingly the outdoor ceremony and wedding party are rising in popularity. A trend influenced by oversees weddings where tropical vibes and wall to wall sunshine are highly likely; always the ultimate appeal. And although we have seen UK venues adapt and compete over recent years, now is really the time for wedding venues to seduce us with their outdoor facilities to meet predicted demand.

Quiet alone time for the couple on the day is precious, scheduling portrait shots creates this perfect time – Emily shone in this incredible gown from the fabulous Dotty Bridal

Of course nothing could prepare any of us for the devastation Coronavirus has had if your wedding was planned for 2020, but the excitement landing in our inbox is helping us all look forward to creating extra special luxury outdoor weddings.

Gabriella wrote to us recently to ask ….

‘We’ve decided to postpone our wedding until next year and we are now looking to tie the knot at a woodland ceremony with an outdoor reception to follow. We’d like your help and guidance as we don’t really know where to start in terms of what we’ll need, how social distancing and guest numbers may impact our choices, and the challenges of outdoor events. Could we possibly discuss a checklist and ideas of things that are commonly overlooked when it comes to outdoor celebrations?”

So what flowers to have – we’ll work with you to design every detail of your wedding.

As outdoor ceremonies and receptions become more and more popular your choice of venue and location will come first. We will take advice on numbers and restrictions as lockdown eases, and follow closely government guidance, keeping you informed. We can tell you that it’s worth considering the logistics first, as well as checking you can come in on budget, all whilst keeping your friends and family happy and safe on the day.

Our top eleven questions are:

• do you need water, and electric
• is there enough space for you to hire in a large tent or marquee as a wet weather contingency and for catering for your guest numbers
• how many days will you have the venue or location available for set up and take down
• is the ground level
• is access and parking sufficient
• will you need to hire in bathroom and toilet facilities
• will your tables and chairs stand up to being positioned directly on the ground
• will your plan B cover hot as well as rainy weather, and possibly high winds, meeting the latest relevant government requirements
• will you require wedding professionals for set up and on the day management – On The Day Coordination is key to a stress free event –
• will your wedding vendors be required to wear PPE
• will you have mobile and internet reception

Beautiful bridal portraits are treasured lasting memories for generations to come.

Remembering your Plan B will need to consider all weather conditions and cover, permitted outdoor structures, access, food, flowers, decorations, photography, live music and entertainment. And whilst in the UK we often worry about the rain, if the sun is shining and temperatures rise this comes with its own challenges. With keeping drinks cold being the biggest, but wilting flowers and buzzy bees can also be a problem. Think footwear too, and practice your walk up the aisle. 

A seamless outdoor wedding anticipates all eventualities and takes months of careful planning. Take advice from a professional wedding planner and get your figures together before you book to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Your wedding is about doing things your way.

I believe there’s much awaited good news on the horizon for couples planning to marry in 2021 and beyond. Nothing elicits love and laughter, and treasured memory making like a family wedding, and it seems fitting following these unstable times. We live in hope that deliciously fabulous and glamorous celebrations are not too far off.

Stay safe, be kind, and do get in touch with your wedding questions

Pamella xxx

Natural, authentic wedding photography by the undeniably talented Amanda at Cream Photography

Luxury Wedding Planner – Pamella Dunn

Interviewed by Love Me In Italy following one of the press tours of this beautiful wedding destination, Pamella shares some of her luxury wedding planning secrets, and her love of the industry and Italy.

Luxury Weddings Planned Across The Globe

1. Pamella, you are one of the most esteemed International Wedding Planners. How many years have you been a Wedding Planner? What made you enter this field? Tell us your story briefly.

The wedding design and planning business was founded in 2010 following a senior management corporate career. Not what you might expect, but in part my role involved planning and hosting events from conferences to team building and recruitment days. So with an extensive network of contacts, venues, and experience the transition into the romantic world of weddings was a dream. The creative design process in an exciting environment was a huge attraction too. I absolutely adore flowers, and our weddings nearly always feature fabulous floral installations. But it is the love stories that really got me hooked. I never tire of hearing the personal story behind every couples wedding plans. 

Getting Married In Italy – The Love Story

2) I know you recently won the Best Luxury Destination Award … Tell us about the emotions you experienced.

To be recognised as a leader in the luxury wedding market was incredible. To be considered as an international expert was unbelievable. We work hard to deliver exceptional weddings across the globe, I am still so grateful and hugely honoured to receive such a prestigious award. Without the fantastic team, network of first class suppliers, our wonderful clients and their heartfelt feedback, and reviews we really wouldn’t be where we are today.

3) So many people would like to be Luxury Wedding Planners, but it is not a job for everyone. What are the main qualities you need to become a perfect Wedding Planner in your opinion?

It really is a dream job, but it takes hard work, organisation, exceptional administration, as well as good listening and communication skills to deliver a 5 star wedding. You have to remain calm working under pressure, have genuine warmth, and really good people skills, with a passion and thirst for creative design. And not forgetting a flexible approach to work – it is a must in the events industry!

Tuscany

4) You organise weddings all over the world and in Italy too. Which are your favourite Italian wedding destinations and the most sought-after ones? And what do clients look for when they decide to get married in Italy?

I love to travel and one of the joys of the business is being able to work anywhere in the world. Outdoor weddings are my favourite, and I love the experience of dining outside, so anywhere where the sun is shining is a dream destination. Italy is stunning, a truly beautiful location, and definitely in the top 5 most sought after for destination weddings.

The incredible history, coastline, lakes, countryside, villas, castles, palaces, and luxurious private estates all mean that Italy can deliver almost any client venue request. The weather, fine dining and romantic charm are all added bonuses, making our job so much easier. To be able to offer a wide range of options and guarantee exceptional service is something we value, and Italy has it all. Exploring venue options with clients looking for rustic charm Tuscany and Puglia tick all the boxes, with Rome the go to for city chic, high fashion brides and grooms.

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Italian Lakes are sprinkled with pretty villages, gardens, olive groves and favoured by Hollywood A-listers for the array of exclusive luxury masserias, charming private villas, and historic period houses. But it is Liguria and the Italian Riviera that have stolen our hearts. As we were introduced to some of the fabulous locations, and experienced the character and charm of the crescent shaped region we held our breathe at every turn. The Mediterranean Sea laps the shores of this picturesque region in Santa Margherita Ligure where we discovered Villa Durazzo, set in manicured parkland this former family residence is a truly authentic Italian wedding venue. Moving on we made our way along the stunning coastline, and as the magical setting of Portofino was revealed we knew we where in for a treat. Sat high above this pretty village with is colourfully painted houses is the imposing Castello Brown, a unique historic venue with breathtaking views of the harbour and villas of the international jet-set.

Lake Como, Italy

This region has so much to offer and we can’t wait to introduce our clients to some of the most exquisite wedding venues in the world.

5) Considering your participation in the Press Tour of Liguria, what do you think about this experience? Do you consider proposing it as wedding destination to your future clients?

Without hesitation we are in love with Italy as a superior destination wedding location. The tour and having personal experience of visiting the Liguria region gave me an unparalleled insight that you really cannot achieve searching on the internet. Speaking confidently to clients, sharing first hand knowledge of the area, and all it has to offer has been invaluable.

6) Do you have dreams for the future or new projects you are working on?

We have recently launched a new dream website, and two new European offices in Amsterdam and Lisbon which is ridiculously exciting. There’s ambitious new projects planned for 2019, which will include working with carefully selected partners across the world to offer consultancy and wedding design to their clients. As well as taking our My Wedding Business Training Program on the road again. Following this years retreat where we visited the incredible flower fields of  Fam Flower Farm we will continue with plans to host workshops and retreats for wedding businesses across the globe.

Next Year will also see the launch of a joint venture with business partner Joanne Penney of JP Events. The Wedding Business Agency is an exclusive concierge wedding planning service, and agency for premium wedding venues and vendors. The platform will share our little black book of trusted suppliers, and showcase bespoke packages with our partnered venues here in the UK and across the globe. As usual PD HQ is buzzing with activity and of course we hope to be back in Italy very soon. 

Pamella xoxo