Who are you and what do you do?
I am Jodie she/her, mum to 4, ADHDer, and I am an alternative wedding planner
How did you get into this field of work?
I have always enjoyed planning and organising things from a young age (to do lists, yes please!) and planned my own wedding in 2009 and knew this would be something I would like to work towards. I originally designed estate agent brochures in the graphic design industry, which lead me into designing wedding and birthday invites and I fell in love with the wedding industry and started taking courses and learning everything I could.
What makes a wedding alternative?
Having your day completely your way, not how the “rule book” tells you to. Taking out any traditions that make you feel uncomfortable or that either of you dont like and having the day that truly represents you both as a couple.
Why did you choose alternative weddings to focus on?
I started off doing very traditional weddings and found out quite quickly that they weren’t for me and certainly were not my niche, I’ve always been one to not follow the crowd or the latest trend, so it came very naturally to me to do weddings outside the box. I adore colour, the outdoors, the weird and the wonderful, I couldn’t of done anything else.
What does Ella Bella Weddings and events offer and who is it for?
I offer full planning, where I can come in and do absolutely everything for you, from finding your inclusive and accessible suppliers and venue, to set up on the day and take down after the day.
On the month planning where I come and make sure all your hard work runs smoothly and exactly how you want it to.
Guidance planning where I help guide you on anything you are struggling with planning your own day, helping find suppliers or answer any questions.
I am for anyone who wants choice on their wedding day, that doesn’t want to stick to tradition and have the day that is authentically and unapologetically them. The neurospiceys, disabled, the gays and the theys.
I advocate for inclusiveness, diversity and accessibility, so if these are not your values, I am definitely not the one for you.
What are your biggest challenges running this business?
Social media: I have a love/hate relationship with it. It is like a whole other full time job on top of the job I already have… I just want to plan really fun weddings.
Getting the word out there that you do have choice on your wedding day and the diversity in the media its very cis, thin, young and white and we are trying to change that.
What are the common misconceptions you’ve encountered around the service you provide?
That you get my service with a wedding venue and that I’m not needed.
Yes most weddings come with a venue coordinator and there are some venues that do that very well, like having the same person throughout your planning journey, actually being there on the day and setting up and taking down for you. But that doesn’t always happen. Plus once they leave the venue that is where their job stops. I am there for you as a couple, so you have my best interests throughout the whole planning process. I’m there for those 2am wobbles, the guest list the DIY decor. The set up, the moving around the take down and the many many phone calls and questions from suppliers on the day, so you aren’t the go to people and can actually enjoy the day.
What wins have you had as an independent business?
I have smashed so many goals in the five years, like getting my first full plan with my ideal couple and now that’s all the bookings I get. Being in print in Rock n Roll Bride Magazine as ask an expert (lil ol’ me) and having my weddings published. I also now run Quirky Wedding Fayres in the East which runs beautifully alongside my business and I get to meet the coolest wedding suppliers. Being asked to go on podcasts and blogs like this is just so surreal. Empowering couples to have the wedding days they truly want makes me so happy. The ultimate wins for me though are being able to make amazing memories and go on exciting adventures with my family, that was the main goal at the end of the day for all of this, they are my why.
What has running a business taught you about yourself?
That I really can do anything I put my mind too! And it really is all about mindset, I made excuses for years before starting the business with 4 children, two of whom have complex learning difficulties and disabilities. I didn’t think I could possibly make it, but I changed my mindset and said but what if I can and here I am.
What is a mantra you live by?
“Today, not tomorrow”.
Our two children were diagnosed with a life limiting condition in 2013 and they taught me how to live.
How can people get involved or support Ella Bella weddings and events?
Come follow me on instagram @ellabellaweddingsandevents and share the word with your couple friends that you really can have weddings your way and if your friends do come to you with their cool and different ideas dont give your advice on what they should do, be as excited as they are and trust the process, believe me you’ll all have the best day!
How can people find you?
You can find me at ellabellevents.co.uk and social media @ellabellaweddingsandevents
Is there anything you would like to add?
Thank you so much for having me, I absolutely love what you are doing with The Joy Collective and so pleased to be a part of it.
The Joy Of... Collective 
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