Pretty Parties: Limelight Wedding Emporium

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Today we’ve managed to pin down the lovely and effervescent Bev Linfoot, Co-Founder of Limelight Wedding Emporium, to chat all things blush-toned, blossom-petalled and yes, even Bridgerton…

UNVEILED Network Members Bev and her daughter Abbey have created nothing short of an empire with Limelight Wedding Emporium, taking strides from classic cars to whole trees, adding a touch of creative flair and some business savvy to create the veritable Aladdin’s cave you need on hand for your big day.

We’ve been finding out how it all began, how it’s going and what’s next for the mother and daughter duo. We’re asking all the questions you didn’t know you needed answering and getting the insider intel on hot topics such as the on-trend styles and palettes for 2021 and beyond, how Bev reckons Bridgerton is going to have an impact on weddings, and why it’s so important to have a pro on hand to bring your “champagne taste” vision to life while keeping things realistic and stress-free at such a crazy time.

Limelight are also now offering Brides Up North and UNVEILED readers a little free gift with your booking! Read on for details of this little treat and more below…

Images supplied by Limelight Wedding Emporium and with thanks to Joe Dodsworth Photography, Daniel Urben Photography, Samantha Ward Photography, Ginger Beard Weddings & Javan Liam.

Briefly introduce yourself and your business?

I am Bev, and along with my daughter Abbey, we run the York-based venue décor and classic car business, Limelight Wedding Emporium. We provide a range of large and small venue decor items such as blossom, wisteria and maple trees, along with neon signs, “LOVE” letters, and table adornment. We also own a fleet of classic wedding cars, including a fully refurbished VW split screen camper, a 1967 Morris Minor Convertible, a 1930s vintage-style Beauford, and a 1968 MKII Jaguar.

Where did your passion for styling come from, and how did you turn this into a career?

I think it’s no secret that both Abbey and I love a good party! Whether a private family event that we host for ourselves, or a larger wedding for others, we absolutely love the joy it brings to people!

We really got our teeth into the creative side of weddings when Abbey was getting married back in 2013. She was based in Dubai at the time, so relied on me a lot to be her “boots on the ground” when it came to viewing, booking and styling her venue. I absolutely loved the planning and décor process, so I completely threw myself into it when my second daughter, Becki, got engaged in 2017. She loved the floral trend of “bringing the outdoors in” with all the large blossom trees and flower walls, so I decided to take a deep dive and buy a few sets myself. We had already been running Limelight Wedding Cars for a few years, so that gave me the confidence to proceed. Within a few months the trees were out-performing the cars in terms of bookings, and Limelight Wedding Trees literally blossomed from there!

Abbey comes from a creative background having worked in branding, events and PR early in her career. She slotted into the business perfectly when we decided to merge Limelight Wedding Cars and Limelight Wedding Trees into Limelight Wedding Emporium in 2018. With a keen creative eye, she and I have really been able to take the business to the next level in the last couple of years, and we really can’t wait to roll out the next phase of the business!

What are the main benefits of hiring an event stylist?

For us it’s always been about helping our couples achieve a wow factor without breaking the bank. We are definitely the “champagne taste on a beer budget” type of people and we bring this into every aspect of Limelight Wedding Emporium. Our venue décor items can literally transform a room from a modest space to an unforgettably glam setting with minimal effort or cost for the bride and groom.

Of course we realize that decorating a venue is half of the fun when it comes to the big day, and we’re always thrilled to work alongside couples in the months and hours running up to their wedding to ensure their exact vision is brought to life. It’s a lovely feeling to help facilitate weddings, while also relieving any worries the couples may have when it comes to getting the decoration perfect.

In what ways can you assist couples?

Couples usually reach out via email or social media to check prices and availability for our larger items such as the blossom trees or Rebecca arch. Around that we start to work out their vision for the day, and what other items we can provide to help complement this. We cover York and its immediate areas, so we know most venues intimately. We’re therefore able to advise on what items look good where in the different array of venues that we’re lucky to have so close.

If we’re being booked for an unfamiliar venue then we usually do a recce to take a look at the space, check that the desired items will fit, and meet the bride and groom to have a chat and a cuppa. From there we remain on hand up until the big day when we’ll do the set-up. Depending on the venue we’ll either be there the day before to ensure everything is prepped and ready, or early morning on the big day itself, before the tables are set. All pieces are left overnight (unless otherwise stated by the venue), and we love popping by the following day to collect and hear about all the fun!

Do you have a signature style?

I’d say our signature style is floral chic. Our trees, flower wall and Rebecca Arch all bring an element of beauty into any space, and in this regard we are quite traditional in terms of offering clean, prim ivory weddings. However, we do offer a distinct twist within this classic style with our varying colour schemes and lighting. For example, our red maple and green olive trees look absolutely incredible in rustic settings, while our neon signs add a side of modern charm to literally any space. Our reclaimed carnival-light “LOVE” letters and pallet hearts are also great for turning up the party vibe.

What colours and themes are popular with couples at the moment?

Soft blush colours remain very popular right now, with dusty pink chair sashes offering a delicate touch to ceremony and reception rooms. Alongside this we’re also seeing bright pops of colour being added for a twist of fun. Our hot pink “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” neon remains a popular addition to top tables, while a smattering of brightly coloured candles and flowers complement the softer blush hues.

In addition to this – having really rather gotten into the Netflix drama, Bridgerton – we’re also very excited at the prospect of the regency theme taking off! Think large-scale sweeping floral flourishes and fairytale frills, accompanied by grand cakes, beautiful gowns, and string quartets in beautiful settings!

How do you ensure that the weddings you style are unique to each couple?

Our belief is that every couple is unique and therefore every wedding is unique. Because of this it is important that we get to know our couples through a mix of phone and in-person consultations to really understand their vision for the big day. We love it when they’re able to show us images and mood boards, in addition to us performing venue visits and styling invites so they can see some of our items in-person.

Quite often couples come to us with lots of ideas, and it’s about zoning in on what will work best within their budget and the space available at their venue. Other times couples like a bit of direction in terms of finding items that complement not only their overall wedding theme, but their individual character too. We’re often blown away by their creativity and this is really part of the fun as ideas and styling opportunities bounce around and evolve!

What are the key skills you bring to your role?

Anyone who knows me will say I’m a bit of an extrovert. I love being around people and I like to think that this brings an element of ease when coordinating with couples. Because of this I’m also always on hand for any questions, queries or worries that our couples might have. I am very much at the forefront of business operations, and I love to get involved in wedding fairs, photoshoots and basically any opportunities where I can meet couples or other wedding creatives to have a nice good natter!

Abbey, on the other hand, is a little more behind-the-scenes. She loves nothing more than sitting away in a quiet space with her Limelight laptop and a nice cup of tea. Being from a branding and PR background, she is very good at planning and handling the creative aspects of Limelight. Be that overseeing our initial brand overhaul, to creating social media content, or keeping an eye on new and emerging trends that we can get our teeth into…she is the one that keeps Limelight looking forward, while I keep things moving forward. I believe our complementing skills have been fundamental in achieving the success that Limelight has seen so far!

What’s the process for couples that are working with you?

Our couples come to us through numerous different channels. Usually it was wedding fairs, but 2020 definitely saw a large rise in website and social media enquiries. This is great because it gives couples the opportunity to scroll and take a look at the many items we have on offer. Because of this they usually come to us with set items in mind, and once their date and venue location is shared, we can advise on complementing items, colours, cost and setup from there.

We require a £25 deposit upon booking, with the remainder of the fee payable the month of the wedding. In between this period we’re on hand to make any changes to the booking such as adding or removing items until the final fee is paid. We’ll then coordinate with couples as their date approaches to schedule setup timings in line with the availability of their venue. Often we’ll get to see the bride and groom if setting up a day or so ahead, but it’s also common to be setting up on the morning of the wedding when everyone is getting ready, in which case we’re able to coordinate directly with the venue manager overseeing the day.

What are your top three tips for couples when planning their wedding day style?

First of all, I’d say go to wedding fairs! They’re such good opportunities to meet different wedding creatives, see items up close, be inspired by spaces and colour themes, and most importantly – get ridiculously excited about your big day!

Second, follow your gut. Choose a team of wedding suppliers that you get good vibes from. Bright, bubbly people, who are honest and open with their communication can make the difference between a stressful planning process, and a fun one which you’ll want to do all over again! Whether they be stylists, photographers, caterers, entertainers, choose a team that is going to listen to you and be on hand every step of the way to ensure the day goes off without a hitch!

Third, I’d say, it’s ok to be flexible with your planning process! Yes, get your suppliers booked in advance, but if you suddenly decide to change your colour theme or opt to add or remove venue décor items, don’t worry – it’s all part of the process, and the fun! Limelight, along with many other suppliers, are completely flexible where we can be in terms of – for example – changing from ivory blossom to pink blossom, or chair sashes from green to blue. It doesn’t matter, so long as communication remains open, clear and things work right for you.

And your three no-no’s?

As stated above, while it’s ok to be flexible with the planning process, don’t leave the actual booking too late. Diaries are usually filled out at least a year in advance, with spring and summer slots being the most popular. If you find a supplier that you love, get them penciled in as soon as possible. The rest can follow from there.

Second, when it comes to booking many of our larger items, it’s important to be realistic about space. We’ve found that certain venues don’t have high enough ceilings to fit our 11ft canopy trees. There are also certain instances where larger items can just look overwhelming and squashed. In this case it’s important to check any concerns you might have with your supplier so they can advise, or have a trip out to measure the space for themselves.

Thirdly, in line with the previous point, don’t go overboard! We realize that weddings need to be picture-perfect, but sometimes less is more in terms of functionality for your guests (and photographer!) There is also an element of safety, should large venue décor items be blocking walkways, doors or even seating arrangements. Again in this scenario it’s important to coordinate with your supplier and venue so a styling plan can be made that brings your vision to life, but in a safe and realistic manner.

What trends do you see emerging in weddings in the coming year and beyond?

We’re witnessing a shift towards more outdoor-centric weddings, with ceremonies and receptions taking place outside (weather permitting). Whether it be a venue with ample outdoor space, a private garden, or an alternative spot such as a field or a campsite, couples are getting more and more creative as they step away from traditional spaces.

We’re absolutely loving the idea of fun outdoor “chill” spaces adorned with sofas, rugs, lampshades, and poufs. They act as fantastic photo opportunities while allowing a more relaxed feel to the day. We recently previewed our new Bell Tent, and our inbox exploded with enquiries as couples increasingly explore the prospect of more intimate occasions – pandemic or not! Casual grazing tables, outdoor heating & lighting, chilled acoustic entertainment, and affordable shelters are all things we expect to see more of over the next couple of years as a new-breed of relaxed weddings come into their own following the events of 2020.

Is there a special discount that you’d like to offer to our readers and details of how to redeem this?

We automatically offer a 50% discount on any additional item once a statement piece has been booked (excluding cars and chair sashes). In addition to this, we’d love to offer Brides Up North readers complimentary use of either our rustic wooden or chic white postbox to pop on their gift table.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about?

We love getting our styling heads on and are always thrilled to talk. Don’t be afraid to ask – if we can’t do something then chances are we know another creative supplier who can. Collaborating with other suppliers is so beneficial and can really help put that extra bit of wow into your big day!

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