Supplier Focus: FE Event Services

Here at Whitewed, we love seeing businesses grow, and we are lucky to have so many talented and ambitious business owners on our directory. 

This month we asked Faye Hughes, newly Whitewed approved and top planner of Faye Elizabeth Event Services more about how she has grown her business.  

Faye has the rare combination of being a real creative AND a super planner to boot, and as a result she has a very successful event planning and co-ordination business that offers true support to her clients whilst never taking over.  

Here she shares how and why she started her business, what challenges she has faced and how her personal wedding experience has enabled her to really empathise with her clients, and how 'never make enemies' is the best bit of advice she's ever been given...

Tell us about Faye Elizabeth Event Services, the planner behind it and what you offer...

Why did you start your business?

I wanted to tie together my creative event design experience and my strongest personality trait of being a hopeless romantic! I felt that so many couples were terrified by how vast the local wedding industry is so I wanted to offer some support and reassurance to encourage couples to actually enjoy their wedding planning.

What was your light bulb moment when you decided to start up?

Not calling myself a planner, instead a coordinator. It's amazing how different terminology attracts different people and I never wanted people to feel that I was going to do everything for them and take their planning away from them. I simply want to help couples bring their ideas to fruition with them... DIY brides don't want to hand over control but they don't want to do everything themselves!

What made you take the plunge and go for it?

Honestly - because I was made redundant from a venue design company! But I am so pleased I took the leap because it's been completely life changing. I have made friends for life in some of my couples and weddings really are the centre of my universe (after my husband, of course!)

What have you loved so far?

Everything! I love meeting couples, sharing their experiences and ideas. I love giving them confidence when they've lost their vision and most of all, I love bringing together my favourite suppliers. Our industry is one of a kind and there is nothing better than a supplier arriving onsite who you truly trust and admire as a professional.

What challenges have you faced that you weren’t expecting? How have you overcome them?

Well the most obvious and relevant challenge is Covid-19. All but one of my clients for this year have postponed to next so I've been prioritising helping them stay excited for their wedding! It's easy to lose faith as a couple and forget what all the stress is for, but having had my own wedding affected by the pandemic I've been able to completely empathise and provide a shoulder to cry on!

My other big challenge was the first year, establishing a client base without a product to 'sell' was hard, it's all about word of mouth recommendations but that's tricky when you start out. I was so lucky to have great friendships in the industry and lots of people who championed my services. It's also so important not to lose confidence. If you have found a gap in the industry, believe in yourself!

Has there been anything that you were expecting to find tough but it’s not been that bad?

I have definitely always been scared of the 'off season', this is partly from a business/financial perspective but mainly because of my mental health. For those of us who spend the summers running around from venue to marquee with huge adrenalin rushes every week the peace and quiet of the winter is daunting. But again, with the support of industry friends each winter I find myself enjoying cosy nights in with mulled wine and planning exciting projects for the next wedding season!

A little birdie tells me that you managed to get married before the lockdown, what learnings did you take from planning your own wedding to planning your clients weddings?

I did indeed! It certainly wasn't what we had planned as we were limited to 5 people in the church but I found it so important to take my own advice and not lose site of why Adam and I had chosen to say 'I will'! The main learning was about being adaptable and thinking of others. I always try to protect my clients from the tricky changes and last minute decisions by handling everything myself but when you are the bride or groom you have to think about so many other people, rather than just seeing the decision from a practical perspective. Our planning and our changes have definitely helped me empathise with couples but also with the people around them. I have had some very honest conversations with my family and friends about how certain decisions we made impacted them (both positively and constructively!), and this definitely gives me a wider outlook for my couples and their guests.

How have you expanded from your original planning offering and why?

Over lockdown I decided to qualify as a professional independent celebrant. In my school years I always had a love of performing arts and really enjoyed script writing. This seemed like the perfect next step to my services and since qualifying I have found it so exciting how many people are interested in planning support and celebrant services together. It's perfect as it gives me the opportunity to really build a relationship with couples so they are really comfortable with having me around and sharing their story with me! I'm very excited for marrying these services together!

Who cheers you on?

I have a wonderful Husband (still find it very odd saying that!), a very supportive family and great friends. Some of my closest friends (shout out to Whitewed Directory member Blooms by Charlotte) also work in the industry which really helps them to understand me and my work schedule. My parents are the best cheerleaders I could have, never afraid to spend a Saturday morning shopping for event kit box essentials or inviting me for Sunday lunch after a long weekend on site. I couldn't do my job without Adam and my family - they are definitely my tribe!

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

It won't surprise those who know me that I always wanted to be on the stage. A bit of a drama queen and as a child a little bit attention seeking! I'd like to think these traits have subsided over the years!

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Never make enemies! This might seem obvious but it is so important to have professional integrity. You won't always become best friends with your couples suppliers but respect and kindness go so far and you never know when you might need someone to jump in and help you.

In your day to day role, what can’t you live without?

My clipboard! Anyone who works on site with me laughs at how attached I am to it but having my schedule with me is so important. I have to be present in the activity that it taking place, tidying up from the previous one and planning for the next... it stops me feeling overwhelmed and it's always satisfying to tick something off!

What’s next for Faye Elizabeth Event Services?

eeeeeeek! I haven't mentioned anything about this yet but I will be starting a product line! I've always wanted to have something tangible to provide for couples so I am very excited for this next venture. It's going to be a perfect add-on to my current services so keep an eye out on my socials for the launch!

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It's been a delight to learn more about you and your business Faye, thank you for sharing your story so far with us.  Becoming an independent celebrant is such a brilliant move as we just know that you'll be exceptional at this, and we so look forward to seeing your product line on launch!  We will enjoy following your continued success!

From the Team at Whitewed

Photographer credits: Dan Morris Photography, Big Eye Photography