Hitched Guest Editor Olivia Bowen Reveals Her Favourite Wedding Vendors
Meet our new Guest Editor, Olivia Bowen! Olivia has been sorting through the Hitched Wedding Award winners to share her editor's picks...
Hitched was a godsend when I was planning my own wedding, I still use it to this day helping friends and family with wedding ideas and suggestions.
Their idea suggestions and vendor database is invaluable, I’m not sure how you could plan your wedding without them, so I’m honoured to be their Guest Editor!
My first job as Guest Editor was to review the winners of the Hitched Wedding Awards 2024 with you, and share my favourites to inspire you as you plan your own weddings.
The Hitched Wedding Awards are given to the most trusted and highly reviewed wedding vendors of the year - it’s based on real reviews from couples who used their services, so who better to judge them?
Read on to discover my top picks!
Wedding Venues
I’ve got two favourite wedding venues when it comes to the award winners…obviously I had to choose my own wedding venue because I am obsessed with it, but there’s another I’ve also got my eye on for when I get round to planning a vow renewal…
1. Gosfield Hall - Essex
This is where Alex and I had our wedding, and I have to say, it’s totally award-worthy. It’s an incredible wedding venue with the most luxurious amenities, and the wedding suite has to be seen to be believed.
If you’re after a luxury wedding venue with royal connections, you need to check out Gosfield Hall (and invite me to your wedding please so I can go back!).
2. Mulberry House
It’s another one in Essex, but who can blame me? Essex is home to some incredible venues. This venue is family owned and operated, and has beautiful grounds, including wishing wells and lakes!
Mulberry House is a boutique hotel with gorgeous original Georgian features and I just keep thinking…it could be a serious contender for my vow renewal!
Wedding Hair & Beauty
Your glam squad is such an important part of your wedding team! All the Hitched Wedding Award winners have had lots of positive reviews from real couples, so you know you’re in good hands. It was hard to pick a favourite!
Bridal Hair by Frankie Calder
Based in Romford, Essex, Bridal Hair by Frankie Calder specialises in bespoke wedding hairstyling.
She says she loves to collaborate with nearlyweds to design a gorgeous hairstyle that’s unique to them in a positive and pampering environment - sounds ideal to me!
Wedding Musicians
There are lots of award-winning wedding musicians to choose from, but this one caught my eye for a specific reason…
Adam on Piano - Essex
I just love the sound of piano music, so the idea of hiring a pianist to play is just dreamy.
Adam on Piano has been doing weddings for over 15 years, and yes, he’s based in Essex but he also travels across the country to play beautiful music at weddings all over!
Wedding Celebrants
I actually love the idea of a wedding celebrant. I do keep saying to Alex that we are definitely going to have a vow renewal, and a celebrant is just perfect for that as you can totally personalise your ceremony.
Anthony Esquire - London
Anthony Esquire is a celebrant and then some - he offers a ‘comprehensive hosting service’ which includes coordination, officiating as a celebrant for your ceremony and acting as a toastmaster to keep everything in check on the day.
Wedding Décor & Styling
The look and feel of your event is such a key component, so by hiring a wedding stylist you can ensure your vision comes to life without any stress on your part.
Amelia Events - Essex
This is a family-run business, operating out of Colchester in Essex!
Amelia Events say they ‘bring your Pinterest dreams to life’ - and let’s be honest, that’s all any of us want when planning a wedding, isn’t it? Their images are just stunning.
Wedding Entertainment
There are so many fun wedding entertainment ideas on Hitched - it was hard to narrow down the award-winning options! But here are my top two…
Singing Waiters UK - Essex
Singing Waiters UK are based in Essex, but cover the whole of the UK.
They’re made up of seriously talented individuals - including West End performers, and singers from UK TV talent shows and international tours. What I love about them is they present as normal waiters, before surprising your guests by bursting into song!
Kirstybowks Bespokes Live Drawings - Essex
Also based in Essex, this wedding entertainment idea really stood out to me as it’s so unique!
Kirstybowks Bespokes Live Drawings will create a beautiful illustration at your wedding in real-time, creating a major talking point on the day, and a keepsake you’ll treasure forever after.
Wedding Catering
Your wedding catering is so important - everyone gets so hungry at a wedding so you need delicious food!
Salters Events - London
This luxury wedding catering company creates mouth-watering menus for discerning nearlyweds across London, Essex and Kent!
Salters Events is a husband and wife team, and they pride themselves on creating beautifully presented dishes with flavours to match. I’m actually getting hungry just thinking about it…
Wedding Florist
I am honestly obsessed with flowers - I spend a fortune on flowers! So I’ve saved the best ‘til last - it’s time to talk wedding flowers!
OMF Events - Kent
This company has a huge portfolio of floral designs, and a team of designers who can bring your wedding vision to life.
I love the idea of just filling a wedding with flowers for a really luxe, opulent feel and I feel like the team at OMF Events could make that happen!
Are any of these vendors on your shortlist? I can’t wait to bring you more content in my next feature as Guest Editor of Hitched, but in the meantime you can see all the award winners here!
