This week, we chatted with QLD business owner Kirsty Marshall about her wedding planning and styling business, Storybook & Co.
Tell us a bit about your business and your experience in the wedding industry.
Storybook & Co. is a creative design company dedicated to delivering outstanding weddings & events. We are a small team of passionate planners and stylists who work to create beautiful bespoke, well planned and executed events. With meticulous organisation skills and eye for detail, we are the perfect partner in creating the next incredible chapter of your Storybook.
We offer Full & Partial Wedding Planning, Styling and On the Day Coordination to couples.
I have been in the events industry most of my life, working with the Brisbane Convention Centre on charity events and gala balls and so on. I have planned a few weddings for friends when it got to the point where I started to be asked if I would start my own company to display what I can do. So, behold – SB&Co.
What do you do to make your business stand out?
We strive to personalise our service to each couple, everyone is different – from their needs, wants, personalities and their stories. We become such a vital part on the day for our couples, that we love to give back and do the little things for them. Whether that be bringing a bottle of champagne to bridal fittings, or making sure they have their favourite flower or scent there on the day.
How do current couples differ from couples a few years back?
There are so many factors to this question, we’ve evolved in technology, trends, communication, financing and the now various amounts of industry businesses. Current couples have so many options given to them via the likes of Pinterest, Social Platforms and so on that we’re seeing more outside of the box dreams (which I think is AMAZING, btw), but people are building further on the ideas given to them.
That’s not to say that couples a few years ago, didn’t do that – but there were definite limitations to both what was offered in the industry and what is available now.
What are some current trends you are noticing in the wedding industry?
We’re definitely seeing more of your Pantone colour palettes in play, there is a delay in the colours as they slowly come through – but brides are loving the cinderella blue at the moment and not to mention the dusty pink and marsala mix.
We’re seeing more of the geo shapes, the various coloured metals (Copper, Rose Gold, etc), flower installations and so on. The industry is definitely leaning more into the modern boho feel too, with your dried plants/flowers or even the native bouquets, your arbours and the gorgeous tipis!
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned recently that’s helped your business?
Be relatable and personalise things, whilst we’re a company – we are human too. It’s not a job to us, we love doing this and we have a lot of fun doing what we do and getting to know so many different amazing souls in the process!
If you could give one piece of advice to a brand new wedding professional what would it be?
Take your time to ease into your shoes, whilst it may seem like there are SO MANY industry professionals that do what you do, you will find your niche and rhythm. Take the time to understand your clients and make their short time with you an amazing one.
What are your predictions for the wedding industry? What do you think will be the next big thing?
I think your floral installations, these have prominently been foliage heavy in the past and amazing! But I think since the Royal Wedding, there will definitely be more in the way of florals and grand gestures in that sense.
Wedding Venues
Wedding Dresses
