Victoria Joanne - Weddings and Events

27/06/2022

My ‘office’ for the next two days.

24/05/2022

A wonderful alternative to your traditional sponge or fruitcake - lovely strong cheese!

Accompany with fresh & dried fruits, crackers, breads, chutneys.

Ask your venue if it’s ok to bring in your own cheese or if they can provide. Some can also provide the accompaniments for a small cost per head.

01/04/2022

Beautiful beach front table set up.

This was a first look practise set up for a gorgeous couple in Paphos last weekend.

Olive greens with natural wood with a touch of blush.

20/01/2022

Sergeant’s and Warrant Officer’s Christmas ball

11/12/21

Felt very privileged to be asked to design this event.

Black & gold with lots of candle light.
Stunning venue overlooking the sea.

13/12/2021

Warrant Officer and Sergeants Mess Ball.

Lebay Hotel Larnaca, Cyprus - 11/12/2021

Black and gold theme. With lots of candle light 😊

It’s great to be planning and designing events again after all this time.

18/08/2021

It’s wonderful being back in an office planning events after such a long time.

Watch this space 🥂☕️

27/06/2021

Looking for that perfect, unforgettable venue?
We can help with our stress free venue finding service! We cover the UK and Cyprus but also have contacts in Italy, France, The States and the Greek Islands.



Casale Panayiotis Spa Hotel Troodos Cyprus

22/04/2021

Hosting eco-friendly events is always at the top of my agenda, and it should be a feature in all events IMO....

Take a read of the below for some inspired venue ideas.

From wildflower meadows and working farms to inner-city gems, each of these eco-friendly wedding venues have a shared agenda - to protect the planet and give you the big day of your dreams.

17/03/2021

One of the highlights of being in the wedding and events industry is networking with other suppliers. As I’m in Cyprus currently, I have been visiting and speaking to lots of wonderfully talented local suppliers who have either worked on the island or have worked in both Cyprus and the UK - having a great understanding of both markets.

Today I met with the lovely Anna from Harcourt Flowers. Anna and I share a similar vision - bespoke and personal wedding design tailored specifically to the clients preference. A package definitely serves a purpose, but if you want flowers that your personality and uniqueness shine through then Anna is your girl. I can’t wait to work with her ❤️ 💐 👰🏻 🎩

www.harcourtflowers.com

08/03/2021

Some days are better than others, but it’s about the journey, not the destination.

International Women’s Day.
8th March 2021

18/02/2021

During my time on the east coast of Cyprus, I have begun a collaboration with a collection of local suppliers and venues so I can offer my services as a destination wedding and event planner.

I will continue to be a UK based company, helping couples plan their weddings in the South West and London, but I can also assist those who dream of tying the knot on the Island of Love.

Currently, I will exclusively cover the Famagusta district, which includes some of the most beatiful locations on the Island; Sotira, Ayia Thekla, Protaras, Ayia Napa and Cape Greco.

2021 has unfortunately seen many couples having to reschedule due to travel and event restrictions, but if you are a couple who has recently got engaged and unsure of where to start please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Photo Credit Christine Constantine Photography on Cape Greco

17/02/2021

I have been invited to talk to Rob and Selina from Interrupt the Routine ( ) on their podcast this afternoon. I must admit I am very excited but also extremely honoured that they think my story is worth talking about! It will be in the capacity of military wife, which is the other very BIG hat I wear.
I am fortunate to call Rob a great friend as well as knowing him in a professional way. He and the team at ITR are exceptionally talented and create some amazing events. I have worked alongside them a few times now and I cannot recommend them enough.
If you fancy a listen to the podcast I’ll post the link on my feed once it is ready.

INTERRUPT THE ROUTINE is home of bespoke Corporate & Private entertainment. They create and deliver quality virtual and live entertainment for your events: Virtual quizzes, virtual cocktail hours, virtual wine tastings, virtual murder mysteries & their absolutely incredible 5-star reviewed vintage, radio-comedy adventures “The Gin Chronicles”.

www.interrupttheroutine.co.uk Interrupt the Routine

11/02/2021

Lots of exciting things happening behind the scenes at Victoria Joanne Weddings and Events.

I have decided to utilise my time on the east coast of Cyprus by getting to know local suppliers and scoping out breathtaking venues and so far, as predicted, the island does not disappoint.

Tomorrow I am heading out to Sotira, a stunning beach province about 5km from Ayia Napa to meet the mayor.
Sotira's beach at Ayia Thekla has been awarded a blue flag and is perfectly located in relation to local wedding venues. One that I am really looking forward to visiting is the Ayia Thekla church, proudly perched on a small cliff looking out to the glorious Mediterranean. Both compliment each other perfectly, don't you think?

07/02/2021

Planning a wedding during a pandemic has thrown many spanners into many workings of many couples. There’s being unsure if you should move your date; a lockdown announcement stealing away your big day; juggling suppliers and deposits; scouring contracts from back to front and realising how much money you are going to lose; calling your insurers to be told that your one last financial lifeline is as useful as a chocolate fireman.

It’s not just couples who have lost out either, this pandemic has cost the UK wedding industry an estimated £4.7 billion during high season of 2020 plus around £500 million in December alone. Madness.

I am not posting this from just a planners point of view, but from a bride also trying to plan. You are not alone sisters and brothers!
My wedding was booked in South Africa last October, then moved to October 2021. Covid has now introduced its ugly South African cousin which will mean another probable cancellation... how blooming wonderful. Amongst all this ‘kak’ I have decided what we need to do is look at the bigger picture rather than stress at all the up hill upheavals mentioned above. This has made each step a little bearable; that and always remembering my ‘why’:

‘Why’ I am planning my wedding in the first place, and
‘Why’ I decided to start out in my own as a wedding planner in 2020 during a pandemic. Love a challenge me!

These were all very easy to answer but can be forgotten quickly when we are faced with struggle after struggle.
Sometimes we need to just stop - take a breath and remind ourselves of our why. Write it down in your planners, diaries, notebooks, white boards, bathroom mirrors. Heck shave it into your partners head. I promise you that whatever your ‘why’ is, it will provide a little bit of much needed clarity in this foggy, old, smelly rain cloud we now know and loath as Covid-19.

26/01/2021

VENUES - I see loads of newly engaged couples discussing venues and how overwhelming it can be. Let me give you a few initial points when choosing a venue for your big day, starting with the all important...

💰 BUDGET - budget is something to focus on when deciding on a venue. In the U.K a venue costs on average between £4k- £6k with it usually being the most expensive item on your budget list. You can find some for less and for a lot lot more.

📅 AVAILABILITY - when you have found a venue you like, call them straight away and enquire about their availability. A good budget tip is if you’re not too bothered about the day or time of year then enquire about something midweek and out of high season. Requesting a less popular date will see the ££££’s drop.

👁 BOOK A VIEWING - get in and see the place. Contact the venue’s event planner and arrange for a viewing and an initial chat. If you want a large reception you’ll soon see if the venue can accommodate, but if you want intimate then you can see if you and your guests will get lost in the space. Also - always ask about accessibility if you have any disabled or elderly guests hoping to attend.

📦 WHAT’S INCLUDED - check what you get when you book that venue. Chairs, tables and linen usually comes as standard with most venues, although dry hire venues are another ball game entirely (think blank canvas where you have to arrange everything - happy to advise on this if you want to drop me a message). The last thing you want to be doing is lifting and loading from a lorry in your freshly steamed garms.

I have lots more advice concerning choice of venue. Contact me on here or via my email found at the top of this page if you’re feeling a bit stuck, always happy to help❤️

21/01/2021

to a classy London pub wedding taken in Smithfield, London.

I always thoroughly enjoyed an event at St Bart’s Brewery. The clients were always after one thing - laidback fun with a twist. Which is easily achieved in such an industrial and eclectic venue right in the heart of the city, next to Smithfield market and St Paul’s (Cue incredible photos).

Tight load in schedule and even tighter turn arounds, city pub events aren’t always the easiest to execute, but this is always out weighed by a buzzing atmosphere, delicious English grub paired with an array of boozy delights, late curfews (usually -
Check the T’s & C’s) and an abundance of talented local suppliers of course.

📋 Victoria Phipps (before I became
🏠
📷

20/01/2021

Let’s talk elopement....

Many engaged couples are discussing elopement as an option for their wedding day ever since Covid 19 arrived and virused all over the place. This does solve the limited guest list issue (or is this an excuse to keep that creepy uncle away? I won’t tell if you don’t). There are so many options surrounding elopements, so if you are considering it, I have included a few tips below to get you started.

📋 Hire a planner... I may know someone.
❤️ Make the process and the day ALL about the both of you.
🗣 Inform someone of your plans: A close friend or family member you trust, you will want to talk about it. Oh and promise to lose the guilt of not having a guest list. Just do it.
💰 Find a value for money package. There are so many exquisite venues that look after everything for you from venue hire to hair and makeup, flights to festoons.
⏰ Book a few days off before and after the big day, unless you decided to elope abroad then you could combine a holiday and/or a honeymoon. Win win!
📷 Book a photographer. You will regret not capturing the moment you said ‘I do’ to one another. If budget doesn’t stretch then ask an invited friend to capture the memories.
🤑 Don’t expect everything to be cheap but by all means DON’T limit yourself either. You saved money for a reason to spend spend spend - on all the good stuff.

👗 Last but not least.... wear the dress 😘 you will regret it if you don’t.

19/01/2021

I have just set up the Victoria Joanne Instagram account! Please pop on over and follow me ❤

It's not the best at the minute, but will be updating from (not so) sunny Cyprus most days!

03/01/2021

Let’s hope for a better 2021 for the events industry. I’m hopeful it will be fab - although it is still very hard for newly engaged couples to plan for this year as we are still experiencing very tight restrictions.

If you or anyone you know would like some free advice about how to create a memorable wedding please give me a shout. I can help with some wonderful intimate ideas, whatever your situation or budget. I also have an exceptional list of suppliers that are bursting with experience.

20/12/2020

I have now registered on https://britishforcesdiscounts.co.uk offering 15% military discount to all service personnel.

I am also featured on https://www.healthstaffdiscounts.co.uk also offering 15% discount to all NHS staff too.

Please get in touch if you would like to chat about your UK or destination wedding. I have been working on my intimate wedding portfolio of suppliers as Covid19 is deciding to stick around for a while longer.

Over 30,000 exclusive NHS Discounts offered by businesses around the UK.

25/11/2020

Such a fab article.

There are so many positives about a micro wedding. Not to mention spoiling yourselves and your guests with the additional budget not being spent in your aunts brothers kid’s cousin twice removed.

Micro weddings are incredible, but we know that feeling inspired by a 15 person wedding can be difficult, especially if it wasn’t your original plan 💍

So, here are some ideas to help you ensure your wedding day is spectacular, regardless of the restrictions in your area of the country 👉 bit.ly/2GSdVHM 💕

04/11/2020

Calling all friends who are self-employed/run their own business, or want to support small businesses! It's interesting to see the variety in our extended circles.

Post a link to your website below without a description – just the link, it speaks for itself.
Anyone who follows me can see it and visit your site.

📷 ONLY POST HERE If you copy this text onto your own profile and give others the chance to reach more people through your circle.

Let's help each other.

I’m looking forward to posting on yours so we all have an opportunity to reach new people.

27/10/2020

Thanks everyone for the new page likes.

I have asked you to like my business page as you have either shared invaluable experiences with me throughout my wedding and event career, or you are badasses at spreading the word 😉

Thank you all for your continued support.

Love Victoria x

19/10/2020

19/10/2020