UK Wedding Blog

Introducing Rachel! Welcome To Team Brides Up North!

Julia Smith

Rachel Parry by Cat Hepple Photography

Image by Cat Hepple 

It’s been a crazy four years behind the scenes here at Brides Up North HQ.  Over 2,000 blog features, 39,913 tweets, countless speaking engagements, oodles of freelance articles, 44 (44!) Brides Up North branded bridal exhibitions and networking events and one baby daughter later, and I’m finally ready to admit that I might, er, need a little help

I already have a small but perfectly formed team who leap into action for each of our branded wedding events (hello my lovelies!) and admin – and babysitting – support two days a week from the lovely Kate – who also happens to be my Mum! – but it’s time to get real.

This little business is growing, and fast.  I want this blog and it’s related events to get bigger, better and more beautiful.  To be the go-to platform for weddings in the North of the UK (ahem, if we’re not already…).  To attract even more readers, more wonderful supporters and even prettier content.  To work harder for and be more useful to its users, whether you are a bride to be or an industry supplier.  I’m not one for sitting still.  We’ve got this far, now it’s time to pack our bags and really go places

I’ve big, big plans for these pages – starting with a glam new look to be revealed shortly (follow #getsetsparkle on Twitter for more updates as they happen) – but with plans, comes pressure.

I need me some new talent about the place, someone with skills and ideas (and a love for wedding pretty that mirrors my own) to fuel the fire, inspire our content and to give me the time to put those plans into action, make even better plans and step this Northern Revolution up another gear.

It also helps that I like her a lot.

Step forward, Rachel: our newest edition to the Brides Up North editorial team.

Rachel’s contributed sporadically to the site as a guest blogger on and off for two years, but from now on she’ll be a more permanent fixture here at Brides Up North HQ.  She’s a roving news reporter and will be bringing her love for weddings and a good headline together in her work on these pages. 

But first, let’s let her introduce herself.

Rachel says: Hi, I’m Rachel, I’m 27 and live in the super city of Sheffield, and I’m Brides Up North’s new features writer!  I’ve long been a fan of this blog and believe in what it stands for – showcasing amazing talent and couples in the North of the UK. After guest blogging for Brides Up North for almost two years I’m thrilled and flattered to be made an official part of the team. I think what Julia has achieved so far is nothing short of fantastic and I’m super excited for what’s to come in the future.

So you can write then?

Growing up I pretty much always wanted to be a writer of some description, my teachers told me I had a flair for it and great imagination. Fast forward a few years and my goal had become a reality, I was a journalist. I started news reporting at a paper in Mansfield and soon progressed to a senior reporter. I then took up the role of features and commercial editor on a paper in Barnsley which also required me to plan, write and produce a Yorkshire lifestyle magazine and regional bridal magazine too. As happens with most journalists the curiosity of PR got the better of me, so most recently I have been working for one of Yorkshire’s busiest PR agencies as a senior account executive but I’m soon to return to my journalism roots, working as a senior reporter at the Sheffield Star alongside my new role at Brides Up North. 

What do you bring to the Brides Up North team?

I love meeting new people and have them share their stories with me. I hope I can reflect people’s true feelings and passions through the use of words to both inform, entertain and inspire Brides Up North readers. Also, I’m from the North – therefore it’s only natural that I want to join the Northern Revolution and help showcase the amazing talent of wedding suppliers and true magic of loved-up couples here in the top part of the UK. Working on a regional wedding magazine gave me a fantastic insight into the wonderful world of weddings and in particular I learnt just how many amazing wedding suppliers there are outside London.

What do you love about weddings?

What’s not to love? The prettiness, emotions, celebrations – a wedding day really is such a special event. I love that a wedding brings people together, not just the couple, but their friends and family too. I’m a firm believer that what makes a great wedding is the people there on the day. I’m continuously wowed by how couples are making their wedding days unique affairs which reflect them as individuals and as a couple. To me there’s nothing better than a wedding filled with detail, surprises and thoughtful touches but I also think it’s important people don’t lose sight of the reason they are tying the knot – love. Oh, I also love a good dance at a wedding so a fab band and/or killer playlist are key.

What are your favourite things in life?

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Just kidding. My friends and family definitely fall into this category – it’s important to surround yourself with lovely people in order to have a happy outlook. I really enjoy eating chocolate just before it starts to melt and sipping on a chilled glass of wine after an intense day at work, whether that be in a bar with friends or at home with my slippers on. Other favs of mine include meeting new people, going new places, dancing like nobody is watching, signing like nobody is listening – oh and Topshop, what girl doesn’t love Topshop? Finally, Made in Chelsea is a guilty pleasure of mine – it’s like upper class Jeremy Kyle.

Anything else that we should know?

I have developed a small obsession with amazing wedding images and videos – some have taken my breath away while others have actually reduced me to tears. I think it’s so important to capture the magic of a wedding day and hugely admire those with the talent to do so. Becoming an official member of the Brides Up North team means I know have a valid excuse for hours spent swooning over such photography and videography

Thanks Julia!

We’ll be pressing publish on Rachel’s first features as a member of the editorial staff next week, so watch out for her and give her a warm welcome!  I’m off to put my feet up.

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Image © 2014 Cat Hepple Photography

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