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Celebrating 10 years of Hanami Dream

Celebrating 10 years of Hanami Dream

where it all started

This year marks 10 years since Hanami Dream was founded and it has evolved quite a bit since those first few tentative steps in to working for myself.

For starters, the logo looked a bit busier and more floral back then, plus the focus of Hanami Dream started off looking at all of life’s momentous milestones such as weddings, special occasions, children’s parties and baby showers.

But the blog has been the overarching thread throughout the life of the business – some of the time generating an income, sometimes bringing together contacts which led to business relationships, and always charting my news and following my journey.

Hanami Dream - Weddings & Special Events - UK wedding blog, Oxfordshire

tenth anniversary

Each month in the build up to the 10th birthday of Hanami Dream in July 2024, I’ll take a look at how the business has changed and how different aspects have led to where the business is today.

This month, I’m looking at some of the photo shoots I’ve organised as Hanami Dream and you’ll see more photos from each of these over the next few months.

After all, it was a photo shoot that started things for Hanami Dream in early 2014. The shoots combined my experience of organising lifestyle shoots and my passion for weddings. But the first shoot wasn’t actually a wedding shoot – they came a bit later down the line.

I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. A photographer friend of mine asked if I would organise a styled photo shoot with her to provide some photos for her portfolio. She knew that I’d organised lots of shoots in my previous corporate world. One slight complication was that I was 6 months pregnant at the time with my second child – but I always like a tight deadline!

Photography by Farrow Photography

alice in wonderland

For the first shoot, we had a very clear vision of our theme and sourced and made most of the props ourselves and used our own children as the models.

Hanami Dream and Farrow Photography joined forces to bring to life some inspirational themes for special occasions. Sandra (from Farrow Photography) wanted to show something different for baby and toddler photo shoots and I showcased how you can use a theme to enhance your milestone event, whatever the age of the guest.

Here are the photos for our cute Alice in Wonderland tea party for children to mark Alice Day (4th July) in 2014:

https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/how-we-organised-our-alice-in-wonderland-tea-party/

Photograph by Farrow Photography

wizard of oz

By the second shoot, we started to use other suppliers and show case their products too. We collaborated again in August 2014 when we went over the rainbow to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the release of the Wizard of Oz film.

We followed the yellow brick road with another themed children’s party, showcasing some amazing products from local suppliers – after all there’s no place like home.

https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/how-we-went-somewhere-over-the-rainbow-with-our-wizard-of-oz-party/

Photography by Farrow Photography

wind in the willows

Following the success of our previous themed photo shoots, we collaborated once again to produce an amazing bridal styled shoot based around another well-known story, The Wind in the Willows. By this third shoot in 2016, we expanded things completely using bride and groom models and having a full lifestyle wedding shoot on location at Minster Mill, a nearby wedding venue.

https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-autumnal-marsala-gold-wind-in-the-willows-wedding/

Photography by Farrow Photography

secret garden

For my fourth shoot, I was delighted to work with a new photography partner on a styled bridal shoot in 2017. It was wonderful to work alongside Steve from Squib Photography. We collaborated to produce an amazing bridal styled shoot based around The Secret Garden. It was also an honour to be able to showcase some amazing products from some fantastic local suppliers and also showcase local Witney venue, Cogges Manor Farm.

https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-modern-edwardian-secret-garden-wedding/

Photography by Farrow Photography

festival

To coincide with a wedding open day that I coordinated at Cogges Manor Farm in 2017, the Barn was dressed as if it were a real wedding. This was not a traditional wedding fair – it was a relaxed and informal open day showcasing a truly personal wedding option – not a cookie cutter approach at all. Images from the day were fantastically captured by Cat Stephens Photography.

https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-festival-wedding/

Photography by Farrow Photography

journey to the centre of the earth

I was over the moon to be approached by a beautiful local venue in 2017 to style their wedding venue in order to show it off in a new light and provide all involved with wonderful lifestyle imagery.

It was great to work alongside Squib Photography again. This time we were at Oxleaze Barn and we collaborated to produce an amazing bridal styled shoot inspired by Journey to the Centre of the Earth. It was also a privilege to be able to showcase some amazing products from some fantastic local suppliers.

https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-journey-to-the-centre-of-the-earth-wedding/

Photography by Farrow Photography

networking

The other brilliant thing about the photo shoots was they provided great networking opportunities and getting to work together with other suppliers. For me, they also helped lead to the next steps in the journey of Hanami Dream.

Firstly they gave me things to share on my blog and helped to raise my profile and gave me the confidence to enter competitions and awards, plus submit and get articles in publications.

Secondly, they were a great way for suppliers to see me working first hand. This developed opportunities to work more closely with some suppliers and provide them with marketing support in their own businesses.

published articles

Hanami Dream styled shoots have been published in a number of places in print and online including: Bride Magazine, Your Glos & Wilts Wedding magazine, Your Berks, Buck and Oxon Wedding magazine, and SoGlos Weddings.

My shoots brought together wonderful local suppliers. Together we showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry and all benefitted from the lifestyle imagery and promotion.

Photography by Farrow Photography

All photography in the post are by Farrow Photography. Look out for more images from other shoots in next month’s post following the build up to the tenth birthday.

Thank you, January!

Thank you, January!

wish it had been longer

I feel a bit cheated out of the whole of this month. With the children going back to school later than usual I lost one and a half weeks at the beginning of the month before I could even hit the ground running. I heard lots of people saying January was soooo long but for me it wasn’t long enough!

celebrating small wins

 

In this scenario, it might be tempting to feel like I’m chasing my tail from the outset (and let’s be honest, the weeks often feel like they’re racing past!) But I’ve started this year with taking time at the end of each day to write down the 3 best things of my day.

Rather than looking at what is left on my to do list, I’m celebrating the small wins from each day. I’m looking at the donut instead of the hole. Looking at what I have done and not what I haven’t.

my January achievements

So thank you January, because this month I’ve been able to achieve (in no particular order):

  • Writing blog posts more regularly again and getting my writing mojo back.
  • Starting a new term at Sing and Sign and meeting some lovely excited new families that I can teach and pass on signing skills to.
  • Designing a shiny new logo for a client.
  • Working on a comms strategy for a new client.
  • Having nice compliments about my work and enthusiasm from CEO.
  • Updating my CV and getting excited about another possible new job to add to the portfolio and recognising how much I’ve achieved in my career.
  • Being invited to an interview for potential new client.
  • Enjoying a laser quest party for my eldest – for the first time in 4 years it’s been within a month of their actual birthday.
  • A wonderful weekend away to celebrate my mother’s 70th birthday.
  • Throwing my own pot on a brilliant pottery experience.
  • Time to unwind and complete a 1000 piece jigsaw.
  • Enjoying some great TV such as The Traitors and Pottery Throw Down, and sofa cuddles with whole family watching Junior Bake Off and Gladiators.
  • Seeing all my children doing an amazing job at talent show.
  • Enjoying a fire on a cold day.
  • Having warm relaxing baths.
  • Enjoying reading my book (have read 1 and a half this month – The Wild Other by Clover Stroud and half way through The Wake Up Call by Beth O’Leary).
  • Submitting tax returns with over a week to go before deadline

Top blog post in 2020 on Hanami Dream

Top blog post in 2020 on Hanami Dream

  1. Winner at the UK Blog Awards 2018!
  2. Top Spring 2020 colours from Pantone®
  3. Top Fall 2020 colours from Pantone® for autumn weddings
  4. Top Spring 2021 colours from Pantone®
  5. Top 13 local catering vans for weddings in the Cotswolds
  6. Wedding venue review: Bodleian Library
  7. Inspiration: wedding under new rules in Oxfordshire
  8. Wedding venue review: Ashmolean Museum
  9. Inspiration: african/english fusion garden wedding
  10. Wedding venue review: Caswell House
  11. Wedding venue review: Lapstone Barn
  12. Weddings through the decades: 1970s
  13. Get the bunting out!
  14. Wedding traditions: Don’t forget the silver sixpence in your shoe!
  15. Top local wedding transport suppliers in the Cotswolds – get me to the church on time!
  16. Celebrate your original wedding date
  17. Socially distanced hen party ideas
  18. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride
  19. 5 reasons tiny weddings rock
  20. A guide to eco-friendly wedding rings

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Celebrating 10 years of Hanami Dream

Celebrating 6 years of Hanami Dream

Fourth of July

What did you do this fourth of July? Did you celebrate the easing of lockdown due to corona virus (COVID-19) in most of England? Did you go off to the pub? Get a hair cut? Or tie the knot?

The fourth of July is often a day of celebration with Independence Day and local Alice Day. Plus it also marks the 6th birthday of Hanami Dream weddings and special occasions!

  • six years since my first styled shoot – the Alice in Wonderland shoot in 2014 started it all for Hanami Dream
  • six years since my first tweet – from my first tweet in 2014, to a combined social media network of nearly 7,000 followers
  • six years since my first blog post – now 387 blog posts later and a UK Blog Award in the trophy cabinet
  • six years of accolades – including being shortlisted in the West Oxfordshire Business Awards 2020
Photography by Farrow Photography

Photography by Farrow Photography

six years of celebrations

This year though my own celebrations are a bit more subdued. With over 100 days of lockdown under my belt, home schooling 3 children and supporting my husband, I’m quite exhausted.

Over the last few months I’ve felt anxious, over whelmed, and often found things quite hard going. On the other hand, I’ve also found it extremely rewarding and wonderful to see my children’s amazing work and to see them blossom, learn and grow. They seem to just take everything in their stride and it’s been nice to share more experiences with them.

Photography by Farrow Photography

six more years’ experience

Until mid March, I was enjoying providing marketing consultation to some local, independent wedding businesses in and around Witney.

But it does feels like there’s been lots of tricky decisions to tackle recently. For me, one of those has been to pause my marketing support for the time being and take a break from the business side of things due to continuing family commitments in the unprecedented circumstances.

Photography by Farrow Photography

six years of supporting couples with wedding planning

Where possible, I’m still blogging (there’s some great guest posts, wedding inspiration and other content in the pipeline to share). Otherwise, there’s one job where my focus needs to be right now. My time is dedicated to one thing. And that’s being a mother. I’ll review, regroup and reassess things over the next few months.

Photography by Farrow Photography

taking a breather

Sometimes we need to take a break, to reflect. Because taking a step back sometimes means we can regroup and plan our next route. A pause isn’t stopping but getting our breath. A minor hiatus. Let’s hope that the storm we are riding at the moment is followed by a rainbow.

Photograph by Farrow Photography

keeping it local

I love working with small, local, independent wedding business in and around Witney, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. And now more than ever we need to keep it local. To think and buy locally and seasonally. And not only for weddings. Recently I’ve been so grateful for discovering new amazing local suppliers and companies diversifying to keep us all going.

Photography by Farrow Photography

work with Hanami Dream

Please get in touch if you’d like to advertise on the blog, submit your own wedding details, would like to collaborate on a shoot, or write a guest post. Together we can support the local wedding industry and inspire brides and grooms for their special day.

Happy birthday to Hanami Dream – let’s see what direction the future holds.

Photography by Farrow Photography

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“It is always a joy to partner with a talented blogger”

“It is always a joy to partner with a talented blogger”

“The Ashmolean Events team have been lucky enough to collaborate on several features on Nicola’s Hanami Dream wedding blog.

It is always a joy to be able to partner with a talented blogger that has a flair for capturing a couples’ wedding journey and tell the story of a venue, in a way that inspires couples for their special day.

I have been following Nicola’s blog for a while now, both as an event professional, and on a personal level from the perspective of a bride-to-be. I absolutely love how she collates her styled photoshoots to provide inspirational ideas for weddings themes, providing great tips and insights into wedding trends.

I particularly enjoy reading the features on wedding traditions – packed full of fun and interesting ideas on how people have celebrated, and put their own unique twist on rituals like the couples toast to the wedding getaway car!”

Events Manager, Ashmolean Museum – June 2020

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2019 Review of the year

2019 Review of the year

I hope you had a wonderful 2019. The end of the year is a great time to reflect and look back on achievements. I’ve really enjoyed another year and celebrated 5 years of Hanami Dream weddings and special occasions in 2019.

Highlights of 2019

The highlight of the year was being a judge at the UK Blog Awards 2019, making it in to the local press as a result, and working alongside fellow judges of the UK Blog Awards.

I also was pleased to have more of my work published both marketing related articles and also wedding styling trends in Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding magazine.

And I held an Instagram challenge in May.


Wedding blog

My focus has continued on developing the blog commercially, as well as providing inspiration to brides and grooms in the Cotswolds.

Wedding tips

The blog has featured posts on different elements of wedding planning:

Wedding inspiration

As well as some submitted real wedding inspiration:

Wedding trends

I always love writing trend posts such as:

Wedding venues

And I continue my local wedding venue reviews:

Photography by Nicola & Glen

Wonderful wedding wares

Plus the blog has featured some wonderful guest posts from local wedding professionals (with top tips and an insight in to different elements of wedding planning from their area of the wedding industry):

See all the top posts of 2019.

Marketing support

I’ve continued to provide marketing consultation to some local, independent wedding businesses in and around Witney, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. It’s great to combine my marketing experience, with my local knowledge, in the scope of the wedding industry.

Some of my clients have included a fantastic florist, a couple of wedding venues, a vintage Rolls Royce hire company, and other couples and suppliers:

I’m delighted to have enquiries for different aspects of the business including business development and consultancy, and it’s great to receive lovely testimonials from happy couples and suppliers I’ve worked with in 2019.


Now is also a great time to look forward to the brand new year ahead. I’ve lots of plans afoot including focusing the blog on supporting and promoting local wedding professionals, services and venues #keepitlocal.

And I can’t wait to produce more styled photo shoots and have more opportunities to collaborate with local suppliers. Plus watch this space for my wedding fairs with a difference coming soon.

Please get in touch if you’d like to advertise on the blog, submit your own wedding details, would like to collaborate on a shoot, write a guest post or need some marketing advice and guidance. Together we can build the local wedding industry and inspire brides and grooms for their special day.

Many thanks for your support in 2019 and here’s to an exciting and very Happy New Year!

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Top blog post in 2019 on Hanami Dream

Top blog post in 2019 on Hanami Dream

  1. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-spring-2019-colours-from-pantone/
  2. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-fall-2019-colours-from-pantone-for-autumn-weddings/
  3. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-local-catering-vans-for-weddings-in-the-cotswolds/
  4. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-spring-2020-colours-from-pantone/
  5. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-local-wedding-transport-suppliers-in-the-cotswolds-get-me-to-the-church-on-time/
  6. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wedding-venue-review-lapstone-barn/
  7. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wedding-traditions-dont-forget-the-silver-sixpence-in-your-shoe/
  8. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/changes-in-marriage-law-for-outdoor-weddings/
  9. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wedding-venue-review-bodleian-library/
  10. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/winner-at-the-uk-blog-awards-2018/
  11. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-coral-and-gold-festival-wedding/
  12. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-local-wedding-favour-suppliers-in-the-cotswolds/
  13. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wedding-venue-review-ashmolean-museum/
  14. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wedding-venue-review-merriscourt/
  15. https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wedding-venue-review-millets-farm/

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“You have a wonderful ability to transpose our thoughts into text with pinpoint accuracy”

“You have a wonderful ability to transpose our thoughts into text with pinpoint accuracy”

“Thank you for your guidance and support on our latest Enchanted Wreath project. You have a wonderful ability to transpose our thoughts into text with pinpoint accuracy.

We like the way you have amalgamated the different aspects of the business into a unified website.

Working along with Colin we now have a new web friendly venture ready and waiting to take full advantage of this coming Christmas period.

What would we do without you!”

Enchanted Wreath – September 2019

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Celebrating 5 years of Hanami Dream!

Celebrating 5 years of Hanami Dream!

What a day for celebration the fourth of July is: Independence Day, Alice Day and also the 5th birthday of Hanami Dream weddings and special occasions!

five years since my first styled shoot

Yes, July marks five years since I published my first styled photo shoot under the umbrella of Hanami Dream. After that Alice in Wonderland shoot in 2014, came the Wizard of Oz, followed in 2016 by a Wind in the Willows wedding. The following year saw the addition of 3 more styled bridal shoots: a modern Edwardian Secret Garden themed wedding, a real break from tradition with a Festival style wedding and also a lovely winter Journey to the Centre of the Earth themed wedding. I love working with amazing local suppliers!

Photography by Cat Stephens Photography

five years since my first tweet

From my first tweet in 2014, to a steadily increasing readership (and social media following) with around 1,600 unique page views a month on average. Plus a combined social media network of over 5,500 followers and ongoing promotion and networking means this is ever growing.

five years since my first blog post

It’s crazy to think how much has evolved over the past five years; now 367 blog posts later and winner at the Event and Wedding category at the UK Blog Awards last year.


five years of accolades

I have had my styled shoots published in print and featured in Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding magazine and Your Glos & Wilts Wedding magazine. Plus, an article I wrote on 2019 wedding styling trends was published in Your Berks, Buck & Oxon Wedding magazine.

I was proud to have one of my wedding marketing advice articles published on Bride magazine to help wedding suppliers to start and maintain a good company blog.
And Hanami Dream featured in the local press covering the role of judge in the UK Blog Awards 2019.

five years more credentials

I’m really pleased with my honoured collection of accolades, which include #QueenOf Wedding Inspiration by The Royal Connection, the #SmartSocial award from Marketme, #BrightPig’s Business of the Week, WOW Winner picked by Jacqueline Gold CBE. As well as winning Theo Paphitis’s #SBS (Small Business Sunday).

During my career I’ve obtained my CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing and worked in various marketing roles for 13 years before starting my own business. I’ve also obtained my Diploma in Wedding and Event Planning with the UK Academy of Wedding & Event Planners making me a Certified Wedding and Event Planner.

Over the last year, I’ve been pleased to be nomiated in the Foxy Deer Awards and the Cotswold Awards.

five years of supporting couples with wedding planning

I launched #UKWedLunch nearly 3 years ago, as well as being a guest host on #BrideHour and this year I was the wedding judge at the UK Blog Awards 2019.

I was also pleased to see the entries for a #WonderfulWeddingWares Instagram challenge this May.

five more years’ experience

As well as writing an award winning wedding blog, I’m also a wedding marketing specialist, with 18 years experience in a number of industries.

As well as providing inspiration to brides and grooms in the Cotswolds, I’ve continued to combine my previous 13 years of marketing experience, with my local knowledge, in the scope of the wedding industry. I provide marketing consultation to some local, independent wedding businesses in and around Witney, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds where I’ve been affectionately titled the Wedding Inspector – a bit like the Alex Polizzi of the local wedding industry!

work with Hanami Dream

It has certainly been a busy year already and it is excitedly looking good for the remainder of 2019.

I’m looking forward to working with more local wedding professionals, services and venues #keepitlocal. And I can’t wait to produce more styled photo shoots and have more opportunities to collaborate with local suppliers.

Please get in touch if you’d like to advertise on the blog, submit your own wedding details, would like to collaborate on a shoot, write a guest post or need some marketing advice and guidance. Together we can build the local wedding industry and inspire brides and grooms for their special day.

Happy birthday to Hanami Dream – now where is the cake?!

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Dealing with difficult wedding guests

Dealing with difficult wedding guests

There will probably be some tough decisions to make with your guest list. Ultimately, it all boils down to who you want in the room with you and how well do you want to know the people that are there.

After the guest list headaches, chasing RSVPs and endlessly revising the seating plan, there may be some issues to consider so you can avoid any dramas with tricky wedding attendees.

Here are my top 6 tips for dealing with difficult wedding guests.

1. Think about your guest list from the start. Be specific on the invitation to avoid unexpected plus ones. Have a plan if an unexpected guest arrives.

2. Brief your attendants. Perhaps give them on stand by with a secret code word to intervene with difficult guests. Think about any guests that may need to be kept a part (or away from the free bar!)

3. Seat difficult guests near the back or side at the reception. Consider seating divorced couples apart. Think about having a sweetheart table if your parents are not able to sit together on a traditional top table.

4. Ensure guests are kept well fed (it helps soaks up alcohol) to avoid drunken antics. Happy guests are less likely to be tetchy or bored.

5. Ask for any dietary requirements in advance. Make sure there’s no surprises on the day.

6. Keep the children entertained to stave off boredom. Consider outside or an additional room for them to play.

Photography by Farrow Photography

 

 

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