Meet Team TWP

We love working as a duo, combining our skills to bring you the ultimate planning experience. You can even read all about us and our balance of logistics and design on our about page. But you may have also heard us talk about our fabulous team, because sometimes it takes the full crew to curate excellence!

Our brilliant team work hard behind the scenes and with us on the day, so we thought it was time to introduce the dream team and let you get to know them all a little better! Meet Tanisha, Harriet and Michaela…

L to R: Tanisha, Harriet and Michaela

IF YOU COULD PLAN ANYONE’S WEDDING IN THE WORLD, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Harriet - Well this is a tricky one, but if you know me, you know my love of Kit Harrington (Jon snow - Game of Thrones). However, unfortunately for me he is already married, so I don’t think that dream will be coming true. But any couple, who is willing and wanting to try something new, would be my dream clients. I’d love to plan a never before seen wedding and blow the guests away.

Michaela - Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's second wedding. It is the reunion the people are desperate for. I would make it as elegant and lavish as possible, celebrating the long awaited reconciliation. I would then begin executing my plan of making them my best friends.

Tanisha - People who know me would assume I’d say Beyoncé as I was absolutely obsessed with her growing up. (I was the biggest Destiny’s Child fan when I was younger, don’t judge me, I’m a 90’s baby) I have to admit she was the first person who sprung to mind, but I honestly wouldn’t want that responsibility just yet! Give me a couple who want it understated, low key, fun and relaxed and I’ll be happy.

FAVOURITE MOMENT AT A WEDDING?

Harriet - When all the guests first walk into the venue and see the world that has been created, all the personal touches and all the work that the couple and planners have been working towards. To see all the hard work pay off, is definitely my favourite moment!

Michaela - For me it has to be the moment the bride or groom walks down the aisle. It always gets me, from the song they choose to walk down to, to the look on the couples faces as they see each other for the first time it never fails to make me a bit weepy. It always feels like a lovely sigh of relief, this is the moment that they have really worked towards and it is finally happening!!

Tanisha - I would have to say first dance as it always gives me that ‘lump in the throat’ moment and satisfaction of doing a job I love. Also, by that point normally all the hardest work is done and you get to relax a bit knowing that all the hard work has paid off!

WORST MOMENT AT A WEDDING?

Harriet - This is a difficult one but I would probably say when it rains. The English weather can always put a dampener on a wedding, if it’s inside no worries you are covered but there’s nothing worse than the stress of an outdoor wedding in England, not knowing if the sun will make an appearance.

Michaela - We have all been there...the couple and their wedding party are whizzed off for some photos after the ceremony and everyone else is left hanging about. It is always particularly dire when the canapés are thin on the ground, I am a girl motivated by her stomach so food and lots of it is always very important to me. 

Tanisha - When I set up a wedding with Caroline and Tori the day after a relaxing get away at a spa that had ‘Salt floatation pods’. I was so relaxed to the point where I became zombie like, simple tasks were going in one ear and out the other! When they gave me the job of wrapping fairy lights up the stairs and I got into the BIGGEST tangle - I really did think I’d lost all chances of ever working with them again, haha! Luckily I had worked with them before that so they knew what I was usually like, thank goodness!

WHAT SONG GETS THE PARTY STARTED?

Harriet - This is a real classic but September by Earth, Wind and Fire or Mr Brightside by The Killers are my go to, know all the lyrics songs!

Michaela - There is a very odd tradition in my partners family that at any celebration they play Sally MacLennane by The Pogues and hit each other with pots, pans and kitchen utensils for the duration of the song. Weddings are no exception, I was pretty shocked to be biffed by a wok at my first family wedding but it definitely got the party started. 

Tanisha - *Scrolls through throwback playlist* So hard to choose one, but it would probably have to be Hey Ya by OutKast

HOW DID IT ALL START?

Harriet - I didn’t always know what I wanted to do, although I knew I didn’t want to have a normal office job, I was very adamant about that. I wanted to be an actress for a while before realising quickly, that wasn’t for me. I had always enjoyed putting together events for family and friends. But it wasn’t until the last few years that I had really decided that yes, this was the job for me. I thought I should learn a bit more about it first, so I completed a years events management course and loved it and from then on I knew this was the path for me and that I needed to find a way in and to be more involved in the events industry, that’s when I found Caroline and Tori and my love for weddings began.

Michaela - I studied International Media and Communications at the University of Nottingham, which was great at really solidifying that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I have always been obsessed with weddings, but I never really considered wedding planning a career option. I was definitely a victim of watching friends become doctors and lawyers and thinking ‘oops I should have done that.’ But I know I had to follow my gut and found The Wedding Planners and immediately started following them (obsessively.) As soon as they were recruiting I jumped at the chance to apply and the rest is history!!!

Tanisha - After leaving school and doing A Levels with Midwifery in mind, I decided it really wasn’t what I wanted to do at all! Wedding Planning had always been my ‘dream job’ but I was pushed more towards mainstream careers. I came across The UK Academy of Wedding & Event Planning courses which were perfect for me as it was all online which meant I could study in my free time and still stay at my job. I completed the course in Wedding Planning in just over a year and whilst I was studying I worked for Milsoms and also did various work experience with different freelance Wedding Planners at other venues. I soon realised that I didn’t want to work at a venue and that my dream was to do freelance wedding planning as I loved the versatility of it. Caroline & Tori have always been an inspiration to me and I can honestly say they’ve been so much fun to work with and I’ve honestly never enjoyed ‘work’ as much as I have with them. I’m so excited and honoured to now be a part of Team TWP! Woohoo!

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE?

Harriet - I am always looking up to people in the industry and trying to learn as much as I can. But of course I admire Caroline and Tori most, they are such strong business women who have been kind enough to take me on and teach me their ways. They work so hard to better their business and are always striving to be better. They always are around to answer any questions and they know their stuff. What’s not to admire?!

Michaela - In life, rather cliché, it has to be mum. She is a no nonsense powerhouse who I admire everyday! In the wedding world I adore the work of photographer Lex Fleming, she creates beautiful Wes Anderson inspired shots that I am consistently in awe of, while also pioneering and educating others on how to be the most inclusive and progressive photographer that you can be.

Tanisha - Caroline and Tori OBVIOUSLY! Also, the Dreamwave guys as they have worked at most of the weddings I’ve worked at and they’re always so lovely and so hard working. I love down to earth people, that can have a laugh whilst getting the job done properly to a high standard which I can say Caroline & Tori and the Dreamwave guys have smashed! I’ve always felt so comfortable around them all so thank you to all of you! I’m learning from the best!

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?

Harriet - Netflix, is my go to. Binge watching a show at the end of a work day is a must. Whether that be selling sunset to The Real Housewives, I can’t get enough!

Michaela - Reading a good book with a glass of wine...or getting very drunk with my best friends. There is very little in between.

Tanisha - Bath, music, candles, glass of wine (or cup of tea depending on the situation!).

Thanks to our lovely ladies, we that’s given you all an insight to our fab TWP team!

Happy Planning

TWP x