At Love My Dress, we feel very passionate about championing the kind of wedding professionals who bring heart, soul and authenticity to their work, those who make their couples feel truly seen, understood and cared for. This week, we’re delighted to introduce you to one such individual: the warm, creative and incredibly dedicated Kerrie May, founder of Vivienne May Weddings & Events.
With over a decade of experience designing and planning beautifully bespoke weddings and celebrations, Kerrie has earned a glowing reputation for her calm, considered approach and natural flair for elegant, heartfelt styling. She works primarily across the East and South East of England, but her weddings take her all over the UK.
Kerrie’s approach is rooted in intuition and empathy. She creates weddings that feel as effortless as they are flawless, that are rich in detail, deeply personal, and full of feeling. It’s no surprise that her work has also been recognised with multiple industry awards, a reflection of her commitment and the trust she builds with every couple she supports.
If you’re looking for a planner who will care about your wedding as much as you do, you’re in very safe hands with Kerrie. Let’s find out more…
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start Vivienne May Weddings & Events?
From a young age, I have loved anything I could plan, whether it was curating the perfect theme for my birthday parties, or organising family celebrations and anniversaries. Creating unforgettable moments, weaving together every detail with precision and care, has always been something I have been passionate about.
I began my journey in the wedding and event industry as a Wedding Coordinator and Event Manager at some of the most prestigious, award-winning venues across the UK, including a Brides Condé Nast Top 100 venue. After six years of invaluable experience in luxury wedding and event planning, I followed my heart and founded Vivienne May Weddings & Events.
Now with over a decade of expertise in the luxury wedding industry, I take pride in my meticulous approach to planning and logistics, always focused on the finer details that elevate a celebration from ordinary to extraordinary. This year, I was honoured to win UK Wedding Planner of the Year at The Wedding Industry Awards, a proud milestone that reflects my passion and dedication.
When I’m not immersed in my work, you’ll find me embracing new challenges at the gym or exploring the latest sporting trends (pickleball is next on my list!) And when I need to relax, I love cosying up by the fire with a film or enjoying cocktails with friends.
I am also a huge dog lover so you will often find me out on dog walks, plus I am very fortunate to support Dogs Trust and Mind Charity by donating a percentage of my fees each year to these incredible charities.
Weddings are deeply personal and emotional milestones. How do you bring calm, clarity, and a sense of joy to your couples while planning such a momentous day?
As a luxury wedding planner, I deeply understand that a wedding is not just one day, it is an unforgettable moment in a couples’ journey, full of emotion and importance. I aim to craft a flawless and streamlined experience for my couples, allowing them to enjoy each moment without the worry of the details (especially the amount of admin involved!)
I love all of the little moments along the way too. I’m genuinely thrilled when a bride shares a photograph of herself in her dream dress, or when I hear about the excitement of a cake or menu tasting (especially as a big food lover myself!)
I also have a calming presence, I offer my couples peace of mind and reassurance throughout the planning. One recent bride even described me as “unflappable” (which I loved!) From the moment I meet my couples, I assure them that my role is to take away the stress, so they can fully embrace the joy of being engaged and enjoying the anticipation of the day they’ve been dreaming of.
How do you approach working with couples who feel overwhelmed by the enormity of wedding planning, and what do you do to make the process feel more manageable and enjoyable?
I prioritise communication and collaboration. From the very first consultation, I listen attentively to their vision ensuring that I truly understand their values, desires and personal style. Every detail is considered and from there, I create a meticulous step-by-step schedule that guarantees nothing is left to chance.
Throughout the journey, I provide a bespoke, live schedule and floorplan(s), allowing my couples to access their wedding plans within just a few clicks from their phone or laptop. This allows them to feel reassurance or clarity of the logistics at any given moment. I also break the planning process into manageable steps, ensuring that they never feel overwhelmed by the planning.
One of the biggest benefits of having a Wedding Planner is that the admin for the couples is minimal. In a sense, I act as the middle-person between my couples and suppliers, meaning that they only receive emails from me instead of 10-20 suppliers (this significantly reduces the stress couples can face when planning without a Wedding Planner).
Ultimately for me, it’s all about partnership and ensuring my couples feels supported and fully in control of their wedding planning experience.
For couples considering working with a planner, what would you say is the most valuable aspect of having someone like you by their side?
With over a decade of expertise in the luxury wedding industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge, including invaluable insights from both the venue and catering perspectives. This allows me to create the perfect, seamless timeline for a couples’ wedding day, ensuring that every moment is allocated the time and attention it deserves.
The most valuable aspect of having a luxury wedding planner like myself by your side is the peace of mind that comes from knowing every detail is in the safest of hands. A wedding is an incredibly personal and once-in-a-lifetime celebration and having a dedicated planner means that you can fully immerse yourself in the joy of being engaged without the stress of managing countless logistical and admin tasks.
You travel across the UK to work with couples – how do you adapt to new locations and ensure each wedding feels completely unique to the couple?
One of the parts I love about my work is the opportunity to travel across the UK, discovering some of the most exclusive and breathtaking venues (some of which are not usually accessible to the public too!) Travelling across the UK allows me to bring my expertise to a diverse range of venues, each with its own distinct charm. I take great care in adapting to the character and essence of each location, ensuring that it becomes a canvas for the couple’s vision, rather than merely a backdrop.
I also take the time to understand my couples’ style, vision and personalities and then I blend these elements seamlessly with the feel of the day. Whether it’s an elegant country estate, a former royal residence or a five star hotel skyscraper, I work closely with their suppliers to ensure that it feels bespoke, luxurious, and entirely personal to the couple.
What do you think your clients value most about working with you, and how do you consistently deliver on that?
My clients deeply appreciate the qualities that I believe sets me apart; my extensive knowledge and expertise, my background in design and my ability to infuse enjoyment and excitement into the planning process. I also believe they value my wealth of experience, my empathetic understanding and above all, my meticulous attention to detail, which ensures that every aspect of their wedding day is perfect.
I provide a highly personalised and seamless experience from start to finish. My extensive knowledge and expertise come into play as I guide couples through every step of the planning process, offering insightful advice, design guidance and strategic recommendations. I also believe that my empathetic approach means I truly listen to their needs and concerns, tailoring every detail to reflect their personalities and desires.
What’s one piece of advice you’d love to give to couples just starting their wedding planning journey?
Take your time and plan ahead, as the most sought-after suppliers in the luxury wedding industry are often booked at least a year in advance, if not two years! For those looking to create a truly exceptional celebration, I recommend allowing at least two years for the planning process from start to finish. This extra time not only ensures that you can choose the perfect venue, florist, entertainment (and planner!) but also allows you to know you have handpicked suppliers who align with your vision, creating a truly unique wedding.
If you could describe the experience of working with you in three words, what would they be, and why?
Effortless – My couples consistently share how much they enjoyed the planning journey from start to finish. I prioritise keeping the process light-hearted and joyful, ensuring they feel no stress or pressure along the way.
Flawless – With over a decade of expertise, I have a comprehensive understanding of every step leading up to the wedding day, as well as the intricate logistics on the day itself, ensuring a seamless and perfectly planned wedding.
Bespoke – By taking the time to truly understand my couples and their unique vision, I deliver a highly personalised approach, creating a wedding that is as distinctive and exceptional as my couples are. Every detail is thoughtfully curated to reflect their style and desires, resulting in a celebration that feels entirely unique to them.
You can find out more about Kerrie and her wedding planning services at Vivienne May Weddings at Events by visiting viviennemayweddings.com or emailing Kerrie on [email protected] or telephoning 07368 672346.
We are proud to recommend Vivienne May Weddings & Events here at Love My Dress. If you get in touch, make sure to tell Kerrie we send our love!
