Image Supplied By: Bek Burrows | By: Jonathan Wherrett

"Cohesively creating a pared back look that works within the environment is distinct to our style."

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Bek Burrows; she has been designing weddings in Tasmania for over 10 years, and with her exquisite style, and grand creations, she has by far earned her status as the finest wedding planner and stylist on the island. Her expertise and professionalism translates into her work and couples are flying in from all over Australia, not only have a breath-taking Tasmanian wedding, but also to have Bek plan and style their big day.

This week Mr Theodore takes a look at some of Bek’s latest masterpieces, as well as talk to her about where she began and what makes her the best in her field; she also tells us why Tasmania makes for such an impressive wedding location.

Tell us a little bit about your business. What are you known for and what is your distinct style?
My business evolved from my calligraphy and illustration work, both on paper and textiles. My hand writing is a still a big part of my style and flows through all our events, often starting with custom designed Save the Dates and finishing with hand written thank you cards.
Simplicity in the way we work, choosing a small number of elements such as our custom lighting with floral and foliage arrangements that fit together cohesively creating a pared back look that works within the environment is also distinct to our style I think. Less is more, always!

Image Supplied By: Bek Burrows | By: Fred + Hannah

Tell us about your background. What led you to start your own styling business?
I moved to Tasmania from Melbourne over twenty years ago after studying Fine Art at RMIT and working in hospitality amongst many wide and varied jobs. My parents had a restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula, and I grew up surrounded by amazing food. I studied a further degree in Print Media when I arrived and then opened a fantastic little cafe 'Fresh' in Launceston in 1999 which was followed by having my two children.
Styling events and spaces developed quite organically really, a natural progression and culmination of my different skills and experiences rolled into a very individual business. I am also incredibly lucky to work with my husband Paul, who is an engineer and can make, build and create just about anything. I come up with an idea, and he can literally make it a reality - we make a dynamic partnership!

I've designed events for the past ten years, starting with smaller more intimate occasions and progressing onto coordinating weddings for 200+ guests in marquees on properties and styling long table feasts at MONA. I think our business and the scope of what we provide to our clients is unique in Tasmania - from hand picking and coordinating suppliers/venues to managing the logistics of bringing together all the aspects in the lead-up, on the day, to taking care of everything afterwards. We do take care of every detail!
We custom build and install our own lighting as well as creating and arranging all the floral and foliage using predominantly locally grown seasonal flowers. In conjunction with my handwritten stationery and signage, our events are very individual, however also reflect our couples own personalities and style.

With so much inspiration out there, where do you get the majority of your ideas?
I think the fact I am doing a job that I love really does continue to inspire me on a daily basis. Working closely with couples who are excited, enthusiastic and in love is also pretty inspiring!
Inspiration can come in so many forms, I ask a couple about their favourite films, experiences and places as well as sharing images that they've collected which helps with providing a visual to their ideas and a basis of how they see their wedding unfolding.

Very few ideas are original, social media - Instagram and Pinterest are often used by our clients to reference ideas and draw inspiration, however respecting the intellectual property and creative ideas of others in the industry is paramount. We've recently experienced a local styling business completely copy our styling ideas, branding, custom lighting and down to the template, layouts, and fonts used within our website.

You're a leader in your field... So what can clients expect from choosing you?
I love what I do and I think that shows in the events that we create. I'd hope that clients feel at ease from our first meeting, either in person or via phone or Skype (as most of our couples are based interstate or overseas)
We play an integral role in such a memorable occasion for a couple, and clear communication is so important to how smoothly the day unfolds. Developing a sense of trust and managing expectations, on both sides, is vital. Some of the most amazing events we've done are when our couples trust us and the process of how we work, allowing us freedom to create something incredible for them.

What's your favourite thing about a Tasmanian wedding and why does Tasmania make for such a great wedding destination?
The scope is incredible. From a wedding on an elevated property on Tasmania's East Coast with 180 degree ocean views, a long table feast in the museum at MONA and a rugged historical brick barn at Port Arthur - the possibilities are endless.
We love being able to tailor a wedding for a couple and working exclusively with some amazing people and places that are not your usual 'function venues,' which enables couples to have a personal and individual experience, not just a choice of wedding packages at a mainstream venue.
I believe a destination wedding translates to an experience for everyone - a couple and their guests often spending a weekend or more in the state and making a holiday of it. Welcome drinks, the wedding day itself, followed by a recovery lunch the next day as opposed to just a seven-hour reception. Most couples we work with choosing to celebrate their wedding in Tasmania cannot believe how many of their invited guests accept.