Raising money for GOSH
Inspired by an amazing little boy, Isaac, who has spent some time between Broomfield Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital...
We chat to Jonnie Dowding, founder of Essex-based Be The Best Man, about speech writing, stag dos and wedding planning
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We chat to Essex wedding supplier Jonnie Dowding about his exciting new business, Be The Best Man...
What does your business offer?
Bethebestman.co.uk gives best men advice, guidance, templates and experience - allowing them to confidently take on the task of being the best man - all in one handy box!
What's your background and what made you start your company?
Over the years I have had the honor of being a best man five times and an usher four times. This has given me a wealth of experience and knowledge that I then started to pass on to my friends when they needed it. It was soon evident that I needed to do something with this and started making notes and generally planning how it might work. It then grew pretty quickly and continues to grow with new ideas and new experiences from my clients.
What makes you different?
I would say the experience. The box clients receive is full of my own experiences and every single time I was best man, despite many of us all being friends, the groom was always different. I learnt something new every time and had new requirements for the stag do, speech and on-the-day duties. This is not to say that your experience won't be different to mine, but the way this is written and put together it outlines the tasks in hand and the way to go about making it your own.
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What's your favourite thing about weddings?
I just absolutely love weddings! Everything about them. The excitement, the build-up, the love, everyone looking the part, the party. Everybody loves a wedding.
If you want a specific though, I would say that most people I meet in the Industry are there because they are passionate about it and it often stems from their experience or even their own wedding. That is exactly how I feel when I talk about BeThebestman.co.uk my eyes light up and I grin from ear to ear. I just love playing a part in such huge occasion.
What's your top wedding planning tip?
Preparation! Be prepared in every instance. The stag will be better, cheaper and easier on you if you prepare. The speech will be funnier, stronger and you will be more confident by preparing. Use everything in the box to help you.
There is often a stigma around being prepared, like it's not cool. Don't think, "I'll just wing it on the day or write it the night before!" - your groom will remember all your effort and he will have enough to worry about with the wedding. Don't make him worry about you too.
Jonnie Dowding | www.bethebestman.co.uk
Images courtesy of www.thebarefootphotographers.com
