press & testimonials


BEST. Experience. Ever.

Planning a wedding is no mean feat, but to try doing it virtually during a global pandemic is an entirely different story. As one of many forlorn 2020 brides-to-be, I was trying to re-plan our wedding for the third time, in Dubai! As neither me nor my fiancé were based in Dubai, it was crucial for us to find a reliable person who would help us on this challenging journey. We had met up with several different decorators and stylists but had never found the right click. After stumbling onto the My Lovely Wedding website, I only had to speak to Joelle for 15 minutes to know that I had found the perfect person! From our very first telephone call, she immediately understood my character, what I was looking for and was super excited with my ideas! When I told her that I was not based locally which would make the whole planning process more daunting, she did not bat an eyelid. She said we had Whatsapp and Skype and that was really all we needed. She never made me feel like our limited budget was inadequate in any way which stood-out to me the most and I loved that she said we could use her simpler design ideas, like IKEA tablemats to stay within our range. Speaking to Joelle, was like talking to your childhood friend who just knew everything you wanted. All our décor ideas, choices of colour palettes and flower arrangements were seamlessly brainstormed and discussed over WhatsApp and Joelle made my ideas seem super easy and attainable! She custom created the perfect wooden arch that I wanted for the ceremony with a regal red velvet throw and lovely candles and flowers in the background. Somehow, she had even managed to convince me to use real grapes and oranges as part of our table set-up!!  

Two weeks before our wedding date and two days before my fiancé and I flew into the country, Dubai declared a ban on all social gatherings, events and weddings! I was distraught, we had guests flying in and to say it was mayhem would be an understatement. However, through all the uncertainty and chaos, Joelle was just a superwoman and my guiding light. She constantly comforted me and said no matter what, “we will make your wedding special, promise” and oh, did she mean it! When we considered moving the wedding last minute from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah, she completely reassured us that she could make it all happen – in just under 5 days’ time! She worked tirelessly to re-organise everything, co-ordinated with all the vendors and the hotel staff in the new venue making the logistics so much easier for us. We could only meet in-person once before the big day and I loved her cheerful disposition! She also super helpfully set up meetings for us with her lights/sound contact, who even found us a DJ so we could meet everyone before the event! 

She was all hands-on deck from the morning of the wedding and when I saw the fully dressed up venue for the very first time, it simply took my breath away! To say that the wedding was a dream come true, sounds like a cliché but it honestly was just that – my dream had come true, in the form of an absolutely chic, earthy toned and fabulously styled rustic set-up with fairy lights strewn across the garden lawn overlooking the beach. A special thank you to Teddy, for arranging all the lights in such a stunning manner! The tables were gorgeously adorned, our flower centre-pieces were so thoughtfully handpicked with darker colours as per my preference using berries and thistles! My bridal bouquet was just so very special, simple and elegant and beautifully done with Hellebore flowers!  

We had a magical evening and I truly felt like a princess and Joelle, I just want to say none of this would have been possible without you! Your creative talent, positive re-affirming attitude and your ability to adapt and flourish in an ever-changing set of circumstances is astounding! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for creating the perfect backdrop to the most special day of our lives.

Natasha & Arshaan (February 2021) 


MY HEART IS FILLED WITH LOVE AND THANKFULNESS.

Firstly, words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for you both.

Joelle, you just got me instantly. You understood my style, my theme, and my vision so effortlessly! Your artistic and styling talents are so magical and elegant. The set up on the day was exceptional! I absolutely loved the stage, the centerpieces, the floor layout, the candles, and lanterns – just everything!! The guests even were in awe of the style and decor – they absolutely loved the details. 

Kara, you built the foundations and the walls of this wedding. Seriously from start to finish, you were holding my hands every step of the way. With your excellent organization and negotiating talents – we achieved so much! You gave me such valuable advice throughout this journey – I feel I learned so much from you. 

We had quite a few difficult decisions to make, it was amazing to see how you both handled the situation so gracefully and productively – always looking on the positive side whilst supporting my wishes and having patience with me. You both worked so much more beyond your job description plus you were there for me emotionally and mentally! 

The guests kept complimenting us, saying how we’ve raised standards! And rightly so – I had the most magnificent team! The guests even loved the perfectly timed rain experience!

– Hend (December 2017)

Once we decided to do our wedding in Dubai, the next step was to look for a planner and I think I went into shock at the prices I was receiving for what I thought was a simple and elegant wedding. Dubai is insane!

Feeling distraught and quite hopeless, my husband and I were searching online for other potentials and we stumbled upon My Lovely Wedding. Something instantly felt right, and it was “love at first click” we had found “the one” hehe. I emailed Joelle, and we started talking and there is something about her that just immediately puts you at ease, like she understands you.

We flew to Dubai and met Joelle at Ping Pong in Dubai Mall, we chatted and I felt so at ease, she made us laugh, she felt like a friend instantly. The next we met, I think I was having one of that bride to be breakdowns and the minute we were left alone, I broke down crying, and Joelle just sat there and took it all in, made me feel like this was so normal, she listened to all my concerns, and she made it all ok.

She listens to what you want, kind of like goes into your brain somehow and then creates her masterpiece with her touches, but then you are amazed because you feel like it is so you.

To Joelle, I’m sure it was a challenge because both my husband and I were so involved. we also were trying to combine our two cultures and we were on a budget, but somehow Joelle managed to work her magic and we had a beautiful wedding. We shipped over a hundred lanterns to Dubai (that are now part of our house decor) and we managed to light up the night with a beautiful display of fairy lights, we managed to find the prettiest lace table covers and flower combinations as well as furniture. She was very patient with us, as we changed our minds A LOT.

I think many planners will try and push their point of view or take a route that is easier for them (like force a theme on you, work with specific vendors or push certain vendors on you), Joelle offered us a list of vendors she knew, but when we choose to go with others, she was fine with that. And I think up until three days before my wedding we were still looking at tablecloths lol, my point is, as long as you aren’t happy, she will ride along with you until you both find a solution that makes you comfortable..  (did I mention she was pregnant at the time too?)

Joelle, is simply put, lovely! She is so patient and understanding and she will go above and beyond to make sure you are both happy and satisfied with the outcome. you can rest assured that the moment you walk into the venue you will be so happy with the outcome.

Thanks, Joelle a million zillion times for my lovely wedding. I love you <3

– Sarah

We at Firenze Flora have had the pleasure of working with My Lovely Wedding and Joelle for the last 2 years. From the outset, Joelle genuineness, cheerfulness and proactive positive approach to life and business shone through and we have established a valuable business relationship which has also extended to be a personal one also. In our experience, Joelle is always sincere and helpful as well as loyal to all vendors, clients and people she deals with. Joelle is a highly talented stylist with a keen eye for detail and making everything look great whatever space maybe. We have found that MLW has provided our company with a high-level of market presence and many leads of which has been much appreciated and important to our business in term of generating leads as well as exposure.

Sanjay at Firenza Flora

We have had the pleasure of working with Joelle for a number of years. During this time My Lovely Wedding has become one of the top Wedding Blogs in the Middle East. We feel MLW is an invaluable resource for the bride-to-be, containing trusted vendors and full of inspiring blogs. Joelle has also made a real name for herself as a Wedding Stylist – we have worked with her on a number of occasions and she has a fantastic eye for detail. Joelle has a real knack for sourcing and arranging all those individual touches that make a wedding really special. All in all a very talented lady and an absolute pleasure to work with!

– Bernie + Bindi Photographers

press

My Lovely Wedding has been featured on some of the top wedding blogs such as Bridal Musings, BlovedLove My Dress and LoverlyBanjan WedHey Wedding Lady and The Big Fat Indian Wedding.

Over the past few years, you may have spotted My Lovely Wedding in Good MagazineHelloGrazia Middle EastIrish Brides and Martha Stewart Weddings Middle East as well as UK magazines such as You and Your Wedding Magazine and Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Abroad.

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