From humble beginnings, working out of the conservatory room of an East Belfast semi-detached house, to a successful local business now generating a six-figure turnover, operating from a 1,500 sq ft showroom and storage unit on the Albertbridge Road, Charm Wedding Studio is celebrating its 15th year in business.
Established in 2010, Charm Wedding Studio specialises in wedding venue styling and stationery, as well as seasonal decor installations for a range of corporate clients including the Crowne Plaza, Belfast Castle, Crumlin Road Jail and Ten Square Hotel.
Founded by Lynsey Kinning, the 3-time winner of the Northern Ireland Wedding Awards’ Event Decorator of the Year now employs four staff members, with plans for further growth as it embarks upon its 16th year in the wedding industry.
It was after her own wedding that Lynsey caught the wedding bug and, with the help of the former Go For It Programme, began helping couples bring their wedding decor vision to life.
Reflecting on the business success, Lynsey comments:
“When Charm Wedding Studio was founded, I had just got married and I was pregnant with my son Bradley. He has grown up alongside the business and, similar to raising a child, the business, like a parent, has had to adapt to an ever-changing landscape!
“The Covid Pandemic forced a shift in how couples could celebrate their nuptials and Charm Wedding Studio had to modify its operations accordingly. The demand for smaller scale weddings grew and, so too, did our creativity!
Lynsey continues:
“Although the larger scale weddings have returned, Covid allowed couples a glimpse into the possibility of a more bespoke and stylised wedding. Thankfully we are experts on both!”
While the thrust of the business focuses on wedding styling and stationery, Charm Wedding Studio can also count Emmy and BAFTA award winning Series Stylist to its list of accolades.
Lynsey comments:
“Back in 2019, we were appointed to dress the assembly Hall and Hunterhouse College for the infamous 1950s style prom scene in Series 2 of Derry Girls. To be involved in some way in what is probably one of Northern Ireland’s most successful TV exports was and remains a real pinch me moment and one we will never forget!”
Discussing her plans for the future Lynsey comments:
“I am keen to continue building our team and our range, as well as our corporate and commercial portfolio. We are currently servicing between 150 and 200 weddings each year, a figure that continues to increase. There is certainly no sign that Charm or the Wedding Industry at large is slowing down!”
Charm Wedding Studio is located in the East Belfast Enterprise Park on the Albertbridge Road in Belfast. For further information on services provided visit charmweddingstudio.com or follow @charmweddingstudio on Instagram.