Get to know the wedding Pro!

Every week, we will be shining the spot light on our Bride Club ME vendor club members, allowing our readers to get up close and personal with some of the best wedding vendors in town. Here, you can learn more about the people behind some of the businesses you may choose to hire to help make your wedding day perfect!

This week we have the privilege of showcasing Melissa Orkamo, Founder & Owner of ‘the rustic bead’ Melissa provides us with exclusive insight into her company and shares with us what she loves most about her job.

Above left: Melissa –  Founder & Owner of ‘the rustic bead’

•          How long has ‘the rustic bead’ been established and what do you do?

I started the rustic bead in July 2011, importing beautiful homeware, kitchenware and giftware from my home country, South Africa.

The items are sourced from small businesses, are mostly hand made so are unique and special. I look for items that are of a good quality, well priced and slightly different.

Above: Hand picked gifts from The Rustic Bead

• What do you love most about your work?

The people I meet through “the rustic bead”, introducing the products I love and being in regular contact with my South African suppliers; it is so good to be connected to ‘home.’

It is very rewarding being having my products used in photo shoots, as part of an event – especially engagements and weddings, as thank you gifts, birthday gifts and for people buying to enjoy for themselves….we are all worth a little spoiling aren’t we?

Above: Fun ‘Love’ signs from ‘The Rustic Bead’

•         How/where can a bride-to-be use your products?

Many items in my range can be used as part of the wedding décor, thank you gifts and as wedding favours.

It is always the little things that count and that’s what my range is about – the little things, those special touches.

The rustic bead also imports luxury cotton and petersham ribbons from South Africa. Many brides-to-be contact me for help in sourcing good quality ribbons for their engagement party invitations, wedding invitations and of course the big day! It is amazing how something so simple can impact a theme; many brides use the ribbons as the link to their wedding colour pallet. The range I work with is extensive and budget friendly.

Above: Luxury cotton and petersham ribbons from South Africa

• What are the most popular products in your range loved by brides?

The tea-light candle votives as they allow for a battery-operated base to be used. This helps to ensure there are no candle wax accidents or candles that need to be replaced during the wedding reception. The battery-operated base also gives off a more even glow so adds some additional, soft lighting to table settings. The florists are also really enjoying the candle votives as they can be incorporated into the floral table arrangements, subtly giving off a romantic light though the flowers onto the table. It does help that the flowers don’t get burnt, as there are no flames to worry about!

Above: Beautiful tea-light candle votives from ‘The Rustic Bead’

The brides also like the idea of using these in their flower arrangements, especially those that are gifted to guests as they have a little something extra for the recipient. The flowers may not last but the candle votive will, making it a gift that holds an extra memory of a special occasion.

As every bride has a budget my ‘smalls’ are ideal for those sought after ‘little something extra gifts’ to say thank you without breaking the budget. And, of course, the ribbons!!

• Do you have any exciting plans in the pipeline for ‘the rustic bead’?

The range is expanding and ever changing, allowing for unique and never seen before products being made available to brides.

Above:  Unique and never seen before products from ‘The Rustic Bead’

Other plans – well I have been importing a very small selection of items from Scandinavia and Canada. There is a collaboration underway for a locally hand made range to be launched…..will have to see what the new year holds.

• If you could give one piece of advice to expat brides to-be, what would it be?

Only one? Gosh – For me, I wish that someone had said that things may go wrong on the day but that the only people that will ever know will be you and your new husband / wedding planner. So don’t lets those little hiccups spoil your day – go with the flow and enjoy every moment.

• Lastly, why did you choose to list with www.brideclubme.com?

I am a romantic at heart and wish I knew about half of the amazing trends available when I got married ten and a half years ago. Being part of BrideClubME allows me to peep into everyone else’s dream day and enjoy the creativity of each theme.

Thanks Melissa. For more on ‘The Rustic Bead’ check out their Bride Club ME Vendor listing, or head straight to their website.

Keep an eye out for our recorded ‘Get to know the Wedding Pro!’ interviews coming soon on the BrideClubMETV – Youtube channel!