Behind The Door With.....Ashdown And Bee - Polka Dot Bride

One of the first things your guests might see on your big day is a handwritten ‘Welcome’ chalkboard and today I’m meeting a couple who created a business from such a lovely greeting, Melissa and Simon of Ashdown and Bee.

Located in Sydney’s Summer Hill, Ashdown and Bee specialise in full event styling, prop hire and signage. Simon, a qualified sign writer, and Melissa, a stylist, started off collaborating on a few projects together and the business grew from there. “We were both just working away in our respective fields and then we had a few jobs crossover,” says Melissa. “It all worked so well we decided to start the business together in 2012.”

The studio is open by appointment and Melissa tells me they didn’t have to do too much to it to create their dream space. It already had beautiful polished concrete and bright white walls so it was just a matter of creating some custom shelving for props and setting up a workshop for Simon and the space was ready to meet clients in!

I love that clients can chat with Melissa about styling in her office but also sneak a peak at Simon creating custom chalkboards and signage. Melissa says that one of the reasons they chose Summer Hill was because it is nice and close to Sydney’s CBD and many of the wedding venues they work at. “Couples often stop in on their way to a venue appointment,” says Melissa, “and it’s easy for us to pop out to a site inspection or to set up a wedding.”

Ashdown and Bee have an abundant selection of props and styling items including chairs, cutlery, cakestands, tables, vases, wishing-wells and everything in between. Located all in the one place, lots of pieces are either vintage style or one of a kind which is just perfect for adding those special touches to your wedding day. I imagine many couples might just be after one or two things and leave with their entire wedding perfectly styled – with signage to match.

The studio is also the perfect place for sign writing workshops which Simon teaches in the space a few times per year. “It’s very popular with stylists, florists and typographer types, but we have also had lots of brides who wanted to create some beautiful signage for their own big day,” says Melissa.

Images by Scott Surplice , Rosie + Rolf , Milk + Honey and And A Day

Ms Chinoiserie Says: Such beautiful styling and bespoke hand-drawn signs; everything has a touch of fun and love!

About Amelia Waddell of Make Your Day Wedding Styling: I’m a wedding stylist and proud store owner who loves to chat weddings with everyone and anyone! I love to talk shop with other business owners (particularly over some chocolate cake!) and am the first to try and have a sticky beak behind the scenes of any event. My free time is spent ‘investigating’ new cafes, stores and events.