Featured In
ROCK N ROLL BRIDE
TATLER
NEW YORK TIMES
Welcome
Are you looking for a planner who understands that exceptional weddings are designed, built and not just imagined? Think 'Field to Fabulous'
If you want a wedding that feels effortless, it has to be engineered intentionally. Outdoor and marquee weddings are complex, highly individual projects that demand structure, specialist sourcing and technical clarity.
That is where I come in. As the architect of elevated marquee weddings, I bring over two decades of experience, and a proven global portfolio. With a background in large project management and building logistics, I have an unusual edge to design weddings from the ground up with precision and control. Its safe to say I'm not your standard wedding planner...
i'm not your
standard
Wedding Planner
Couples come to me when they want more than a mainstream wedding planner. A marquee wedding is not a venue wedding by another name, it starts with a blank space and has to be built from the ground up. Power, structure, facilities, dining, entertainment, logistics and flow all have to be designed with precision.
I bring the knowledge and operational discipline needed to transform that space into a luxury celebration that works smothely in practice. I manage the full experience, including design, build and coordination, along with private travel, chefs, nannies, international DJs and specialist suppliers. My specialist supplier contact list is extensive and incomparable, inclulding the florist to the king!
I treat flow, supplier movement and guest experience as one connected system, because in an outdoor and marquee wedding nothing can be left to chance, I assume nothing. Every decision is intentional and that is what creates the calm, clarity and the confidence my couples are looking for..
TWO
decades
of EXPERIENCE
Precision planning
weather proof
results
Whilst most planners focus on beautiful summer images, I spend my time coordinating outdoor marquee weddings in England as they really are. C & S married in July in Bamburgh, in thick sea fog and on flooded ground, yet every supplier had been fully briefed on contingency timings and essential changes. This is the prime example of when experience counts and why, even in those conditions, the celebration ran seamlessly.
My couples are usually clear about one thing: they want a wedding that reflects their life style and respects their privacy. I collaborate with professionals, medical consultants, barristers, farmers, English aristocracy and high‑profile figures including political leaders to shape their wedding.
Many are based in London, Dubai, Sydney and Toronto, choosing to gather their favourite people in some of England and Scotland’s most beautiful locations, from private estates and exclusive‑use properties to family farms, chapels, cathedrals, warehouses and even a quarry.
Discretion runs through everything. I am used to working within NDAs, parliamentary security parameters and media restrictions, ensuring the celebration remains entirely yours. Some weddings will never appear in a public portfolio; they exist only in a private, by‑request gallery, preserving both my couples’ privacy and the exclusivity of their day.
TRUST
THAT
DELIVERS
EXCEPTIONAL
Weddings
St Andrews | Glen Eagles | Mulgrave Castle & Estate | Lambton Castle & Estate | The Lodge Estate
Bamburgh Castle & The Pavilion & village | Durham Cathedral & Castle | Callaly Castle
Stonechester Racing Stables | The Hilton New York | The Savoy | Harry Potter's Quidditch Lawn
Alnwick Castle & Gardens & Treehouse | Brancepeth Castle | Burnhopside Hall
Yorkshire Wedding Barn | Fusco Estate Whitby | Hornington Manor | Larkington Hall
Hexham Winter Gardens | Tynemouth Priory | Kielder Water
Hill of Tarvit | Preston Towers Estate | Summer Hill Bowling Club THE APARTMENT GROUP VENUES
and many more
Donna is the epitome of refined excellence and Experience,
she is the best-kept secret within the wedding industry. With exquisite taste and an elite network of global artisans,
Donna elevates every celebration to an art form, setting a new standard in modern weddings.
Tatler
A wedding planner is like wifi…not absolutely required but wow does it make life easier, that is what a bride once said to me the morning after her wedding.
It's always a privilege to see North East Wedding Planner real weddings featured in magazines and blogs, and my couples enjoy that recognition too. I’ve never paid for features the work has earned its own attention.
I’ve planned landmark weddings at Harry Potter’s Quidditch Lawn, Mrs McGonagall’s office, the private homes of the members of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament, exclusive private country estates and the New York Ritz. Those projects are part of a wider body of work that has been recognised with five Female Entrepreneur of the Year awards, over fifty international awards and features in TATLER, BRIDE, The New York Times and more, alongside recognition from Royal Family coverage, the BBC and Channel 4. They matter because they show the standard I work to and the trust my couples place in me.
Whether I am your wedding planner overseeing everything or co-ordinating your special day, means you get an experienced planner who knows how to handle complexity, protect the details and deliver something exceptional without losing sight of the couple. I work quietly behind the scenes, but the focus is always on you, your experience and the day you want to create for you and your guests.
portfolio
A Global
Fifty International Industry Awards
Female
Entrepreneur five years running
As seen in
ROCK N ROLL BRIDE | WHIMSICAL WEDDINGS | UNCONVENTIONAL WEDDINGS | OFFBEAT BRIDE
STYLE ME PRETTY | GAY WEDDING BLOG | LOVE MY DRESS | ROCK MY WEDDING | PRETTY & PUNK
TATLER | THE new york TIMES | SUNDAY TIMES | CHANNEL 4 | BBC
When we imagined our wedding, we wanted two things: something modern with a funky twist and a party no one would ever forget. Donna and her team made that happen and then some!
our ceremony was romantic but not slushy, but our party was unreal. The staging, the lighting, the music... it was absolutely bouncing. DJs, live music, and a vibe that had everyone dancing into the early hours, breakfast before bed.
Donna, ramped up our vision and gave us the most incredible celebration. everyone should have a Donna. Ella
It’s always helpful to know a little about the person you’re trusting with such an important day. I have a long‑standing obsession with sunglasses, from classic designer frames to vintage treasure‑hunt finds in boho markets. I love to travel and never really need an excuse to jump on a plane or a train, especially if there are good coffee shops and pretty town squares waiting at the other end. My ideal evening is simple: time with friends, great food and live music.
I’m a wife, a mother to two brilliant boys, and human to Izzy, the tiniest and most indulged mini dachshund with a very big personality. Between us, we’re very much a team.
Before weddings, I built my career in project management, specialising in logistics and learning how to keep many moving parts working smoothly. In 2007, I launched my first wedding business and soon after, North East Wedding Planners. Since then, I’ve worked with an extraordinary mix of couples, including royalty, celebrities, politicians, professionals and many who know exactly what they want and, just as importantly, what they don’t. That clarity has allowed me to design, curate and coordinate weddings across the UK and internationally.
Meet
DONNA
A mumpreneur who is passionate about travel, atmostpheric experiences and timeless asthetics. I'm the geek who loves logistical challenges, timelines and elevating designs.
'
what a wedding,
and that is all thanks to Donna's exceptional attention to detail. her communication was flawless throughout the process, we are based between Cape Town and London. Donna's eye for design created a perfect blend of antique charm and modern sophistication. Her ability to curate top-notch suppliers and execute a complex ten-day wedding build was remarkable. The result was a celebration that seamlessly bridged two continents and exceeded our wildest expectations.
Leah
CONTACT THE TEAM
Let's get the conversation started...
I offer a complimentary one-hour Zoom Discovery Call so I can hear your wedding vision, talk through the possibilities and answer any questions you may have. It’s a relaxed conversation that gives us the chance to get to know each other properly, think of it as the first date, without the nerves.