Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Ward.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Man and Bride was started by my husband and me in 2017 from a dream of combining talents and working together as a married couple. Phillip had been a DJ for 20 years, and I had been doing makeup and calligraphy for over ten years. When we were dating, Phillip brought up the idea that we should go into business together once we got married. I honestly thought it was a silly idea because what bride would book their DJ, makeup artist, and calligraphist all in the same package? It was such a random list of talents. But, of course, my husband is usually right (not always…but usually) and we started the business as soon as we got married and it boomed! Phillip has an actual big boy job during the day and I stay at home with our almost 2-year-old son, and then we do weddings and events on the weekends! It has been so fun getting to work with my husband. We’re able to travel together and celebrate with people on the biggest day of their life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
About a couple of months after we started Man and Bride, I got pregnant (which was a surprise!). I continued to do weddings but had some complications with my pregnancy that made it super hard to continue working. Once, I was about seven months pregnant and I did makeup for eight girls. Standing up that long with such a big belly was rough! When I went home that night I could barely walk, was having contractions and thought I was going into an early labor. My feet were as fat as sausages. There was also the complication of having a wedding already booked that happened to be the week that my son was born (he came early). So, Phillip ended up leaving me and our newborn at home to go DJ, and I had to cancel on the bride for makeup. I felt so bad!! So, yeah, having a baby in the midst of a new business has definitely had its challenges for sure.
Please tell us about Man and Bride.
My husband DJ’s, and I do hair, makeup and calligraphy. We do weddings, events, pretty much anything that you would need us at–we’re there! We’re different because we’re a husband and wife team who absolutely love working together. We also love Jesus and aim to serve people through our love of Christ. We truly believe that a wedding is one of the most amazing, joyous celebrations and we love serving our clients to make sure that everything is as perfect as possible! I’m really proud of the way that we have continued as a small business through word of mouth. Most of our advertising is all just people telling friends about us, and that is so cool. Honestly, we just love people. We’re people people. 🙂
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t have thought my husband was as crazy as he was when he first pitched the idea to me!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.manandbride.com
- Phone: 9792185263
- Email: info@manandbride.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/manandbride
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/manandbride
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