Humanist Wedding Event Company Named Top Start-up Business

Fuze Ceremonies, a rapidly-growing events company which organises humanist wedding and naming ceremonies, has been named the winner of a competition to find Scotland’s most promising start-up business.

The Scottish wedding market is worth in excess of £80 million per annum with recent changes in legislation sparking a huge growth in demand for humanist weddings.

Figures released last month by the General Register for Scotland show an increase in humanist wedding ceremonies of 20% over the last 12 months from 2486 in 2011 to 3052 in 2012. An overall increase from less than 100 humanist ceremonies conducted in 2005.

With a team based throughout Scotland, Fuze Ceremonies offers a range of fixed price, all-inclusive ceremony packages including legal Humanist marriages (Scotland), naming days, non-legal Humanist marriages, same-sex affirmations (UK) and re-affirmations of vows.

As overall winner of the Enterprise Challenge 2013 Fuze will benefit from a comprehensive package of free business development services, including six months’ rent-free office space at the Atrium Business Centre in Glasgow, plus access to expertise covering legal and financial matters, investment and fundraising, PR and marketing, recruitment, staff development, IT and online trading.

Morag Adams, MD of Fuze Ceremonies, says: “We are delighted to have won the LESL Enterprise Challenge. It’s been a tough first year, but we’ve made a great start to a business that is continuing to grow and innovate. Winning is not only about the prize but the recognition by others and the belief that they have in our business has given us all a real boost.

“Our new premises at the Atrium, together with the mentoring and expertise we’ll receive from LESL’s advisors, will undoubtedly help underpin our plans for rapid expansion, initially in Scotland, then throughout the UK.”

Three further Scottish start-ups were named as runners-up in the Enterprise Challenge:

- Glasgow-based Plantedd is an online marketplace where the UK’s independent horticulture nurseries can sell their plants;

- Corporate Chiropody, based in Glasgow, provides on-site staff chiropody services to Scottish organisations, including the Scottish Government, BBC, STV, Dell and Scottish Power;

- Blantyre-based MJJ HVAC has developed and patented a revolutionary turbine component which requires no electricity to run and can be used to replace conventional electric motors.

Each runner up will receive a tailored package of business mentoring and support services including, in the case of both Plantedd and MJJ HVAC, six months rent-free office space at the Alba Innovation Centre in Livingston.

The Enterprise Challenge 2013, a competition to find Scotland’s next big start up, was launched by LESL to celebrate 25 years of supporting business growth in Scotland.

Open to any start up or young business that has the capacity for rapid growth, the focus is not necessarily on a new or innovative technology but on the best business model and prospects for success.

Ronnie Smith, CEO of LESL, says: “LESL’s whole reason for being is to support exciting young Scottish businesses, assisting them to achieve their business goals and strengthen Scotland’s economy. By providing access to mentoring and expertise tailored to their individual needs, I know that we can help these four start-ups to deliver on their potential as world-class companies. ”

The challenge was officially launched by Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism, on 1 May 2013 at the Alba Innovation Centre in Livingston, Scottish Enterprise’s incubator for early stage technology companies.

Silverstone awarded Civil Marriage Venue Licence

Adding to the capabilities of its award-winning facilities and convenient central location, Silverstone Circuit has been awarded a ‘Grant of Approval’ to host civil weddings and civil partnerships. The impressive Silverstone Wing, opened in 2011 and situated in the heart of the world famous Grand Prix circuit, now plays host to weddings and civil ceremonies, giving brides and grooms-to-be the opportunity to get married in a truly unique setting.

The venue itself offers a wealth of different options for the perfect big day, with three halls to choose from, each a blank canvas to allow complete flexibility for individual tastes. The locations of the halls in The Silverstone Wing mean that all preferences can be catered for, with floor to ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the Grand Prix track and Stowe Circuit with its nearby lake. Mezzanine areas and balconies also present iconic views of the famous start/finish line, providing the perfect setting for a wedding.

All of Silverstone’s wedding packages can be tailored and personalised with a huge variety of options to suit every budget, and every event will receive the services of an experienced, dedicated event manager to help plan the occasion from initial enquiry right through to the day itself. On the day, the wedding party will enjoy the use of fine tableware, china, quality glassware and cutlery, crisp white linen and even a DJ and dance floor as standard as part of the venue’s packages. There is also a host of wedding breakfast choices available plus additional barbecue, afternoon tea and evening buffet options to cater for every style of wedding.

Silverstone’s versatile facilities also offer outdoor locations that are perfect for photo shoots and receptions. Motor sport fans can make full use of the Circuit’s rich sporting history and heritage with the addition of a Silverstone supercar in their wedding photographs, or photo opportunities on the famous Grand Prix podium or candle-lit roof terrace with spectacular views of the circuit and surrounding countryside. Couples can even be escorted to the venue by helicopter before taking a spin in their chosen supercar for a lap around the Grand Prix track ahead of the drinks reception.

Amanda Macchi, Head of Corporate Sales at Silverstone Circuit said: “The Silverstone Wing only opened in 2011 yet it has quickly established a reputation as a rising star in the events industry and this is no exception. Being granted a civil marriage venue licence has allowed us to really open up our offering to the weddings sector, meaning couples can now take advantage of the spectacular location and first class packages on offer to ensure their wedding day is truly unique.

“In the sales team we have recruited a number of personnel with specialist wedding experience to ensure we can make the most of the fantastic facilities we have here. You don’t have to be a motor sport fan to appreciate the location, original spaces and flexibility of the packages we have available to make the day really special. We are holding our first wedding here at the end of 2013 and we look forward to hosting many more couples on their big day as they begin their married lives together”.

Humanist Wedding Event Company Named Top Start-up Business

Fuze Ceremonies, a rapidly-growing events company which organises humanist wedding and naming ceremonies, has been named the winner of a competition to find Scotland’s most promising start-up business.

The Scottish wedding market is worth in excess of £80 million per annum with recent changes in legislation sparking a huge growth in demand for humanist weddings.

Figures released last month by the General Register for Scotland show an increase in humanist wedding ceremonies of 20% over the last 12 months from 2486 in 2011 to 3052 in 2012. An overall increase from less than 100 humanist ceremonies conducted in 2005.

With a team based throughout Scotland, Fuze Ceremonies offers a range of fixed price, all-inclusive ceremony packages including legal Humanist marriages (Scotland), naming days, non-legal Humanist marriages, same-sex affirmations (UK) and re-affirmations of vows.

As overall winner of the Enterprise Challenge 2013 Fuze will benefit from a comprehensive package of free business development services, including six months’ rent-free office space at the Atrium Business Centre in Glasgow, plus access to expertise covering legal and financial matters, investment and fundraising, PR and marketing, recruitment, staff development, IT and online trading.

Morag Adams, MD of Fuze Ceremonies, says: “We are delighted to have won the LESL Enterprise Challenge. It’s been a tough first year, but we’ve made a great start to a business that is continuing to grow and innovate. Winning is not only about the prize but the recognition by others and the belief that they have in our business has given us all a real boost.

“Our new premises at the Atrium, together with the mentoring and expertise we’ll receive from LESL’s advisors, will undoubtedly help underpin our plans for rapid expansion, initially in Scotland, then throughout the UK.”

Three further Scottish start-ups were named as runners-up in the Enterprise Challenge:

- Glasgow-based Plantedd is an online marketplace where the UK’s independent horticulture nurseries can sell their plants;

- Corporate Chiropody, based in Glasgow, provides on-site staff chiropody services to Scottish organisations, including the Scottish Government, BBC, STV, Dell and Scottish Power;

- Blantyre-based MJJ HVAC has developed and patented a revolutionary turbine component which requires no electricity to run and can be used to replace conventional electric motors.

Each runner up will receive a tailored package of business mentoring and support services including, in the case of both Plantedd and MJJ HVAC, six months rent-free office space at the Alba Innovation Centre in Livingston.

The Enterprise Challenge 2013, a competition to find Scotland’s next big start up, was launched by LESL to celebrate 25 years of supporting business growth in Scotland.

Open to any start up or young business that has the capacity for rapid growth, the focus is not necessarily on a new or innovative technology but on the best business model and prospects for success.

Ronnie Smith, CEO of LESL, says: “LESL’s whole reason for being is to support exciting young Scottish businesses, assisting them to achieve their business goals and strengthen Scotland’s economy. By providing access to mentoring and expertise tailored to their individual needs, I know that we can help these four start-ups to deliver on their potential as world-class companies. ”

The challenge was officially launched by Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism, on 1 May 2013 at the Alba Innovation Centre in Livingston, Scottish Enterprise’s incubator for early stage technology companies.

Silverstone awarded Civil Marriage Venue Licence

Adding to the capabilities of its award-winning facilities and convenient central location, Silverstone Circuit has been awarded a ‘Grant of Approval’ to host civil weddings and civil partnerships. The impressive Silverstone Wing, opened in 2011 and situated in the heart of the world famous Grand Prix circuit, now plays host to weddings and civil ceremonies, giving brides and grooms-to-be the opportunity to get married in a truly unique setting.

The venue itself offers a wealth of different options for the perfect big day, with three halls to choose from, each a blank canvas to allow complete flexibility for individual tastes. The locations of the halls in The Silverstone Wing mean that all preferences can be catered for, with floor to ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the Grand Prix track and Stowe Circuit with its nearby lake. Mezzanine areas and balconies also present iconic views of the famous start/finish line, providing the perfect setting for a wedding.

All of Silverstone’s wedding packages can be tailored and personalised with a huge variety of options to suit every budget, and every event will receive the services of an experienced, dedicated event manager to help plan the occasion from initial enquiry right through to the day itself. On the day, the wedding party will enjoy the use of fine tableware, china, quality glassware and cutlery, crisp white linen and even a DJ and dance floor as standard as part of the venue’s packages. There is also a host of wedding breakfast choices available plus additional barbecue, afternoon tea and evening buffet options to cater for every style of wedding.

Silverstone’s versatile facilities also offer outdoor locations that are perfect for photo shoots and receptions. Motor sport fans can make full use of the Circuit’s rich sporting history and heritage with the addition of a Silverstone supercar in their wedding photographs, or photo opportunities on the famous Grand Prix podium or candle-lit roof terrace with spectacular views of the circuit and surrounding countryside. Couples can even be escorted to the venue by helicopter before taking a spin in their chosen supercar for a lap around the Grand Prix track ahead of the drinks reception.

Amanda Macchi, Head of Corporate Sales at Silverstone Circuit said: “The Silverstone Wing only opened in 2011 yet it has quickly established a reputation as a rising star in the events industry and this is no exception. Being granted a civil marriage venue licence has allowed us to really open up our offering to the weddings sector, meaning couples can now take advantage of the spectacular location and first class packages on offer to ensure their wedding day is truly unique.

“In the sales team we have recruited a number of personnel with specialist wedding experience to ensure we can make the most of the fantastic facilities we have here. You don’t have to be a motor sport fan to appreciate the location, original spaces and flexibility of the packages we have available to make the day really special. We are holding our first wedding here at the end of 2013 and we look forward to hosting many more couples on their big day as they begin their married lives together”.

Infographic: Top 5 Wedding Destinations