A Cup of Tea and a Catch Up: Life Lately at Elisabeth Shell Events

Hello from my desk with the windows wide open, the dog snoozing under the table, and a mug of tea cooling faster than I can drink it. I thought I’d share a little life and work update, part behind-the-scenes, part wedding season check-in, and part love letter to summer in Devon. So settle in, and let’s have a proper catch up.

Devon Life, Walking Boots & The Saints Way

A couple of weeks ago, Dan (my lovely husband), our friend Matt, and I walked the Saints Way - a beautiful, soul-soothing trail across Cornwall from Padstow to Fowey. It was a glorious stretch of days: footpaths winding through green hills, conversations meandering just as easily, and that lovely hum of feeling both tired and clear-headed at the end of each day. I’m never more myself than when I’m out walking - ideally in boots, with a bit of drizzle in the air and a pub at the end.

Those wild, windswept paths are such a contrast to wedding weekends (and yet, oddly, they both give me that same deep sense of satisfaction). There’s something grounding about stepping out of your routine, moving your body, and letting the scenery do what it does best: reset you.

Behind the Scenes of Summer Weddings

And then just like that, it's back into wedding season with all its joy, anticipation, spreadsheets and surprises. I always say that being a wedding coordinator is a little bit logistics, a little bit theatre, and a whole lot of intuition. You’re balancing schedules, suppliers and sometimes, nerves - and making it all feel effortless on the surface.

The weddings I’ve had so far this summer have been a dream. Glorious sunshine. Laughter that carried through the fields. Couples who’ve trusted me to hold the reins, so they could just be in the moment, hand in hand, soaking it all in. That’s what I love most: the chance to create space for people to be fully present, knowing that someone’s handling everything quietly behind the scenes.

And looking ahead? I’ve got a bunch of fun, fabulous weddings coming up - garden party vibes, a cliffside elopement, a HUGE funk & soul band in a marquee, and a proper Devon knees-up that promises to be an absolute riot.

Not Just Weddings: Celebrations of All Kinds

It’s not all just “I do”s around here either. One of the things I absolutely adore (and don’t shout about enough) is helping people plan other kinds of celebrations too - milestone birthdays, surprise parties, cosy suppers with friends, epic summer fêtes, and everything in between.

Living and working in Devon means I’ve got the pick of some of the most beautiful, character-filled venues and landscapes to play with. Whether it’s a field with fairy lights, a Georgian manor with a secret walled garden, or your own back garden turned into something spectacular - I love helping people dream it all up, then make it all happen.

It’s about knowing what matters to you, and then quietly orchestrating everything so the day unfolds with just the right amount of magic and ease.

A Little About Me (in case we haven’t met yet)

If we haven’t crossed paths before - hi! I’m Phoebe, and I run Elisabeth Shell Events from my home in Devon. I’ve been here for over a decade, but I grew up all over the world, and that mix of roots and restlessness definitely shapes the way I approach my work.

I’m calm in a crisis, obsessed with a good to-do list, and always looking out for the tiny moments that make a day feel unforgettable - a father seeing his daughter in her dress, a whispered “we did it”, a rogue confetti cannon surprise.

When I’m not planning weddings or events, you’ll find me hiking through Dartmoor, swimming in the sea or rivers (when I’m feeling brave), and turning our home into a revolving door of friends, family, food and big conversations.

I’m also the founder of Solace & Sky, a retreat business that brings people back to themselves through wild landscapes, mindfulness and adventure. It’s a passion project that feels like a natural extension of everything I believe in - connection, space, and the courage to choose something that really feels right.

So What’s Next?

As we roll into peak summer season, I’m balancing checklists and wildflower arrangements, timelines and tipi dreams. It’s busy, of course, but it’s also brilliant.

And if you’re someone looking for a little help pulling off a celebration (big or small), I’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a wedding, an elopement, a party, or a private event that just has to run smoothly, Elisabeth Shell Events is here to bring the calm, the joy, and the expert eye.

And if you’ve just got engaged, or want to pick someone’s brain over coffee about what’s possible - I’m always up for a chat. The kettle’s usually on.

Until then, thanks for reading. And thanks for supporting small, local businesses like mine - it means more than you know.

With love, Phoebe x

Get in touch if you’re dreaming up something special.

Image Credit: Nova Wedding Photography