Marie & Jo

Hi, we are Marie & Jo, the founders and planning team behind MJ Weddings & Events. Our collaboration brought together a wealth of skills and experience that complement each other to make an indelible wedding planning team. As good friends, we share a love of eating out, stylish boutique hotels and the beautiful outdoors. As wedding planners, we share a passion for working with couples to create an unforgettable experience that is meticulously planned and as stress-free as possible.

Marie Palmer

After leaving school I started work in a Solicitors office where I worked my way up from office junior to a paralegal and finally assisting one of the firm’s equity partners. As a result of my training, I have incredible attention to detail and meticulous planning skills. During my 15 years with the firm, I took on the responsibility of organising their events including Christmas and retirement parties for over 50 people. I also organised a 50th birthday in a marquee, a 30th fancy dress party and a masked ball to name just a few. I have always relished in going that extra mile when organising my children’s birthday parties over the years and there’s nothing I enjoy more than organising such special events.

It’s an obvious thing for me to say but I really do love everything about weddings, and I also love organising. It has always been a dream of mine to have a career in wedding planning and even started to set up a wedding planning business 20 years ago! However shortly after my daughter was born and focusing my time on the family meant I couldn’t quite get the balance right to continue with my dream job. With the family all grown up now I am so excited to be able to pursue my dream and get back to what I love the most. With the determination to always find a solution I am committed to guiding couples to create the wedding of their dreams.

Jo Garner-Prosser

As soon as I was old enough to get a job, I worked at my local Hilton hotel. I helped to run corporate events, private functions, and weddings all year round and I loved it. Every event was different. I enjoyed the challenge of ensuring every detail was carried out to the highest standards and thrived on the feeling of success when someone’s special day or important conference had surpassed their expectations.

After graduating with a degree in Business Studies, I moved to Bristol for work. I loved the vibrant atmosphere of the city and working in Field Sales with a fantastic team of people. I got to travel the beautiful south-western counties and meet lovely people every day but kept on thinking to myself “is this really what I want to do for the rest of my career?” It didn’t give me the same buzz that working in events had done.

So, when I moved back to the Midlands (where I’m originally from) and the opportunity arose in 2010 to start my own events agency, I grabbed it! Over the following 10 years we built a solid business that organised corporate events for many blue-chip clients all over the world and had a lot of fun along the way. Sadly, Covid decimated our beloved industry, and we made the hard decision to close the business.

As the world started to emerge from lockdown and events re-started, I mentioned wedding planning to Marie, and I’ve never seen anyone look so excited – it had been her life’s ambition to organise weddings! We have both run our own businesses and as natural organisers something just felt right about bringing our experience and strengths together. There’s no one else I’d rather do this with.