Former banker Hamish Shephard founded Bridebook, the UK’s number one wedding planning app and wedding venue finder in 2015. Working in weddings had not originally been on his agenda but fate had its way. When Hamish was transforming his grandmother’s stately home Hedsor House into a wedding venue, he noticed that most brides spent most of their engagement feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the wedding planning process.

The brides that he met were missing the fun and joy of the planning their special day. Inspired, Hamish believed that technology was the answer and devised a comprehensive digital wedding planner Bridebook. It is a site and app offering a personal wedding planner service that needn’t be the reserve of the rich and famous. Bridebook’s team of industry experts have since built online tools including a personalized budget, checklist, venue, supplier search and guest list. What makes the site more interesting and personalized than rival digital wedding countdown apps, is the editorial. Hamish has called upon the likes of Daniel Galvin, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone, Jo Whiley, Mary Berry and Delicously Ella to share their expert advice and insight.

Today, Hamish swipes through his phone to share his favourite sites, apps and podcasts.

My favourite website is… Bridebook.co.uk

My blog of choice is… by the entrepreneur and investor Elad Gil.

My internet hero is… the entrepreneur, investor, programmer and blogger Sam Altman (president of the startup incubator Y Combinator).

My favourite podcasts are… How I built this by NPR (about innovators, entrepreneurs, idealists and their stories).

My most recent buy online was… more nappies for our newborn baby.

Book just downloaded/ read… ‘Principles: Life and Work’ by Ray Dalio

Favourite tweeter… @PaulG founder of Y Combinator (a new model for funding early stage startups).

Favourite instagrammer… @RosieinLondon my wife!

Social media allowed me to meet… the AppStore editor and get Bridebook featured in the AppStore.

Most worthwhile newsletter subscribed to… GrowthHackers.

Pet hate about life online… Too many message channels! Slack, Mail, iMessage, Instagram, WhatsApp, Linkedin… zzz zzz.

Stand out online memory… Discovering the power of LinkedIn and being able to message anyone.

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April 2019