Ruffles & Bells was born out of love and beauty. We catch up with Founder and Creative Director, Eliska Lam and learn how her passion for art, design and travel became her full time obsession and asked her to share planning advice with couples to be.

Eliska Lam is passionate about ensuring couples have a day that reflects their love. Her journey into weddings started from spending countless hours absorbing every wedding blog and discovering how every celebration was so different, yet told their own love story in unique ways. “I felt like as a creative, I saw the beauty in the freedom of that but also how special it would be to be part of a milestone in someone's life and celebrate a day that is so special. That got me hooked, to say the least.”

Can you share 3 pieces of advice for a couple when they are selecting their stylist?

1. Find someone who understands your style and you as a couple.  

2. It is a very personal process as much as it is a two way process. We will be working with you very closely so it’s best to find someone that you feel at ease speaking to. 

3. Your stylist will be working with you for several months to create something that speaks your style and personality, both as individuals and as a couple, so you and your partner should be comfortable to open up to him/her to get the best results. The best chemistry between stylist and client literally feels like you have a friend making your day even more special.

How would you describe your style?

Travel, fashion and architecture has been a big influence on my style over the years and I would say that although my style has slowly changed with the years, it’s always been an extension of myself. 

I always strive to find the beauty in each element that I work with and try to make it shine on its own along with its surroundings and keep it as timeless and elegant as it should be. I believe that this becomes an extension to the memory created from the styling – it stays timeless and elegant and ages well with time.

Something you have learnt during COVID? 

That we all need to slow down and take time to know what matters to us more than ever. Weddings have been very driven by social media and a lot of couples have been set on the things that needs to be in a wedding but things have definitely changed. I always encourage our couples to stay true to who they are and our process has been designed to do that so we can proudly say every wedding or every celebration we style is uniquely created for them.

Do you believe weddings may change in 2021 and beyond?

Absolutely! Weddings change every year in terms of style but this year has been a massive game changer for the industry. Most couples now get the chance to sit down and understand which elements of their wedding matters to them. Their priorities will change and this means what has been popular before might not be as popular anymore.

We’ll definitely see more intimate weddings in the next few years. 

 a little more personal

Do you have anyone that has inspired you? 

I am a firm believer that people come to your life for a reason whether to teach you a lesson or to help you grow in one way or the other. I have been lucky to have met lots of people whom inspires me in different ways and more so people who I look up to from afar whom I have not have the opportunity to meet just yet.  

Do you collect anything?

Not particularly one thing but as a stylist, I do have a collection of trinkets in my studio that keeps growing every day. Some things I have sourced and some things have been from my travels. They range from vases to vessels to dishes to crystals to candles to random props and even rocks and raw materials. 

Never leave home without!?

Chocolate, either a Snickers bar or pack of Maltesers. I always need my sweets! >.< 

Star sign?

Good ol’ Sagittarius here. 

What are you reading or listening to right now?

Reading ‘Monocle Guide to Good Business’ at the moment. I bought this book years ago and finally have the time to read it. 

When there is downtime what can we find you doing!?

In the kitchen. I find the whole ritual in the kitchen therapeutic especially when you recreate a memory or experiment on something new. A new flavour or a new ingredient. It’s my creative outlet when I don’t get to style events. I get my hands dirty and still create something from nothing. 

Favourite flower?

Love me some peonies. If only they were available the whole year round, I would fill my house with them if I could. 

Favourite season?

Autumn; I love how mysterious the season is. It’s chilly but still bit warm and colours are just glorious with a hint of moodiness but still cheery. 

When we can travel again where is your first destination? Where is your favourite destination?

Oh god! My list has grown so much! I definitely will be heading back to Europe, maybe Norway and even back to France again.

On your wish list or personal goal right now!? 

To be a good parent, now that we’re expecting a new addition to our little family. I’m really excited for this new chapter. 

more featured