PREMIER RACECOUSE WEDDING SHOWS NEAR YOU AND A GREAT SELECTION OF WEDDING VENUES FOR YOU TO VISIT
Natalie & Max Photo and Films

Meet the team

Vanessa Challis - Director / Owner

Vanessa has been in business for over 20 years. She has a wealth of experience and a high profile in the area with over 40 years’ experience in sales and marketing. Vanessa has worked for a variety of blue-chip companies including Northcliffe newspapers, Newsquest, Archant and have manged many large sales teams & projects. She started Main Event Wedding Shows, bringing a wealth of knowledge in the wedding industry and a determination to succeed. Vanessa has gradually built her reputation and business and now hosts over 50 wedding shows a year,  publishes her own magazine three times a year and several years ago became proud owner of the Essex Wedding Awards.

Donna Pearce - Operations Director

Donna has been with us since 2018, and we don’t know what we’d do without her! With over 25 years of sales and events industry experience, including running a destination country pub/restaurant/events venue in Essex alongside her husband and working as an events manager in New Zealand for eight years organising weddings, ballet shows, rock concerts, art exhibitions, corporate galas and international conferences, there’s nothing Donna doesn’t know about the industry! Donna absolutely loves the fast-pace of her job and likes nothing more than turning up to a wedding show on a Sunday morning and seeing the months of hard prep coming together.

Melissa Howard-Brookes - Sales and Strategy Manager

With a strong background in customer relations & sales, Melissa brings a wealth of experience and a friendly approach to ensuring your marketing needs are met with care and efficiency. Her skills have helped the company expand its market presence, strengthen client relationships, and unlock new revenue streams. Whether you have questions or need assistance, she’s here to help make your experience with us exceptional.

Kelly Miller - Customer Service Sales Executive

Kelly is driven, professional, and passionate about supporting our clients. With a keen focus on helping you achieve your goals, she’s here to assist with all your marketing needs and ensure you get the very best from working with us.

Juliette Alice Beal BSc (Hons) - Business Operations Assistant

Juliette is dedicated to ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of our business and the seamless delivery of all our events. Her support plays a vital role in helping our team and suppliers deliver excellence at every stage.

Amy Pearce – Account Executive

A warm welcome back to Amy who has rejoined our team in the capacity of Accounts Assistant. Amy brings with her a wealth of experience and a profound understanding of our company's ethos, having previously served in various capacities within our organization. Her return signifies not only a reunion with a valued team member but also the addition of a skilled professional who is poised to make significant contributions to our financial operations.

Nicole Passway - Social Media Assistant

Meet Nicole, our Social Media Executive! Nicole manages all things social media, crafting engaging content and building our online community. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for connecting with our audience, she also supports our marketing efforts, helping us share our story in fresh, creative ways. We’re excited to have her expertise on the team!

Jenni Sampson - Credit Control

Jenni is our experienced credit controller, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a proactive approach to managing accounts. With her gentle and professional manner, alongside excellent communication skills and attention to detail, she ensures our credit processes run smoothly and efficiently, supporting both our clients and our team.

Julie Burniston - Editor, Absolute Bridal

Absolute Bridal’s Editor Julie Burniston is a respected Journalist and lover of all things wedding! Julie has been our Editor for many years, pulling together our flagship title from start to finish, interviewing our bridal couples for their real-life stories and bringing our readers the latest news and information from the wedding scene. Working closely with our art department, sales and suppliers, she ensures the magazine continues to go from strength to strength.

Jill Rowboatham - Graphic Designer

Our graphic designer Jill joined the team in early 2022 and has over 25 years’ experience as a designer working for national media companies. Working closely with the Editor and Sales Team, Jill designs all the features and many of the adverts for Absolute Bridal and is also involved in creating artwork for the Main Event Wedding Shows and the Essex Wedding Awards. Jill has a passion for magazine design and enjoys using her design talents working within the wedding industry. Jill recently re-designed Absolute Bridal to bring the brand up-to-date and give the magazine a more contemporary style to suits today’s bride.