The Bridelux Symposium 2019. Three days immersed in beauty, creativity and inspiration. We couldn’t wait! And we were not disappointed! Centred around the C-words of the wedding business, we learnt so much, met some beautiful new friends and caught up with some old ones.
Day one
Our first taste of the Bridelux Symposium was a ‘Cocktails and Conversations’ reception at Café Royal, where I met all the speakers and panel hosts in a gilded golden ballroom. I was there as host of the ‘Climbing the Ladder’ panel, and was delighted to pick up my caricature – there was one for each speaker – a fun way of introducing them and a really lovely gift!
It was good to see so many familiar faces and catch up over canapes and cocktails before being welcomed by James Lord, the founder and CEO of Bridelux, and we each left with a gorgeous gift basket full of ‘C-words’ – the theme for the event – a coffee cup, charger, candle, champagne, chocolates – everything we’d need for the weekend ahead! An early start awaited the next morning, so I escaped for a good night’s sleep before a busy day.
Day two
Day two saw a range of panels and talks at The Langham. It was so lovely to be back there hosting a panel, 13 years after working there! Some wonderful speakers offered their advice and wisdom including event designer, Jess Gordon and wedding planner Lauren Grech. During our breaks, The Langham offered some wonderful food and some time for networking.
My panel was after lunch and I welcomed Sasha from the Savoy, Kay from intricate Creations, Daisy from The Proposers, Claire from Violet Cakes and Farima from Farima Parry Florals and Events. With the C-word topic of ‘Climbing the Ladder’, it was such fun to be on stage with some truly talented ladies, finding out more about them and how they grew their businesses.
An afternoon of more speakers, and then I was whisked off for hair and make up to transform me into a Halloween bride for a fabulous Halloween party at 2 Temple Place.
The perfect place for a Halloween party, the gothic 2 Temple Place was transformed with a theme of ‘Til Death Do Us Party’. A balloon entrance, spooky lighting and actors in creepy character, the scene was truly set! With ghost stories being read, a winding staircase, black swan floral sculpture and ghostly figures drifting around, the atmosphere was electric, and everyone looked amazing. The serving staff were all in character, made up like zombies, and we even had a smoking cake, care of Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium.
The room was buzzing, with everyone trying to scare each other, and after dancing, amazing canapes, a creepy photo booth session, more dancing, live music and lots of screaming, it was time to leave.
Day three
Another day of panels and speakers, at The Savoy this time, where I really enjoyed a panel hosted by Jade Beer, with photographer John Nassari, Philipa Lepley, Rob Van Helden and Emmy London, about creativity. We were then escorted across the road to a pier where we boarded a Silver Fleet boat to the sounds of gentle music, and then drifted off down the river in what can only be described as a floating hotel! The boat had plush carpets, walls of windows and a gorgeously luxury atmosphere. We were treated to a Laduree afternoon tea and listened as wedding stylist Grace Ormonde gave us an insight to her world and how she finds inspiration in a rich tapestry of different cultures.
Tea and scones, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and more, it struck me that this river cruise would be the perfect drinks reception venue for a London wedding, before returning to The Savoy for a black tie gala dinner and awards ceremony.
Cocktails were taken in a beautiful room where a blossoming conversations tree hid our escort cards and we were taken through to a secret garden decorated by Emma Soulsby Flowers. We followed wooden stepping stones through mossy, carpets and low hung boughs to a ballroom of fresh and luxurious displays of green leaves and red and white roses. Even the dancefloor had roses in it, illuminated so you could see the flowers within whilst you danced the night away.
The dinner and awards ceremony were the perfect end to a fabulous three days. Entertained by The Function Band, beautiful menus from Intricate Creations and lovely food, it was so wonderful to watch the best in the industry recognised for what they do.
We were delighted to be the exclusive media partner for the 2019 Bridelux Symposium and to host a panel. We are already looking forward to the next one…
Suppliers
| WELCOME RECEPTION: 30TH OCT |
| Hotel Café Royal |
| Event planner |
| Ricky Paul Flowers |
| Intricate Creations |
| Luminaire |
| John Nassari Photography |
| Bloomsbury Films |
| Live Event Artist |
| Elegant Entertainment |
| Balloonista |
| Diptyque |
| Juno Hire |
| Gift box brands – same day as above: |
| Indigo Rocks |
| Ladurée |
| Molton Brown |
| Leeming Brothers |
| DAY 1 SESSIONS: 31ST OCT |
| The Langham |
| Farima Perry |
| Hoek Flowers |
| All Seated |
| Intricate Creations |
| Luminaire |
| Floreat Sparkling Botanic Wine |
| John Nassari Photography |
| Bloomsbury Films |
| Butterfly Mobile Hair & Makeup |
| Floral Sculptors |
| ‘TIL DEATH DO US PARTY: 31ST OCT |
| Two Temple Place |
| Event planner |
| Rob Van Helden Floral Design |
| Intricate Creations |
| Luminaire |
| John Nassari Photography |
| Bloomsbury Films |
| Jimmy Garcia Catering |
| Gusbourne |
| Floral Sculptors |
| Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium |
| Gastronomy Guys |
| Liquid Chefs |
| The Roving Artist |
| Urban Soul Orchestra |
| Phototheatre |
| Bubblegum Balloons |
| Snapshot Staffing |
| SKY Magic |
| Speaker Makeup: Butterfly Mobile Hair & Makeup |
| Bridelux Hair & Makeup: Lisa Bridal Hair & Makeup |
| Bridelux Hair & Makeup: Julie West Hair & Makeup |
| Absolute Bollywood |
| B-Better |
| Portrait X Official |
| DAY 2 SESSIONS: 1ST NOV |
| The Savoy |
| Emma Soulsby Flowers |
| Intricate Creations |
| Luminaire |
| John Nassari Photography |
| Bloomsbury Films |
| Speaker Makeup: Butterfly Mobile Hair & Makeup |
| Light Bowl Food Lunch Aboard The Silver Sturgeon: 1ST NOV |
| The Silver Sturgeon |
| Intricate Creations |
| John Nassari Photography |
| Bloomsbury Films |
| Luminaire |
| Gusbourne |
| Ladurée |
| Jamie Aston |
| Elegant Entertainment |
| BRIDELUX AWARDS: 1ST NOV |
| The Savoy |
| Event planner |
| Emma Soulsby Flowers |
| Thomas Goode |
| The Wedding Gallery |
| Intricate Creations |
| Luminaire |
| Bloomsbury Films |
| John Nassari Photography |
| Leylaty Events |
| Breeze Cocktails |
| Live Event Artist |
| Sugar Box Events |
| The Function Band |
| Photobot |
| Diptyque |
| White House Crockery |
| Eden Event |
| Just 4 Linen |
