As another packed summer of event planning and luxury catering comes to a close, we asked some of the By Word of Mouth team members to choose their favourite event memories from the past few months.
A Wedding in the Sun
Blue skies and a stunning location combined to create the perfect backdrop to the romance of an early summer wedding. Ibby, one of our senior planners, has the happiest memories of working on this joy-infused day: “This was the most beautiful wedding and our clients were a delight to work with, enjoying every moment of the planning process and relishing their big day. I was thrilled that the weather was so perfect for them as it was the only element out of our control. The sunshine provided the perfect finishing touch to an unforgettable celebration.”
The National Gallery’s Summer Party
The National Gallery’s Summer Party is a spectacular event for over 700 VIP guests spread across the magnificent galleries. Senior Planner Hugo explains why he chose a photograph taken during the staff briefing:
“This was the culmination of 6 months’ work and was the largest team of staff I have ever briefed. This was the point at which that I handed everything over to the staff to pull the event off to perfection.”
With its menu of stunning sea food, miniature classic french dishes, artisan cheeses, chic summer canapes and exquisite patisserie, this event drew on the sophistication of early 20th century France and hit the headlines for its sense of glamour and elegance.
Wedded Bliss at Hampton Court Palace
Senior Planner and Head of Design Harry relished the romance of Hampton Court Palace at his clients’ wedding in late July.
“From the ceremony in the glorious Privy Garden to dinner in King Henry VIII’s Great Hall and dancing in the Undercroft, our happy couple and their guests were immersed in the uniquely special atmosphere at Hampton Court Palace. This wedding was a highlight for me because the bride and groom were the embodiment of happiness and we hugely enjoyed delivering on their dream of combining their South African and Middle Eastern heritages in every aspect of the day.” (Image credit: www.weddingsbynicolaandglen.com)
Grayson Perry and Edmund de Waal In Conversation at The Wallace Collection
This beautiful evening at The Wallace Collection began with a fascinating conversation between Grayson Perry and Edmund de Waal, two titans of the art world with very contrasting styles. Rick, By Word of Mouth’s MD, chose photographs of the dinner tables which were designed to reflect the theme of the evening:
“It was a bold decision to create a tablescape where two such contrasting aesthetics sit side by side but I love the way they worked harmoniously. Tables reflecting Grayson Perry’s love of colour were placed next to tables dressed to represent Edmund de Waal’s more minimalist approach and the end result felt like a continuation of the conversation between the two artists.”
A Favourite Dish
In a summer season filled with exquisite flavours and exceptional ingredients, one dish stood out for our Head of Events Chloe.
“This gorgeous Elderflower & Peach pudding has been an absolute winner this summer. An explosion of colours and flavours, it looks incredibly pretty too. My favourite part is the peach jelly in the centre of the cheesecake which makes a wonderful surprise.”
National Portrait Gallery’s Gala Reopening Party
By Word of Mouth was the chosen caterer for the National Portrait Gallery’s spectacular reopening party in June. Commercial Director Mim highlights this incredible occasion, described by The Evening Standard as “an absolute masterclass in how to throw a party.”
“These serene photos were taken moments before the doors of the National Portrait Gallery opened for the first time in three years. We had over 150 staff on site, had set up 11 food and drink bars across four floors and were expecting 1,500 guests. The event was one of the best BWoM team efforts I’ve ever experienced, and I remember thinking in this moment that we had truly done everything we possibly could to make the evening a huge success. I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved that evening.” (Photo credits Two by Two Photography / Alex Merz)
Giving Back
Director of Marketing Clare has welcomed the continued popularity of our No Waste canapes that raise donations for our charity partner, City Harvest London.
“The popularity of our charity canapes demonstrates the importance our clients attach to including an element of philanthropy in their event. Every £1 raised for City Harvest is the equivalent of 4 meals for those suffering food poverty and so every bite has real impact. I was proud to be asked to join City Harvest’s Food Council this summer and we will all be continuing to raise awareness of the charity and its incredible work.”
Life Sized Art at The Natural History Museum
By Word of Mouth’s Director of Operations, Antonia, remembers a stunning evening at the magnificent Natural History Museum showcasing David Filer’s life-size pencil drawings of the Makavuzi Herd of elephants to an enraptured audience:
“I loved working with Bespoke Events on the incredible showing of David Filer’s larger than life artwork at the Natural History Museum. The synergy of the event with Bespoke’s styling, the stunning artwork, the surroundings of the Natural History Museum and of course our delicious food and bespoke cocktails blew every guest away.”
A Chic Summer Dinner
Back at the National Gallery, dinner in the Barry Rooms was chosen by Event Planner Izzy for its elegance and striking beauty:
“To capture the essence of summer, I incorporated light linen, vibrant florals, and playful serving ware, along with strategically placed uplighters. Adding to the ambience, guests were treated to the stunning view of George Stubbs’s Whistlejacket as they dined, making it a truly special occasion.”
Creativity and Detail
Creative Assistant Bronte loves nothing more than creating bespoke canape trays for an event, especially when it involves a major art exhibition. “‘Making Sense’, artist Ai Weiwei’s ground breaking exhibition at the Design Museum, gave me the opportunity to experiment with pattern and detail. The patterns I created for the canape trays were inspired by the detail used in Chinese ceramics but had a contemporary feel to reflect the idea of past and present contained in the artist’s work.”