It's super-rare for me to see anything truly original in the wedding world - I spend too much time scanning wedding photographers websites and Pinterest. But this fabulous wedding rocked my world. Fleur and Will chose a Balinese wedding theme, and added tonnes of brilliant wedding details. The food was Pan-Asian, the cocktails a signature drink called Pantai Punch {Pantai is Indonesian for Beach, the couple's surname}, and the decorations bought in from Bali. Even the waiters wore traditional batik sarongs bought by the bride's father in a market in Bali. Everything was so carefully thought out, and creative - to brilliant effect! There's so many stealworthy ideas, but here are a few of my favourites - the leaf place names {an easy & effective DIY}, the beautiful orchid table flowers {which could also work as favours}, and Fleur's amazing colour palette of hot-pink and lush green. Special mention must go to wedding planners Palette Events, who Fleur recommends wholeheartedly, along with Simon from To Have & To Hold Photography who took these amazing wedding pictures! Have a good read of Fleur's answers to the Before the Big Day Bride's Questionnaire - there's tonnes of great vendors to check out!
We married in London in August 2013. The service was held at St Mary The Boltons, and the reception at the Westminster Boating Base. We had attended a wedding at the Westminster Boating Base not long before, and after some searching decided it had the best of everything. It's hard to find a London venue that allows for some outdoor space, some views and more-or-less a blank canvas. Our wedding photographer was Simon at To Have & To Hold Photography.
We organised our wedding from Dubai where we now live which threw up many challenges! We knew that we wanted it to be in London - due to the outrageously international nature of our own lives and those of our family and friends, it seemed the most convenient for the greatest number of people!
I really had a great time planning my wedding. I would have liked to have been in London for more of the organisation, but overall I found the experience really enjoyable. My advice to other brides? Don’t be restricted by what you think you should do. Think outside the box and do what feels right and authentic to you both.
I must let you know that the success of finding and securing our venue and indeed everything else relating to our arrangements are in no small part due to the brilliance of Palette Events. I know Mark Tilly and Mathew Blythe, who have organised weddings and events for some of my close friends over the years, and I couldn't imagine putting my trust in anyone else for such a special event in my life.
For a long time I knew I wanted the theme of my wedding to be Balinese. I grew up in Indonesia and my parents still live there. I've always considered it a beautiful and very special place, ever since I was a child. We used predominantly greens {because of the tropical lush greens of Bali, and because it's my favourite colour} and bright pink for a vibrant contrast.
We took the theme pretty seriously! We even dressed the serving team in batik sarongs that my Dad bought in a market in Bali. Palette Events paired them with black raw silk shirts, and my sister said the team looked like they worked at the Four Seasons in Bali {just what I was going for!} . My dad also sourced some beautiful coconut wood serving dishes and bowls, and some Balinese parasols that we sent over from Bali. We also used Balinese ceremonial boxes as decorations, and to serve canapés.
Palette Events have a full time in house chef who is utterly superb. We spent lots of time discussing the menu and Mark, Matthew and his head chef even went to Eight over Eight for a recce as I had said its one of my favourite Pan Asian restaurants! We knew we wanted an eclectic and original Pan Asian menu with emphasis on Indonesian cuisine. We had 7 different canapés which were exceptional, from seared sesame tuna to chicken satay and sushi. Our mains were served in the big coconut wood serving bowls and placed in the middle of the tables for guests to tuck in as they wish. We had oodles of Singapore fired noodles, nasi gorang, black miso cod, beef rendang, seared asian greens.... it was divine!
As wedding favours, we made a donation to the Eve Appeal charity on behalf of each of our guests, in honour of my mother. Each guest was given an Eve Appeal charity pin. We didn't have a wedding cake, it wasn't a priority for us. We were more focussed on the wedding breakfast and cocktails!!
Mark Tilly from Palette Events organised our wedding flowers, and bought them from his local supplier. Before the wedding, we both went to visit and pick out the things we like. Mark did all the design and preparation from there, and I was really happy with the result! We had HUGE bamboo plants lining the entrance of the venue, it was like a tropical jungle! We also used leaves for our place names - I just used a gold sharpie to write on them - an idea I stole from one of my favourite restaurants in Bali called Metis.
More from Fleur on her fabulous vendors.....
We married in London in August 2013. The service was held at St Mary The Boltons, and the reception at the Westminster Boating Base. We had attended a wedding at the Westminster Boating Base not long before, and after some searching decided it had the best of everything. It's hard to find a London venue that allows for some outdoor space, some views and more-or-less a blank canvas. Our wedding photographer was Simon at To Have & To Hold Photography.
We organised our wedding from Dubai where we now live which threw up many challenges! We knew that we wanted it to be in London - due to the outrageously international nature of our own lives and those of our family and friends, it seemed the most convenient for the greatest number of people!
I really had a great time planning my wedding. I would have liked to have been in London for more of the organisation, but overall I found the experience really enjoyable. My advice to other brides? Don’t be restricted by what you think you should do. Think outside the box and do what feels right and authentic to you both.
I must let you know that the success of finding and securing our venue and indeed everything else relating to our arrangements are in no small part due to the brilliance of Palette Events. I know Mark Tilly and Mathew Blythe, who have organised weddings and events for some of my close friends over the years, and I couldn't imagine putting my trust in anyone else for such a special event in my life.
For a long time I knew I wanted the theme of my wedding to be Balinese. I grew up in Indonesia and my parents still live there. I've always considered it a beautiful and very special place, ever since I was a child. We used predominantly greens {because of the tropical lush greens of Bali, and because it's my favourite colour} and bright pink for a vibrant contrast.
We took the theme pretty seriously! We even dressed the serving team in batik sarongs that my Dad bought in a market in Bali. Palette Events paired them with black raw silk shirts, and my sister said the team looked like they worked at the Four Seasons in Bali {just what I was going for!} . My dad also sourced some beautiful coconut wood serving dishes and bowls, and some Balinese parasols that we sent over from Bali. We also used Balinese ceremonial boxes as decorations, and to serve canapés.
Palette Events have a full time in house chef who is utterly superb. We spent lots of time discussing the menu and Mark, Matthew and his head chef even went to Eight over Eight for a recce as I had said its one of my favourite Pan Asian restaurants! We knew we wanted an eclectic and original Pan Asian menu with emphasis on Indonesian cuisine. We had 7 different canapés which were exceptional, from seared sesame tuna to chicken satay and sushi. Our mains were served in the big coconut wood serving bowls and placed in the middle of the tables for guests to tuck in as they wish. We had oodles of Singapore fired noodles, nasi gorang, black miso cod, beef rendang, seared asian greens.... it was divine!
As wedding favours, we made a donation to the Eve Appeal charity on behalf of each of our guests, in honour of my mother. Each guest was given an Eve Appeal charity pin. We didn't have a wedding cake, it wasn't a priority for us. We were more focussed on the wedding breakfast and cocktails!!
Mark Tilly from Palette Events organised our wedding flowers, and bought them from his local supplier. Before the wedding, we both went to visit and pick out the things we like. Mark did all the design and preparation from there, and I was really happy with the result! We had HUGE bamboo plants lining the entrance of the venue, it was like a tropical jungle! We also used leaves for our place names - I just used a gold sharpie to write on them - an idea I stole from one of my favourite restaurants in Bali called Metis.
More from Fleur on her fabulous vendors.....
Our invitations were from Ceci New York. I LOVED them! We had cold envelopes with a dark bronze design element. The invitations were white card, with green and dark bronze design and print, teamed with a complimentary designed information card. The motif reminded me of Bali and they were unlike any wedding invitation I have ever received, so I looked no further. We added a vibrant pink ribbon to fit in with our wedding colour palette.
Our DJ’s were from The Wedding Smashers - they were AMAZING. Our dance floor was packed out all night. That was one of our main objectives, to have a great party and dance. Mission accomplished!
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