On the 28th March 2018 The Lanesborough, Hyde Park hosted the most anticipated royal inspired gala in the events industry calendar.
Presented by Elizabeth Solaru of Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium and Jane Riddell of Planned for Perfection along with support florist Leanne Roberts-Hewitt of Wildabout, the floral filled gala was a breathtakingly beautiful kaleidoscope of pastels, whites and gold.
It was a culmination of the three-day royal wedding inspired floral master class attended by students from all over the world and delivered by the global floral icon and renowned floral designer Karen Tran. Karen envisioned a grand wedding breakfast fit for the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Miss Meghan Markle. The outcome was a perfect blend of outstanding American floral design in a typically English Regency style setting.
Karen transformed the Wedgwood blue Belgravia room designed by the late Albert Pinto into a floral wonderland featuring the most dramatic floral tunnel and tablescape laden with exquisite blooms supplied by Piet Van Kampen of G Fresh. She used a combination of blush and peach roses, white hydrangeas, seasonal tulips in white and pinks, hyacinths, phalaenopsis and cymbidium orchids to create her signature tall cascading table arrangements. In between the tall arrangements were baroque gold candelabras and along the length of the tables were low groupings of flowers in beautiful hand cut vases and gold candlesticks.
The floral tunnel and archway of beauty that framed the entrance to the Belgravia room stood at an impressive 12 feet tall and 14 feet wide and was a sight to behold. Decorated with a flower carpet made up of thousands of roses, hydrangeas and orchids, it featured a tulip canopy and was topped off by magnificent branches of cherry blossom.
In the centre of the room, the focal point was the impressive 6-foot cake in Wedgwood blue and peach designed by Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium. Inspired by the ceiling of the Belgravia room, it featured hand-painted clouds, the signature mouldings of the baroque design of the ceiling, handmade peach and pink sugar roses, piped scrollwork and a hand-painted royal crest. The cake sat on the table completely covered with a ‘cloth’ of peach and pink roses.
The evening began with a cocktail reception in the Great Hall of The Lanesborough whose grand staircase had also been decorated with thousands of blooms. The hotel has a long-standing association with the royal family; The Great Hall has the distinction of having an entrance that is only accessible to Her Majesty The Queen and to no one else.
The guests included a mix of the best event planners and notable florists, editors of the bridal magazine, bloggers, influencers and fashion designers to royalty. They were welcomed with specially created floral-inspired cocktails, the finest Champagne and canapes from the Michelin starred kitchen of the hotel. Niche London String Quartet and magician Richard Parsons entertained the guests.
After the cocktail hour guests were ushered into the dining room which had been transformed into a floral wonderland. They all enthusiastically applauded the very regal Karen as she made her entrance into the room. The guests were welcomed by Head of Events, Antoinette Lettieri who worked incredibly hard in bringing the event to The Lanesborough.
For the first course, guests were delighted with scallop carpaccio and roasted beetroot tartare served with berries and pomegranate yoghurt. The gasp-inducing main course was a very delicious stone bass baked in globe artichoke with samphire seaweed and lemon butter and crunchy green asparagus parcel with an incredible burrata. For dessert, the pastry chef created the glossiest chocolate pudding with a perfect mirror glaze layered with the lightest chocolate cream, cocoa streusel and chocolate sponge; a perfect blend of texture and smoothness.
The food and drink were served on never seen before charger plates, supplied by Whitehouse Crockery, who also provided the china, crystal and gold flatware. The tables were dressed in linen from Over The Top Linen Hire and Great Hire provided the white and caramel CKC chairs. The opulent gold foil stamped menus and place cards in Wedgwood blue were by Grosvenor Stationery Company who also made the invitations and thank you cards.
In between the main course and dessert, guests were entertained by a duo of opera singers who performed a few arias including the flower duet by Lakme.
Jane of Planned for perfection who meticulously planned the event, said “Elizabeth has been the driving force behind bringing Karen’s wonderful royal master class to London. Thank you Elizabeth for asking Planned for Perfection to join the collaboration and to choreograph this evening’s event. Karen thank you for your inspirational artistic talent. A fabulous team has worked so incredibly hard to bring everything together culminating in this wonderful environment.
Congratulations to you all, especially to Leanne of WildAbout, her team and masterclass students who have worked tirelessly with Karen to create these exquisite surroundings”
The event was captured in all its glory by fine art wedding photographer Roberta Facchini and Vogue Wedding Films. We can all agree that this night of floral celebration full of awe-inspiring beauty produced by the queen of florals, Karen Tran was indeed perfect for the royal wedding.
SUPPLIER CREDITS
Florist: Karen Tran
Venue: The Lanesborough
Wedding & Event Planner: Planned for Perfection
Cake: Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium
Support Florist: Wildabout
Stationery: The Grosvenor Stationery Company
Photographer: Roberta Facchini
Videographer: Vogue Wedding Films
Hair /Make up: Diana McDonald
Entertainment: Niche Quartet
Candles: Wick & Tallow
Crockery, Cutlery & Glassware: Whitehouse Event Crockery
Magician: Richard Parsons
Chair Hire: Great Hire
Linen: Over The Top Rentals
Illustrator: Poppy Waddilove
Karen Tran’s Dress: The Wedding Club
Flower Supplier: Piet Van Kampen/G Fresh
Opera Singers: Fiona Haynes & Atinuke Koyejo
Master of Ceremonies: Lanesborough Butler