Glam Wedding at Blair Estate, Dalry

Laura and Tim were determined to have a wedding that was different and through a combination of endless telephone conversations, email and a couple of face-to-face visits, they eventually realized their own unique wedding vision.

88 Events were first approached by Laura‘s delightful parents, Audrey and David in late summer 2009. After some initial, exploratory conversations about what 88 Events could offer, we prepared an in-depth proposal for the family.

We say ‘family‘as this was very much a joint effort. Both Laura and Tim live in Hong Kong with high pressure jobs so they entrusted the task of liaising with 88 Events to Audrey and David.

Make no mistake though, Laura had a vision for her wedding, inspired by many visits to Sir David Tang‘s retro-chic ‘China Club‘restaurant in Hong Kong and probably best summed up as a ‘sort of 1920‘s nightclub Glam‘.

As such, she made sure that Mum and Dad were keeping on top of things at all times! Fortunately, 88 Events are used to this level of co-operation and were sympathetic to everyone‘s unique needs whilst doing their utmost to not take sides!

Both Laura and Tim were determined to have a ‘proper party‘ after the traditional formalities were over and it was important that the marquee design was of a glam and clubby style so that the wedding did not have the feel of a traditional reception. Here‘s how we helped them get there:

Ceremony

The ceremony in the stunning drawing room of the Blair Estate was a beautifully understated affair with 88 Events‘ own Cornish Cream Vintage Damask chair covers covering the chairs and in no way hinting at the glam that was to follow.

Marquee Design

The marquee was a large one and it had to be! 88 Events suggested splitting it into two areas to encompass a reception area and then the main dining party area. As guests sipped champagne served from behind a specially commissioned mirrored bar, dinner was announced.

We‘d hung a ‘reveal‘ style curtain which was then dropped to reveal the glam and clubby  scene that awaited the guests. As David commented afterwards: "...It was like magic, like a conjuring trick" and the look on the faces of the guests certainly backed this up.

The side and gable walls were covered in special fabric that when lit created some beautiful and unusual effects and the roof of both parts of the structure were covered in a stunning black starcloth.

Together with an exceptionally twinkly danceflloor and the mesmerising lighting effects from our creative lighting partners, the whole scene was reminiscent of an A-list awards ceremony rather than an April wedding in Ayrshire!

Table Styling

It was important to Laura that the look didn‘t fall flat with  anything less than stunning table décor and after we finally got to meet Laura and Tim face-to-face they settled on a design that truly enhanced the overall feel of the wedding.

We suggested that guests be seated at square tables so as to ensure a relaxed atmosphere and also maximum comfort for the guests (remember, there was a serious party to be had afterwards!).

88 Events‘ manufacturing team produced specially made, bespoke tablecloths in our gorgeous Ivory Faux Silk.

For the table centres, we got to work with our great friends at Planet and came up with three individual arrangements. Firstly, a crystal candelabra on a square mirror with Ivory pillar candles positioned on the mirror and Hydrangea balls interspersed between the candles.

Next, crystal candelabras with feathers positioned on a square mirror with our clear torpedo nitelights at the base. Finally, hydrangea balls positioned on the mirror as well as on the base of our crystal candlestick holder and stems of orchids in single stem crystal vases. On this table centre there were also diamond crystal nitelights with orchid heads placed in them. 

Our Latté charger plate, Italian glassware, mirrored table frames and Faux Silk napkins completed the look.

Event Management

The family didn‘t just turn to 88 Events to design the wedding, we also event managed large parts of the wedding from start to finish.

This included in no particular order:

• Venue source and selection
• The co-ordination of the food, working with Audrey and David‘s chosen caterer
• Sound and lighting for the entertainment
• Creative lighting for the marquee
• Transport for guests
• Wedding stationery
• Set-up and de-rig of the marquee

The Verdict

"Laura is still over the moon and cannot believe that we were able to make her dream happen. This is not something we could have done alone. It was 88‘s expertise and experience that took Laura and Tim‘s original vision and turned it into reality.

I think the moment that sums it up was the ‘reveal‘ - the expressions on all those faces as the curtain dropped made all the effort worthwhile and will be an enduring memory. I cannot put it better than to repeat what one of my very good friends said to me at the weekend... "It was like magic, like a conjuring trick!""

Want to find out how 88 Events can help you create your vision? Email gs@88eventscompany.com with a short brief and your contact details and we‘ll get back to you ASAP.