{Wedding Feature} The Attended Engagement

My weekends are filled with appointments and weddings, so when I attend a wedding with Jazz and spunk I have to share it with you. Today’s blog post is all about an engagement party I attended the Saturday just past - experience this with me.

There are no images for this post, so you will need to do some serious visualising – got it? Good!

In the back of your mind ♥

Just to give you some visualisation prompts - let's think rouge, a sophisticated version of Moulin Rouge. Just hold on to that thought - just until the end of this post...

My first impressions ♥

Upon entering The Radisson Blu in Portman Square; in the lobby laid out beautifully on the table adjacent to the entrance were several fish bowls with purple toned lilies folded within, submerged in water. As well as these fish bowls were tall wider vases with tall flowers (the names of them escape me). So not only were there different dimensions to this table layout, they were a welcoming touch that I most definitely appreciated as a guest.

Within the table of fascinating floristry was the sign pointing us in the right direction – so we followed suite, and up in the lift to the first floor. (Yes that's right I took the lift to the first floor, only because my sari prevented me to move a lot). So - we arrived to the reception area where there were tall bar-like tables draped in black linens with a sprinkling of rose petals. The bar and food area were on separate sides of this room which was great for traffic.

N.B. People tend to clump around the bar area whereas the food table is always free flowing. Definite easing of traffic!

Starters ♥

Munching down on our starters which were; Chicken Tikka, Kebabs, Aloo Tikki, Fish Pakora, Paneer Tikka, and an assortment of chutney's and sauces. The Caterers were Laguna, their food was impressive to say the least. Tasty, well made, and a really good selection to get the party started.

The Next Part ♥

We were kindly requested to move to the main hall. Walking into this large hall - at this moment I paused, exhaled and continued walking. The entire room was laid out so wonderfully, with black table linens, black chair covers and red sashes. Now those who know me as a wedding planner will know that I detest chair covers completely, but in this case - they boded well with the continuum of the colour theme.

The centrepieces on every table were a long tall milkshake glass, filled with red coloured water and one of each of Anturio and Heliconia. Tables were numbered as to not confuse us, the old biddies or the humourless. The couple had their thrones set upon the black LED dance floor, cream and white pieces or woodwork. You can't really complain about a throne - I mean that should be some sort of unwritten rule or something.

Anyway whilst the engagement rituals were being conducted and the family and friends queued up to give their blessings - the rest of us sat by and enjoyed the bliss of the couple whose presence we were in. Shortly after, mains were served.

The Main Meal ♥

Laguna have these pretty neat looking brass rings which they sit the Karahi's of food on which actually looks really smart. While the food was being dished out, I was increasingly hungry at this point. On the menu was Kali Dhal, Palak Chicken, lamb curry and one other vegetarian dish. Oh that meal was rather tasty, I grew increasingly fond of Laguna as the evening progressed. Laguna are not a Caterer I have ever used before, but it is at events like these that you can truly appreciate a great supplier at work!

The Afters ♥

The music was extraordinary. I don't particularly make an effort to keep up to date with Bhangra or Indian music - but there was a really fab mix of English, Bhangra and Bollywood classics (that even I had heard of). I must say the DJ’s really knew how to please the crowd, I don’t think that dance floor was empty at all for the rest of the night. DJing were Sting London - MC G, DJ Arun and Gurinder.

Dessert ♥

Oh and this wedding had a dessert table! I love dessert tables, they are such a quirky take on cake and kulfi. Haha. This was the best bit. Pistachio Kulfi, Gagar Halwa, Wedding Cake and two great Karahi’s filled with Khara Prashaad. Oh what a combination. What a Combination!

THE CAKE! It followed the 3-tier format, and the colours coordinated well with the theme with reds and oranges on white marzipan. Ultimately the cake tasted like any cake should have- pretty dang good. It was a great looking cake, it suited the theme well and it was a fun not to serious type of cake – which seemed to bode well with the couple – who were a quirky fun pair.

Commendable ♥

There are two things I must commend this wedding on. Firstly, the caterers Laguna, were spot on, delightful staff, and not forgetting the food, it was just wonderful. Perfect temperature, laid out well, presentable and oh so yummy. {www.lagunarestaurant.com} And secondly, the DJ's were what this night was all about. Sting Roadshow stole the show and their team were phenomenal at getting the party started and retaining that vibe all the way until the end. Sore feet and grins all around is all that I could see. There is always something to appreciate about a dj when they can keep people dancing until the nights up! Even I was up on the dancefloor which very (very very) rarely happens. So I must give credit to Sting Roadshow and their team. {www.stinglondon.com}.

I hope you enjoyed today's random blog feature, but some weddings are worth blogging about!

Keeping you inspired!

Rachyeta xxx