Tag: Event planning

Top Christmas party venues and themes for a memorable celebration in Westminster

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The office Christmas party is a time to wrap up the year and say thank you to your staff and colleagues for all their hard work. It’s a time for your team to celebrate the festive season without the stress and hassle of hosting or family politics, so it’s important an organiser gets it right – and this starts with finding the perfect Christmas party venues.

Here at Westminster Venue Collection (WVC) we look after a group of exclusive spaces which comprise some of the finest the capital has to offer. Museums, galleries, historic buildings, luxury hotels, townhouses… our portfolio of Christmas event venues in London is varied and extensive. We’re confident that however you choose to celebrate this year, you’ll find the ideal space by searching our selective database.

During this feature, we’re going to take you through some of the different types of venues we have on our books, plus we’ll be offering you some advice on hosting the perfect festive gathering and sharing with you a handful of ideas on theming and décor.

 

Why choose Westminster for your Christmas party?

Christmas party planning always begins with the question of, where? We believe Westminster is the best place in the capital to hold events. The borough is a city within a city and draws in millions of visitors every year who come in their droves for the history, the sightseeing and the attractions. There’s a surprising amount of parks and outdoor spaces within the area (116 to be precise) – St James’ Park and Regents’ Park for example – which are stunning all year round, but when covered in snow are transformed into some of the most beautiful and atmospheric places in London.

Westminster is also brilliantly connected for local, national and international travel. All WVC venues are a short walk from at least one tube station and have quick and easy links to National Rail lines and London City Airport. The borough is also home to a huge array of hotel options with something for every budget from genuinely affordable choices through to world-class, luxury accommodation.

 

Top Christmas party venues in Westminster

Historic Christmas party venues

London is one of the most historically rich cities in the world and its buildings hold the stories of its past. These spaces provide a poignant, beautiful backdrop for traditional Christmas parties, they each have their own, distinct charm and elegance that they bring to the events they hold. Many of our buildings aren’t open to the general public, so inviting your valued members of staff into one of our exclusive traditional Christmas venues is the beginning of a truly memorable classic Christmas party.

Modern Christmas party venues

If you think your colleagues would prefer a more contemporary event space, our collection also contains some stunning, modern venues. Our modern venues in Westminster include spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows and unrivalled views over the River Thames. Clever lighting and contemporary cuisine with a Christmas twist makes sure none of the magic is lost and that your party is as festive as can be.

Unconventional and unique venues in Westminster

If you’ve been organising the Christmas party for your team for a while now, you might have decided that this year you want to opt for something a little bit different. Choosing an unconventional Christmas venue, like an art gallery or a rooftop bar, is a foolproof way to make an immediate impression on your guests. It’s also guaranteed to give your guests an interesting talking point and a reason to tell their friends about their special night.

Fun and different Christmas party themes

You might be under the impression that Christmas is premiss enough for a party, but a separate theme can elevate your event to the next level. Many of our venues’ Christmas packages include full theming which includes decorations, music and entertainment. In the past, we’ve seen some amazing event theming including Winter Wonderland, Narnia and Dickensian Christmas. By choosing a specific theme for your party you’ll be able to make sure you’re creating the perfect atmosphere, tailor-made for your guestlist.

 

Tips for planning the perfect Christmas party in Westminster

Christmas party planning can be stressful, but our tips are designed to help you enjoy a smooth run up to your event…

Our first, top tip, is to start planning as early as you can. There will only be a handful of dates that will suit you, so you’ll need to get your enquiries in at least six months in advance as the best venues will book up early. If you know where you want to book, don’t hesitate to get in touch to get yourself pencilled in. If you’re still undecided, WVC can help the process. By filling in an enquiry form on our website, we can help you narrow down your Westminster venue booking options. We’ll only put you in touch with venues that can meet your requirements which will save you a lot of time and effort for you to enjoy a stress-free event planning experience.

Secondly, we’d suggest running through your budget with your chosen venue. You can then decide where you want to spend and where you want to save. We’d also advise you to keep a little bit of money back for any last-minute extras or upgrades you might want to make further down the line.

Thirdly, a timeline of when decisions need to be made and suppliers need to be booked will give you a clear time frame of actionable tasks. This will ensure nothing slips through the net and there are no nasty surprises.

Use our venue-finding service to source the perfect Christmas party venues in London 

If you think Westminster is the right venue for this year’s Christmas party, then you can simply email your requirements to [email protected]. Or, if you’d like to browse our collection of exclusive venues, take a look on our website. You could also fill out our enquiry form and we’ll get back to you with all our members who can best fulfil your requirements.

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The best summer party venues in Westminster, London

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Although we Brits love to complain about the weather, no one can deny that when the sun comes out there’s no finer place to be on earth.

Hosting a summer party in the UK is one of the few times organisers get to make the most of our short-lived, warmer months, so choosing the perfect summer party venue is a decision not to be taken lightly. Here at the Westminster Venue Collection, we think our little corner of the capital is the best choice for any planner wanting to host an exceptional, memorable event to celebrate your colleagues and thank them for their hard work.

We wanted to take a moment to tell you about all the fabulous things you can find in Westminster, including rooftop gardens, green spaces, sun terraces, river views and much, much more. We also wanted to share some of our top tips for hosting brilliant summer events by looking into theming, catering, entertainment and other summer party event planning tips.

 

Why Westminster is ideal for your summer party

London is, arguably, the best city in the world. (We might be a bit bias, but it’s not an uncommon opinion). And Westminster, home of the Government and the King is undeniably one of the most famous and desirable locations within the capital. Millions of tourists flock to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey every year, so it’s fair to say that Westminster knows how to pull in the crowds! Your guests might not be flying in from all over the world, but hosting a summer party for your colleagues in a place with international appeal means that your guests won’t be short of sightseeing opportunities either side of your event.

It’s not just historic landmarks that make Westminster a fabulous place for meeting up. The area, like most of London, is culturally diverse with a vibrant atmosphere. The shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues are varied and world-class which means your summer party guests will have lots of excuses to make your party the centre of a larger trip, should they desire.

It’s also worth noting that as well as all the great things on our doorstep, Westminster benefits from excellent transport links. As you’d expect, we’re connected to the London Underground, National Rail and City Airport is a short train ride away. We’ve also got a plethora of hotels within the borough, stretching from affordable options to some of the most exclusive accommodation in the country.

 

Best outdoor summer party venues in London

Outdoor venues

As we’ve mentioned before, the window of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in Britain is a narrow one, so it’s no surprise that organisers like to make hay while the sun shines. Hiring an outdoor venue in Westminster for your London summer party – whether that’s a lush green lawn, an urban rooftop terrace or a pretty courtyard – means your guests will enjoy the chance to relax in the fresh air and to soak up the sun. What better way to let your hair down than by sipping a Pimms and a smoked salmon canape in a quintessential British summer garden party?

Indoor venues with outdoor access

Some of our corporate summer party venues in London offer planners the best of both worlds for a summer event, with an inside space that has access to an outdoor area. Terraces and balconies off the main party space give guests the option to enjoy the delights of a British summer with the back-up of an indoor area should the temperature drop or the heavens open. We believe Westminster is particularly well positioned to offer some of the best views London has to offer, so whatever vista your venue has, you’re likely to be able to see some beautiful buildings, the River Thames or one of the Royal Parks.

Unique and unconventional venues

As a historic city, Westminster boasts some incredibly interesting and quirky venues. Museums, galleries, historic landmarks… our portfolio includes unique spaces with fascinating stories to tell. Some of our venues aren’t open to the public which means your summer party is offering exclusive access to a building or space otherwise out of reach.

Within our portfolio of exclusive, Westminster event venues, we have a plethora of unique summer party venues. You’ll find a range of spaces within these buildings, inside and outside ones. To save you trawling through all of the options, the best way to find exactly what you’re looking for is to fill out our venue search form which will generate a short list of venues that can cater to your specific needs.

 

Tips for successful summer party event planning in Westminster

Early booking and scheduling

Most summer party venues in London will book up early, sometimes as much as a year in advance, so it’s well worth getting ahead of the games and pencilling dates with your short-list as soon as you can. We’d advise checking your calendar for any big sporting events or public holidays which might clash with your preferred date and you might consider making sure your key players can make your date.

Summer Party Theme and decor

It’s not always necessary to have a full-on theme for your summer event, but incorporating some special touches into your décor or catering can go a long way to adding a little something extra to your party. Taking an idea like tropical, beach, garden party or neon and threading all of the elements of your day together with this in mind helps with the overall impact of your event, ensuring your guests have a truly memorable, special day. Other themes we’ve seen work well at summer events include Luau, carnival and festival.

Entertainment and activities

Summer party entertainment is an important part of event planning and there are lots of options to consider. For music you could go for a string quartet, jazz band or acapella group – we’d always suggest splashing out on live music for a summer party if the budget will stretch. It really does add a whole other level to the day.

It’s also a great idea to organise games your guests can get involved with. Lawn games like croquet, a ring toss or some fairground attractions are good ways to help break the ice between party goers, inject a bit of fun into proceedings and encourage some good-natured competition at your event. Entertainers including roaming magicians and stilt walkers work well at summer parties as they don’t monopolise the crowd’s attention but create a dynamic talking point.

 

Finding summer party venues in Westminster

If you think you might find your ideal summer party venue in the Westminster Venue Collection portfolio, get in touch with us via [email protected]. Or you can begin your search on our website which will give you a shortlist of spaces that can fulfil your brief.

 

Follow Westminster Venue Collection for more event venue inspiration, event planning tips and exciting event invites.

2024 Wedding Trends: Best Advice from Wedding Venues and Planners

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If you’re involved in a wedding this year – be it as a bride, groom, planner or supplier – you won’t want to miss our feature on 2024 wedding trends. We’ve hand-picked a group of experts whom work with, or for, venues within our portfolio, to get their advice on how to plan a wedding experience to remember in 2024.

From the predicted colour palettes of the year to the best wedding dates in 2024. We asked the wedding planning experts for their thoughts on 2024 wedding themes and when to start the wedding planning process.

Thanks to wedding planners Emma from Emma Jane Weddings and Leah from Leah the Wedding Planner (and bride-to-be), and to our exquisite venues, Amie Murphy, Business Development and Marketing Manager from {10-11} Carlton House Terrace, Emily Moss, Events Manager from the RAF Club, and Inga Mikusauskiene, Events Manager from the Lansdowne Club.

2024 Wedding trends 

What are the 2024 wedding trend colours going to be?

Emma: ‘We’ll likely continue to see a growing trend in brighter, more colourful palettes as couples move away from the ‘white, blush pink and green’ template.’

Amie: ‘We love seeing the highly anticipated Pantone colour of the year. This year is Peach Fuzz which is a gorgeous shade between pink and orange.’

Leah: ‘Pale pink, peach, oranges and bright colours.’

Emily: ‘I expect we will see a surge in light colour palettes in 2024 following Pantone’s colour of the year Peach Fuzz, that brings a feeling of tenderness. With blush weddings and classic navy being expected to dominate, I imagine we will see many weddings with a light, elegant and traditional aesthetic.’

Inga: ‘The influence from Barbie is likely to continue, with pinks of all shades and plentiful flowers.’  So, experts predict that Pantone’s Colour of the Year will make a huge impact on 2024 weddings. With the wedding experts all agreeing delicate colours like peach, pink, and orange will be popular 2024 wedding trend colours. We believe this choice is beautiful and can be emphasised with stunning florals throughout the wedding ceremony and reception.

Any other 2024 wedding trends you’ve noticed?

The Lansdowne Club share their expertise avdice about 2024 wedding trends
Weddings at The Lansdowne Club

Emma: ‘Some of the most interesting trends we’ve spotted on Instagram lately include vegetables as part of the table flowers, wedding day content creators and an increase in quirky hand-painted or drawn stationery styles.’

Leah: ‘Long sleeve, long train dresses with longer veils with embroidery. Textured materials for wedding gowns are becoming more popular in 2024 as well as the grooms adding more pizzazz to their tux or lapels with florals or a two-tone, textured jacket.’

Inga: ‘Wedding weekends, with couples extending the festivities over multiple days, wedding wardrobes, because multi-day celebrations mean multiple outfit changes, wedding cake meadows, with living flower cake displays and Champagne towers, because everything old is now new again for 2024!’

Emily: ‘There has already been a strong environmental focus emerging for 2024, couples are incorporating sustainable elements, with eco-friendly décor and locally sourced florals.’

Amie: ‘We’re seeing lots of our couples choose to reduce their guests list and have more intimate wedding celebrations.’

What are the best dates and seasons to get married in 2024?

EmmaJane Camilla Frankies London Wedding at Clapton Country Club planned by Emma Jane Weddings photos by Emmylou Kelly
EmmaJane Weddings – Image Credit: Emmylou Kelly

Inga: ‘Based on the enquiries and bookings we’ve already had, Autumn is emerging as the most popular season. The prolonged fine weather and the comfortable temperatures, which are perfect for outdoor ceremonies and drinks receptions as well as, of course, the photographs.’

Emma: ‘Unlike previous years, 2024 is seeing suppliers receive more last-minute bookings which leads us to think that the autumn/winter period might be unexpectedly busy.’

Emily: ‘Especially in London, we anticipate more autumn weddings this year. London’s charm is heightened by the warm autumnal tones.’

2024 is the year of Autumnal weddings! With the peach colour themes and Autumnal Westminster backdrops predicted by our expert wedding planners, we’re predicting a lot of truly magical weddings!

2024 Wedding Planning Trends

What’s the first step in planning a wedding?

Leah: ‘Setting a budget! Set your budget for a venue and what you’d like to be included in a package for your guests.’

Amie: ‘It’s all about research – taking the time to look over a venue’s website, social media channels and request for further information about costs and availability before booking in that all-important venue viewing.’

Emily: ‘The first step in finding the perfect wedding venue is defining your vision and priorities. Whether it’s a grand ballroom or intimate garden setting, clarifying your preferences sets the tone for a focused search tailored to your dream celebration.’

How far in advance should I start planning my wedding?

Inga: ‘Post-pandemic, we’ve noticed shorter lead times for weddings – more like 6-12 months, as opposed to two years.’

Emma: ‘If you’re open to various venues and flexible with your supplier choices, you can still plan a wedding within 12 months.’

Amie: ‘People are usually looking 12 – 18 months ahead of time. But we do find that for city weddings lead times can be shorter.’

How many times should I see my wedding venue?

Wedding ceremony in {10-11} Carlton House Terrace and 2024 wedding trend predictions
Wedding ceremony in {10-11} Carlton House Terrace.

Amie: ‘Usually, our couples visit the venue once. But depending on who is involved in the planning, I would say two visits would be sufficient.’

Emily: ‘I would advise that couples visit their potential wedding venue twice to see the space in different lights and ensure they are confident in their decision.’

Inga: ‘Hopefully, it’s love at first sight! One thing we would recommend is that it’s always good to pay a return visit when the space has actually been set up for another wedding, to give you more of an idea of how the room could look.’

What are your top tips to avoid mistakes?

 Emma: ‘There is absolutely no need to book something for your wedding day just because ‘it’s what other people do’ or for the sake of tradition. Don’t want to hold a bouquet when walking down the aisle? Don’t bother! Not a fan of cake? Your guests won’t miss it, I promise.’

Leah: ‘A lot of couples put other people’s opinions before their own and forget this is their special day. Do what you want to do and wear what you want to wear!’

Emily: ‘A common oversight in wedding planning is underestimating transportation logistics. Account for travel times between venues, especially in London, to ensure a seamless flow and avoid unnecessary stress.’

2024 Westminster Wedding Venue Trends

How can you create special moments in Westminster wedding venues?

 Leah: ‘As a northerner, I’d say don’t miss out on all the iconic London architecture and scenery. There are so many unique photo opportunities to get in London and listen to your photographer. They know the best spots, lighting and techniques to help you remember your perfect day.’

Amie: ‘Our couples LOVE to plan for a picture on The Mall. Usually with a black London taxi in the background to capture a quintessentially London moment.’

Weddings at The Royal Air Force Club
Weddings at The Royal Air Force Club. Credit: Sophie Cass

How can we make our Westminster wedding day to remember?

Emily: ‘For a distinctive Westminster wedding, draw inspiration from the regal surroundings and opt for a theme centred around British elegance. Incorporate classic elements like fine China, ornate candelabras, and floral arrangements inspired by traditional English gardens for a timeless celebration.’

Inga: ‘Why not have your photo taken in a ubiquitous red telephone box? If your wedding ceremony is taking place elsewhere, transporting your guests aboard a traditional double-decker red bus is a fun way to take in the London landmarks along the way.’

2024 Wedding Venues in Westminster

Westminster Venue Collection members know a thing or two about hosting fabulous nuptials, with dozens of our wedding venues boasting some of the best spaces in the capital. If you’re looking for a central Westminster wedding venue for your big day, use our enquiry form to narrow down your search for the perfect venue.

Our contributors

Many thanks to:

 

Regent’s Conferences & Events reports record summer of outdoor events

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Regent’s Conferences & Events has reported its most successful summer of outdoor events in a record breaking few months.

The central London based events venue has seen an all-time high of both guest numbers and average spend per head. Welcoming over 10,000 guests to the lawns between May and July, firms and private planners forked out an average of £137 per guest – a 40% increase in guests on pre-pandemic levels.

With only very minor F&B rate increases for 2022, the surging average spend is largely attributed to companies wanting to reward staff and individuals hoping to ‘make up for lost time’, putting extra spend behind their events.

An average of six lawn functions per week across an 11-week period has been in addition to the regular indoor event operation, with weekend clients using over 30 classrooms and 50 weekday classrooms for language schools, training events and meetings.

The venue was virtually booked out by April, but even after inevitable COVID dropouts, rail strikes and cancellations, it still saw 90% occupancy – 30% above target.

Regent’s has observed an increasing preference for savoury treats over sweet, with the crispy fried chicken burger eclipsing the former winner – the classic BBQ beef burger. With 80% of all outdoor guests opting for barbecued catering and 50% having a street food stall option too, the Taste of Greece menu and Italian Pizzeria were next on the popularity list.

Summer party entertainment trends have seen a shift from competitive sporting activities to more holistic wellbeing activities and interactive drink experiences like cocktail making.

Regent’s’ External Events Manager, Rafael Azzopardi said: “This summer has been quite remarkable for outdoor business. We knew we were in a fortunate position throughout the pandemic to offer such vast outdoor space for events, but even we didn’t foresee such demand continuing at this scale. The desire to celebrate, paired with the uncharacteristically brilliant British weather we have had has made for an unforgettable summer.

“The events team have been stretched like never before, delivering exceptional service through temperatures reaching 40 degrees and the catering team has continued to respond to demand and update its innovative offering. The searing heat boosted the popularity of ice cream as the most popular dessert, serving over 7,000 ice creams! Half the event planners have opted for two food servings per event and more cocktails per guest than we’ve ever seen before.”

Located within private gardens in Regent’s Park, the venue offers four acres of landscaped lawns for summer events of up to 1,200 guests, with a sheltered marquee available from May to September.

 

If you’d like to enquire about booking Regent’s Conferences & Events for your summer 2023 event, contact us at [email protected]

 

To find out more about their indoor meeting and function facilities, head to their page.

Discover Westminster; Showcase Success!

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We have long been known for our fantastic Westminster Venue Showcase events and this year was no exception!! The 26th of May 2022 marked the occasion of our Discover Westminster; Around Westminster Venues in 80 minutes, showcase event and how special for us all to be back together and what a fantastic evening it was!

Located at the Royal Society, one of our fabulous member venues, it was great to be back hosting a face-to-face event – You could feel the excitement amongst all. This elegant setting really set the scene and created the perfect backdrop for the occasion.

The showcase was attended by event professionals from London and beyond for the opportunity to celebrate and explore our unique consortium of Westminster’s finest venues. It was amazing to see them all showing off their venues and event packages to new and potential clients. Our venue collection includes a wide variety of venue types and styles, all with their own fascinating backstory and many with historic significance.

Originally home to the United Services Club, Georgian venue 116 Pall Mall was designed by John Nash, and this Grade I listed venue still contains many of the club’s original treasures. Then we move to The Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn. Their Great Hall was opened by Queen Victoria, and not to mention, Edwardian venue One Great George Street, 18th Century RSA House, and the world-famous Houses of Parliament.

The recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place throughout the city have seen these spectacular venues celebrated in all their glory, which has led to more enquiries, but let’s not forget the incredible modern venues within the collection. The QEII Centre got the chance to boast their cutting-edge AV facilities, essential for delivering live and engaging hybrid and studio events. The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton, showcased their stylish conference spaces and luxurious rooms for overnight stays. And if you’re looking for big screen events, Vue West End have got you covered!

We were also joined by key industry suppliers, including Frew & Co rolled ice cream. Their fun and refreshing treats are perfect for outdoor summer events. The talented chefs at the Royal Society also made an appearance to showcase some sweet offerings. Dan and the team plated up a feast for the eyes, demonstrating some impressive techniques, including dry ice!

Thank you to all who attended, and especially to Barbara Wutte and her team at the Royal Society for helping our board and the Paje team to organise the event, it wouldn’t have been a success without all those involved. The drinks were flowing and the delicious canapes went down a treat, and it was fantastic to see members sharing their images across social media.

“We are so excited about the future, we have new members joining our collection, new initiatives planned by the enthusiastic board and Paje Team and our venues are back to business at 2019 levels again!  We look forward to working with you over the coming months and celebrating just how amazing London and our wonderful Westminster Collection are!”  –  Rachel Azzopardi, Chair of Westminster Venue Collection.

Our experienced sales marketing and PR partners are here to support with enquiries and help you find the best space for your events. If you’re looking to book last minute summer parties, our venues have some stunning, private outdoor spaces available for hire, right in the heart of the Capital. Contact us today and we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your occasion.