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Why a professional event manager should be the first ‘guest’ on your list.

Why you should use a professional event manager

It’s just a party. What could possibly go wrong?

When it comes to planning an event or party on a more ambitious, or even epic, scale, all the usual rules go straight out the window. That’s why if you’re planning on such an event, you need to put a professional event manager at the top of your list!

We’ve all organised a party at some point in our lives, whether it’s a birthday for tots and toddlers, a few mates round to watch a big cup final, or a back-garden barbecue with neighbours and friends.

Things that sound simple take on a scary life of their own. Everyday logistics can become the stuff of nightmares. And stress levels soar to a height that only the space station normally achieves.

Which is why an event manager is worth their weight in gold.

Using Experience To Head Off Problems

It’s not just about having someone to do the worrying for you. It’s not even about saving yourself a lot of hard work. It’s more to do with knowing what can (and often will) go wrong, and heading these things off at the pass.

There are suppliers to organise, venues to arrange, food to plan and prepare. Well, that all seems straight forward enough, doesn’t it? But what happens when one of those suppliers cancels at the last minute, when a decorator doesn’t turn up on time, or when important kit goes missing in transit?

How about dealing with a last minute swelling of the guest list, unexpected special dietary requirements, or a venue that simply won’t play ball?

Resolving problems like this requires a cool head, a steady hand, and a LOT of contacts.

Waiting on staff at an event.Event Managers Can React To The Unpredictable

Then there are the things that people don’t always think about. Like dealing with weather disruption.

Or finding the perfect place for visitors to stay. Or making complex travel arrangements.

Or sorting vital venue signage. Or arranging, re-arranging and re-re-arranging seating plans.

Or…or…or…the list goes on.

Moral of the story? Don’t give yourself a headache that will ruin the event for you. Let someone else take the strain. Especially when there are a staggering number of little things to consider too.

For example, when guests arrive in the middle of winter, they’ll need somewhere handy to hang up their coats.

Bet you didn’t think of that 🙂

If you are planning an event and would like to find out more about our event planning and management services then feel free to get in touch. 

Quality of Event Catering – Some serious food for thought

So, just a few days ago I was eavesdropping on a conversation in the office when one of my colleagues asked another if she had enjoyed the Indian wedding at the weekend.

What I was expecting to hear was something along the lines of… “Well, the bride looked stunning”. Or maybe…“They couldn’t have asked for better weather”. Or perhaps, simply…”It was lovely. So much colour, so much laughter and so much joy”.

But no! Back came the reply…”The food was rubbish! They didn’t have this…they forgot to do that…and I was starving by the time we were eventually invited to eat”.

My initial reaction was that surely she could have started with some positives about what was obviously a very special day for the family involved.

Why The Quality of the Event Catering Makes Or Breaks The Event

But then I realised, people really do judge events by the standard of the food. And I’m not just talking weddings. Birthdays, anniversaries, parties, retirements, conferences…they all feature – and often revolve around – the food, particularly the catering for Indian Weddings.

Sometimes we get sidetracked into ploughing all our effort into decorating the venue. Sometimes it’s all about the entertainment. Or maybe we’ll fuss and fret about how people are going to get there, where they’re going to sit, where they’re going to stay, and can we rely on Uncle So-and-So not to embarrass us all.

But when it comes to the crunch, it’s the food that will make or break the event.

Quality of event cateringGet it wrong and the grumbles will last long after the event has finished. Get it right, and the buzz from table to table will be all about how wonderful everything looks and tastes, how it must have cost a fortune for such high end food (when actually part of the secret was in the brilliant presentation), and a determination to discover the caterers’ details for when their magic is required again.

So…moral of the story? Lots of things go into making an event a memorable success. But if there’s one thing you can never – ever – afford to get wrong, it’s the food.

Tell us your thoughts. What is it that makes an event truly special? Is it the quality of event catering? or the decor, the setting, the entertainment or something else for you? Leave your comments below.

Five Asian Wedding Traditions To Remember For Your Wedding Day

When it comes to Asian wedding traditions, it can be hard to know which customs are right for your wedding day. Each society and community will have its own customs, some of which will be perfect for your wedding day. On the other hand, some traditions will not suit you as a couple. To help you incorporate the right Asian wedding traditions for your big day, here are five of our favourite age-old Asian wedding customs.

Five of the best Asian wedding traditions for your wedding

  • Written in the stars

For many Asian cultures, choosing the date of your wedding is very important. If you want your marriage to be successful, you may wish to consult astrology or the spirits to find the best time for you to get married.

For example, for a Hindu wedding, the couple can visit a pandit who will use the stars to work out the best date for the wedding. In Vietnam, the bride and groom may visit a monk, fortune teller or spiritual leader to find the best wedding date for them.

  • Sangeet

If you want your wedding to run smoothly with no distractions, awkwardness or problems, you may want to hold a sangeet. A sangeet is considered a mini wedding reception, warm-up or rehearsal. It is a chance for both families to all come together and get to know one another before two families become one.

This is a great chance to celebrate, ensure both families get along and enjoy plenty of food and singing to put you at ease before the big day.

  • Early to rise

As the best day of your life so far, you’ll want to celebrate your wedding day for as long as possible. The best way to do this is to get married early. For example, a traditional Thai wedding will involve a wedding ceremony that takes place around 6 am. With this, nine monks are invited to bless the couple.

While you may not want a 6 am start, having the ceremony in the morning gives you plenty of opportunity to party and celebrate with your friends.

  • Mangal Phere

Circling the Sacred Fire is a crucial custom in many cultures and is one that can be incredibly symbolic and beautiful on your wedding day. With this, the bride and groom will walk around the fire several times. In some traditional Asian weddings, the bride and groom will complete four circles of the fire, in others, they may complete seven laps. Each loop will keep your aspirations in the forefront of your minds such as prosperity as well as your duty to yourselves, family and God.

In some traditions, the last lap will be a race between the newlyweds. The first to complete the lap and sit down will be claimed to be the ruler of the house.

  • Ravishing red

For the most prosperity, red is the most auspicious colour to include in your wedding day. Red is a popular choice in Indian weddings as well as for weddings in China. It is important to remember that India and China have many ethnic groups, the right colour for your wedding may alter slightly. However, red will usually symbolise love and loyalty, while gold will symbolise fortune and prosperity.

If you would like to find out more about how Payal can assist you with any of these traditional features then we would be delighted to hear from you. Feel free to contact us with your ideas.

The Ultimate Corporate Event Ideas Revealed

Corporate events are notoriously difficult to get right.

It is challenging to find the right event that ticks all the requirements. It needs first to be fun and engaging. Furthermore, it needs to fit your branding and business requirements. Your corporate event may have to cater for guests and clients while you also have to bear in mind the budget and logistics. Finally, you want corporate events ideas that are unique and get people talking.

Feeling stuck? Read on, and we will reveal the ultimate corporate events ideas for you to take inspiration from.

The ultimate list of corporate event ideas

  • Escape Rooms

Do your team feel confined in an office all day?

It will be nothing compared to being confined to an escape room. Escape rooms are ideal for small teams who have a defined period of time (usually an hour) to escape the room. The escape rooms require a great deal of teamwork, and it can be enlightening to see how different minds approach different clues and tasks.

After the event, you’ll undoubtedly need a meal or drinks reception to talk over the challenge and how the team felt about it. Was there a leader? Did they shout over each other? Most importantly, did they escape on time?

Stunning corporate event ideas from Payal Events

  • Corporate cookery classes

There is no such thing as a free meal, and with a corporate cookery class, your team will have to prepare their own dishes. A corporate cookery class is an excellent way to stir up interest in cookery and do something completely different.

It can help those who are novices in the kitchen and please those who want to learn top tips from the experts. There are a range of different styles of corporate cookery classes from bake-offs to team efforts. You can also find classes for specific cuisines too which is perfect for a themed corporate event.

  • Murder mystery

A ‘whodunnit?’ is a wonderfully light-hearted corporate event idea. You can add to the experience by including prizes for the best and worst dressed as well as an ultimate prize for the best guesses. As the plot thickens, your team will either bond or accuse, and it is highly entertaining to watch. Murder mystery nights will often include a dinner too, and you and your team can often be written into the plot.

  • Coasteering

Coasteering is the ideal action-packed event for adrenaline junkies. Coasteering involves many elements from climbing to swimming, cliff jumping to scrambling. It is a fantastic way to experience the coastline in a brand-new way and incorporates both a challenge and the beauty of nature. Coasteering requires teamwork, encouragement and support which makes it ideal for corporate events.

As coasteering is hard work, make sure to organise a celebratory lunch afterwards to allow people to re-energise and recoup the calories they have burned off.

Award Winning Corporate Event Ideas from the Team at Payal Events

Corporate Event Ideas from the Award Winning Team at Payal Events

  • Luxury yacht

Do your team dream of the high life?

Make it a reality by chartering a yacht for the day for your corporate event. Your team can simply sit back and relax or take up the helm of the boat. Include caterers on board, and your team can enjoy a sumptuous meal while sailing in the peace and tranquillity of the ocean. If a luxury yacht is out of the budget, then many sailing companies will offer a dinner and boat trip combined activity.

Not great on water? Then head to the skies and opt for a stunning skyline location for drinks and dinner with a view.

  • Art classes

A great way to unleash the creativity of your team is to hold an art class. This type of corporate event is relaxed and gentle; it is ideal for those who do not look for the next adrenaline rush. The whole team can be set up with an easel and art materials. An art teacher can then be on hand to offer advice, encouragement and expert tips. Art can help people to unwind and de-stress; it is also very rewarding. Furthermore, the guests will be able to take their masterpiece home; it may even start a hobby.

If your team aren’t keen on creating art then why not have an evening at a gallery or exhibition as a corporate event idea. Complete the evening with canapes and drinks. You can even ask the curator or artist to share their knowledge. This can be a great option to build links in the local community. As a business, you can even host your own art exhibition and ask local artists to contribute.

If you would have been inspired by any of these corporate event ideas and would like to find out more, then feel free to contact us for more details.

 

Six Stunning Asian Wedding Cake Ideas For Your Big Day

The Asian wedding industry is known for its opulent show-stopping wedding cakes that are full of grandeur, and that mesmerise the audience. So much more than a cake, Asian wedding cakes are works of art, with a luxury and quality that you expect for your wedding day.

Elaborate Asian wedding cakes to take centre stage should taste as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.

Looking for something different for your big day? Here are six stunning Asian wedding cake ideas that offer surprise, elegance and style. With one of these cakes adorning the cake table, you can be sure to create the perfect cake cutting ceremony photograph and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Six stunning Asian wedding cake ideas

  • Cake-Pop Tiers

Do you have many guests to feed? Alternatively, perhaps you have so many ideas for wedding cake flavours that you do not know which one to choose? A cake-pop tiered-cake is the perfect way of having lots of different cake flavours that all come together to create a stunning tiered design. Similar to the French wedding classic, croquembouche, you can pile up bite-sized spheres of cake, held together in a stunning design.

Decorate each cake flavour differently, but in complementing colours so that guests know exactly which flavour they are choosing. We think honey and pistachio cake-pops work wonderfully with Gajar Halwa, carrot and cardamom.

  • Mehndi-Style Cake

Mehndi plays such a significant role in weddings and celebrations. With this in mind, you can continue the theme with your cake too. Decorating your cake with intricate mehndi designs helps to tie in the design across the wedding beautifully.

Mehndi designs also work wonderfully as the design changes depending on where you look at it. From far away the outline could be a creeping flower climbing up the tiers, at close proximity the design may transform into an intricate pattern of hearts.

The great benefit about mehndi style cakes as they can be subtle and glamorous or bold and colourful.

  • Rose Gold

Nothing shows glamour and style more than a metallic rose gold finish for your many-tiered wedding cake. You can add to the rose gold theme by having a rose and cardamom flavoured sponge, sandwiched together with soft, fluffy white chocolate buttercream.

While the cake can have as many tiers as you want, an elegant sweep of natural-looking sugar flowers trailing the cake will help to show its intricacy and artistic flair. To keep your cake in theme, make sure you tell the baker which flowers you will have at your wedding or will hold as a bouquet. This way, the sugar flowers can be crafted to match.

  • Naked Cakes

Naked cakes are a big trend for weddings. By stripping away the icing, you put the focus on the flavours and colours on the cake instead of masking its inner beauty. Naked cakes are ideal if you want to make your cakes pack a powerful flavour punch.

The beauty of a naked cake is that you get to let all the layers shine and create a beautiful colour palette that comes from natural flavours. We love multiple layer cakes feature coconut and cherry sponges which alternate deep pink and white layers. Pineapple and anise sponges sprinkled with pistachios and drizzled with passionfruit make for an ideal tropical wedding cake.

Just because the cake is not covered in icing, it does not mean it cannot be decorated. Piped meringue on top of the cake gives a light but stylish finish and a great crunch when you get around to cutting the cake with your beloved.

  • Hidden Room

Is there a specific place that holds a special place in your heart? If you and your partner have a special place or perhaps have fallen in love in the room where you will be married, why not transform your wedding cake to look like the room. Cutting away in the middle of the cake allows cake makers the space to create a stunning room inside the cake. Complete with flooring and the even chandelier light fittings, you can recreate a favourite place in an edible format.

It is a good idea to let the rest of the cake be classically styled with minimal detail to show the room off in all of its stunning glory.

  • Chocolate Sculpture

If a traditional wedding cake does not excite you, then perhaps a chocolate sculpture will. Chocolate sculpting is more durable meaning you can create your perfect design, from a birdcage to a waterfall scene, from a lotus flower to a cherry blossom tree; the possibilities are endless when it comes to chocolate sculpting.

Not only will it impress your guests, but it will be moreish too, by the end of your wedding day, there may not be any left!

If you would like to find out more about our Asian Wedding Cake Ideas and suppliers, then we would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us with your ideas and our team will be delighted to help.

The Best Asian Wedding Venues in Manchester, Liverpool & Across the North West

Are you looking for the perfect Asian Wedding Venue in Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire or anywhere in the North West? Then this article could end your search.

Finding the perfect location is critical.

Your choice of wedding venue should not only be convenient for you and your family and loved ones but should be a place that sums you up as a couple. Your wedding venue should be a place that helps to bring your dream wedding to life and provides personality, as well as convenient touches.  To help you come up with a shortlist of your ideal wedding venues. Here is our ultimate list of Asian wedding venues in the North West.

Our Ultimate List of North West Asian wedding venues 

Liverpool

  1. Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa

Thornton Hall Hotel is well-known for its specialism in Asian weddings and has even been recognised at the Asian Wedding Awards. The hotel also offers a team of on-site Asian hair and make-up specialists. Accommodating up to 500 guests with 62 bedrooms, Thornton Hall is set in beautiful gardens complete with a lakeside arbour. With a willingness to adapt, you can bring your own wow factor to the venue.

2. Thornton Manor

Thornton Manor offers four wedding venues all with their own unique qualities. There is potential for holding up to 1,000 guests, and the high ceilings make it perfect for traditional Asian wedding theming and decoration. With an understanding of Asian weddings, you can be sure that Thornton Manor can cater to your needs.

3. Knowsley Estate

Winner of Brides North West Wedding Awards for four consecutive years, you know you are receiving the best at Knowsley Hall. The Stucco Ballroom can seat 132 guests, and its gold leaf splendour adds a majestic touch to any wedding day. With flexible pricing and a helpful team, you and your wedding party will feel welcome.

View More Ideal Asian Wedding Venues in Liverpool»

Manchester

  1. Old Trafford

Considered the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford is not only a perfect wedding location for football fans but those who want a wedding on a grand scale. With three wedding suites, the largest has the capacity for 820 guests. With a team of wedding co-ordinators at your disposal, you can be sure to craft the perfect Asian wedding day.

2. Renaissance Manchester

Set in the heart of the city, The Renaissance Manchester has a capacity for 320 guests and conveniently has 82 parking spaces on site. With a recent renovation, the Renaissance is a sophisticated wedding location with style and class and can be tailored to suit your individual requirements.

3. The Principal Manchester

The Principal certainly gives a fresh approach to wedding venues with sparkling chandeliers, and Victorian charm brought up to date with a few modern touches. The venue has the capacity for 1,000 guests, and a wedding coordinator is on hand to make sure every detail is perfect.

View More Ideal Asian Wedding Venues in Manchester»

Other North West Asian Wedding Locations

  1. DW Stadium, Wigan

For a spectacular wedding, the DW Stadium is a real stand-out venue. With intimate lounges for small guest numbers or, alternatively, the marquee which holds up to 400 guests, there is a range of options to suit your needs. Parking is a major plus for wedding guests, while your event manager will ensure your wedding day goes without a hitch.

2. Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield

The extensive grounds of Capesthorne are the perfect backdrop for wedding photographs. The gardens are perfect for a summer wedding with capacity for 700 guests. The venue is also experienced in Muslim, Hindu and Sikh wedding ceremonies. They not only understand but can easily cater to your needs.

3. Wrenbury Hall, Nantwich

The fact that Wrenbury Hall is still a family home offers a relaxed and friendly charm which is perfect for an intimate wedding. With extensive grounds, Wrenbury Hall will be exclusively yours for your wedding day. The space is flexible to use as you wish and is ideal for all manner of cultural weddings so you can have the freedom to a design a day that is truly magical.

4. Craxton Wood, Chester

Craxton Wood offers 27 acres of beautiful secluded gardens and woodland to create fairytale wedding photographs. There is a range of function rooms, some which lead out on to the gardens, maximising the space and making your wedding feel light and airy. A beautiful location with a range of amenities to ensure your wedding is unforgettable and all guest’s needs are catered for.

5. Holford Estate, Knutsford

With the Holford Barn and Holford Gardens, there is a perfect place for every couple to tie the knot. The grounds are idyllic, and the event venue is versatile so that you can plan your perfect wedding with the ideal backdrop. With contemporary and traditional touches there is something to suit everyone.

Find out more about our wide range of stunning Asian Wedding Venues in the North West, the rest of the UK and our international venues as well.

The 5 Best Corporate Event Examples We Could Find

When it comes to corporate events, there are so many aspects to consider. You not only have to consider the entertainment, high-quality food and superb location but you also have to make sure every aspect works together to create one fantastic event.

If you want your event to be memorable and talked about for all the right reasons, then you need to make your event unique and give it the wow factor. To help inspire you, here are some of the best corporate event examples that we could find.

Our five best corporate event examples

1. A carnival

If your corporate event will be used to celebrate an achievement or provide fun for your guests, then what better way than having all the fun of the fair? A carnival theme can allow you to go to town on theming, while still being relatively cost-effective, with a few simple stripy tents. You can have a range of carnival games such as ring toss, hook-a-duck and the coconut shy. Include tasty carnival snacks such as candyfloss and popcorn.

The benefit of this type of corporate event is that it gives you the chance to scale it for your needs, a small carnival theme could be set up at your premises while a larger event could be hosted in the grounds of an event location.

To thank the people that post reviews on Google Maps, Google hosted a carnival for their Google City Experts and it certainly impressed everyone that was lucky enough to be invited.

2. Comfortable conferences

If your next corporate event is a conference or lecture, then you can still give your event the wow factor, even if it is not considered the most exciting event of the year. Make your event exciting by holding interactive exhibits and small showcase booths to browse. You may also enlist the help of a celebrity as a speaker or performer to draw a crowd which is what Target Corporation do for their employee meetings.

Another excellent idea for your next conference is to transform the conference theatre. For example, a TEDx talk took out the uncomfortable chairs and replaced the seating with bean bags. For events where there will be long speeches, your guests will definitely appreciate feeling comfortable and relaxed. Add in some great food and drink choices, perhaps even waiting staff service for the event and you will definitely have people returning year on year.

3. Jump on the bandwagon

If there is a huge pop culture trend, do not be afraid to use it as a theme to astound your guests. Talked about TV shows, iconic movies or a particular sporting event can all be excellent themes on which to base your event. For example, American TV network HBO threw a huge corporate event for their staff celebrating one of the network’s biggest TV shows, Game of Thrones.

During HBO’s Game of Thrones inspired event, guests could seat on the famous Iron Throne and there were plenty of photo opportunities for guests to become their favourite characters and travel to the many locations without leaving the room. When choosing your theme, try to tie in food, activities and themes to make the whole event come together cohesively.

4. Make it a competition

All people love a chance to win some fantastic prizes. By transforming your corporate event into a game, you have the opportunity to attract a substantial crowd. The competition can be based on almost anything but it is essential to make it relevant to your company and your event.

For example, sports brand Puma held a cycling competition as part of one of their marketing campaigns. Guests of the event simply had to cycle on an exercise bike for two-hours to receive brand new sports equipment, clothing and trainers. For those who wanted to take the event more seriously, there was a cycling competition where participants had the chance to win $25,000.

While your competition does not have to be as big and expensive, it can be an excellent way to get people excited about your event, it can also help with your social media campaign as people size up their competition and start to challenge their colleagues.

5. Get technological

Another way you can add excitement to your next event is through using innovations that people have yet to see or experience themselves. There is a range of technological corporate event ideas and you can draw experience from other businesses. For example, Adobe celebrated creativity with a 3D selfie creator. Samsung also utilised technology when they asked people to tweet their dreams and then they transformed these messages into projected art as an interactive installation.

To improve participation at your next corporate event, consider installing an interactive graffiti wall like the Unstoppable Confidence Summit where the guests could write inspirational messages for all to see.

Got a budding corporate event idea?

If these corporate event examples have inspired you, then Payal can help to transform your idea into reality. Offering event planning as well as luxury catering, we can help to transform your next corporate event into something amazing. Let us know your next event idea and find out how we can help by getting in touch.

Five Reasons Why You Will Love A Corporate Event Planner

Planning events can be one of the most stressful activities you can do.

Help is at hand however. By hiring a corporate event planner, you can create an experience that is successful, powerful and hopefully unforgettable – for the right reasons. Here are five reasons that make hiring a corporate event planner a no-brainer.

Five reasons you need a corporate event planner

When it comes to corporate events, there is a tremendous amount of pressure. Whether you are launching a product, impressing customers or thanking the staff, your event has to impress. It can be hard to get the message of your event across and make everything run smoothly and on time. That’s where a corporate event planner comes in handy…

  • Transform your vision into reality

Corporate event planners are in the field because of their creative flair and passion. With just a small brief, event planners can unleash their creativity to turn a dream into the real thing. If you have a bud of an idea of what you want from an event, then a corporate event planner can transform the design.

It is important you have a clear objective in mind. With this, a corporate event planner can use their experience, connections and suppliers to create an event that is on the brief and will impress. Whether small and subtle, to large and extravagant, using the creativity of an event planner can inspire an event beyond your expectations.

  • More for your money

While you may see a corporate event planner as an added expense, they can actually save you money, allowing your event to enjoy more for the price. The reason? Corporate event planners have many contacts and suppliers in the industry. They know where they can find quality for the best possible price.

Corporate event planners have a lot of purchase power and a fantastic network of contacts and trusted suppliers. This can establish fantastic deals with suppliers which your event can benefit from.

With just one event, you will find it hard to score deals with the big vendors. However, a corporate event planner will be able to negotiate better thanks to their existing relationship or the potential to throw a lot more business their way soon.

  • Budget control

Sticking with the theme of money, a corporate event planner does not just help your event to enjoy more for its money; they can also help you to save money and remain in budget too. All too often when armed with a budget, we have a lack of control and worse, forget about an aspect until it is too late which forces us to go over budget.

A corporate event planner, on the other hand, will be equipped with the latest high-tech software for budget control as well as having experience in how best to proportion and split the budget. As well this, they will make sure there is always a little left for emergencies. Budget management tools can be costly as well as being difficult to operate. However, an event manager will be skilled in using the software and will be able to give you all of the budget information you need, without you having to worry.

An event planner will always stick to your budget and will consult with you if they are over or under budget so that you always have the overriding decision. By having an event planner looking after the budget, it can be a huge weight lifted, and a significant responsibility is taken care of.

  • Experience

Corporate event planners are armed with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. By planning hundreds of events, there won’t be many events that they have not come across, experiences not encountered or problems they have not already resolved.

Event planners have a diverse work experience, where no two days are the same, this means they are equipped with a wide range of knowledge that they can apply to each situation they encounter. From the best successes, they can share tips, while if things go wrong, they will know how to fix them.

With experience, they will know the best ways for you to achieve your objective. From surprising guests, they may recall an event that used real mannequins to come to life during the event to surprise guests. For the best canapes, they may know the perfect supplier. If you need help finding the ideal theming for your niche event, then they may know the perfect vendor to contact. They may even be able to show you pictures and videos of events who have used the idea before so you can see it being brought to life before your event takes place.

  • Reduce time and stress

Planning an event can take up a significant amount of time, and it is likely that your plate is loaded with other activities and tasks too. Event planning has a lot of complex processes and many intricate details to organise and check on. With so much to do and with trust in so many suppliers it is understandable how stressful planning an event can be.

Fortunately, by hiring an event planner, you can relax. Make the most of someone planning all of the details on your behalf and schedule a regular update to give you added peace of mind that everything is on track. By saving time in the event, you can gain time on other projects, which may prove to save money too.

Looking for a luxury event planner?

At Payal Events, we can turn a party into an unforgettable event that surpasses the wildest dreams of our clients and impresses all of the guests. We want to help to reduce the stress of your next event by taking care of every single detail for you.

Tell us about your next event, and we can help to turn your vision into a reality.

Six Corporate Event Ideas To Inspire You In 2018

As we start to plan for the essential corporate events of the year, event planners are on the lookout for the most creative corporate event ideas that will get people talking and make the event memorable. If you are tasked with planning or managing a corporate event in 2018, then read on for six of the best corporate event ideas to inspire you in 2018.

6 Ways To Put a Different Spin On Corporate Events

  1. Alternative Payment

If you are looking for a way to launch a product or service, or simply a team building event for workers and colleagues, then the alternative payment set up is a fascinating concept that offers benefits to guests and the business running the event. The alternative payment looks at trading a skill or task for the price of food on offer.

For example, if you are launching a fitness or healthy eating program, then you can offer exciting, healthy food by asking your guests to ‘pay’ for it by exercise. You can have exercise bikes and treadmills available allowing people to earn their food.

For networking or skills sharing event, people can pay for food and drinks by offering a service, completing a task. What you then build up is a talent pool as well as valuable feedback and information that can help to craft your business or product.

In fact, with alternative payment, the possibilities are endless, and it can be adapted to suit a whole range of situations.

  1. The immersive experience

To really take your corporate event ideas to the next level, consider a multi-sensory experience. Multi-sensory is an impressive delivery while being at the height of fashion as mindfulness takes hold. Multi-sensory experience can involve a plethora of content. For example, the event food can be part of a journey, inviting guests to enjoy the smell, touch, taste, sound and vision of different dishes to awaken every part of the body.

You can also use a multi-sensory experience to create a narrative. Ideal for engaging guests throughout the whole event and making every aspect of the event tie in together.

  1. Treats for sharing

With social media playing a significant part of marketing for businesses, corporate events are the perfect time to capitalise on your marketing campaign. Throughout your event, you can offer prizes, experiences and exclusive access to VIP areas just from getting the word out there about your business and event.

Offer rewards to those who share your brand on social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Sharing your organisation and event with their network will improve your exposure and show your audience that you know how to throw a party.

  1. A community event

If your brand is all about giving back and supporting the community around you, then a community event is an excellent idea to bring everyone together. It can also help to build relations which can often be strained regarding businesses in the community. For a start, a GPS treasure hunt is a great way to get people discovering the area and finding out more about the location.

Secondly, volunteering for projects can also help to give back to local charities and forge valuable ties with people in the area. It is also a fantastic way to improve your business reputation and market your brand. End the day with a celebratory meal for all involved to enhance networking and thank everyone for being a part of your community.

  1. Improve a skill

Nowadays, everyone is looking for self-improvement methods across all aspects of life. Your corporate event can help to take advantage of this by offering people the chance to learn a new skill. Depending on your brand this can vary, but popular skills could include cookery classes, dance classes, mindfulness and meditations and even 3D printing workshops.

Whatever theme works for your business, you can find a way to have a workshop or masterclass to help everyone feel the benefit of being part of your corporate event. Not only does learning a new skill means everyone gets to take home knowledge, but it can also improve brain function and give improved performance for other tasks too, so it might just benefit your business in the long run. One of the better corporate event ideas?

  1. Festivals

Festivals have been a huge trend, and it is time for your event to capitalise on the trend and create your own festival. Once you have found a suitable location, it is easy to create a festival vibe with pop-up food stalls, a stage for performers and a collection of entertainers milling around the event. It creates a really relaxed vibe and allows people to experience a festival for themselves without coping with the camping.

Depending on your budget you can really go to town with a festival theme by offering everyone branded wellies or ponchos as well as having top rate performers such as singers or comedians to give your festival a distinctive edge.

Indian Catering: 5 Signs You Are Getting A Quality Service

Choosing the right Indian catering company for your event is essential. In fact, the food can make or break an event. High-quality dishes can help to rescue a situation, and exceptional catering can become a talking point for a great event. When deciding on a caterer you want to be sure that you are getting a quality service, but what makes a caterer right for your event?

With Indian catering, you want to be sure of an excellent, reliable service and delicious food which your guests will devour. Look out for these five top signs of a quality Indian catering service to help you to make the right decision and make your event memorable.

Five top signs you’re getting a great Indian catering experience

  1. Tastings

When planning an event, you want peace of mind in all areas. One of the best ways to feel reassured by a caterer is by sampling the menu beforehand. When discussing your menu requirements, your caterer should be able to offer tastings. It is especially important to test the meal options if you are undecided on which items to go for. By testing some of the dishes, you can work out the ideal pairings to make your menu selection easier.

Menu tastings are an excellent way to determine a quality Indian caterer. They not only allow you to taste the quality of the food and their cooking prowess, but it will also give you an idea of presentation. As we eat with our eyes first, beautiful presentation is vital and will send your event to the next level.

rupa-viras-the-signature-south-indian

Rupa Viras – the signature South Indian

  1. Knowledge of ingredients

Quality ingredients are essential for delicious meals. One of the best ways to determine a high-quality caterer is by their knowledge and enthusiasm for ingredients. Many top caterers will focus their menus on locally-sourced produce to ensure that they have the freshest ingredients which make a great dish.

Whether you are looking for authentic and traditional cuisines to modern contemporary flavour fusions, the quality of the ingredients will be essential for the flavour and style. Ask your caterer about their suppliers and where they source ingredients from to help you to determine their quality and commitment to providing delicious cuisine.

  1. Attentiveness

Your event is important to you. A quality caterer will make sure that your event is important to them too. When choosing a caterer, look for the ones who take a specific interest in your needs and work with you to offer advice. A caterer should help you to create the best event possible with their dishes. During initial enquiries, a caterer should be responsive and helpful to you. While its expected a caterer will be busy, you should be able to communicate and arrange a suitable meeting time to discuss your requirements.

During a meeting with a caterer, look out for a caterer that actively asks questions. Their interest in your event and wanting to know all of the details is a sign they want to tailor their caterer to meet your needs. These will be the caterers who will strive to deliver top-quality service and be adaptable to your wishes.

Mirch Masala

Mirch Masala

  1. Understanding of your event

Some caterers will specialise in certain event types, which means they might not be the right choice for your event. Most caterers will explain what they specialise in, and trusted caterers will tell you what events they are best suited to and whether your event is right for them.

While a caterer should be flexible and adaptable to your needs, they are all built for different markets and service needs. Make sure that the caterer fully understands your style as much as you understand theirs for the perfect fit.

  1. Detailed contract

A good caterer will be completely transparent with their service offering so that you know exactly what you receive. The contract should include every detail of service, beverages, food and additional services they may offer.

For a high-purchase contract for big events, it is important you fully know your rights, particularly in the event of non-delivery or poor quality. A sign of a quality service will be a caterer that is not cheap, but one that provides the best value. It will be these caterers who will strive to meet your expectations and ensure you are completely happy with the contract. Clear terms and a commitment to providing you with the service you have paid for is a sign of a quality caterer that will give you peace of mind before a big event.

Find out more about our Luxury Catering Services – or if you would like to enquire about our Indian Catering services then feel free to contact us – or call now on 0203 150 2520 / 0161 902 0010.
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