We were asked to be part of Wedding Ideas’ first exclusive reader event, which was held at the stunning five-star Royal Horseguards Hotel near Embankment, London, last month.

Thirty brides-to-be were invited with a guest to enjoy an evening of champagne and canapes, personal consultations and pampering. The evening had an intimate atmosphere, and Olivier and I enjoyed taking the opportunity to advise brides-to-be about their wedding accessories.

Wedding Ideas magazine really does have the nicest readers – everyone we spoke to was down to earth and excited to be part of the evening. I’m sure this comes in part from the magazine’s ethos of being fun-loving, friendly and mostly female wedding gurus and, indeed, managing director and founder Rachel Southwood, editor Rachel Morgan and brand manager Pippa Ward, who were hosting the evening, really do live and breathe that friendly and fun-loving spirit. Can I also say how lovely you looked that evening, ladies!

For a full report of the evening and a list of all the wonderful suppliers involved, check out Wedding Ideas’ write up at www.weddingideasmag.com

My personal highlights of the night included bridal coach Michele Paradise’s top tips on how to pose for those big-day photographs, as well as hold the bouquet. It was a fun, interactive session and I think everyone learned a lot! It was also great to watch talented make-up artist Ana Ospina Ruiz in action.

Thank you Wedding Ideas for inviting us to get involved; we had a fantastic night and loved showing our pieces to your lovely readers. I will leave the final words to one of the brides we met that evening. She sent us this email after meeting Olivier and I at the event. Thanks so much Stephanie, we loved meeting you too!

“Meeting you both last night was an absolute pleasure. You made Katie and I feel so welcome and were undoubtedly our favourite suppliers of the night. Your pieces are stunningly beautiful (the Natasha bracelet was to die for!), they are quite simply works of art. I’m so privileged to own the Alice hair comb and I’m hoping and praying I can find the money to get some of your other pieces. Still, meeting you makes my comb all the more special. You spoke to Katie and I as if we were old friends and your open and friendly nature made our evening.” – Stephanie

For more information about the Royal Horseguards Hotel, visit www.guoman.com/hotels/united_kingdom/london/the_royal_horseguards/index.html

All photography courtesy of Mark Osborne Photography www.markosbornephotography.com

Sangeeta x