Held in December at the opulent Rixos Tersane Istanbul, the 3rd annual Table Design Exhibition, themed "Art of Winter," showcased a breathtaking array of artistic table settings, curated culinary experiences, and engaging discussions led by world-renowned designers. The event is organised by KM Events and spearheaded by Meltem Tepeler, and brings together wedding planners and designers from around the world, to share ideas and inspiration.
We were delighted to be able to experience the event first hand, meet the designers and sponsors, and find out about the inspiration behind each tablescape.
Nine world-renowned wedding and event designers had been invited to transform the venue into a breathtaking showcase of artistry, crafting immersive experiences that transcended the traditional concept of decorated tables. From the grand opening ceremony to the insightful Creativity Conference, and culminating in a prestigious gala dinner, the exhibition drew an impressive 600 attendees from 36 countries to its grand opening ceremony, followed by 2 days of enriching conferences, networking opportunities, and masterclasses.
Sarah Haywood with Larry Walshe - UK
Sarah Haywood, rated No.1 International Wedding Planner by US Vogue, is the founder of Sarah Haywood Weddings & Celebrations, a leading luxury wedding and party planning company based in London. She specialises in creating elegant, stylish, and unforgettable celebrations for discerning clientele, ranging from intimate gatherings to grand affairs. Her expertise extends across royal weddings and celebrity celebrations to destination weddings and social events across Europe and beyond. Sarah possesses exceptional skills in planning, design, and production, ensuring every detail is meticulously considered to create truly memorable and magical experiences for her clients.
As a planner rather than a designer, to bring her visions to life for the Table Design Exhibition, Sarah collaborated with Larry Walshe, an international renowned floral designer with studios in London, New York and Lake Como. With a clientele that includes royal households, discerning brides and grooms, and prestigious brands, Larry's designs are often characterised by a lavish and abundant use of texture and colour, drawing inspiration from art, fashion, and the natural world.
Paula Rooney - United Kingdom
Paula Rooney, an award-winning floral designer with 30 years of experience, is renowned worldwide for creating opulent and stunning floral designs. With a focus on listening to her clients and translating their visions into reality, she delivers bespoke floral art for the most exclusive events globally. Known for her chic and luxurious style, guided by nature, Paula's designs are synonymous with impeccable quality, seamless execution, and an unparalleled attention to detail. She has a studio near London, in Hampshire, and on the Spanish island of Majorca.
Amie Bone - United Kingdom
Event visionary Amie Bone is a globally renowned event designer with over twenty years of experience, known for her passion and dedication to bringing her clients' dreams to life. She excels at translating couples' ideas and unique stories into visually spectacular, personalised creations. With a focus on exceptional creativity and client satisfaction, and an extensive list of contacts, Amie Bone masterfully manages a range of events, from intimate gatherings to ultra-luxe weddings and high-end corporate events. Amie is also recognised as the visionary behind Fantasia, an inspirational event emerging the florists of the future in a three day masterclass of creativity and theatrical exuberance.
Vandana Mohan - India
Vandana Mohan is a prominent figure in the Indian events industry. As a pioneer in the field, she established herself as the first female event planner in India. Known for her expertise in luxury and lifestyle events, she founded The Wedding Design Company and Backstage Productions and has masterminded some of the most iconic weddings across Europe and India. Her signature style, characterised by a blend of glamour, timeless elegance, and vibrant colours, has made her a sought-after name in the industry. Vandana and her team, which now incorporates her daughter Vedika as Creative Director, are known for their meticulous attention to detail, seamlessly integrating fabrics, flowers, crafts, and technology to create unique and unforgettable experiences.
Teddy Manuel - Philippines
Teddy Manuel is a leading floral designer in Manila, renowned for creating spectacular and unique floral arrangements for weddings and other special events. He employs a team of talented designers and sources the finest flowers locally and internationally to produce stunning designs for discerning clients. Teddy's work has been featured in prominent publications like METRO Weddings Magazine and Wedding Essential Magazine, and many weddings take design inspiration from his Instagram account. His design philosophy emphasises natural beauty, letting the flowers speak for themselves while drawing inspiration from nature's forms and textures.
From the experts
Alejandra Poupel, France
Based in Paris, Alejandra Poupel is a luxury event planner who truly values bringing the magic of the moment to life. Building a reputation for world class events from clients across the globe, Alejandra's ability to set trends has made her stand out as one of the most sought after event planners in Europe. Embracing flawless attention to detail and expert execution, Alejandra is renowned for blending historical venues with outstanding creative design to produce and events that are unforgettable.
Jen Gould - New York, USA
Jen Gould is a luxury floral designer and event stylist, specialising in transformational décor for weddings. Give Jen a room or event space, and she'll create an experiential masterpiece. She joined her mother in her highly respected floral design company in 2003, bringing cutting-edge creative elements such as acrylic fabrication, graphic design, digital technology, and large-scale set design. When her mother retired, she took on the company and continued the legacy. Jen is quick to explain that she's a designer and not a wedding planner, and her company has developed over 40 years through close collaboration and referrals from some of the most respected planners and venues in New York.
From the experts
Abdulaziz Alnoman - Saudi Arabia
Acquiring his knowledge and honing his skills through education from some of the best designers around the world, Abdulaziz Alnoman has made a significant impact and earned a well-respected reputation in the floral design industry. An artist inspired by his surroundings, he believes inspiration can arise from anywhere, be it nature, fashion, or even a piece of fabric. Renowned for his unique and bespoke floral creations, Abdulaziz Alnoman strives to elevate the luxury wedding experience.
Guadalupe Alvarez - Mexico
Creative director and founder of Penzi Weddings and Events, Guadalupe Alvarez strongly believes in showcasing the beauty of celebration through the expertise she has gained from her extensive background in event and product production. This dedication makes her one of Mexico's most innovative event producers. Her passion for creating unique and extraordinary experiences for her clients is evident in her distinctive style and design. Whether it's traditional Mexican décor featuring papel picado or classic American wedding, Guadalupe and her team are committed to creating moments that are truly unforgettable.
The Creativity Conference
In addition to showcasing the work of floral designers and event planners, the event encompassed a day of B2B meetings and an enlightening day of conference seminars. With prestigious speakers and interesting panellists the conference provided a diverse range of perspectives on creativity and innovation within the events industry, with a strong emphasis on global trends, cultural insights, and the importance of sustainability.
Our takeaways from Antonio Paraiso's Keynote
Antonio Paraiso's keynote speech offered invaluable insights for wedding planners and designers, emphasising the transformative power of art in elevating the luxury wedding experience.
Paraiso stressed that art is more than just decoration; it's a strategic tool to enhance client experiences, elevate your brand, and command premium pricing.
- "Artification" is Key: Think beyond traditional wedding planning. Transform your services into works of art by incorporating artistic elements, weaving captivating stories, and drawing inspiration from diverse cultures.
- Inspiration is Everywhere: Look beyond the obvious. Find inspiration in art, history, cultural traditions, and even sensory experiences to create truly unique and memorable weddings.
- Tell Compelling Stories: Every wedding has a unique story. Weave these narratives into the event planning process, incorporating cultural elements and personal touches to create a deeply meaningful and emotionally resonant experience for your clients.
- Embrace Collaboration: Partner with artists, musicians, and other creatives. Integrate their talents into every aspect of the wedding planning process, from venue selection and decor to entertainment and guest experiences.
Paraiso challenged wedding planners and designers to view art as a strategic asset, not just an aesthetic addition. By embracing creativity and integrating art into every aspect of their work, wedding planners and designers can elevate their offerings, create truly exceptional experiences for their clients, and establish themselves as leaders in the luxury wedding market.
Local and international sponsors
The exhibition featured 20,000 scented flowers from Parfum Flower Company, Phalaenopsis orchids from Walter, and a wide variety of roses from Royal Flowers, The Elite Flower, Voorn Spray Roses, Florsani, Broekhof, Bernhard, and Decorum, giving attendees the opportunity to meet some of the best floral growers and distributors for luxury weddings.
The team from KM Events supported each of the designers in bringing their designs to life, with Karaka supplying tableware, linen and glassware.
Completing the picture, the UK's "Wedding Hair and MakeUp by Lisa" ensured the designers looked their best for the 2 day, 3 night event.
The 2024 Table Design Exhibition was an undeniable success, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
