Wedding traditions from around the world: Meet the team at 116
A pared-back gathering doesn’t miss any of the excitement, spectacle or beauty of a larger ceremony, but it does give the bride and groom more control over and involvement in every aspect of their big day, with bespoke support and guidance from our experts.
Like a micro-wedding, our team here at 116 Pall Mall is also small but perfectly formed! Bringing their own unique personalities, cultures and expertise to each event we host, the team share romantic traditions from round the world – offering inspiration for your own special day!
Laura Perdrix, Hospitality Sales Executive from Nîmes, France
Although Laura organises many of our private and corporate events – anything from a company meeting to a Christmas party or amazing private dinner, she has a real passion for wedding planning - ensuring that all those special touches you hope for come true! No detail is too big or small, and Laura is always on hand to make sure everything is perfect for your next event.
“If you have a sweet tooth you will love a French wedding! We have a traditional desert called a croquembouche or croque-en-bouche made from choux puff pastry, a super-delicate pastry dough with crème pâtissière and a drizzle of caramel.
“You will also leave the party with a little present called “des dragées”. They are coated almonds or chocolates, which look like little pebbles. You’ll find them on the table, prepared for each person, and each guest receives 5 dragées symbolising health, wealth, happiness, longevity, and fertility. And if you’re thirsty you will be pleased to discover a lovely champagne tower - a pyramid of flutes or coupes, with the champagne being poured into the top glass!”
To share a handful – or glassful! - of French elegance on your big day at 116 Pall Mall, our catering team can work with you (under Laura’s watchful eye) to create your dream champagne tower, or arrange party favours and lasting memories for your guests. If your wedding is a hybrid event with some guests in person and some attending virtually from home, our hybrid events team can even send a care package of food and drink to your guests so they can feel truly part of your big day. In the meantime, our wine bar and restaurant stock a wide range of champagnes and sparkling wines (including our new supplier Fitz – more on that soon!) for you to practice your pouring with!
Amanda Casas, Hospitality Sales Executive from Ferrol, Spain
Amanda works with our guests to choose their perfect venue in one of our beautiful function rooms and expertly coordinates gorgeous events – from weddings to brunches to training days. Amanda is also the newest member of the 116 Pall Mall team and her enthusiasm is infectious - planning your wedding or event with her always high energy!
“I am Spanish but I lived in Portugal for many years, where there are a couple of wedding traditions that I love. At the wedding meal in Portugal, all the guests make noise with their cutlery to encourage the bride and groom to kiss! During the ceremony or party, friends of the newlyweds will also try to steal the cake topper without the bride and groom seeing it – the successful thieves keep their identity secret until the couple’s first anniversary when all is revealed – and dinner is on them!”
Amanda knows our ballrooms, event spaces and restaurant inside out so she knows all the best places to hide a stolen cake topper! Get to know 116 Pall Mall from the comfort of your own home by taking a virtual tour of the building here, and we’ll get our cutlery polished and perfectly tuned in time for your visit!
Marta Fernandez, Senior Hospitality Sales Executive from Valencia, Spain
Marta has been with us for eight years and is the most experienced member of the team - she really knows everything there is to know about 116 Pall Mall! She takes care of all types of private functions, conferences, parties and anything in between! And she’s incredibly good at it too – a high profile client once told us “she was always there, every step of the way […] and she did everything with a smile. Honestly, it was so good working with her and the team at 116” so don’t just take our word for it!’.
If you’ve been for a tour of 116 Pall Mall in person, chances are you’ve seen her in action working her magic!
“If you don’t want it to rain on your wedding day, then it is tradition in Spain to offer eggs to the miraculous Sta. Clara. That’s why you’ll often see wedding photos that include the bride carrying a basket of eggs on her big day to hope for good weather! Also in Valencia it is customary to light fireworks outside the registry or church after the ceremony to celebrate (although in Valencia we are always lighting fireworks for no reason anyway..!)”
While we can’t promise you fireworks (Westminster City Council might have a few words about that!), it won’t dull the sparkle of your micro-wedding with us. Our 15ft original Regency chandelier adds all the glitz and glamour of the most impressive fireworks display and is the perfect setting for your first photo as newlyweds. And as for the superstitious egg offering – our wedding breakfast packages have got that covered, as long as we can find out if Sta Clara prefers hers poached or scrambled..!
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CELEBRATE YOUR intimate WEDDING AT 116 PALL MALL
An unforgettable day in an extraordinary venue. 116 Pall Mall is one of London’s most majestic London wedding venues. You’ll be spoilt for choice with our wide range of spaces, all ideal for every kind of ceremony.
We have put together new micro wedding packages for smaller numbers - in line with government restrictions.
Make an enquiry for more information or to arrange a tour.