One of the most time-honored spectacles this year brings with it some solid tips on event planning.
The royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Kensington Palace in England is fast approaching. As with any British royal affair, the world will be watching.
Try New Flavors
While the F&B trend continues to be local, seasonal ingredients, meeting planners shouldn’t be afraid to try the unexpected when it comes to food, especially if their brand or company connects with a certain flavor. Prince Harry and Markle, for instance, announced that they plan on having a banana wedding cake at their reception because the couple shares a love for the fruit.
Ask for Charitable Donations
Just because your event isn’t a fundraiser, doesn’t mean you can’t encourage attendees to donate to the local community. In lieu of gifts, the royal couple asked guests to make donations to seven charities, each representing a different issue the couple is passionate about, including sports for social change, women’s empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the Armed Forces.
Think About Accessibility
One of the main reasons the couple chose Kensington Palace as the lucky venue for their nuptials is because its close to where Prince Harry’s 96-year-old grandfather lives. This is a helpful reminder to meeting planners to always consider accessibility for meetings. That could range from handicap accessibility at a venue to providing translators that help avoid a language barrier.
Involve the Local Community
If you’re event is private, opt to involve the local community by raffling out VIP tickets or sectioning off areas on a first-come, first-serve basis. The royal couple announced that 2,640 citizens from the U.K. of all ages and backgrounds will get to to watch the bride and groom walk down the aisle. Those include 1,200 members nominated by nine regional Local Lieutenant offices who exude good leadership and service in the community, 200 people from local charities, 100 students from two local schools, 610 Windsor Castle community members and 530 members of the Royal Households and Crown Estate.
Use Traditional Invites
You better believe the wedding invitations were crafted in a traditional format, with black cursive text and the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink. Planners can take note in creating more traditional invitations for their event that reflects the brand or company’s personality. A personalized invitation can go a long way, not only as marketing collateral, but also in creating a VIP experience for the attendee. And one last tip you can gather from the couple: Whenever possible, invite the Spice Girls.
