Eric had been a guest at a wedding and also a party I had planned. He loved London (he lives in the USA) and decided that this is where he would like to host his 60th birthday celebration and that he would like me to plan it.
The Parties
He visited London to recce the venues I had pitched, and having narrowed it down to 4 he would like to view, loved 3 so much he asked if I could possibly plan a 3 day celebration instead of one party!
The majority of guests were from overseas and were staying at the SoHo hotel and so we planned a welcome dinner for those that arrived on the Wednesday at the hotel that evening.
On the Thursday, a glorious summer evening, dinner was hosted in the William Kent House at The Ritz. Guests were served champagne and canapes in the house's garden whilst enjoying a clarinet duo. After this, dinner was served in the William Kent and Wimborne rooms and then digestifs enjoyed in the Queen Elizabeth room.
On the Friday, guests boarded The Elizabethan at Westminster Pier and enjoyed a 90 minute sail down the Thames with cocktails and canapes. Guests disembarked at the Tower Pier and made their way to the Tower of London where champagne was served, and they enjoyed a private viewing of the Crown Jewels.
After this, they made their way to the terraces where more champagne was served with canapes.
Dinner was served in the White Palace, and after this, guests were invited to witness the famous 'Ceremony of the Keys' before heading back to their hotels.
Saturday's celebration was held at the Wallace Collection, a black-tie affair. Cocktails and canapes were served as guests enjoyed 'at their leisure' tours of the galleries before dinner was served in the Great Gallery.
A jazz trio provided background music and after dinner, the cake was cut and digestifs served.
Photography by 2exposures