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Natasha & Stanley’s Zim Lankan Wedding - 7th March 2020
‘We are both very proud of our heritage and we want to incorporate both cultures into our special day’ and that’s exactly what they did! Natasha and Stanley’s Zim Lankan wedding – a day that will be remembered by everyone forever.
On the 7th March 2020, just before the world went into lockdown, Natasha and Stanley celebrated their amazing Wedding Reception at Meridian Grand.
The couple first saw the venue in October 2018 and just knew it was the venue for them! As well as the luxurious feel of the venue, they loved that Meridian Grand were able to provide a complete service including the 5 star venue, event management, décor, catering and drinks.
After bringing their parents to the venue and seeing their excitement, they booked the venue and that’s where the planning began.
The Bride is Sri Lankan and the Groom is Zimbabwean, both have very strong and vibrant cultures and it was important for them and their families to embrace both cultures and follow certain traditions during the Reception.
The Meridian Grand team had been fortunate enough to hold many Sri Lankan Weddings as well as a Zimbabwean Wedding and were able to help the Bride and Groom to come up with ideas that will incorporate these traditions and make their wedding extra special!
The catering was a key priority for Natasha and Stanley, their traditional foods were very different from each other and therefore Meridian Grand suggested they go for the Fusion Catering Package. This package was a mixture of Sri Lankan, Indian, African, Caribbean & Chinese cuisine. Their delicious menu included Sri Lankan Style Mutton Curry, Jerk Chicken, Vegetable Fried Rice, Noodles and Plantain plus a whole lot more.
On each table were two menus, each had a beautiful picture of the couple and to add to the fun, inside the menu there was a section where guests could write some ‘advice for the Bride & Groom,’ it was a perfect little keepsake.
Having an event manager on hand meant that things were on time and to schedule (this could not have happened without the guests being on time too – thanks to all the guests!)
So at exactly 4.45pm, all guests were seated, and the MC began hosting, the atmosphere was buzzing and everyone was eagerly awaiting the Bride & Groom. Then, the music began (Fabolous and Tamia’s RnB classic ‘Into You’), the mirrored doors slowly opened, revealing the newly married Bride & Groom!! This was when the crowd went crazy!!! It was the perfect start to what would be an amazing night!
Whilst the couple made their way downstairs into the foyer, the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen danced their way into the ballroom, followed by Natasha & Stanley!
Full Exposure Media
As they entered, they lit an oil lamp, a traditional Sri Lankan ceremony, which signifies the start of a blissful and blessed married life.
After dinner, Natasha changed into a traditional Sri Lankan Saree and Stanley wore a dark co-ord with a colourful African print.
Throughout the evening, there was lots of food, lots of crying and laughter during the speeches and some special performances by their nearest and dearest.
Weddings are not only about the Bride & Groom, but also a very important day for both sets of parents. The father and daughter song (the bride’s father sang her a dedicated song) and the mother and son dance were heart-warming moments for everyone.
The most magical moment of the night was Natasha & Stanley’s first dance to an acoustic rendition of Sam Smith’s ‘Latch’ - it was so beautiful!!
To keep in line with the whole Zim Lankan fusion, DJ Mega Gee played a ‘Sounds of Africa’ set and then they had a non-stop baila session by Sri Lankan musicians, followed by a couple of hours of RnB, Hip Hop and Garage. It was truly a night enjoyed by everyone - young and older!
As the clock struck twelve, it was time for the couple to go home and start their new life together, but they couldn’t leave without saying a few words ‘it was the best organisation, it was such a beautiful event and I’ll never forget it, it was amazing. Thank you to everyone at Meridian Grand and Midnight Garden. You brought our vision to life and we can’t thank you enough’
It was a pleasure working with these suppliers - thank you for helping to make Natasha & Stanley’s Wedding Reception unforgettable!
Caterers: Meridian Grand Catering
Decor: Midnight Garden Events
DJ: Mega Gee
MC: Jackson Ogunyemi
Band: Chaminda Munasinghe
Cake: Bespoke Cakes and Treats
Cupcakes: Jennifer Choto
MUA & Hairstylist: Dulanjali
Photographer & Videographer: Full Exposure Media
Bridal Flowers: Nalika
Photobooth: Anita
Tasnim & Sami - 10th December 2017
The Start of a Winter Wonderful Wedding
Tasnim and Sami’s winter wonderful wedding was set in the beautiful Meridian Grand whilst the snow trickled outside during the festive month of December.
Tasnim arrived early in the morning, having spent the previous night in a hotel which is a short distance away from the venue. Making her way to the bridal suite to get ready for the big day, she was greeted by the Meridian Grand hostess as soon as she arrived. The hostess helped her to get comfortable and settle in, before her hair and makeup artist arrived.
Tasnim had the luxury of getting ready in our stunning and well-equipped VIP bridal suite, which includes an en-suite bathroom and a spacious room with glistening gold wallpaper which has often been a very popular feature for brides and photographers to capture getting ready shots.
Whilst Tasnim was getting ready in her own private bridal room, suppliers were busy creating a dream come true set up for the Bride and Groom in the Meridian Grand Ballroom.
Drinks Reception
Meridian Grand Catering had the pleasure of making a bespoke drinks and food menu for the newlywed couple.
Guests started arriving in the entrance foyer area from 1pm. The enchanted floral theme started from the entrance foyer area, with green foliage and blush roses draping down the staircase. Guests were mesmerised as they walked into the charming setting. For friends and family to enjoy, there was a Tuk Tuk photo booth in the Entrance Foyer for some fun and creative shots.
Guests were greeted with a selection of drinks, created and designed by our in-house team. Inspired by love and marriage, the drinks were called: Apple of My Eye, Blushing Bride & Mint to Be. With a range of mocktails bursting with fresh flavours, and classic Canapes with a unique twist, guests were truly enjoying the Meridian Grand experience.
Guests were greeted with our special in house brewed winter warmer drinks, which were created to warm guests up during the winter month. Family and friends appreciated this even more so after their journey travelling in the heavy snow. Our canapes which included our signature Chattpatte Mushroom and Chicken Tikka were a delightful start to excite everyone’s taste buds.
Groom Arrival
Sami, the Groom arrived in style in a white Rolls Royce with a trail of cars behind him filled with excited family members. When the Bride’s side heard of the Grooms arrival, they started preparing for the fun and games ahead. The Dhol Players created an exciting atmosphere whilst the Groom walked into the venue.
As the Groom attempted to walk in, he was stopped by a red ribbon and the Bride’s family members, who were teasing him and asking for money for Tasnim’s hand in marriage. All taking place under our stunning Swarovski chandelier, after lots of fun and laughter, the Groom was able to pass through the crowd – and was a step closer to seeing his beautiful bride!
Sami made his first appearance into the Ballroom, the romantic setting for his big day.
After some photos with family and friends, Sami went up into the Bridal Suite to see his beautiful Bride for the first time, so that they could prepare for their big entrance together.
In the meantime, kids were kept entertained upstairs in the Infinity Suite with a children’s film, allowing parents to relax and take in every moment.
The Bride & Groom Entrance
The Meridian Grand venue looked beautiful with an array of trestle and circular tables split by a mirrored dancefloor and a 32ft led back drop screen portraying the walkaway into heaven. The venue surrounded by a selection of stunning pink and purple themed flowers which looked magical in the dreamy like setting, with golden peach lights glimmering across the ballroom. As guests eagerly awaited the Bride & Groom’s entrance, Tasnim and Sami had a surprise in store!
The DJ requested all guests to look up, the mirrored balcony doors opened, and Tasnim & Sami made their first appearance as Bride & Groom, whilst giving a royal wave. Guests were then asked to stand up as the Bride & Groom made their entrance into the exquisite Grand Ballroom! As they walked in, the room was lit up with the sparkling chandeliers and lots of smiling faces.
Hand in hand, Tasnim & Sami walked down the aisle through the Meridian Grand Ballroom, the spotlight was shining bright, following their every step as they walked towards the main stage.
Once they reached the main stage, they started the traditional ceremony by exchanging milk, sweets and flower garlands. They had a bespoke religious service to conduct the auspicious ceremony of the Bride and Groom.
Meridian Grand Catering
Each table was embellished with bespoke menus with a stunning picture of Tasnim & Sami from their Civil Ceremony, creating that added personal touch to their special day.
Tasnim, Sami & the families attended a food tasting during the initial stages of their wedding planning. They were overjoyed with the outstanding taste and presentation of the food and happily decided to put their trust in Meridian Grand Catering to look after everyone on the special day.
Guests were treated to a luxurious three course meal served to the table. With a mixture of traditional dishes and contemporary dishes, it was the perfect combination. Starters included Lamb Sheekh Kebabs, Lollipop Chicken, Chilli Paneer and Samosa Chaat. The Bride & Groom had chosen dishes from the Meridian Grand Shapla Package – and it was most certainly the perfect decision. Tasnim commented ‘Since the wedding, everyone has been going on and on about how the food was so tasty.’
Mains were a mixture of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options including Vegetable Jalfrezi and Murgh Tikka Makhani – Meridian Grand’s speciality dish!
For Desserts, Tasnim & Sami went for the signature Gajar Halwa Crumble and Ice-Cream, which Meridian Grand added a surprise twist for the guests, who were left wowed by this creative and delicious dessert.
Fahmina Choudhury – the Meridian Grand Event Manager on the day stated ‘It was an honour to host Sami & Tasnim’s big day, they were a pleasure to work with and as a thank you for putting their trust in us, and we presented a complimentary Shagorana Taal which is traditional to the Bengali culture. Our Head Chef was overwhelmed with the huge round of applause he received whilst walking through the ballroom, to hand deliver the Taal to the couple’
Event Management
With every event, Meridian Grand provide an in-house Event Manager to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day.
‘At Meridian Grand, our vision just isn’t to be the host venue, but to play a key part in delivering an event that friends and family will cherish forever.’ Fahmina Choudhury.
The Event Manager took care of everything, allowing the Bride & Groom to relax and embrace every moment of the day. From reserving car parking spaces, to looking after Tasnim & Sami, to ensure everything is running to schedule.
The Meridian Grand team displayed images of the Bride and Groom on the projection Screens for all guests to enjoy and see. The in house events team created a personal welcome Message for Sami & Tasnim for guests as they entered the venue.
The couple provided miniature wooden regal elephants on the head table which added a personal touch, this was then placed and presented by the Meridian Grand Team, it is the small touches that play a big part in Event Management within Meridian Grand.
The End of the Day but the Start of a New Chapter
After the guest’s enjoyed the feast, the Bride, Groom and family took photos together on the main stage, creating unforgettable memories.
Tasnim was overjoyed with how her special day went ‘You all were amazing on the day. All our guests were so impressed, and you guys went above and beyond- we can’t stop raving on about the service from Meridian Grand. Not to mention the food! So literally everything you guys did was perfect, I wish I could do it all over again- I loved every moment of the day’.
Whilst the snow settled outside during the chilly month of December, hearts were melting inside, filled with love. The Bride and Groom left in a cool white Rolls Royce after their winter wonderful wedding, waving goodbye to the Meridian Grand venue with nothing but sweet filled memories.
A big thank you to all of the suppliers who made Tasnim and Sam’s winter wedding a huge success!
Caterers: Meridian Grand Catering
Décor: Enchanted by Syma
DJ: Royal Events
Cake: Asian Wedding Cakes
Makeup Artist: Sonia Zarine
Photography and Videography: Memoirz
Photobook: Mobile Moments
Lighting: CDS Lighting
The Life of a Wedding Coordinator
The Life of a Wedding Coordinator
At Meridian Grand, we understand how intense wedding planning can be. However, with a Wedding Coordinator on board, this will ease the pressure off family members, so everyone can enjoy the big day!
Once you have booked your event at Meridian Grand, your Event Coordinator will be your main point of contact throughout the wedding planning process. Our job is to ensure your special day goes by smoothly and efficiently. We want your magical day to be how you always dreamt of it to be!
We can simply be contacted throughout the day through email at events@meridiangrand.co.uk or you can call us on 02037 002727.
What does the Event Planner do?
Supplier Recommendation
The initial stages of wedding planning involve finding suppliers including: Photographers/Videographers, DJs, Entertainment, Cakes,Lighting, Cars and many more.
We have worked with various suppliers over the past few years and can recommend many key suppliers within the industry. We believe there are no better recommendations, than through someone that has dealt with them in the past! With our great flexibility, you may also wish to bring in your own suppliers, this is no problem at all! Just give us their contact details and we will be happy to liaise with them.
Running Order and Itinerary
A key factor in making sure the day runs perfectly is by doing the personalised running order and itinerary. During this meeting, we will go through timings, ensuring you have enough time allocated for everything. From getting ready, to memorable photos and enjoying the delicious food – this will all be included in the itinerary.
When we sit down with our clients to go through the Running Order, we will make sure all those extra details are included, so that each member of staff is aware of all your requirements for the special day.
Need a cake table? Need chairs during the drinks reception for elderly guests? This will all be added to the running order and set up before the event as every little detail matters!
Food Tasting
If you have opted in for Meridian Grand Catering – you are in for a treat! The Event Planner will organise the food tastings and sit down with you to note down all your feedback and requirements. We usually get an idea of the client’s taste palette during this time and can recommend some delightful dishes for you to try in your next food tasting based on your response.
After your ultimate food tasting, we will go through your final dishes and get your bespoke, personalised menu prepared complimentary by us when opting for in house catering.
Liaising with Suppliers
We will also liaise with suppliers, it is vital we get all the required documentation from them to proceed with the wedding. We will also make note of their arrival timings, so we can make sure everything is set up in good time before guest start to arrive.
Floor Plan
It can at times be difficult to decide where to locate the head table, the stage and the DJ, even whether to put 10 or 12 chairs around the table. Each client has their own ideas and opinions; therefore we are happy to design a variety of floor plans and get creative with our clients until they have the perfect floor plan layout!
Managing the Big Day
Your wedding day is a day for you to let others run around after you and that’s exactly what we do!
The Event Planner, Hostess and Operations Manager will work together to ensure everything is going to plan. We start off our day by printing out the running orders, this is safeguarded
throughout the day and is our main point of reference!
We will make sure everything is set up on our part and assist suppliers with anything they need from us.
Once the Bride and Groom arrive, it is our priority to look after them and their guests, if there’s anything they need, even a cup of tea, we are there to help!
During the event, we aim to make sure everything is running smoothly and to plan, our ultimate goal is to see the smiles on the Brides and Grooms faces at the end of the event!
What’s the best part of the job?
The best part of our job is getting to know clients and helping them make dreams into a reality! We build relationships with the Bride’s, Groom’s and Family members and by the time the wedding begins, our clients become good friends of ours!
Belinda & Sam - 4th November 2017
Bride and Groom, Belinda & Sam had their intimate and bespoke Wedding Reception in the Meridian Ballroom this Autumn. They celebrated in true, fun style in the elegant wedding venue with their joyful 270 guests for the fun filled Turkish Cypriot and Mauritian fusion of love and bliss.
On arrival, parked outside of the Entrance Foyer was a vintage police car, representing Sam, the Groom, being a policeman himself. It was a lovely surprise by his beautiful Wife Belinda. At around 4pm, guests were presented with welcome drinks and canapes including our very own Meridian Grand Vegetable Moneybags and delicious Thai Sesame Chicken. Belinda & Sam wanted to do something different for their Drinks Reception, and purchased some blue balls to put in the welcome drinks which expanded and turned the drinks into alcohol!
The events team created a bespoke welcome message for Belinda and Sam which involved a photo of the couple’s fingerprints, it was certainly a Wedding Reception tailored to the newlywed’s touch.
A personalised guestbook was created by the couple, with love heart notes for cherished messages to be placed inside a Mr & Mrs jar. It was a beautiful sight, with the stunning entrance foyer area glistening away during the twilight autumnal evening, whilst friends and family enjoyed a gathering of united love.
Shortly after, guests were ushered into the Meridian Ballroom, Belinda and Sam chose a royal blue theme with tables named after various police stations, which was a great added touch of quirkiness. With guests seated, the DJ made an announcement ‘’Please can everyone look up and give a round of applause for the newly married Mr and Mrs Mehmet’’. There they were on the balcony for their first appearance with the one and only ‘’All eyes on me’’ by 2Pac playing whilst they smiled away.
The wonderful couple made their grand entrance into the LED blue lit ballroom, making their way to the white gloss dancefloor, then took a seat on the head table in the centre of the ballroom. With tailored name tags on the table for all guests, sweet treats and traditional Turkish biscuits, everyone was made to feel super special.
After a beautiful opening prayer, the starters and then the mains were served by Meridian Grand Catering and then finished off with our delicious signature dessert – Gajar Hawla Crumble. Our team created beloved, personalised menus which were placed in the centre of the tables with photos of the couple.
Close Friends and family, including the Bride and Groom made memorable speeches whilst touching photos were displayed on the projection screens. All guests gathered together and made a toast to each precious speech. The Bride and Groom then made there way to the centre of the stage to cut the police inspired cake, with royal blue, white frosted colours, and a hand-crafted figurine of the newlywed couple for the icing on the top.
The couple got ready for their magical first dance as husband and wife, followed by a Father & Daughter, Mother & Son and Brother & Sister Dance. After these special moments, the bar was open, and the Reception was in full party mode. Families and friends got together to celebrate a union of two beautiful couples, with a traditional Mauritian Sega performance from the Bride’s cousins and a belly dancer on board, the party was in its full swing.
The charming night ended in bliss and with an amazing response from Belinda and Sam ‘’From start to finish its been wonderful. All of you have been fantastic, we’ve enjoyed all the experiences we have had. You’ve really taken the pressure off us. We recommend this place definitely’’.
