Wedding industry experts and professionals from across the United Kingdom gathered in North Yorkshire this week, as part of a wider initiative that seeks to foster a working relationship between the North and South of England.

The Great Gatsby themed soiree was organised by leading luxury wedding and event planning company Luxe by Minihaha & Co and hosted at Lartington Hall, famed for its exquisite interiors, scenic gardens and delicious food.

Minihaha Garande, Luxe by Minihaha & Co Creative Director, said: “We don’t normally get together and this event was organised to connect wedding industry specialists from the north and south, with the aim of creating opportunities to work together in the future.”

“I have attended numerous events in London and noticed that there was a gap in the market for wedding professionals up North to showcase what they have to offer in the region, from idyllic venues to reputable vendors.”

Garande said that the soiree was the first of many networking dinners that seeks to create a nation-wide collective that can lend its expertise and share best practice across the country and internationally.

A glimpse at 2020 Bridal wear
Meanwhile, bridal designer, Romina Fochechatto left guests enthralled with her latest collection.

Romina, who moved from Buenos Aires, Argentina at the beginning of 2019 found her passion for sewing when she was 11.

Having spent five years as a teacher of Textiles, Fashion History and Image Consulting, she started her own label in 2010 making bespoke gowns for proms, weddings and special occasions.

Featuring one of her bespoke signature pieces – a tailored crepe gown and handmade bridal cape with Swarovski crystals and pearl embroidery, all her pieces she said, were inspired by nature.

“When Minihaha asked me to be part of the event, l tried to select pieces that represented the 1920s period.

“Every piece has been designed with comfort in mind, and every silhouette is customisable, from colour to fabric, creating essentially, what is a classy, glamorous and elegant look,” she added.

The evening also included a keynote from Loma Media Managing Director Tidi Kwidini, who spoke on the importance of PR and why businesses in the wedding industry ought to invest in promoting and maintaining their brand image.

She added that companies that fail to invest in PR are essentially relinquishing their narrative to others – the media, disgruntled clients, investors, and competitors.

Furthermore, emphasising that it was important for brands to create a strategic public relations plan that will contribute to the growth of their businesses and standing in the sector.

Partners and sponsors for the event were Lartington Hall, Gray Starling Designs, Loma Media, Zipporah, James Wilson, Romina Fochesatto, The Lucky Sixpence, Jamie Sia Photographer, Sam Teale Videographer, Where The Ribbon Ends, The Petal Studio, Imaginarium Balloon Studio, The Scent Styling Co and Beau by Eve.
The wedding industry in the UK alone is worth over  £10billion, with numbers set to grow in the next decade.