A toast & celebration to 2023
As winter settles in, blanketing London in twinkling lights and festive cheer, we at The Pink Elephant are taking a moment to reflect on the exciting whirlwind that was 2023. From launching event packages to advancing our sustainability initiatives, let's take a journey through the highlights that shaped our year and set the stage for an even more exciting 2024.
An exciting journey ahead in 2024!
Spring
The year kicked off with the launch of our Wedding Package in April, setting the stage for a season of love and celebration. We poured our passion into creating The Pink’s Wedding Experience, an all-encompassing journey that transforms special days into fairy-tales. Imagine family-style dining, stylish tables, flowing sustainable wines, delicious canapes, bespoke floral arrangements, curated music packages and so much more. The Pink Elephant has taken great joy in helping our clients craft their happily ever afters.
Summer
As the summer unfurled, The Pink Elephant broadened its entertainment offerings, collaborating with independent talents such as vocalist Rebecca Cole, pianist-singer John Hickman, and music expert Rosie Loker. Our diverse music packages, from jazz quartets to saxophones, enhance any event or wedding experience. Furthermore, we partnered with Evoke Entertainment, an independent top-tier events company committed to captivating audiences by supporting independent artists. Our expanded repertoire, now including choreographed shows, circus acts, Burlesque stars, drag queens, aerial artists, and more, brings any occasion to life.
During the warmer months, our vibrant fuchsia pink picnic boxes also made a stylish comeback. Highlighting fresh seasonal delights from artisanal businesses, including fine cheeses, Italian and Spanish cured meats, Mediterranean olives, and so much more, our picnic boxes graced various events this year – from corporate sports days and christenings to birthday parties and engagement celebrations.
The Pink Elephant’s Signature Safari platter
As autumn embraced us with changing leaves and cooler breezes, The Pink Elephant introduced its Corporate Packages. Tailored for anything like conferences and galas, to team-building retreats, our Canapé and Grazing Cocktail Style Package, along with the Canapé and Seated Grazing Style Package, debuted in September, providing ideal options for gatherings of 50 or more.
With diverse music, entertainment, table styling, exquisite wines, and floral arrangements, our corporate event styling packages ensure both enjoyment and professionalism. We took to LinkedIn to stay on the pulse of current corporate event trends worldwide, and are continually present on Instagram and Facebook.
Winter
Recently, The Pink Elephant proudly launched its sustainability mission statement, recognising sustainability as an imperative rather than a choice. Focused on three pillars: People, Planet, and Progress, the strategy centers on six key areas: Suppliers, Produce, Decor, Packaging, Transportation, Education, and Community. As a small company, we are committed to refining operations within these domains, weaving sustainability into the fabric of our brand and inviting others to join our conscious journey in event styling. Adding to the excitement surrounding our sustainability initiatives, we recently introduced “The Green Grazer," our new platter menu designed exclusively for vegetarians, vegans, and diverse dietary preferences.
Throughout this transformative year, The Pink Elephant has dedicated itself to enhancing the brand in multifaceted ways. Guided by our continuous commitment to championing small businesses, we've expanded our network within the realms of hospitality and entertainment. Our enduring partnership with Bancroft Wine, a distinguished provider of sustainable and authentic wines, has continued to flourish. This collaboration allowed us to enrich our event styling packages, offering an extended wine menu curated from small family-run wineries worldwide.
In a significant stride towards elevating event experiences, we've forged agreements with renowned hospitality recruitment companies in London. This strategic move ensures that our events in 2024 will feature the finest front and back-of-house staff, delivering impeccable service.
Internally, The Pink Elephant embarked on a dynamic venture with the launch of an engaging blog series. This ongoing series, set to evolve in the coming year, delves into various hot topics within the event styling industry. Ranging from the nuances of sustainable wines and the impact of small business within our communities, to the latest trends in wedding and table styling, our blog aims to entertain and educate simultaneously.
Furthermore, our team has experienced exciting growth, welcoming new talents to the fold. Ben Savva, our digital marketing specialist, adds a dynamic edge to our online presence. Meanwhile, Becca Coughlan has joined us to focus on sustainability, aligning with our commitment to ethical practices. With these valuable additions, our team now comprises ten freelancers, each contributing unique expertise to The Pink Elephant's ever-evolving journey.
In our pursuit of business expansion, we're in the final days of selling our Chiswick West London premises and have now relocated to a barn conversion near St Albans on the outskirts of London. This strategic decision, made by our founder Ian, ensures that The Pink Elephant is well-resourced and poised to successfully cater for large weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings throughout the UK in 2024.
As this year draws to a close, The Pink Elephant reflects on an incredible journey. To our amazing clients and collaborators, your steadfast support propels us forward and serves as a constant reminder of why we love doing what we do. As we raise a toast to 2023, we're filled with anticipation for the chapters that lie ahead, including our global ambitions. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with love.
Written by: Gemma Parsons