Shadwell’s Annual Staff Party
For many years now we have had the pleasure in providing the marquee and equipment for a Thetford-based horse stables' annual staff party. Each year we have a brain storming session with our client on how to make this year even better than the last and to decide on what the next theme may possibly be.
This year our loyal customer decided on ‘Bollywood’.
After a windy start to the build over the weekend, all went to plan and extra care is always taken to ensure the marquee is safe over the winter period as we never know what the weather will bring. In past years we have all elements thrown at us from wind, rain, snow and sometimes if we are lucky a warm sunny winter’s day. We meet our target and handed over the marquee to our client before the event for the tables to be dressed and additional decorations to be added
During the winter month, as nice feature is to enclose the deluxe toilet unit within its own marquee, suitably dressed with ivory linings, uplights and heating to complete the toilet extension which was linked into the main marquee.
The guests arrived thought a set of French doors into a black entrance tunnel, keeping them in suspense for just a few moments more before stepping into the main marquee.
We always enjoy a themed marquee as it means we can get creative! Many ideas and colour themes were discussed but in the end it was decided that we were to use our mandap and sari drapes along with coloured swag to set the mood. These were perfect for the Bollywood theme being burgundy, gold & glittery.
The marquee was a wash of colour with the sari drapes, red tablecloths, gold chair pads and green & orange napkins. The ceiling and walls were colour washed with LED lights both across the ceiling and walls in gold along with 4 mirror balls adding that additional twinkle. Two large silver thrones sat upon a dais underneath the mandap creating the perfect backdrop for the guests to have their photos taken along with some of the Bollywood dancers. Our client had even brought in a spice cart where the guests could have the spices for their favourite Indian dish blended to take home.
There were approximately 230 guests who were greeted with a champagne reception and then went on to enjoy a 3 course meal with a main course consisting of tandoori chicken with a bowl of rich coconut rice.
After the meal had been cleared Bollywood dancers, performed an array of dances before inviting some of the guests to learn a few dance moves. The rest of the evening was spent dancing the night away to a live band whilst the LED light was switched over to colour changing mode to add to the disco feel.
I’ve never seen the team as sparkly as they were after putting up & taking down this marquee, it’s safe to say we’ll be finding glitter everywhere for the foreseeable future!
