CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

who’s who of international business, music, and celebrity. The level of detail needed in the planning was extraordinary. The challenge huge. The timescale for me – three weeks! But when Prince William joined Taylor Swift and Jon Bon Jovi on stage to sing Livin on a Prayer, I honestly had to pinch myself. It was the most incredible and surreal moment.

What's been the biggest event you've planned and how did you go about preparing for it?

The organisation of any large-scale event needs a keen eye for detail. However, when the bride’s vision involves a bespoke-built nightclub, a wedding breakfast in the backdrop of a magical garden, a Game of Thrones inspired wedding feast complete with medieval village and sunken banqueting hall, AND a guest appearance by the couple’s favourite band Texas. Well, that’s when a little bit of my event planner magic goes a long way!

It was a two-day wedding with a big price tag, and therefore, huge expectations. The wedding marquee-build started 10 days prior to the event; it wasn’t just a simple structure. The bride envisaged a magical garden for the wedding breakfast marquee. This included a huge central orchid tree and floral canopy, scenic stone tables and an abundance of flowing ivory drapes. It looked sensational. Day two took the form of a medieval banquet. A Game of Thrones inspired wedding feast. Here the wedding party spent the whole day in the grounds dressed in medieval clothing and had to gain entry to a purpose-built medieval village. It ended with a feast to rival that of any Winterfell celebration – a banquet room complete with a sunken floor and long wooden tables.

To ensure both parties were ready in time – we produced a two levels concept for the event. Firstly, the Game of Thrones inspired wedding feast marquee was built. It was dressed and then covered with the magical garden marquee. After the wedding reception finished on the Saturday, we then ripped out the magical garden to reveal the banquet underneath. We worked through the night to complete the build of the medieval marquee. It was intricate and challenging, and utterly incredible!

How do you juggle all

your achievements? (Being a mother, businesswoman etc).

When I was younger it was always about supporting my two daughters, but that meant hiring an au pair and not seeing them as much as I wanted. I haven’t made that same decision with my grandkids. Although they live in New York and London, I see them as often as I can. Thanks to technology, we can video call daily. They are my priority, so I’ve surrounded myself with the best, hardworking team to support me with the events. Their skills and dedication are vital to my success. It allows me to take a breather occasionally and prioritise myself. I won’t lie though. It’s hard as I’m still very hands-on with the event planning, plus my public speaking and podcast. My phone is never far from me. I am emailing late at night and early in the morning. So, switching off is a real test. I tend to make the very most of every free moment possible. I invest in good holidays, an annual detox in Turkey, trips to the big apple, and accrue frequent flyer miles on the train to London. There I am glam-ma to my two UKbased grandchildren. And I love it.

What would your advice be to someone who was doubting themselves about starting their own empire?

The worst that can happen is that you don’t succeed. Come to terms and plan for that eventuality. Once you accept the worst-case scenario and know how you would cope, it’s all success from there. Making bold choices is key. And for me, it is all about trusting your instincts and following your gut. Network like crazy. Surround yourself with a talented support team. And remember, budding entrepreneurs can certainly learn others in business, but should also be prepared to carve their own path. If your idea doesn’t fit the norm – who cares – if it achieves your goal, it’s a success.

Liz Taylor is the CEO of leading event planners, the Taylor Lynn Corporation (www.tlc-ltd.co.uk), whose client list is a ‘who’s who’ of the celebrity, sports, business, and entertainment world. Liz is also a successful hospitality and luxury brand consultant, podcaster and motivational speaker with her sister business, Liz Taylor Consultancy www.liz-taylor-consulting.co.uk).