Today we are introducing the lovely Angelique Franklin of Stylish Events who tells us everything we need to know about the superb Mix & Mingle evening she’s been planning with her colleague Dominique and Liz Reed of Elizabeth Jane Events for 2nd October. Over to you Angelique….

Hello everyone –  how are you? I myself have been caught up in the usual whirlwind that descends upon all planners at this time of year. That’s right people it’s ‘Wedding Season’ and the month of September is when it reaches its peak, but by the end of this month, it also thankfully starts to die down – not that I don’t love a good wedding or two…

This is why every year the UKAWP holds a little ‘Mix and Mingle’ night (see images above from last year) a fab social evening for all wedding planners (members and non-members) and industry folks where we can swap tales of the past year’s events, catch up with people we haven’t seen in a age and generally let our hair down. This year’s London ‘Mix and Mingle’ night is set to be a carnival of fun.

So let’s start with the venue which is the glam London Eye Barracuda Boat, which will be taking us on a delightful evening cruise, passing some of London’s finest landmarks. Guests are set to have their taste buds treated with a myriad of yummy delights, courtesy of Dish Catering who are kindly providing us with some delectable canapés and drinks. We’ll also have a bit of a show going on behind the bar, with the cool cocktail shakers of ‘On The Rocks’  who will be serving up some ultra funky and colourful drinks. Whilst this is happening guests will be serenaded by some toe-tapping (and maybe hip-swinging) music courtesy of The Sternberg Clarke Entertainment Agency.

Should you take a peek at the lower deck-and I insist that you do on the night-further fun awaits you. This is our ‘show and tell’ area… Fruits and Fountains have kindly donated a guaranteed people pleaser (especially for us ladies) a chocolate fountain, which would not be complete without it’s usual accompaniments of dipping paraphernalia: yummy fruit, marshmallows etc, all to be dipped to your hearts content in that devilishly tempting waterfall of chocolate. Fruits and Fountains may also be providing us with another sinful treat for your tummies (and waistlines) but my lips are sealed, you’ll have to book a ticket to come and see.

However, it’s not just treats for you to eat, we’ll also have something fun and frivolous for you to partake in! Besides being an Event Planner, I am also a Nail Technician and on the night I will be providing my talents to guests throughout the cruise! So be sure to pop by my booth, and treat yourself to a bit nail art fun – I plan to give you ladies a bit of nail swag by the end of the evening.

But wait – I have yet to tell you the best bit of all… We have managed to secure something ultra special for you, which we’ve been keeping under wraps. We have been in talks with Sandals Resorts – and they have very generously offered us two prizes, specifically for the wedding planners on board, which will be given away in a raffle on the night

First Prize is: For two wedding planners to attend a bespoke wedding related trip to two Sandals resorts in the Caribbean in 2014 with all flights and accommodation paid for by Sandals Resorts.

Second Prize is: Four places on board the Luxury ‘Lady Sandals’ Chairman’s Yacht at a wedding showcase event in Brighton on Thursday 17th October 2013.

Raffle tickets can be purchased on the night at £10 each and all money will be donated to the Great Ormand Street Children’s Hospital charity. What more could you ask for? The proceeds go to a great cause and you get a chance of sunning it up on a Caribbean island next year or enjoying a day on a luxury yacht!

Tickets are selling fast and as always there are limited numbers for the night – so if an evening cruise, with music, food, chocolate fountains, cocktails, nail art and the possibility of winning a Caribbean trip of a lifetime, sounds like your idea of fun – then you need to purchase a ticket here.

Location: The London Eye Barracuda resides on the River Thames at the South Bank, in the heart of London.

Timing: 6pm to 9pm – Registration from 5:45pm – Please note the boat will set sail at 6:30pm prompt.