An interview with Sophie, Golborne's Senior Event Producer
How did you get into events?
After university and some travelling, I worked in a very beautiful country pub out in the sticks, and the Manager enlisted my help to plan and run his wedding day at the pub, this was my first experience dipping my toe into this magical world and I was hooked. Not long after I went on to receive my Post-Grad Diploma at The Event Academy, a fantastic organisation that arranged my internship with Golborne…that was nearly 10 years ago, and I haven’t looked back!
Tell us about a typical day in your role?
It might sound cliché, but no two days look the same - which is exactly why I love it. Naturally there are peak seasons in the events calendar, so there are times throughout the year which are more planning focused, and other times where I will be on-site delivering back-to-back events.
When we’re in planning mode, one day I might be head-down researching ideas and pulling together a pitch; the next could be filled meeting with our lovely clients, presenting creative proposals, flipping through card stocks and linen options as we shape their vision together. Other days are spent with our fantastic suppliers, sampling their delicious food, exploring unused spaces in some of our favourite venues, or discovering exciting new ones.
What makes it even more interesting is the variety of events we work on at Golborne. We’re somewhat unique as an agency in that we deliver everything from weddings and private parties to charity events and corporate or brand experiences. It means every project feels completely different, and that constant change keeps the role endlessly creative, collaborative and inspiring.
Tell us about your favourite event, within the last 5 years?
A brand dinner at The National Gallery last year. It was a beautiful concept‑driven event that seamlessly married creativity, storytelling and space. Set at The National Gallery, every element was designed to reflect the client’s key messages, particularly the idea of “Structured Wandering” and visual exploration, and the venue itself became the source of inspiration.
What made it especially memorable was the element of surprise for the guests - instead of remaining in one space, they were guided through a six‑course dinner that literally moved guests from one wing of the Barry Rooms to the next for each course. This was slightly daunting logistically, but with the support of the brilliant Jimmy Garcia team, it was executed perfectly and ran to-the-minute on our running order, which is always immensely satisfying, but even more so on this occasion with so many moving parts.
Each dining area was uniquely styled to mirror works of art within that wing - influencing the table design, florals and the menu - creating a layered, sensory experience that felt both dynamic and intimate.
It was such a favourite to produce because it wasn’t just beautifully executed - it was a true experiential narrative, where design, venue, and brand storytelling came together in a way that was innovative, immersive, and genuinely unexpected.
Sum up the Golborne style in 3 words
Considered. Distinctive. Polished.
What are the best and worst parts of events?
Without a doubt, the most rewarding moment is seeing a couple’s reaction when they first walk into their reception space. After months of planning together – discussing every detail, every fabric, every flower – watching it all come to life and seeing their faces light up is incredibly special. There are often a few happy tears, from them and me(!) and it’s a real reminder of why we do what we do.
On the flipside, occasionally you have that sudden realisation that couples are trusting you not only with one of the most important days of their lives, but also with a significant amount of their money. That responsibility can feel quite heavy at times, because you care so much about getting everything exactly right. But in many ways, that’s also what makes the role so meaningful. With the support of our trusted suppliers, everything is so thoughtfully planned and carefully managed that any nerves quickly turn into excitement about delivering something truly special.
What’s the most stressful thing that’s happened on an event and how did you resolve it?
A few years ago I was in the beautiful Tuscan countryside producing a multi-day wedding, and we had a band flying in from the UK to perform at both the ceremony and the evening party. For various reasons they hadn’t travelled the day before, which is always our recommendation (for reasons that soon became very clear!) and were instead due to arrive on the morning of the wedding.
A few hours before they were due at the venue, I received a message to say their flight had been cancelled and there were no other flights available. This was a Jewish Wedding, so it was incredibly important to the family to have this band for the Chuppah and for the traditional party songs. What followed was a very frantic search for alternative flights from different airports, private jets, trains to Paris and beyond, before we were forced to turn our focus to finding a band already in Italy, in the height of July. All whilst we were simultaneously setting up the ceremony and dinner in 37-degree heat.
In the end, through a lot of phone calls and pulling in every Italian contact I had, we managed to assemble a fantastic band at the last minute, with musicians driving furiously from Milan, Rome and other cities to reach us in time. It was incredibly stressful in the moment, but the family had already resigned themselves to having just a DJ that evening - so when the band appeared and the music started, they were absolutely thrilled. Seeing their reaction made the whole ordeal worth it and reminded me that in events, problem-solving under pressure is often where the magic really happens.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced during your career?
As I’m sure many people in the events industry would agree, the biggest challenge has to have been the Covid pandemic. Like so many others, I was made redundant and spent some time freelancing. Suddenly being out on my own and responsible for finding my next opportunity was daunting, but it also became a real moment of growth for me. Looking back, I’m proud that I was able to turn a difficult situation into an opportunity to develop new skills, expand my knowledge, build confidence and grow my network. In many ways, it made me more resilient and ultimately strengthened my career. Through my freelance network, I was then offered a permanent position for an agency that produced events all over Europe, so I spent a couple of years jetting back-and-forth planning multi-day weddings in stunning locations, all of this I wouldn’t have done without the rather forceful nudge from the universe - every cloud!
What is your top tip to someone wanting to get into events?
Be curious and say yes to opportunities. Events is an industry where experience really matters, so volunteering, interning or helping out wherever you can is a great way to learn how things work behind the scenes.
Pay attention to the details. Great events are built on hundreds of small decisions, from detailed minute-by-minute schedules to design touches, so developing a meticulous eye for detail will always serve you well.
Build relationships. The events world is incredibly collaborative, and strong relationships with colleagues, venues and suppliers are invaluable. Be kind, reliable and professional, and your network will grow naturally.
What are your pet hates when it comes to events?
I went to an industry event recently and whilst the evening was great overall, there was no-one to greet me or direct me to the cloakroom and event space when I arrived, despite the pre-event comms telling me I would be looked after as soon as I stepped out of the lift. First impressions are everything, and as planners we need to remember that we know the event inside out, but guests don’t, guest experience from the second they arrive to the second they leave is paramount - it should never be style over substance.
That and balls of roses.
Finally, what would be your key points for creating a successful event?
As above. For me, a truly successful event comes down to the guest experience and the journey you take them on. Beautiful design and styling are, of course, important, but what guests often remember most is how seamlessly the day flows from one moment to the next and how well looked after they are.
At a wedding at the V&A recently, a guest came up to me during the wedding breakfast to say it was one of the most seamless weddings they’d ever been to. They mentioned how impressive it was that, despite moving 200 guests from the church to vintage buses, then on to a pub for the pre-reception and finally to the main event, the whole journey felt completely effortless and never rushed. The fact that they felt compelled to take a moment away from celebrating their friends to share that feedback and express their gratitude was incredibly rewarding. It shows that all the meticulous planning and careful attention to the logistics doesn’t go unnoticed.
Yes, the venue might look magical, and the dining tables will be beautifully dressed, but it’s the smooth flow and thoughtful planning behind the scenes that really make the difference. When the logistics work perfectly, guests can simply relax and enjoy the experience - and that’s what stays with them long after the event is over.
You’ve delivered lots of multi day wedding celebrations during your career, what do you think makes the perfect wedding weekend?
I think the clue is in the question - a wedding weekend really allows you to savour the celebration. If you can spread things over two or three days, it makes such a difference, particularly when you have 100+ guests. It’s incredibly hard to spend meaningful time with everyone in just one day without those interactions feeling a little fleeting.
Even if budgets are tighter, small moments around the main day can make a huge difference. A rehearsal dinner the night before with your nearest and dearest, such as your immediate family and the bridal parties, is such a lovely way to spend proper time together while the excitement builds for the big day. Equally, a relaxed “hangover day” can be just as special; sharing a casual brunch or a laid-back lunch while everyone relives the highlights is a wonderful way to extend the celebrations. It’s always fun for these additional events to have a distinct feel, if you’re having quite a traditional Wedding Day, you can incorporate a little more fun into these additional events, for example with a theme that is personal to you as a couple.
You can go all out, or keep things simple, but stretching your wedding over a whole weekend means more time to laugh, toast, dance, and make memories with all your favourite people.
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If you're looking for an event design, ideas or inspiration, please do get in touch. You can email us HERE or complete our event enquiry form HERE and we'll be in touch.
