Kristin Banta has long been on our radar for her impeccably styled events that leave us gushing over her design prowess and flawless execution. It never fails, Kristin Banta = all out magic making and we’re backing up our love fest today with this crazy gorgeous London Hotel affair captured by Yvette Roman Photography. It’s ripe with city chic glamour and a good dose of Hollywood cool; just the way we like it. This wedding also comes with a big, HUGE, exciting announcement that Kristin Banta has landed her very own tv special. Yep, you heard it here. You can catch The Ring Leader premier tomorrow night, February 14 on Bravo at 7pm ET/PT and you can bet your bottom dollar we are already planning our SMP viewing party.
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A peek inside the design process from Kristin Banta…
Guests arrived on the rooftop of the London Hotel and entered an open grass courtyard space
framed by hedges on three sides, where they were offered iced water with lime by hotel staff
before finding their seats amongst white Chiavari chairs facing the expansive view of the city.
A string quartet filled the air as they awaited the ceremony. The ceremony aisle began with
two pewter fabric upholstered pedestals set with large aluminum trophy urns filled with white
hydrangea and crisp greens, followed by an aisle lined with nickel lanterns embellished with grey
sashes. The alter area featured a cabana-style structure draped with tailored white fabric and
pewter kick pleats at the top corners all with grey tie-backs to match those on the lanterns. Green
topiaries were placed at each corner of the structure with plantings of white florals at the base.
Inside the structure, a beautiful alter table sat with candlelight and florals.
Following the intimate ceremony, guests were invited to the 3rd floor Hampton Court garden
where they were greeted by servers offering dirty martinis and sparkling wine. Guests
chatted amongst high and low cocktail tables with white Chiavari chairs, all draped in luxe
pewter moire fabric and embellished with glass “perfume bottle” vases and petit florals, while they
listened to a jazz quartet and sampled from a decadent selection of tray passed hors d’oeuvres. At
the end of the grass aisle flanked by boxed hedges, a full bar was placed, styled
with florals and upholstered in a sleek grey on grey printed fabric and topped with a lacquered
grey bar top.
As the sun began to set, guests were invited to the lower level ballroom which allowed for a
dramatic reveal of a space, completely transformed into a sophisticated supper club complete
with a full band, luxe lounges and martini carts, a custom bar and bar stools and a stylized sofa
vignette for photo ops. Guests entered the lower level hallway, dimly lit and leading to
a registration area where they checked in and were given a table assignment on rich grey
paperstock in small envelopes, provided by a host standing behind an acrylic podium. As they
entered the “supper club” as led by hotel staff, they were met by the couple welcoming them from
the center of the dancefloor, accompanied by the sounds of The James Gang Encore playing
from a custom grey stage with an upholstered charcoal fabric stage front along with a rich draped
pewter backdrop.
A graphic textured light wash filled a central high gloss grey metallic dancefloor surrounded by
square tables draped in luxe pewter dupioni and featuring a tablescape of white florals including
phalaenopsis, hydrangea and lisianthus in multiple silver textured vases along with a collection
of mercury glass votives all placed on a riser upholstered in a graphic grey on grey printed
fabric. The square tables featured Victorian silver rimmed chargers and silk-satin grey napkins
placed in stainless steel square bands. The outer tables were rounds placed with the same
sophisticated table top décor but without the risers and offered white banquettes with a collection
of printed grey pillows for guest seating on the outer side while all other seating featured
elegant silver X back Chameleon chairs with grey ultra suede cushions. The round tables were
additionally placed with silver rim chargers and graphic print grey on grey napkins in the same
clean polished stainless steel bands.
Along the rear walls, white tufted nail head lounge vignettes were featured with glass and
aluminum coffee tables and chrome martini carts offering made to order martinis with the
assistance of hotel staff. Lounges were styled with luxe textured pillows and thematic décor
including aluminum planes, vintage flight books, compasses and aluminum flight cases along with
the couple’s favorite coffee table book for guests to sign. Additionally a full bar upholstered in
grey panne velvet fabric with a grey wood bar top served as a focal point for the room, set with
a smoky glass back bar display, two grey loveseat bar stools and styled with ornate vintage liquor
decanters and aeronautical inspired décor and candlelight. A bar menu was placed atop the
bar detailing the available options. A dessert display was the feature on the opposite side of
the room, filled with inspired vessels and trays and offering a rich selection of miniature desserts,
as well as a mini cake in honor of the couple, for guests to select from with the assistance of hotel
staff.
Throughout the night guests had the opportunity to have their photo taken from a customized
photo vignette including a luxe fabric grey fabric backdrop, a charcoal Chesterfield sofa and
a glass and chrome table featuring thematic props which continued the visual interest
of the room’s carefully curated décor. The night allowed for guests to dine, dance, lounge
and celebrate from within the stunning space, transporting them into a time of decadence,
sophistication and elegance.
Photography: Yvette Roman Photography / Design and Production: Kristin Banta Events / Venue: The London Hotel, West Hollywood, California / Decor and Florals: R. Jack Balthazar / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Lighting Design: The Lighter Side / Cake: Nancy Kay’s Confections / Entertainment: West Coast Music / Hair: Tyrone Brown / Makeup: Sarah Usian of Luxe Beauty / Officiant: You May Kiss the Bride