The team
- Have you run events like ours? Ask for examples of a similar size and style
- Who will be there on the day? And how many people will be on your team?
- Do you know the venue? Its rules, its access and its best spots
Swish Soirées
Event Management
Birthday parties, christenings, gender reveals, corporate events and wedding weekends, managed from the first delivery to the last taxi.
Event management
One team holding the whole event together
Event management is the part of a celebration hosts rarely budget for and always remember. It is the schedule every supplier has agreed to, the plan for bad weather, and one person holding the whole thing together so no guest ever has to ask who is in charge.
We run events from the first delivery to the last taxi, which means your family, friends or colleagues arrive as guests rather than as unpaid staff. Suppliers report to us, problems are solved before they reach you, and the running order is written to survive the things that always go slightly wrong.
Alongside weddings, we manage milestone birthdays, private parties, corporate events and the welcome parties and brunches around a wedding weekend. As destination wedding planners and on-the-day wedding coordinators, we work at wedding venues in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy and beyond, and at private villas, restaurants and hotels.
What we manage
Events we manage
From a dinner for twenty at a villa to a party for several hundred, the same approach applies: a clear plan, trusted suppliers and someone in charge on the day.
More celebrations we organise
Which service do you need?
Event planning, event management or coordination?
The terms are often used interchangeably. This is how we use them, so you can choose the level of help that suits you.
| Event planning | Event management | On-the-day coordination | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starts | From the first idea | Once the plan is agreed | In the final weeks |
| Venue & suppliers | We find and book them | We take over and manage them | We confirm the ones you booked |
| Running order | We write it with you | We write and own it | We build it from your plans |
| On the day | Full team on site | Full team on site | A coordinator on site |
| Best for | Hosts who want it all done | Hosts with ideas who need it delivered | Hosts who planned it themselves |
The best events look effortless because someone has already thought about the taxis, the toilets and the weather. That is the job.
Vivian, Wedding Planner & Coordinator
How it works
How we manage your event
Every event follows the same five stages, whether it is a dinner for twenty or a party for two hundred.
1
The brief
Guests, budget, date, style and the feeling you want the event to have.
2
Venue & suppliers
Venues, caterers, music and styling shortlisted, checked and booked.
3
The plan
A detailed running order, a supplier schedule and a plan B for the weather.
4
Final checks
Site visit, numbers, dietary needs, transport and every supplier reconfirmed.
5
On the day
Our team on site from the first delivery to the last taxi.
What's included
What event management covers
Before you book
Questions to ask an event manager
Whoever you book, these are the answers worth having in writing.
On the day
- What is the weather plan? For outdoor events, always ask
- What if a supplier lets us down? Who is the back-up?
- When will we see the running order? And who signs it off?
The small print
- What is included in the fee? Hours, travel and team size
- Do you hold insurance? And do suppliers carry their own?
- What are the payment terms? Deposit, balance and cancellation
How we help
Choose the help you need
Every event is different, so our services flex around you. Read more about our wedding planners and our wedding coordination service below.
Planning and management
From the first idea to the last taxi, we find the venue, book and manage every supplier, write the running order and run the event on the day.
- Venue and supplier shortlist, checked and booked
- Budget, contracts and timeline managed
- Full team on site on the day
On-day coordination
Planned it yourself? We take over in the final weeks, confirm every supplier and run the day, so you can enjoy it as a guest.
- Handover meeting and supplier confirmations
- A detailed running order for everyone
- A coordinator on site from set-up to finish
Kind words
What our clients say
Birthdays, gender reveals and christenings, planned and managed by our team.
★★★★★
We wanted a birthday party that felt really special, and that’s exactly what we got. The decorations, little touches and overall atmosphere were brilliant. Everyone had such a lovely time!
Georgia & Nathan
Birthday party
★★★★★
Swish Soirées helped us organise the most fabulous birthday party. Everything looked amazing, the entertainment was spot on, and we actually got to enjoy the day instead of running around sorting things out!
Imogen & Callum
Birthday party
★★★★★
Our gender reveal was everything we hoped for and more! The set-up was beautiful, the surprise was unforgettable, and seeing everyone’s reactions made it even more special. Such a wonderful day.
Freya & Elliot
Gender reveal
★★★★★
We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better gender reveal. Every detail was thought through, the decorations looked gorgeous, and the whole celebration felt personal to us. We’ll remember it forever!
Zara & Dominic
Gender reveal
★★★★★
Our little one’s christening party was perfect from beginning to end. Everything felt warm, welcoming and beautifully organised. Our family loved it, and we could focus on celebrating such a special milestone together.
Holly & Reuben
Christening party
★★★★★
Planning a party with a young family can be stressful, but everything came together beautifully. The decorations were lovely, the atmosphere was fantastic, and the day felt effortless. We’d happily recommend Swish Soirées!
Elise & Finlay
Family party
Read more on our testimonials page.
Why book us
The benefits of professional event management
Good to know
Event management questions
What does an event manager do?
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An event manager turns a plan into a successful event. They book and manage the suppliers, write the running order, check the venue's rules, plan for the weather and run the event on the day, so the host can enjoy it as a guest.
What is the difference between an event planner and an event manager?
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An event planner usually starts from the first idea, finding the venue and suppliers and designing the event. An event manager focuses on delivery: coordinating suppliers, the running order and the day itself. We offer both, together or separately.
What types of events do you manage?
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Birthday parties, christenings and naming days, baby showers and gender reveals, marriage proposals, engagement parties, anniversaries and vow renewals, hen and stag weekends, pamper parties, afternoon teas, garden and pool parties, beach picnics, private dinner parties, Halloween, Christmas and New Year parties, corporate events and client hospitality, and the welcome parties and brunches around a wedding.
Do you manage corporate events?
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Yes. We manage client hospitality, team celebrations, incentive trips, Christmas parties and product launches, working to your brief, your brand and your budget, with clear contracts and itemised costs.
Where do you manage events?
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Across Spain, especially the Costa del Sol, and in Portugal, Italy, Greece and the UK, at private villas, hotels, restaurants, beach clubs and wedding venues.
How far in advance should we book event management?
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Three to six months ahead is ideal for most private parties, and six to twelve months for large or corporate events and anything in peak summer or the Christmas season. We can sometimes help at shorter notice, so it is always worth asking.
How is event management priced?
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We quote a fee based on the size of the event, the hours on site, the size of our team and how much planning is involved. You receive an itemised quote after we have talked through your brief, with supplier costs shown separately.
Do you check licences, noise limits and insurance?
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Yes. We check the venue's licence, finish time and noise limits before anything is booked, confirm that suppliers carry their own insurance, and recommend event insurance for larger or outdoor events.
More answers on our frequently asked questions page.
About the author
Vivian, Wedding Planner & Coordinator
Vivian is our planning and on-the-day coordination specialist. She runs weddings and events from the first supplier arrival to the last dance, and knows exactly what keeps a day moving smoothly.
2 years' experienceOn-the-day coordinationSwish Soirées planner
Meet the team →
Journal
Tips, ideas & inspiration
Advice and inspiration from the weddings and events we plan across Europe and the UK.
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Thank you
With thanks to the venues, couples and talented photographers whose work appears on this page.
Did you take one of these photographs? Get in touch and we will happily add your name and a link to your work.