A Week In Events: Media In The Making & the launch of Exquisite Events

Hello fellow bloggers, brides-to-be and readers,

Over the past few weeks, I have been busy setting up my new business, renewing clients and have made a little time to attend a couple of fabulous events, that I just have to rave about.

EXQUISITE EVENTS LAUNCH

The first event I attended was the launch of ‘Exquisite Events’ UAE. The Exquisite events launch took place at the stunning ‘Ritz Carlton’ JBR and was an exclusive invite only event for wedding and event industry professionals/media. Designed and styled with precision, and glamour clearly in mind, I felt like a Hollywood starlet as soon as I entered the outdoor space the event was hosted in. Guests at the launch were treated to diamond mocktails, delicious food, and fabulous entertainment.

Above: Me at the exquisite launch event, with my diamond mocktail 😉

Some vendors exhibited their services at the event too, including a few Bride Club ME vendor club members, such as the Gourmelicious girls and Tasneem Photography. The highlight of the launch for me, was the magnificent firework display towards the end of the evening and the suspense in the lead up to their ‘REAL’ Diamond prize draw.

Above: Some snaps shots of the evening taken by on my IPhone

Each guest was given a mocktail upon arrival, containing a small Swarovski crystal or, if you were the lucky winner, a real diamond at the bottom of the glass. I’m sad to say that I did not win, but attending this fabulous evening was enough for me. Exquisite events specialise in organizing & planning high end events and weddings. and I look forward to telling you more about them in the new year, on www.brideclubme.com.

All pictures are courtesy of my Iphone.

MEDIA IN THE MAKING LAUNCH

Last night, 15 career driven women in the blogging and on line media sphere, met up at Katsuya – Dubai to share their success stories, their goals, their challenges and their 2014 New Year’s Resolutions. Hosted by my friend and media personality ‘Anita Buys’, I was honored to have been chosen to attend her first #mediainthemaking event, as a UAE based ‘on line entrepreneur and wedding blogger’. What a success it was. I met some talented women from the fashion, beauty, fitness, PR, food and even oil and gas industries!

Above: Myself with Media personality and friend Anita Buys. Right – The ladies pose with their camera phones at the ready.

I’m a great believer in women empowering each other “Women should empower each other instead of being so hateful & envious of one another” is a quote that rings true. It’s very easy to be precious in the blogging/media field and of course, it’s healthy to be a little competitive and protective of your brand/business/blog, but at the same time, many new connections can be made, concepts born and knowledge shared.

Above: Deep in conversation with fellow bloggers and entrepreneurs

What did I get from this event? Well aside from the delicious food, great company and skin care treats from Elemis Middle East, I have also found some great content for my business www.brideclubme.com. I shall be featuring some gorgeous kaftans designed by the incredibly stylish Charlotte Mika, founder of Meeks Boutique.

Charlotte will be creating special Honeymoon ‘look book’ features for our readers. I shall also be meeting with the impressively toned and gorgeous Nadine du Toit, CEO of GloryGirl Fitness to discuss bridal fitness regimes for my readers. I look forward to meeting more of the lovely ladies who attended this event, to see how we can collaborate and work together the the future.

Above: Left – Charlotte Mika of Meeks Boutique/ Right – Nadine du Toit, blogger and CEO of GloryGirl Fitness

Above: All ladies in attendance received a little treat from Elemis Middle East

I had been working on something similar myself recently, and will be holding a regular event for those in the wedding blogging field, with a slight twist. All will be revealed soon, but if you are a UAE based wedding blogger or a wedding professional with an active blog, email me at [email protected] for further details.

In regards to my experience at the newly launched Katsayu restaurant, well, the views were simply stunning. With a prime location in Dubai Mall, the Japanese restaurant boasts breathtaking views of the iconic Dubai Fountain and is set to become a culinary and style destination in downtown Dubai.

The interior of the restaurant is authentically designed, combining the use of natural wood and stone, infused with Japanese design elements to create an exquisite and stylish environment.

Above: Delectable food from Katsuya at the Dubai Mall

The food was delicious and staff attentive. I shall certainly be back again for double doses of their Spicy Tuna on crispy rice. YUM! Oh and their spicy jalapeno mocktails are to die for, I had far too many!

I also have to give a shout out to all the ladies in attendance last night and urge you all to check out their blogs/Websites if listed : Media personality and host, Anita Buys from anitabuys.com / Rhiannon Downie Hurst (Moi) from Bride Club ME and Expat Bride / Mona Dragoy / Nada Al Ghowainim from Undefined Declarations / Carla Doss / Charlotte Mika from Meeks Boutique / Zaib Shadani / Nadine du Toit from GloryGirl Fitness / Nora Lamoudi-Sutcliffe from Lamoudi Loves / Rupal Bhatikar from Foodie And Fabulous / Bea Dujale / Fatma from Fatzee.blogspot.com  / Anaam Fardeen Hussain / Tabassum Farooq and Grace Guino from BrutalGrace.

Above: UAE based female bloggers and on line entrepreneurs unite at Katsuya Dubai for the #mediaInTheMaking event

Thanks once again to the beautiful Anita Buys, for a great evening and I look forward to attending and writing about more #mediainthemaking events soon. PS: A cute fact: One of the bloggers in attendance at this event was Rupal, a fan and reader of Bride Club ME, who was one of my first subscribers to the site and fans on our facebook page, she was planning her wedding at the time, and I am delighted to say, that with my encouragement, she is now blogging about her passions: food and travel, YAY!

Well, that’s my lot for today lovelies…wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Ciao for now

Rio xx

All pictures (aside from the Elemis image) Courtesy: Grace Guino