Behind the Design: Event Planning Magic at Marlborough Wine & Food Festival 2025
When you think of iconic Kiwi festivals, the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is right up there with the best. Held in the heart of New Zealand’s most celebrated wine region, this annual event showcases the finest in local wine, cuisine, and entertainment. In 2025, it welcomed over 5,800 attendees – and let’s just say, the vibes (and the wine) were flowing.
We were thrilled to be brought in as the creative force behind the event design for two of the festival’s exclusive spaces: the VIP Area and The Lounge. While we didn’t handle the event planning itself, we were responsible for creating two standout environments that elevated the overall guest experience – combining thoughtful design with festival functionality and plenty of wow factor.
Event Planning Meets Elevated Styling: Our Role
Our design brief? To transform two key spaces into immersive, on-brand escapes where guests could sip, savour, and soak in the Marlborough sunshine.
Here’s how we did it:
VIP Area – Alfresco Elegance, Italian-Inspired
We channeled a dreamy Italian alfresco vibe for this space—think crisp whites, vibrant greenery, and effortless luxury.
Guests were welcomed through a styled entrance complete with lush greenery, soft white florals, and custom signage – setting the tone from the first step.
We layered our white French linen tablecloths and patterned table runners over round tables, pairing them with ghost chairs to keep things modern and airy.
Brooklyn Dining Tables added structure for group seating, styled with runners and abundant white-and-green florals.
For mingling moments, we styled Manhattan marble cocktail tables with gold cocktail chairs—a pairing that oozes class.
Comfy chill-out zones were created with Hampton sofas and armchairs, matching ottomans, and layered rugs and soft furnishings for a luxurious, relaxed feel.
Large market umbrellas offered much-needed shade under the summer sun.
And the showstopper? A large circular wooden bar sat at the center of the marquee—crowned with a stunning greenery installation, statement florals, and elevated signage.
The Lounge – Zesty, Playful & Full of Sunshine
In contrast to the earthy elegance of the VIP space, The Lounge brought energy and colour with a citrusy, vibrant palette and playful styling.
A photo-worthy entrance was set with fresh signage and a greenery wall bursting with lemons and oranges – the perfect punchy backdrop for guest selfies.
Guests dined at Hampton wooden dining tables, paired with Soho chairs and layered with throws, rugs and bold florals in pinks, oranges and sunny yellows.
Lucy sofas and armchairs created lounge zones, paired with white coffee tables for casual chats and wine-fuelled lounging.
High seating options were covered with Aston leaners and crisp white stools.
A sleek marble bar dished out beverages all day, styled to perfection with a cascading full floral arrangement in bold blooms.
W
Feedback
“Having you style our VIP and Lounge areas for the first time was a game-changer! The spaces looked incredible, and we received so many compliments on the setup… Your contribution added so much to the event, and we look forward to building on this partnership in the years to come.”
— Loren Coffey, Events Manager, Wine Marlborough
Crafting Festival Spaces that Feel Like the Brand
We know that when it comes to event planning, styling isn't just about making things pretty - it’s about making them purposeful. Whether it's a VIP lounge, corporate activation, or public festival space, our team knows how to design for function, brand, and experience—while sticking to budget and event goals.
We’re not just stylists - we’re marketing minds too. That means we approach your event with a strategic lens, helping you create spaces that look good and feel aligned with your audience, your brand, and your wider goals.
Want to elevate your next event with a design team that gets the full picture?
Let’s chat about your upcoming projects—we’d love to bring the magic.
