ali gillum.
SPACES THAT GATHER YOUR GUESTS WITH PURPOSE AND BEAUTY.
Growing up, lots of family life took place around our big wooden table that Dad had made. We would spend hours there; eating, chatting, cooking, baking, reading, playing games, gathering people. This is where my love of tables stems from.
There is something magical about walking into a room where the table is laid - adorned with flowers, candles, and beautiful tableware - and you find your name amongst the place settings, and share food with those around the table.
I have always loved hosting events, and designing and bringing tables to life - taking time to create something magical, transforming occasions from logistical events into meaningful gatherings.
I am an event producer and tablescape designer seeking to create beautiful gatherings. I've spent the last 12 years building my own events based business that seeks to bring guests together with purpose and beauty. Events both expansive and intimate have ranged from weddings to funerals, christenings to hen parties, pop-up dinners to corporate retreats, and charity fundraisers to private parties.
I have created client-led events in farm yards, conference halls, private gardens and office spaces, and at the heart of each, I’ve cultivated events that the client is proud to host. When I provide “quiet background organisation and creativity” that is “impeccable” while cultivating ease and “trust…which takes the burden off” as a recent client wrote in a thank you letter, I know I’ve succeeded.
My expertise is in taking an event from conception through to execution. After getting to know the client and drawing out their ideas, I work to make their dreams into a reality. From how a space looks and feels, to the lighting, flowers, tablescape, and room setup, to how these elements function with the operational piece. I value and enjoy building deep and rich relationships with my clients, as the relationships born through the process are just as important to me as the event itself.
I am London based, and you'll often find me chasing the sunrise or sunset, or pottering around the shops with a coffee in hand, before going home to cook up whatever treats I've found. I'll then lay the table, light the candles and welcome guests over to enjoy whatever I've managed to rustle up!
I would love to dream up and create your table with you!
Testimonials are not really my vibe because they feel a bit sales-y, but they do help give you a snapshot into some of the clients I have worked with over the years, and a flavour of how I work, so here are a couple
"What you created was SO AMAZING!!! Thank you so so much. I’m so very grateful, it was incredible and all absolutely ideal. I’m very much looking forward to working with you on future events" - Sally.
"We were all thrilled and relieved you were involved. We know you did way more than we noticed but it was so great not to have to think about anything. Ali you have such a gift and are a gift to others" - Jen and Andy.
"THANK YOU for doing an incredible job of everything. You’re the reason it all happened so thank you so much. The food was delicious, tables, name places, I could go on! You executed it so beautifully and it was a real pleasure to do it alongside you!" - Olivia.
"Ali was out on the day wedding event coordinator and she did a marvellous job. She understands how to link the different parts of an event schedule and is excellent at problem solving and thinking out of the box . She has great people and communication skills and is exceptionally artistic and practical in arranging tables, flowers, and venues generally. I couldn’t recommend her more highly." - Kim and Steve.
THERE IS SOMETHING MAGICAL IN THAT MOMENT WHEN GUESTS FIRST WALK INTO A ROOM WHICH HAS BEEN LOVINGLY DREAMT UP AND CREATED, AND I LOVE PLAYING A PART IN MAKING THAT MAGIC HAPPEN.