A Wedding Culinary Experience Like No Other: Handmade Parties and Events
For over 25 years, Andrew McConnell has been captivating the Melbourne food scene with his culinary prowess through Trader House, a collective of esteemed dining establishments such as Gimlet, Supernormal, and Cutler & Co. Now, immerse yourself in the epitome of sophistication and refinement on your special day, regardless of the chosen location, courtesy of Handmade Parties and Events—the event arm of Trader House. Indulge in the opulent allure of Andrew's restaurants, where culinary artistry meets the height of elegance.
“No two weddings should ever be the same, so we approach each celebration with a fresh vision, an open mind and a desire to curate an experience that is meaningful for all involved.”
Give us a little background into the world of Handmade Parties and Events…
To put it simply, we love throwing parties. We’ve been doing it for more than 25 years. Andrew McConnell and the team at Trader House have presided over some of Melbourne’s major celebrations. We've hosted some of the city's most memorable events, and set trends in how (and where) the city eats and drinks, all delivered by our charmingly professional team. This hospitality can now be experienced outside the restaurants we are known for (restaurants such as Gimlet, Supernormal and Cutler & Co.), whether that be in a unique venue, a home or private property with all the bells and whistles.
What drives the team at Handmade Parties and Events to specialise in creating unforgettable wedding experiences, and what do you personally love about being part of that process?
Everyone loves a wedding, and we love being a part of them. From the first conversation, through to the planning and execution on the day, it’s a thrill to bring such a special day to life and share in the momentous occasion of bringing two people together. Especially when this is over the shared love of beautifully cooked food and a seasonal drinks selection. Getting to know our clients over the course of the planning process and then seeing that dream turn into a reality on the day is a huge honour.
How does Handmade Parties and Events go above and beyond to ensure that each wedding is a reflection of the couple's love story and unique journey?
We deliver professionalism without the pretension. Every aspect of our events is considered with the hosts and their guests top of mind. No two weddings should ever be the same, so we approach each celebration with a fresh vision, an open mind and a desire to curate an experience that is meaningful for all involved.
Talk us through a Handmade wedding…
From the first enquiry point, we want to know all about who is involved– obviously the couple - but also their family, their friends, everyone who will be a part of the celebration. We love hearing about where our hosts have travelled to, restaurants where they have shared a special dinner or special experiences they’ve shared together as a couple; we then like to think of authentic ways to thread this into the plans for the big day – a wedding should represent the couple getting married, we want each moment to resonate with their guests to create a memorable and meaningful event experience.
In your opinion, what sets Handmade Parties and Events apart in terms of the care and attention to detail you invest in every wedding, and how does that contribute to creating extraordinary memories for the couple and their guests?
Andrew McConnell’s venues comprise some of Melbourne’s most iconic and critically acclaimed establishments. His goals have been simple; to cook beautiful food and develop an authentic, caring service culture. With our wealth of knowledge, creative yet considered approach to all aspects of an event, as well as our network of wonderful suppliers – we deliver an event experience that always exceeds expectations.
What trends are we currently seeing in the food and beverage area of weddings?
Happily, we are seeing a real focus from our clients on seasonality and integrity of produce. Our hosts want to know where key ingredients come from, how they are grown or produced and want to craft their menus around what’s at its seasonable peak at the time of their event.
And finally, give us your best piece of advice for couples currently planning their wedding…
Figure out what aspect of the day is most important to you so that we can advise and curate something spectacularly you - is it the style of menu (a long shared table feast, the best in seasonal fruits de Mer to start, or a progression of courses with paired wines), is it finding a unique venue that holds fond memories or maybe it’s your favourite champagne to toast at the start. Handmade can take care of all the finer details so that you can focus on the thing that really matters on the day; each other and your invited guests.
You can find Handmade Parties and Events on THEODORE Magazine by CLICKING HERE, at handmadeevents.melbourne or over at Instagram @handmadeevents.melboure
All image have been supplied by Handmade Parties and Events.