Shopping

Entertaining

Cake-makers
Daisy Cakes Bake Shop
This family run business creates beautifully made cupcakes and occasion cakes to order, and can accommodate food fads and allergies.
Daisy Cakes Bake Shop, 11 Turnpin Lane (Off Greenwich Market), SE10 (020 3248 3047/ www.daisycakesbakeshop.com) Cutty Sark DLR.

Hummingbird Bakery on Portobello Rd
133 Portobello Rd, W11 (020 7229 6446/ www.hummingbirdbakery.com) Ladbroke Grove tube.

Treacle
110 Columbia Rd, E2 (020 7729 5657/email shop@treacleworld.com/ www.treacleworld.com) Bus 26, 48, 55. Feature continues

Caterers
Andrea Adjei
Andrea Adjei creates delicious food for private parties when she’s not managing her North Cross Road (SE22) market stall. She can accommodate any dietary requirements and food needs and is renowned for her freshly made fishcakes, falafels, salads and fishcakes.
(07916 262576).

At Home
This company provides catering and a full party planning service. It takes care of theme, food, music, lighting, staff and its three-course menu starts from £40 a head, or if preferable, canapés are also available.
(www.athomecatering.co.uk).

Hand Made Food
This well known and friendly Blackheath deli caters for private
parties.40 Tranquil Vale, SE3 (020 8297 9966).

Table Talk
Table Talk’s chefs can literally cater to your every need for a large or small dinner party. Used by many of the city’s top restaurants and museums. From £20 per head for canapés, and £80 per head for a private dinner.
(020 7401 3200/ www.tabletalk.co.uk).

Fancy dress
Angels
The original fancy dress hire shop in London, Angels has everything you could ever need, whether you want to be Henry VIII or a drag queen for the night. Prices for a top-to-toe outfit cost around the £80 mark (allow an hour for fitting) but cheaper, packet costumes are for sale on its growing website.
119 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (020 7836 5678/0845 054 8854/ www.fancydress.com) Leicester Square tube. Open Mon, Tue, Thur 9.30am-5.30pm, Wed 10.30am-7pm.

The Costume Studio
Lots of big TV companies get their costumes from the impressive 40,000 on offer at The Costume Studio. A week’s hire will cost you £65 (plus VAT).
Montgomery House, 159-161 Balls Pond Rd, N1 (020 7275 9614/ www.thecostumestudio.co.uk) Dalston Kingsland rail. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm.

Escapade
The place to go if you want to give fellow partygoers nightmares, Escapade stocks a range of ghoulish masks including garish film characters like Chucky.
150 Camden High St, NW1 (020 7485 7384/ www.escapade.co.uk). Camden Town tube. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12noon-5pm.

Madworld
It stocks over 35,000 costumes, from a ‘wolf with attitude’ to the complete cast of ‘The Flintstones’, plus a great range of famous Oscars acceptance-speech gowns. Ludicrous choice and great value.
Mad World Fancy Dress, 69-85 Tabernacle St, EC2 (0800 783 6582) Old St tube/rail. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am- 6.45pm, Thur 9.30am-7.45pm, Sat 10am-4.45pm.

Prangsta Costumiers
Based near Goldsmiths University, this decadent vintage and fancy dress hire shop is often frequented by arty students and partygoers alike.
340 New Cross Rd, SE14 (020 8694 9869/ www.prangssta.com) New Cross Gate tube. Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm.

Flowers
Angel Flowers
The bold and bright bouquets from this Islington florist are popular for presents and wedding displays.
60 Upper St, N1 (020 7704 6312/ www.angel-flowers.co.uk) Angel tube. Open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

Sam Curlewis
A flower designer who tries to source everything seasonally and from the UK and be as ethically sound as possible. Amazing wedding arrangements.
(www.chocolatecosmos.co.uk).

Wild at Heart
This chic Notting Hill florist with a concession at the Great Eastern Hotel is known for its fine English blooms such as sweet peas and roses arranged in natural, easy styles.
49a Ledbury Rd, W11 (020 7727 3095/ www.wildatheart.com) Notting Hill Gate tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.

Flower design
Capel Manor College
This horticultural college based in Enfield offers a floristry course; the programmes have a reputation for exceptional design skill and cutting-edge creativity.
Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middx EN1 4RQ (08456 122122/ www.capel.ac.uk).

In Water
Learn contemporary flower arranging from Robert Hornsby, known for his elegant arrangements immersed in water.
In Water, 70-76 Bell St, NW1 (0207724 9985/ www.inwater.uk.com). Next courses June 20, 21 and Sept 19, 20. One-day course £225, two-day course £395.

Marquee hire
LPM Bohemia
Handmade marquee structures to suit all occasions, from private parties to the Glastonbury festival. All design and fitting bespoke.
(07920 528921/ www.lpmbohemia.com).

London Marquee Company
These guys have been in business for almost 20 years now and as well as providing high quality marquees they can tackle the logistics of your event, including posh built-in loos, temporary roads, power supply and mobile kitchens.
(020 7610 1770/ www.londonmarqueeco.co.uk).

Field & Lawn Marquees
Whether you want a two-metre cover for your back garden or a huge 30-metre one for you and thousands of friends, this company will deliver the goods to a superior standard.
(020 8944 9633/ www.fieldandlawn.com).

Music & entertainers
Dave Bonsall
A talented close-up magician, Bonsall will combine charisma and with sleight of hand and mind tricks to leave your guests astounded and impressed.
(07733 010912/ www.fingertipmiracles.co.uk).

Jazz Moods
Get your party swinging with some live music from Jazz Moods. It can provide everything from a Jazz Moods trio (around £600) to the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra: up to 14 musicians belting out your favourite Hollywood show tunes (from £1,100).
(014 4286 3429/ www.jazzmoods.co.uk).

King Tut and the Magic Marker
DJ duo that supplies music for events, working with LPM Bohemia, and catering for all types of events.
(07968 805571).

London Music Agency
This company can provide you with flamenco dancers, fire eaters, after- dinner speakers, comedians, mime artists and, for an extra cost, celebrities.
(01277 633030/ www.londonmusicagency.co.uk).

Music for London
This marketing company provides you with a wide choice of live music, including jazz bands, classical, covers bands, plus DJs, magicians and cabaret shows.
(0845 226 2971/ www.musicforlondon.co.uk).

Party organisers
Cellar Society
Chic private parties organised to request.
(www.cellarsociety.com).

City Bash
Party planner and free venue-finding service. All you need to do is enter a few details on the online form and it’ll search for the best venue.
(0870 2421 235/www.citybash.com).

Party planners
All events covered from tea parties to weddings.
(www.party-planners.co.uk).

Party supplies
CB Party
Supplying anything from helium balloons, piñatas and tableware to arts and crafts, party bags and fancy dress.
(07951 782043/ 020 8637 9610/ www.cbparty.co.uk).

Oscar’s Den
Balloons, fireworks, fancy castles and costumes aside, this specialist shop will also plan and arrange everything from party packs to invitations.
127-129 Abbey Rd, NW6 (020 7328 6683/ www.oscarsden.com) Swiss Cottage tube. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat 9.30am-5.30pm,
Sun 10am-2pm.

Party Party
Three floors of cheap and cheerful party gear, whether you’re after fancy dress, cake-decorating equipment or glitter.
9-13 Ridley Rd, E8 (020 7254 5168) Dalston Kingsland rail. Open Mon-Thur 9am-5.30pm, Fri and Sat 9an-6.30pm.

Party Plus
A huge shop; one of the biggest and best value suppliers in the party business.
4 Acton Lane, Chiswick Park W4 ,(020 8987 8404/ www.partyplus.co.uk) Harlesden tube/rail. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm.

Party Superstore
A fantastic stock of everything and anything for a children’s themed party. From fake moustaches to feather boas and body parts. Dancewear, too.
270 Lavender Hill, SW1 (020 7924 3210/ www.partysuperstores.co.uk) Clapham Junction rail. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Thur 9am-7pm, Sun 10.30am-4.30pm.

Photographers
Amanda Clay
Specialist in wedding and civil partnership photography across London and south England. Her pictures have an informal style, capturing incidental moments throughout the day.
(07810 616 104/ www.clayphotography.co.uk).

David & Nick’s Weddings
These two London based photographers work as a team and specialise in providing a stylish and modern document of your wedding. £1,300 for the whole day, including all prints, fees and expenses.
(07881 527388/ 07760 225699).

Sharron Wallace
A versatile photographer who snaps anything from family portraits to pop stars.
(07956 959433/ www.sharronwallace.com).

Suit hire
Lipman & Sons
Come here for reasonably priced, classic men’s suits – £44.95 for a morning suit with shirt and tie.
23 Charing Cross Rd, WC2 (020 7240 2310/ www.lipmanandsons.co.uk) Leicester Square tube. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Thur until 8pm.

Moss Bros Hire
A comprehensive range of formalwear and accessory hire.
27-28 King St, WC2 (020 7632 9700/ www.mossbross.com) Covent Garden tube. Open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9am-6pm, Thur 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

Wedding dresses
Browns Bride
Although expensive (from £1,000 to £7,000), this is a good starting place for inspiration as you will find all the big names in wedding frocks from Vera Wang to Roland Mouret and Alexander McQueen.
59 Brook St, W1 (020 7514 0056/www.brownsfashion.com) Bond St tube. Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, by appointment.

Morgan Davies
Classic, stylish bridal gowns from designers including Forget me not Designs and Rosa Clara.
62 Cross St, N1 (202 7354 3414/ www.morgandavieslondon.co.uk) Angel tube. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm