Regency Glamour & Ultimate Luxury: Caroline Castigliano Chats with The Lanesborough’s Antoinette Lettieri

When envisioning a quintessential luxury London wedding, few venues capture the imagination quite like The Lanesborough. Perfectly situated at Hyde Park Corner, this Oetker Collection masterpiece offers an unparalleled blend of grand Regency architecture and intimate, five-star service.

To discover what it takes to curate a flawless celebration at one of London’s most prestigious addresses, Caroline Castigliano sat down with Antoinette Lettieri, Head of Events at The Lanesborough. In a captivating conversation, Antoinette shared her journey through the luxury events world, the secret to the hotel's "private residence" feel, and why intimate weddings offer the ultimate bridal indulgence.

From Grassroots to Grand Palaces

Q. Caroline: Antoinette, your career in luxury events spans over two decades. How did your journey begin, and what led you to your role here at The Lanesborough?

Antoinette’s career in luxury events began over twenty years ago. While studying in London, she joined elite catering companies like The Admirable Crichton and Rhubarb Food Design. Working her way up from waitressing to managing high-pressure operations in venues like the Natural History Museum, she learned the events industry from the ground up.

After transitioning to the corporate hotel world—holding roles at Starwood, Mandarin Oriental, and COMO Hotels—Antoinette found her perfect fit at The Lanesborough. She recalls attending a 21st birthday party there many moons ago when it just opened, and it seemed like the most glamorous place ever. Today, she acts as the "conductor" for the hotel’s most spectacular events, orchestrating a seamless symphony of florists, lighting technicians, and designers.

Regency Glamour and the Bridgerton Effect

Q. Caroline: The Lanesborough is renowned for its magnificent architecture. Could you tell us about the event spaces you offer, particularly the crown jewel for weddings?

The Lanesborough boasts seven distinct event spaces, accommodating everything from an intimate dinner for 12 to a grand reception. The crown jewel for weddings, however, is the Michelin-starred Céleste restaurant.

Available for exclusive hire, Céleste can host up to 120 guests for dinner and dancing (or 150 without dancing). With its domed glass conservatory roof, spectacular chandeliers, and original Wedgwood-blue frescoes designed by the late Alberto Pinto, the room radiates a timeless Regency style that is currently taking the wedding world by storm. Because of the sheer beauty of the room, you don't need to do lots to make it really just wow.

The "Private Residence" Experience

Q. Caroline: Despite its absolute grandeur, the hotel has a wonderfully intimate, private residence feel. How do you create that serene atmosphere for your guests?

Despite its grandeur, The Lanesborough is a boutique property with just 93 rooms. This boutique size allows the team to offer a uniquely personal, "home away from home" experience. It is not a busy lobby; if you come there, it is very serene. People are often surprised that it isn't snobby or stiff, but deeply welcoming.

This warmth is paired with world-class service. Every single guest staying at the hotel is assigned their own dedicated butler, ensuring that the bridal party and their guests are meticulously cared for throughout their stay.

The Magic of Intimate Weddings

Q. Caroline: You are a passionate advocate for micro-weddings. What makes an intimate celebration so special at the hotel?

While The Lanesborough regularly hosts magnificent large-scale events, Antoinette is a passionate advocate for the beauty of intimate, micro-weddings. When you have smaller numbers, you can absolutely spoil your guests to bits because you have the budget to spare. Small can be absolutely gorgeous, and it allows couples to utterly indulge and make the experience incredibly beautiful and lovely.

Whether a bride wants Antoinette to plan every single detail—down to the embroidered napkins and favours—or prefers to bring in her own external wedding planner, The Lanesborough team adapts effortlessly to bring the vision to life.

Pre-Wedding Pampering at The Lanesborough Spa

Q. Caroline: The guest experience starts long before the wedding day itself. How can couples utilize the hotel to relax and prepare in the lead-up?

The guest experience begins long before the ceremony. The hotel features a gigantic private members' gym and spa, which is a massive draw for couples looking to de-stress before the big day.

Antoinette highly recommends carving out time for the spa's renowned Tata Harper vegan facials, or organizing a pre-wedding pampering session for the bridal party. The team regularly hosts bespoke hen parties where everyone can relax in white towelling robes and slippers while watching a movie down in the spa.

Expert Advice: Where to Begin

Q. Caroline: When you first meet a newly engaged couple, how do you help them extract their vision, and what is your absolute first piece of advice for them?

When meeting a newly engaged couple, Antoinette doesn't rely on a strict script. Instead, she gently extracts their vision by asking: What drew you to The Lanesborough? and What is the most important factor on the day for you?

This aligns perfectly with the bespoke gown design process. One of the first things I always ask a bride is, "Where have you booked your reception?" As soon as they describe the venue and why they fell in love with it, I can really start to understand how they want to look within that setting.

For brides beginning their journey, Antoinette’s advice is simple and decisive: If you know the venue that you want to get married in, book it. When you have that gut feeling, just do it. The next thing to book is your registrar or your church—those two go hand in hand.

To discover more about hosting your wedding at this iconic London venue, visit The Lanesborough.

Are you planning a glamorous London hotel wedding? Book an appointment at the Caroline Castigliano Knightsbridge flagship to discover a bespoke gown as breathtaking as your venue.