Balloon artistry student at Capel Manor College creating a display.

Event styling

A welcome from the Head of Floristry, Event Styling and Art and Design - Louise Quigley

Hello and congratulations on your offer to study with us! I'm delighted you've chosen to join our event styling department at Capel Manor College.

If you enjoy being creative, organised and working with people, you've chosen a course that will give you real experience of planning and delivering exciting events while developing the business skills that make successful events happen.

Based at our Enfield Campus, you'll learn by doing. Throughout the year you'll plan, organise and deliver real events, working alongside our art and design and floristry teams to bring ideas to life. From weddings and open days to animal experiences, seasonal events and college shows, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience in a busy events venue.

Our tutors will support you every step of the way, helping you build confidence, develop professional skills and prepare for your next step into further study, apprenticeships or employment within the events industry.

We can't wait to welcome you in September!

Balloon artistry student at Capel Manor College creating a display.

Course overview

Our event styling courses combine business, creativity and practical event planning to prepare you for an exciting career in the events industry. Based at our Enfield Campus, you'll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to plan, promote and deliver successful events.

Throughout the year you'll experience every stage of event management - from developing ideas and researching your audience to creating marketing campaigns, managing budgets and delivering live events. You'll gain valuable commercial experience through projects across the college, helping to organise weddings, open days, exhibitions, zoo experiences, seasonal events and creative showcases.

This is a practical, hands-on course where teamwork, creativity and organisation are at the heart of everything you do.

Student running an event - holding a walkie talkie with a stage behind them.

Modules and structure

Your course combines classroom learning with practical event management experience. As you progress, you'll become increasingly confident in managing events from the first idea through to successful delivery. Throughout the year you'll develop knowledge and skills in areas such as:

  • Event planning and organisation
  • Developing creative event ideas
  • Market research and understanding customers
  • Event budgeting and finance
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Branding and digital content creation
  • Social media and event communications
  • Teamwork and leadership
  • Health and safety
  • Sustainability in events
  • Working with clients and suppliers
  • Planning and delivering live events
A woman arranging a table display at an event, with a clipboard in hand.

Equipment and uniform

Event styling is a practical subject with both classroom learning and hands-on event delivery. You'll also be using laptops/computers and the Microsoft Office suite, including Microsoft Teams, throughout your course. For some live events you may be asked to wear black smart clothing or event-branded clothing to present a professional appearance. Your tutors will explain this during induction. Don't worry if you don't have everything on your first day - we'll explain what you'll need during induction. Before you start we'd recommend bringing:

  • A notebook and pens
  • A refillable water bottle
  • Smart-casual clothing for practical event work
  • Comfortable footwear

Preparing for study

If you'd like to get a head start before September, here are a few ideas:

Watch

• Interior Design Masters
• Dragons' Den
• The Apprentice
• Behind-the-scenes videos of festivals, weddings and live events
• YouTube channels about event planning and production 

Think about everything that has to happen behind the scenes to make an event successful.

Visit 

If you have the opportunity, visit:

• Local festivals
• Markets
• Wedding fairs
• Exhibitions
• Community events
• Museums and visitor attractions

Notice how events are organised, how visitors are welcomed and how spaces are designed to create memorable experiences.

Keep curious

Follow:

• Event industry organisations
• Local event venues
• Wedding and event planners
• Exhibition designers
• Creative marketing companies

Look for inspiration everywhere - from social media campaigns to shop displays, festivals and public events.

 

Floristry and event styling FAQs

The events industry offers a huge range of exciting careers. Our students may progress into roles and areas including:

• Event Coordinator
• Wedding Planner
• Conference and Exhibition Assistant
• Festivals and live events
• Marketing and promotions
• Visitor attraction management
• Hospitality and events
• Business
• Apprenticeships
• Level 3 study

Our aim is to help you develop the practical skills and confidence needed to take your next step.

You'll spend much of the year planning and delivering real events, not just learning about them in the classroom.

Working alongside other departments, you'll gain practical experience supporting:

• Weddings
• Open days
• College shows
• Zoo experiences
• Creative arts events
• Seasonal celebrations
• Community events

This gives you valuable experience that employers really value.

By the end of your course you should be able to:

• Plan and organise successful events
• Work confidently as part of a professional team
• Develop marketing campaigns and promotional materials
• Create event budgets and manage resources
• Communicate with clients and visitors professionally
• Evaluate events and suggest improvements
• Show that you are ready for further study, apprenticeships or employment

Not at all! We're looking for enthusiasm, creativity and a willingness to get involved.

If you enjoy organising things, solving problems, working with people and bringing ideas to life, this could be the perfect course for you.

Our tutors will teach you everything else you need to know.

Throughout your course you'll have opportunities to:

• Help deliver live events across the College
• Work alongside our floristry and creative arts teams
• Develop digital marketing and promotional campaigns
• Build an impressive portfolio of projects
• Gain work experience
• Meet employers and industry professionals
• Develop the confidence and professional skills needed for the events industry

Have questions?

Speak to our Admissions team via live chat from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday or email admissions@capel.ac.uk.