How RG Events & Floral Transformed Chester Cathedral for Iceland's Awards Gala

An 18-Metre Flower Wall. Twenty Statement Centrepieces. A Floral Arch That Stopped Guests in Their Tracks. This Is What Large-Scale Corporate Floral Design Looks Like.

When Iceland Foods commissioned RG Events & Floral to style their prestigious annual Awards Gala, the brief was bold: transform one of the UK's most iconic venues into an immersive, exotic floral experience that would leave guests speechless. Chester Cathedral — a venue steeped in centuries of history — became the canvas. What we created inside it was anything but traditional.

The Vision: Exotic Floral on a Grand Scale

The theme was exotic floral — rich, dramatic, and unapologetically lush. Think tropical blooms, cascading foliage, and a colour palette that felt vibrant and alive against the Cathedral's ancient stone.

For a corporate gala of this calibre, good isn't good enough. Every element had to be considered, cohesive, and — above all — extraordinary. RG Events & Floral designed and delivered a full floral scheme from concept to installation, working within the unique logistical and structural requirements of a Grade I listed building.

The Centrepiece Installation: 18 Metres of Bespoke Flower Wall

The undisputed showpiece of the evening was a bespoke 18-metre flower wall — one of the largest single floral installations we have ever created.

Spanning the full width of the main event space, this wasn't a standard panel arrangement. Every section was individually designed to flow seamlessly across the entire length, creating a living, breathing backdrop that set the tone for the entire gala. The exotic floral theme came to life in its fullest expression here — layered textures, statement blooms, and a depth of colour that photographed beautifully under the Cathedral's lighting.

For Iceland's guests and award recipients, this wall wasn't just a backdrop. It was a statement. A declaration that this was an event worth showing up for.

The Floral Entrance Arch: First Impressions That Last

Before guests even entered the main hall, they were greeted by a full floral entrance arch — the moment the evening's theme announced itself.

Designed to frame the Cathedral entrance and create that immediate sense of arrival, the arch combined lush exotic blooms with structured greenery to frame guests as they stepped inside. In an era where every event moment is photographed and shared, the entrance arch served a dual purpose: it welcomed guests in style, and it gave Iceland a branded, visually striking moment that lived on long after the evening ended.

Twenty Bespoke Centrepieces: Detail at Every Table

Scaling a design concept across a room is one of the true tests of a floral designer's skill. It is easy to create one stunning arrangement. Delivering twenty cohesive, bespoke centrepieces — each one an individual piece of work that collectively tells the same visual story — is an entirely different challenge.

Every centrepiece at the Iceland Awards Gala was designed to complement the overarching exotic floral theme while bringing its own character. Height, structure, and bloom selection were carefully varied to create a dynamic room that rewarded attention, without any single table feeling like it had drawn the short straw.

Why Chester Cathedral?

Chester Cathedral is not a conventional events venue, and that is precisely what makes it so compelling. Its soaring vaulted ceilings, original stonework, and sheer scale create a setting that demands a floral response equal to its grandeur.

RG Events & Floral has extensive experience working within complex, architecturally significant venues across the North West — and Chester Cathedral presented its own unique considerations around installation, fixings, and logistics. Our team managed the full installation process, ensuring every element was in place, perfectly presented, and ready for guests on arrival.

Corporate Floral Design: Raising the Bar for Your Brand

The Iceland Awards Gala is a powerful example of what thoughtful, large-scale floral design can do for a corporate event. When the environment is extraordinary, everything that happens within it is elevated. Award recipients feel honoured. Guests feel valued. And your brand is associated with an experience people genuinely remember.

Whether you are planning an awards ceremony, a product launch, a client dinner, or a conference gala, RG Events & Floral has the creativity, the capability, and the experience to deliver floral and event styling at the highest level — anywhere across the North West and beyond.

Plan Your Corporate Event with RG Events & Floral

If you are looking for a floral and event styling partner who can think big, execute flawlessly, and bring a genuine creative vision to your brief — we would love to hear from you.

Get in touch to discuss your event:

📧 sales@rgevents.co.uk 📱 WhatsApp: 07783 582092 🌐 rgevent.co.uk

RG Events & Floral — Corporate Floral Design & Event Styling across the North West