The much-awaited DWP Privé cast its magical spell on the gorgeous island of Sri Lanka in Colombo. Held at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, the event Host Hotel Partner on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of April, this exclusive event, building on the illustrious legacy of the beloved Planner Xtraordinare (PX) Show, brought together top planners and suppliers from across the globe for an experience like no other in an ultra luxurious, intimate setting! From the warm hospitality to the exotic tropical vibe of this beautiful destination, every moment was truly unforgettable. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, our speakers, sponsors, and partners—including our Broadcast Partner: Good Times, Media Partner: Bride Club ME, and PR Partner: DSPR—and all our valued attendees for making this event seamless and spectacular.
Airport Arrivals
Attendees touched down on the breathtaking island of Sri Lanka, greeted by warm smiles, vibrant traditions, and the unmistakable charm of heartfelt hospitality at Colombo International Airport. Our guests enjoyed a seamless arrival at this exotic destination, thanks to the incredible efforts of our DMC partner, Walkers Tours. The attendees’ arrival was made even more special with delightful welcome gifts that set the tone for the celebrations ahead, They were given a warm welcome at the hotel, and melodious notes of the saxophone played by our Supporting partner, Roshane Silva. From there, they were whisked away to the magnificent Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, our esteemed host hotel partner, where the magic truly began. Upon arrival, guests were guided to their luxurious suites and welcomed with thoughtfully curated gifts created by our Gift Partners, Kemara and Jezza Fashion. These gifts were accompanied by stunning invitations, beautifully designed by our incredibly talented Stationery Partner, Stationery by Duvitri. The invites were further beautified by our Supporting Partner, Suaadha, from Wispy lines, with a touch of calligraphy. They were a three-day itinerary filled with exciting experiences and insightful sessions with some of the best and renowned in the industry. And let’s not forget the buzz our Digital Invite Partner, Akansha Design, created on social media with their stunningly gorgeous digital invitations.
A Day Filled With Exciting Experiences
The first day of the conference experience was designed to delight. Guests could sip and swirl their way through an exqusite wine-tasting journey at Cloud Wine for a delightful wine-tasting experience on Level 23 filled with melodious music by our Supporting Partner, Lasitha Gunawardana, or elevate their evening with a Skyline Escape at Gatz, Cinnamon’s chic exclusive bar. At Gatz, guests indulged in champagne and curated cocktails, enjoying expertly crafted drinks against a backdrop of breathtaking views.
As the sun set, the excitement carried over to Dreams & Beats, the glamorous opening cocktail party. Dressed in their finest, attendees gathered by the infinity pool for a night of fun, frolic, and fantastic entertainment. The celebration was brought to life by our fabulous opening and closing cocktail event partners, Kairos Weddings and Events, Magical Moments by Charm, and Opening Cocktail Floral Partner Shine By Sanjeevani. The energy was further lifted by the vibrant emceeing by Danu Innasithamby and Mariella Van Dort. The evening began with a warm welcome speech by Sidh NC, Director of QnA International, followed by inspiring addresses from Sanjiv Hulugalle, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Janice Hakel Ranasinghe of Kairos Weddings and Events, and Charm Diaz from Magical Events by Charm.
Conference Day One- 10th April 2025
Following a fabulous start to the three-day event, attendees embraced a moment of serenity with a rejuvenating yoga session conducted by our Supporting Partners, Shobana Cooke Wellness & Dheeshana Ameresekere, by the serene waterfront. Afterward, they enjoyed a gourmet breakfast at the Quizine Restaurant before heading to the breathtaking Lumina Ballroom for the day’s conference. As the attendees made their way to the venue, they were welcomed with gifts thanks to the efforts of our Luxury Gift Partner, Dankotuwa. The venue was beautifully styled by our Conference Event Partner, Eventive Global, with audiovisual support from Bright View AV Sri Lanka, staging by our Stage and Platform Partner, Darshana Enterprise, lighting by Imagine Entertainment, and elegant seating by our Furniture Partner, Tiffany Chairs, created an inspiring atmosphere reflective of Sri Lanka’s charm as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.”
The conference officially commenced with a welcome address by Sidh NC, Director of QnA International, setting the tone for a day of inspiration and insight. The opening session featured the legendary Preston Bailey, who delved into an often overlooked side of the industry—the quiet moments of exclusion behind even the most glamorous events. His powerful message, “It’s not about you—it’s about their fear,” encouraged attendees to gain perspective, remain gracious, and let their work speak louder than doubt.
Next, creative visionary Sumant Jayakrishnan took the stage, highlighting how limitations can be the birthplace of unexpected beauty. He emphasized the power of introspection and the seamless interplay between technology and craft in creating immersive, sacred, and sensorial spaces.
The conference continued with an engaging session by Sanjiv Hulugalle, who took the stage to speak about repositioning Colombo as a world-class luxury destination. He shared valuable insights on overcoming outdated perceptions and building fresh, compelling narratives through innovation, strategic partnerships, and the power of authentic storytelling. Attendees then took a refreshing pause for a Coffee Break & Networking.
Just when you thought the magic had peaked, the phenomenal Juliet Arndt, our Engagement Partner, world-renowned mentalist and hypnotist, left everyone spellbound. Her powerful, interactive performance showcased the extraordinary power of the human mind, reminding us all of the limitless potential of positive thinking and manifestation.
Following these sessions, attendees proceeded to the much-anticipated B2B meetings—an exclusive exhibition featuring curated vendors offering bespoke solutions for extraordinary weddings. After an engaging round of networking and discovery, guests returned to the Quizine Restaurant to enjoy a delightful lunch, recharging with a spread of gourmet cuisine before the next segment of the day.
The second segment of the day then commenced with the masterclasses. These sessions engage in hands-on workshops to enhance skills, focusing on collaborative techniques for special party and wedding planning excellence. The speakers for these sessions included Nadia Duran, Founder & Creative Director, Nadia Duran, Australia; Funke Bucknor Obruthe, CEO Zapphaire Events, Nigeria; and Aarti Manocha, Founder and Managing Director, Milestones to Memories Pvt Ltd, India.
The conference came to an end for the day with Raffle Draws and closing remarks.
Sri Lankan Gala Dinner
After an insightful day at the conference, guests were treated to an evening of glamour and unforgettable surprises at the much-anticipated Sri Lankan Gala Dinner held at the stunning Cumulus Ballroom. Brought to life by our Gala Dinner Partner, Hemant Dadlani Weddings, and adorned with breathtaking floral arrangements by our Gala Dinner Floral Partner, 2nd Chance Flowers, the evening dazzled with vibrant, exotic blooms and a spread of exquisite cuisine.
The Gala Dinner also celebrated the distinguished individuals featured in this year’s prestigious DWP Insider Powerlist 2024-25, honoring their remarkable contributions and dedication to the wedding industry
The night was filled with unforgettable entertainment, starting with electrifying and high-energy performances by our Gala Band Partner, One Empire Band. Along with them, Flame Sri Lanka too set the stage ablaze, leaving everyone thoroughly entertained and excited for more. Their dynamic set had everyone on their feet, setting the perfect tone for the evening. Guests were also treated to the vibrant rhythms of a traditional Sri Lankan dance performance by Natanda Dance Theatre, which brought cultural flair to the celebration and had attendees dancing and vibing along, leaving everyone thoroughly entertained.
Conference Day 2- 11th April 2025
In the conference room, the day officially commenced with a compelling session led by Elizabeth Solaru, who offered a deep dive into what it truly takes to succeed in the luxury celebration, wedding, proposal, and honeymoon industry. Her insights set a powerful tone for the day ahead.
This was followed by a power panel discussion on Strategic Pricing in Destination Weddings and Luxury Celebrations, featuring some of the most distinguished names in the industry: Costanza Giaconi, Emma Pope, Hemant Dadlani, Kathy Wang, and Mahesh Shirodkar. The session was expertly moderated by Rhiannon Downie-Hurst, founder of Bride Club ME, and sparked a dynamic exchange of strategies, perspectives, and best practices.
Next, the audience was treated to an inspiring session by Amie Bone, who captivated attendees with her approach to crafting awe-inspiring transformations that redefine luxury. From monumental floral installations to groundbreaking structures and the use of unexpected materials, she showcased how pushing creative boundaries can lead to truly immersive, breathtaking experiences.
The day continued with the much-anticipated Innovation Pods — interactive sessions featuring some of the most visionary minds in the industry. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with and learn from Bryan Fafali Tachie-Menson, Cyrielle Mohara, Devika Narain, Rani Moriani, and P. Taufiq, each of whom brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. We were also proud to have P. Taufiq as our Official Videography Partner, capturing the magic and movement of every moment with cinematic brilliance.
At the conclusion of the sessions, attendees enjoyed another round of coffee and networking, which led to the highly awaited B2B meetings — a golden opportunity to connect with industry peers and potential collaborators.
The day wrapped up on a high note with a series of exciting raffle draws, closing the conference with energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of celebration.
Closing Cocktail Reception
After two incredibly insightful days at the conference, attendees were treated to a spectacular surprise at the closing cocktail reception that took place at the enchanting Bellevue Beach Hotel, our Closing Cocktail Venue Partner. Masterfully organized by our esteemed Closing Cocktail Event Partners, Kairos Weddings and Events and Magical Moments by Charm, the closing cocktail reception unfolded against the breathtaking backdrop of a majestic beachfront. The evening was filled with vibrant energy and anticipation, highlighted by inspiring speeches from Sidh NC, followed by a special address delivered by Kamal Munasinghe, Area Vice President of Cinnamon Colombo Hotels, representing our Closing Cocktail Partner – Cinnamon Grand Colombo. Our Photography Partner, Ruwi & Dinesh, too, shared a few heartfelt words, followed by our closing cocktail event partners. Guests were welcomed with dazzling fire stunt performances and captivating dancers, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. The rhythmic beats of the water drums filled the air while a lively DJ spun infectious tunes that had everyone dancing the night away. The setting was elevated by the elegant floral arrangements courtesy of Le Fleuriste, our Closing Cocktail Floral Partner, whose creative blooms brought the beachside soirée to life with grace and charm.
With the upcoming DWP Congress set to enchant Aqaba, Jordan, this October 2025, is proving to be a landmark year for the world of luxury weddings. You will witness yet another brilliant edition of our legacy event. From serene shores to stunning deserts, DWP is creating unforgettable moments across the globe — and we couldn’t be more thrilled for you to be part of it. We hope to see you soon in Jordan at the 11th Annual Destination Wedding Planner Congress!
