Engage! Archives | Tara Fay Events

As an experienced Creative Director for Engage!, I know how important the welcome party is in setting the tone for the whole event. It’s the ultimate icebreaker, encouraging attendees to step out of their comfort zones and start building new connections, while also highlighting the local culture and cuisine in a creative, immersive way. For Engage!25 Mallorca, I wanted to set a vibrant, joyful tone. This first evening wasn’t about spectacle, but about easing everyone into the rhythm of the island and into one another’s company, so that the following days felt like a gathering of friends. And, after months of planning and anticipation, it was also the moment when the retreat truly began to feel real for me and my team!

To create a welcome that felt Mallorcan while remaining unmistakably Engage! in spirit, we turned to the market for inspiration. Markets are such a fundamental part of life on the island and they offered colourful inspiration for an opening night designed around movement and connection. Rather than asking guests to sit and observe, the experience invited them to wander, taste, linger, and talk, much like you would in a local plaza.

With this in mind, we transformed the gardens at Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor into a reimagined island market scene, elevated yet relaxed, and layered with texture and warmth. Bright florals by Ars Festum in saturated hues were arranged in terracotta pots and clear Perspex boxes, stacked to form sculptural installations. Handcrafted textiles and natural materials grounded the design, while fringed garlands in orange, green, yellow, and red added movement overhead as the breeze passed through the stretch tent. Lounge areas were scattered throughout the space, encouraging guests to pause and settle into conversation, cocktail or cava in hand.

One of the most important aspects of the evening was how it flowed. There was no single focal point demanding attention. Instead, it unfolded organically as people moved from one area to another. Food stations celebrated different regions of Spain, each offering their own flavours and traditions, and encouraging guests to taste and discover. The act of wandering became part of the experience, sparking spontaneous conversations and natural introductions.

Then came the evening’s most memorable moment, a live flamenco performance. Watching the dancers move, skirts swirling and feet striking the ground with precision and passion, was electric. I love the way that music and dance are a universal language that at the same time a unique way of experiencing different cultures. It’s something we often see with the traditional Irish dancing so often woven into celebrations back home, and truly adds something special to a destination wedding or other event.

I think what made the welcome party so special wasn’t any single element, but the way everything came together. The design, the food, the music, the setting – all worked in harmony. For many, it was a first introduction to the island; for others, a familiar place seen through a new lens. Either way, it set a clear intention for the days ahead, that this would be a retreat defined by connection, creativity, and shared moments.

Slán go Fóill,
Tara

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There’s a particular stillness to Mallorca in the early morning, just before the heat settles in. Light filters softly through the pines, and the air is scented with salt and resin. On the opening day of Engage!25 Mallorca, as I took a moment to breathe it all in before guests arrived, it truly felt like one of those moments where life comes full circle. That may surprise some of you, since I’m best known as an Irish wedding planner, but Spain has been part of my story for as long as I can remember. I spent formative years here as a child, and my very first overseas holiday with my parents was to this very island. That early experience sparked a lifelong love of travel, discovery, and the joy of gathering people in beautiful places. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to return to Mallorca many times through my work, but welcoming Engage! here for the first time felt especially meaningful. Doing it as creative director was both an honour and a responsibility I held very close, and I’m so grateful to Engage! founders Rebecca and Kathryn, whose trust makes it possible to bring an idea of this scale to life.

The Vision

From the very beginning, our vision for Engage!25 Mallorca was to create an immersive retreat that felt abundant and connected; a shared journey for our attendees rather than just a series of events. Mallorca itself guided that direction naturally. The pace there is softer. The colours are warmer. There’s an openness to the landscape that encourages people to slow down and stay present, and we wanted to capture that.

Working closely with the brilliant team at TPD, we drew inspiration from Mallorca’s iconic Ikat patterns (roba de llengües), brought here centuries ago through historic trade routes and now woven into everyday life. Their flowing, organic forms became an underlying visual language throughout the event. The signature “E” icon echoed them, as well as the island’s winding coastal roads and dramatic cliffs, particularly those that lead to the Formentor peninsula itself. We used a palette of blues, greens, and refined earthy neutrals, along with natural materials and textures. Mallorca was part of the story from beginning to end.

Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor offered the perfect canvas. Set within a vast private estate edged by pine forests, cliffs, and sea, it invites a sense of calm while still carrying a rich cultural and creative history. Writers, artists, and global tastemakers have long been drawn here, and that legacy of thoughtful escape felt aligned with what we hoped to achieve.

From Concept to Creation

Destination events carry unique challenges, but when paired with collaboration, trust, and creativity, they become the foundation for something extraordinary. This was not only the first Engage! held in Spain, but one of the first major international gatherings at Four Seasons Formentor since its reopening. Every decision mattered, not just creatively, but in how it would make guests feel. This was grounded in my belief that a successful event should feel effortless, even when the planning behind it is anything but. There were countless moments behind the scenes to ensure we got it just right, but they were always based on a shared purpose, and the ability to trust in people who listen, adapt, and care as deeply as you do. Whether it was our creative partners, suppliers, the Engage! and Four Seasons teams, or my own, everyone brought their best.

Highlights of Engage!25 Mallorca

Engage!25 Mallorca unfolded over three beautifully paced days, moving naturally between learning, conversation, and celebration. Monday began with arrivals and registration in the light-filled Cercle Bar, which flowed into a gifting experience rooted in Mallorcan craftsmanship. Later, after opening sessions and group discussions, the welcome party brought everyone together again for a joyful fiesta inspired by a traditional Mallorcan market. Dressed in flowing linens and caftans, guests wandered between food stations enjoying live music, flamenco dancers, cava, and cocktails. It was a relaxed, celebratory beginning that immediately captured the island’s warmth and spirit.

More sessions on day two brought us to a leisurely lunch overlooking the Bay of Formentor, with a Balearic menu and gorgeous views. The afternoon carried that relaxed rhythm forward, allowing space to pause, connect, and enjoy the setting before we travelled inland for dinner at Can Axartell Winery. This was a true highlight, an intimate journey through history, landscape, and wine-making. From sunset drinks in the loading bay to a candlelit dinner in the barrel room, it was an immersive evening in a spectacular location. Conversation flowed easily, glasses were never empty, and the night ended, as it should at Engage! – with desserts and plenty of dancing.

After a final morning of sessions on our last day, guests enjoyed lunch at the hotel’s private vineyard finca. The afternoon was dedicated to small group experiences across the island, each one designed to foster deeper connection. I loved being able to share some of my favourite island activities with attendees. Then, as night fell, everyone gathered once more on the Es Colomer Terrace for the Gala Dinner under the glow of the Supermoon. This celestial-themed evening unfolded in shimmering blues, metallics, and candlelight, closing the retreat with energy, elegance, and a few dance moves that won’t soon be forgotten!

Community, Collaboration & Connection

At its heart, Engage! has always been about people, and Engage!25 Mallorca reaffirmed just how powerful intentional connection can be. Alongside the main sessions and workshops, the Engage! x Freeda Network circles created space for smaller, more intimate conversations. These moments, combined with shared meals, excursions, and unplanned chats in between, reminded us that while inspiration sparks ideas, it’s relationships that sustain them. Watching friendships and collaborations form over the course of the retreat was one of the most rewarding parts of my experience as Creative Director.

With Gratitude

I am deeply grateful to Rebecca and Kathryn for inviting me to help shape this chapter of Engage! and for trusting the vision from the very beginning. Aida Fernandez deserves special thanks for not running away when I first suggested Mallorca as a retreat destination within the hotel’s first year of opening. From there, the Four Seasons team, Simona Calò, Carola Gobbi, and Carmelo Assenza, have been unfailingly supportive partners. Ars Festum, with Nadja and Temu at the helm, listened with endless patience to every tweak. Tony, Mar and Callum from the LoMusic team, along with Kevin and Mariadelina from Fosh Catering, Núria Coll Cifre from Can Axartell, continually said yes and brought energy and creativity at every turn. And, as usual, the genius of the TPD team shone through daily. Alex Le Roux and all the ALR team now fear answering the phone in case I ask for yet another detail, and Courtney and Jacob from Jacob Co Creative endured countless video calls as we virtually walked through every space together.

Most of all, thank you to the guests who showed up with openness, generosity, and curiosity, and to my own team who lived and breathed this experience alongside me. What will stay with me long after Mallorca is the sense of shared purpose and the feeling that, together, we created something I’m truly proud of on this island that has given me so much over the years.

Slán go Fóill,
Tara

Photography: Lauren Fair, Mike Cassimatis, Nikki Daskalakis, Mark Yeattes

Tag: Engage!

Engage!25 Mallorca Welcome Party: An Island Market Reimagined