Benefit decor

At the dinner Saturday at the Washington Hilton, President Obama delivered remarks that took aim at media organizations as well as poked fun at himself. That included the zinger: "The problem is, is that the media landscape is changing so rapidly. You can’t keep up with it. I mean, I remember when BuzzFeed was just something I did in college around 2 a.m."

MSNBC had one of the largest events, an after-party at the Italian Embassy produced by Dufour & Company. Guests arrived at a digital step-and-repeat that rotated through sponsor logos.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow tended bar for guests throughout the evening. Other food and beverage highlights included a coffee bar from Starbucks, which sponsors the network's Morning Joe show, and bites from Occasions Caterers.

At MSNBC's after-party, Occasions Caterers served a late-night pop-up buffet with miniature bagels with lox, plain and chive cream cheeses, and cornichons in mini mason jars.

Atlantic Media chairman David Bradley and his wife, Katherine, once again opened their home for the company's annual dinner on Friday night. Loane Brothers set up a clear tent in the backyard complete with a working chandelier and artwork from a current National Gallery of Art exhibit that paid tribute to the widely regarded Ballet Russes, which also inspired the French and Russian menu designed by Susan Gage Caterers.

Political-themed cartoons marked the wall by the elevator at The New Yorker's party on the rooftop of the W hotel. Cartoon images were repeated on cocktail napkins.

Passed hors d'oeuvres and dessert bites were served on trays with images of The New Yorker magazine covers.

Simple arrangements of bright flowers decorated the space, and bubbly from sponsor Louis Roederer Champagne was served.

Thomson Reuters hosted pre- and post-dinner receptions at the Washington Hilton. Using the news service's signature orange color, the bar had a centerpiece of branches and glass bubbles.

Vanity Fair and Bloomberg returned to the residence of the French ambassador for their joint annual post-dinner party Saturday. Light features on the lawn served as an eye-catching entrance.

Syzygy Events International provided decor for the party co-hosted by People and Time magazines Friday at the St. Regis Hotel. The inspiration was an urban biergarten, and the space had lanterns strung across the open ceiling as well as fire pits set up on the patio.

Images from People's magazines—including Channing Tatum as this year's Sexiest Man Alive—were displayed throughout the space.

The magazine held its after-party at the Carnegie Library, famous for its lighted dance floor showing a map of the city. The event also featured lounges and other activations from sponsors Clear Channel Communications, the Entertainment Software Association, Mercedes-Benz, Corona Light, Reyka Vodka, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Politico hosted a Sunday brunch at the Georgetown home of publisher Robert Allbritton. Oversize flower arrangements anchored buffet tables from chef Wolfgang Puck's the Source, serving seafood items as well as chopped salad, Korean steak salad, Japanese green-tea soba noodles, lobster rolls, and mini fried chicken and waffles. Puck was on hand and oversaw the catering.

A made-to-order eggs Benedict station offered three varieties: traditional, Florentine, and Chesapeake with a crab cake.

Hanging terrariums and glass bubbles were part of an artistic hanging centerpiece in the tent. Politico's in-house team planned the event.

The annual garden brunch hosted by Tammy Haddad and others celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. One of the event's beneficiaries, Cure Epilepsy, was featured on printed lampshades at the bar.

The brunch's decor, which featured spring colors such as yellow, magenta, and green, was echoed in beverages such as smoothies served with colorful straws.

At a pre-dinner reception, Newsweek and the Daily Beast let guests pose with cardboard cutouts of President Obama and Conan O'Brien. Flipping Fun then instantly turned the photo session into a flip-book.

Landmark Technology's Lani Hay partnered with Rock the Vote for an after-party and private concert following her annual dinner on Friday night. Belvedere Vodka and Hennessy sponsored the cocktails, which included shots at the door and two additional specialty cocktails at the backyard bar.

Bold wording on floor decals, tables, and other rentals urged guests to "Go Viral," "Network," and be "Social" at the Making News party from The Atlantic, National Journal, and OurTime.org. Amaryllis provided decor and florals, Design Cuisine catered, and Atmosphere Lighting provided lighting. Guest could also pose in a photo booth from Onomonomedia.

Event entertainers the Bumbys—wearing Washington-appropriate disguises—graded guests' appearances at the Making News Party. The event, at the Powerhouse venue in Georgetown, was also sponsored by the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas hotel.

The Internet news site hosted a barbecue watch party at Jack Rose Dining Saloon with picnic-style decor.

Geico sponsored pedicabs that brought guests—including Miss D.C. (pictured)—to the barbecue.

Modify Watches provided a table full of patriotic red, white, and blue watches—many sporting an American flag on the face—for guests upon arrival at Rock the Vote's party at Heist on Thursday night. Local public relations companies NeuProfile and Finepoint co-hosted the event.

In keeping with the patriotic theme of the evening, New York bakery Baked by Melissa provided red, white, and blue bite-sized cupcakes along the bar at Heist.

Guests of Voto Latino's fourth annual Our Voices: Celebrating Diversity in Media reception received orange wrist bands upon arrival at Top of the Hay at the Hay-Adams Hotel. Actor Daniel Dae Kim served as the honorary host, a post previously held by actress Rosario Dawson.

Trio Zazi welcomed guests at the entrance, giving a performance from floating platforms.

The Blue Sky cocktail reception, sponsored by BMO, kicked off the gala. The blue carpet, white furniture, and white draping matched both Bell and BMO's brand colours. Two dome lights lit the space.

Guests purchased raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the Samsung galleries, on display in the cocktail area.

The 116-foot-long stage and runway was backed by large screens. A circular lighting truss lit the centre stage. V.I.P. guests got prime views of the performances from raised platforms.

Two pools of water lined the runway. The screens parted like curtains between performances and speeches.

Menus were folded into pyramids and invited guests to "Open and Reveal the Night."

The centrepieces changed colour with the lighting truss and the images of day, night, and dawn skies on the screens.

Pavlova roulade with candied blueberries was served for dessert.

Acclaimed Ukrainian dance troop Freedom Ballet performed after dinner.

Dancers incorporated masks, a reference to people with mental illness, into the performances.

Seneca students studying in event management design the Harry Rosen dining room. The deep purple linen matched the creative centrepieces—purple gerberas, encased in ice.