theme parties

January 13, 2015

Decor: Ornaments as Centerpieces

Ornaments added glitz to the decor at a Hollywood Pop Gallery-produced event.

Photo: Courtesy of Hollywood Pop Gallery

Bar: Icy, Mirrored Features

Serve guest icy cocktails from behind the six-foot Diamond Mirror Bar, $595, from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental.

Photo: Courtesy of Designer8 Event Furniture Rental

To highlight its upcoming movie Northpole, the Hallmark Channel created Christmas in July at a private residence in Beverly Hills. The event, produced by Along Came Mary Events, featured a dessert buffet table beneath dozens of sparkling crystal chandeliers in the grand ballroom.

Photo: Sean Twomey/2me Studios

The Washington National Opera Ball took over the ceremonial building at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in 2010. Event producer Sandi Hoffman of Sandi R. Hoffman Special Events transformed the lobby into a winter landscape with plush white carpets and white birch trees lining the hallway.

Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com for BizBash

Ronald McDonald House Toronto hosted its annual holiday-time gala at the Carlu in December. McNabb Roick Events reflected the Holiday Chic: Sparkle theme in sequined table linens and the crystal candle holders that served as centerpieces.

Photo: George Pimentel for Ronald McDonald House Toronto

For a winter-themed corporate party, design director Andrew Zill of Baltimore-based Feats Inc. created a snowy scene that included a glowing bar anchored by a crystal-flocked tree.

Photo: Edwin Remsberg

Centerpieces of white carnations designed by Feats Inc. evoked fluffy snowballs.

Photo: Edwin Remsberg

Fight Night

Events inspired by the legendary Moulin Rouge make way for plenty of red decor. At Fight Night in Washington in 2012, André Wells created an entryway to the event space reminiscent of the Moulin Rouge's signature windmill and red signage. The theme also leaves plenty of room for crushed velvet in red-wine hues that closer match Pantone's color of the year.

Photo: Davide De Pas Pictures

This year Chicago experienced one of its coldest winters in decades, so when the Chicago Botanic Garden marked the opening of its new Orchid Show, it opted for a tropical setting. The "Welcome to Paradise" event hosted by the garden's woman's board included a tiki-style bar and warm lighting.

Photo: Robin Carlson

When Delvinia celebrated its 15th anniversary last August, the Toronto-based digital strategy and customer experience design firm looked to recreate 1950s Havana with cigar rollers, freely flowing rum, models in retro swimwear, and beach balls. The event at the Loft at Andrew Richard Designs even had an indoor pool—or rather, the illusion of one created by a 8- by 18-foot 3-D decal.

Photo: Emma McIntyre

Surfboards

At Victoria’s Secret Pink spring break event in Destin, Florida, in March 2014, the retailer placed its event logo on custom surfboards that guests could sign.

Photo: Don Juan Moore/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

Pool Inflatables

Having a pool party? Make sure inflatable pool toys reinforce the brand message. At the iHeartRadio Pool Party in June, sponsor Visit Florida had its logo on an inner tube and other inflatables used at Miami Beach's Fontainebleau hotel.

Photo: Courtesy of iHeartRadio