THEMES

August 11, 2015

Phillips Gala

At the Phillips Collection’s annual gala in 2012, the Washington Art Museum chose “Havana Nights” as the theme of its after-party to honor the Havana Arts Biennial. A 1959 Chrysler parked outside the Anderson House as well as palm tree projections set the tone at the entrance. In the back lawn, a cigar roller and salsa and meringue music from the Latin band Sin Miedo continued the theme.

Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com

Event planner Patricia Lakin used two oversize white chairs to create an interview area on the white carpet.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

A canopy of trees hung above the bar for the cocktail reception, which had an enchanted forest theme.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

The cocktail reception included a teacup ride.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

For the entrance into the dining area, Lakin created a storybook castle door using the B from the Bell logo.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

More than 1,800 guests filled the dining area, which included a large stage with two runways.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

A mix of tall and short centrepieces with white roses, gerbera daisies, and hydrangeas topped tables draped in gold and brown linens.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

Reporters interviewed celebrity guests such as Dilana, who performed a version of "Sweet Child of Mine" during dinner.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

Lakin used green turf and orange and white furnishings to create a whimsical feel for the after-party, sponsored by Palm.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

Oversize flowers and playing cards hung from the ceiling in the after-party space.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

Floral arrangements and orange linens topped a table used to display desserts from the Cupcake Shoppe and Enchanted Sweets during the after-party.

Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash

Deutsch LA Holiday Party

In Los Angeles, Deutsch LA hosted its holiday party in December at Hangar 8 at the Santa Monica Airport. The company chose a "Studio 54" theme based on the address of its office: 5454 Beethoven Street. To bring the theme to life, Schaffer's Genuine Foods added miniature disco balls to a food station.

Photo: Sherri J. Photography

After the California Science Center scored one of NASA's coveted orbiters, the museum made the Endeavour the centerpiece of its Discovery Ball last year. The event, which took place under the wings of the retired space shuttle, also displayed projections designed to transport guests into space.

Photo: Nadine Froger Photography

The candy shop was brightly lit and filled with Ernst & Young's colours, yellow and white. There were four candy stations that had fudge, yellow cotton candy, a self-serve candy bar with branded plastic bags, and white-iced cookies and cupcakes.

Photo: BizBash

At the Campfire Ball benefit for Children’s Oncology Services in May at Venue One in Chicago, Cork Catering set up a make-your-own s’mores station.

Photo: Gerber + Scarpelli Photography

The Boston Children's Museum’s 2013 gala included a rather meta dessert table: The entire display took the form of a giant cake, decorated with paper flowers, and set with desserts such as cake pops, mini whoopie pies, mini Twinkies, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Photo: Scott Indermaur

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Sterling Engagements hosted a party in Los Angeles in 2015, where vast catering options throughout the residential venue included a milk-and-cookies dessert bar.

Photo: Alesandra Dubin/BizBash

In 2012, Tori Spelling and J.C. Penney celebrated the launch of the star’s line for kids, Little Maven, in Los Angeles. The glamping-style event included a sweets table where the dessert offerings sat upon rustic wood slabs.

Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraks

Public Art Fund Spring Benefit

The event had a black-and-white theme that included dominos and playing cards as table decor.

Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash

Tiffany & Company Blue Book Gala

Tiffany & Company's Blue Book gala took place April 15 at the Cunard Building in New York. The event featured more than three-dozen silver spheres that hung throughout the dinner tables. The spheres were inspired by the bib necklace actress Jessica Biel wore to the gala.

Photo: Neilson Barnard