Many events surrounding the inauguration of President Donald Trump played on patriotic themes and color palettes—many with new twists. The use of color-wash lighting and patterned projections, as well as caterers’ focus on savory dishes, stood out as the most predominant trends spotted throughout the weekend. Check out how these decor and catering options varied between events as well as the brand activations seen around Washington.
Stickers with the words of the presidential oath of office adorned the signature red wall of the P.O.V. Lounge in the Politico Hub lounge on Friday atop the W Hotel.
Toulies En Fleur’s Jill Medawar used a mix of white, pink, coral, and red roses in the centerpieces for the tables at the luncheon in the U.S. Capitol following the inauguration ceremony on Friday. A 20-foot arrangement adorned the head table where President Trump and First Lady Melania sat with members of Congress.
Design Cuisine catered the three-course luncheon in the U.S. Capitol following the inauguration ceremony on Friday. The first course consisted of Maine lobster and gulf shrimp with saffron sauce and potato dumpling.
Samsung had three activations within the Politico Hub: a charging station, a Gear360 photo booth, and a virtual-reality headset where guests could choose from various experiences including an underwater swim with sharks, views of the national parks, a roller coaster ride, and skydiving.
Epiphany Productions added a new sports bar-theme room to the event footprint for the Texas State Society’s Black Tie and Boots Ball on Thursday evening at the Gaylord National Resort. Design Foundry decorated the rustic bar with pennant flags from Texas sports teams.
Atmosphere Lighting used wall color-wash lighting and pattern projections to illuminate one of the four event spaces at the Black Tie and Boots Ball. The colors in this room rotated between blue, yellow, green, and red.
Washingtonian magazine paid tribute to past presidents at its Inaugural Ball on Saturday night at the National Portrait Gallery with framed portraits of the commanders in chief as the central decor for the four-sided main bar, created by Revolution Event Design and Production.
Washingtonian provided lounge areas for each of its 13 sponsors with branded pillows and custom signage. Revolution Event Design and Production alternated between red, white, and blue sofas for each.
Atmosphere Lighting projected the Washingtonian magazine logo above the main entrance inside the Kogod Courtyard.
Ridgewells Catering set up multiple buffets with a mix of savory and lighter bites at Washingtonian’s ball. Options included a poke bowl with ahi tuna, black rice, carrots, cucumber, and scallions as well fried chicken sliders on a Hawaiian roll with spicy sambal aioli served with a side of mac and cheese.
Axios, the new media venture from former Politico executives Mike Allen and Jim Vandehei, hosted its official launch party on January 18 at RPM Italian. Axios worked with event coordinators at Advoc8 and Design Foundry to create a speakeasy atmosphere. A false bookshelf later moved to reveal 70-inch touch screens to illustrate the future of media, which is Axios’ foundation.
Design Foundry placed 1920s props such as typewriters and vintage suitcases on the restaurant’s main bar to enhance the speakeasy atmosphere. Stickers for the event’s sponsors Boeing, BP, and Axios adorned the suitcases.
Capitol File magazine’s Thursday-night party at Fiola Mare had a mix of hot and cold buffet items as well as passed hors d’oeuvres. The cold buffet included lobster rolls, mini crab cakes, octopus salad, and egg mousse served in hollowed egg shells topped with caviar.
The Hay-Adams hotel served fish and chips at the Goddard Gunster reception, planned by Will Milligan Events, on Thursday night as a nod to the event’s host, British politician Nigel Farage. Flags of the United States and Great Britain decorated the food stations and cocktail tables.
Rather than only using traditional floral centerpieces, RJ Whyte Event Production opted to make breakfast breads and accompanying spreads on round stones the focal point of the tables for the Washington Performing Arts’ Inauguration Weekend Brunch on Sunday at the Hay-Adams hotel.
The Hay-Adams served a twist on the traditional eggs Benedict for the brunch, substituting the ham and english muffin for a filet mignon and fried green tomato base.
