Nov Ideas

Facebook Developer Conference

Surrounded by camellia trees, the promenade area was redone as a garden space, reminiscent of Jean Cocteau's classic La Belle et la Bête. The room highlighted Chanel's fine jewelry collection alongside flowers that shone with diamonds.

Suspended mirrors were strategically placed behind the groves of trees at dinner to magnify their presence. Van Wyck brought in redbud and sycamore trees ranging in height, from 12 to 14 feet tall, and an array of rich colors, like burgundy, plum, and blood red.

An over-size picnic table continued the warm-weather motif and provided a creative setting for the brand to showcase the brightly colored tableware in the Sandra by Sandra Lee collection.

Digital screens, including a retractable LED chandelier that draped the stage, displayed images such as the Eiffel Tower emblazoned with YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires) logos. And 14-foot white cherry blossom trees stood sentry.

Guests of the first Camp Groupon weekend stayed at the Swissôtel Chicago from July 6-8. Kehoe Designs spruced the venue up with thematic decor including lifesavers, boat paddles, and bundled logs.

For a recent dessert display created by Chicago-based Sugar Chic Designs, Nicole Greene of Truffle Truffle contributed caramel chocolate-covered pretzels rolled in beer batter toffee and displayed in a cigar box.

While all the rooms were meticulously planned, none was as popular as the space that housed old-school carnival claw games. Rather than plush toys and candy, the machines held small items, like lipsticks and jewelry, in Chanel gift bags.

Carnival games along one side of the huge outdoor space awarded prizes.

BMW also provided branded putt-putt courses for guests to practice their golf skills.

The Joffrey Ballet's 2010 spring gala had a modern look, with abstract fabric sculptures that hovered over the cocktail tables and formed a barrier between the reception area and dinner tables.

Seth Bankier was inspired to start Spun All Natural Confections after he bought a cotton candy machine for his kids.

Pinch Food Design in New York offers an interactive dessert station that changes the vantage point of the food, so guests look up to reach for hanging sweet galettes and then top them with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

At a promotional event at Skylight West in New York in June, Great Performances showcased its house-made sodas, ice cream floats, and handspun milk shakes at a soda jerk station.

For a New York couple marrying at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Heather Snively of Weddings Unique recreated the newlyweds’ hometown with a hand-painted backdrop of Central Park from Greenery Productions. Lighting and real trees helped the scene come to life.