Playboy and HBO's 'True Blood' Party
On Saturday, Playboy recreated Bon Temps, Louisiana, the location of HBO show True Blood, in a 40,000-square-foot parking lot in the gaslamp district for a 1,500-person party.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury for BizBash
Comic-Con 2013: 'Entertainment Weekly' Party
Throw pillows mimicked the look of magazine covers.
Photo: Alexandra Wyman/Invision for Entertainment Weekly/AP Images
Comic-Con Pictures: 'Bates Motel' Event
"I Survived My Night at the Bates Motel" theme gift bags included bloody Mary mix, Advil, Emergen-C, branded mints, a toothbrush set, hemp lip balm, and inserts with a link to download the party playlist, curated by the Embassy.
Photo: Laura June Kirsch
Comic-Con 2013: Samsung Galaxy Experience
Convention-goers and media could check out the Samsung Galaxy Experience in the Gaslamp district, which offered food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and activities like the Dual Shot Super Hero photo station and a T-shirt design station where visitors could create comic-theme shirts using the Galaxy Note 8.0. Rather than a step-and-repeat, one wall held dozens of the mobile maker's phones, each showing different graphics and images.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Samsung
Eco-Friendly Water Stations
TEDActive guests scooped up logo water bottles upon their arrival (or any time throughout the conference) that served as giveaways, as well as a way to stay hydrated without the use of disposable plastic bottles. Hydration stations let guests fill up easily and as often as they liked.
Photo: Marla Aufmuth
Watermelon cups filled with kalamata olives, feta, and basil, by Word of Mouth Catering in Austin, Texas
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Fancy snow cones: crushed ice drizzled with mango-mint, lavender lemonade, and strawberry-basil syrups, by Word of Mouth Catering in Austin, Texas
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
The Grand Marakesh from Raj Tents is a 27- by 44-foot Moroccan-theme tent that includes arches and silk string drops on all openings, a full lighting package, and furniture for 24 guests with low tables and area rugs. It has room for as many as 120 people and is available for rent throughout the United States for $9,950.
Photo: Courtesy of Raj Tents
City of Hope Gala
For the City of Hope "Spirit of Life" gala in Los Angeles, Namevents turned a parking lot adjacent to Geffen Contemporary at MOCA into a dinner space meant to evoke a high-end nightclub. Guests sat in lounge areas with plush couches and blankets, and dinner was served on glass tables with programmable LED bases. On some tables, tall glass vases designed by Chris Matsumoto were filled with water and stones in colors that echoed the hues on the invitation.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
A new product for outdoor events, GrassWalkers, claims that "walking on grass has never been so easy."
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
1. Beach at the Dream Downtown
Designed as a beach club, complete with imported sand, the 4,800-square-foot Dream Downtown's pool and outdoor café area is offered for private events. The space, which is furnished with two cabanas and 50 chaise lounges, can be booked for evening functions (between 6 and 10:30 p.m.) of as many as 300 people. There is a full kitchen serving a menu of contemporary American fare, an enclosed bar, and nine hotel rooms with direct access that can be used in conjunction with the outdoor area.
Photo: Courtesy of Dream Downtown
2. The James
Inside the James New York property in SoHo is a meeting space known as the Studio with an adjacent terrace. Groups of as many as 75 people can take over this site, using the 850-square-foot indoor lounge as well as the 1,000-square-foot Urban Garden. Amenities include an on-site audiovisual team, complimentary WiFi, and custom menus from the hotel's in-house restaurant David Burke Kitchen.
Photo: Courtesy of James New York
3. Out NYC Hotel
The gay-targeted Out NYC hotel opened in March, and although the boutique property only has 105 rooms, it offers a wealth of space for events. Among them are three outdoor courtyards that can be used for semiprivate functions, including the Great Lawn (pictured), which has green grass and a tiered stage.
Rendering: Courtesy of Out NYC Hotel
4. Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas relocated its New York flagship in January to a larger site on Fifth Avenue. Within the 21,000-square-foot facility, which occupies two floors atop the Ferragamo building, is a 2,500-square-foot penthouse terrace with a rooftop garden. This section is available for events and holds as many as 75 people.
Photo: John Ferrentino
5. Loopy Doopy at Conrad New York
In May, the new Conrad New York will open a rooftop terrace on the 16th floor. The spot, which, in a nod to the Sol LeWitt piece in the hotel's atrium, is dubbed Loopy Doopy, will hold as many as 75 people and serve some bar menu items and cocktails.
Rendering: Courtesy of Conrad New York
6. Resorts World Casino
Larger groups can head to Resorts World Casino, which debuted its dedicated event spaces at the end of last year. Attached to the 70,000-square-foot Central Park room is an expansive terrace that overlooks the racetrack.
Photo: Jika González/BizBash
7. Hornblower Hybrid
Late last year, Hornblower Cruises & Events introduced the Hornblower Hybrid, which is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, solar panels, and wind turbines. The 600-passenger yacht, which has indoor and outdoor decks, comes outfitted with LED lights, complimentary Wi-Fi, and on-board touch-screen tablets.
Photo: Courtesy of Hornblower Cruises & Events
8. STK
Atop the One Group's meatpacking district steakhouse is a rooftop dining and lounge area with views of the Hudson River. Outfitted with umbrellas and comfy furniture, the STK rooftop space serves a menu of grilled fare from chef Humberto Leon and seats 145 or holds 200 for receptions.
Photo: Noah Fecks
9. Catch
Also in the meatpacking district is the EMM Group's Catch, a restaurant serving a seafood-focused menu from Top Chef winner Hung Huynh. The rooftop space, which has an adjacent terrace, is available for event rental; it measures 1,600 square feet and has a capacity for about 200 guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Catch
10. Nolitan
The 55-room Nolitan New York hotel has a landscaped roof. The 2,400-square-foot space has seating that can be configured for events and offers an outdoor fireplace for colder weather.
Photo: Courtesy of Nolitan
Many designs at the National Stationery Show were printed on real wood, like the retro-patterned one from Designers' Fine Press.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Plum Blossom Press's take on the wood-printed look includes an additional tactile experience: a suede envelope liner.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
A rustic invitation printed by AR-EN Party Printers has a letter-pressed wood grain pattern.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
A more budget-friendly way to jump on the trend: Checkerboard's digitally printed wood grain pattern envelope liners.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Planning a country-western-themed event? Luscious Verde's poster-style invitation, framed with a faux bois border, has an appropriately rustic horseshoe motif.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
The poster-style invitation suite from B.T. Elements comes with a ticket-style enclosure (pictured, top right).
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Speaking of poster-style invites, larger-format poster-size invitations were also a big (no pun intended) trend. The one by Ladyfingers Letterpress has a Motown vibe.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Artsy, watercolor-painted designs, like the letter-pressed Watercolor invitation suite by Printerette Press, were popular at the show.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Blue and green brushstrokes on a flat-printed design from Tag & Company offer a summery feel.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
No longer confined to squares and rectangles, invitations and envelopes featuring unique die-cut shapes—as exemplified by the invitation from Roxylou Design & Press—are on the rise.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Basic envelopes are out, and colorful patterned envelope liners are in. At Kramer Drive's booth, a magnetized board displayed several of the company's liner options.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Ikat is the hot pattern of the moment. The Ikat invitation from Avie Designs features the textile pattern on belly bands and envelope liners.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Another hot trend was Gatsby-inspired design aesthetics, like the fan-patterned envelope liner seen in the vintage-looking suite from Checkerboard.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Eco-friendly stationery line Smock's new album includes 24 designs with offerings such as digitally printed liners with as many as four colors.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Laser cutting is a technique that involves a computer-controlled laser cutting paper into intricate patterns. The Avie Designs booth displayed several delicate laser-cut designs.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Kleinfeld Paper's preppy Palm Tree Monogram suite includes a laser-cut floral belly band.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Laser cutting can be pricey; for a less expensive option, look for digitally printed paper-cut-esque designs, like the invitations from B.T. Elements.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Ombre, a style in which colors subtly transition from one shade to another, is trending in the event design world. One of Tag & Company's invitations featured the sought-after look.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Elum's letter-pressed Tide invitation is a clean, modern take on the ombre trend.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Ladyfingers Letterpress's punny ombre greeting cards were nominated for Best New Product at the show.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Invitations with design inspired by Mexican folk art abounded, such as the suite from Minted.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
A colorful letter-pressed invitation suite by Dolce Press is accented with patterns that look to be inspired by the traditional ceramic tile work found south of the border.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Combining two trends, Avie Designs' festive laser-cut invitation is modeled after the Mexican craft of papel picado (cut paper).
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Kraft paper is ideal for signaling a casual, laid-back affair. The Hadley suite from Something Detailed's 2013 wedding collection employs kraft paper.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Letter-pressed dots form a swirling vine motif on the invite-holding kraft paper pouch pocket from Designers' Fine Press.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Eschewing patterns and motifs, many designs, including the custom one from Ladyfingers Letterpress, focus on a mix of hand-penned fonts for a look that feels equal parts classic and whimsical.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Paisley Tree Press's Mattituck invitation suite features hand-written calligraphy letter-pressed onto bright white paper.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Quaint, hand-painted illustrations were spotted all over the trade show floor, including at the booth for B.T. Elements' that showcased the Claire invitation suite from its Ashton Collection.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Illustrations were also present on the selection of hand-painted greeting cards from One Canoe Two.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Invitation designers reported that one of the most requested colors right now is gold. A popular way of achieving the glamorous metallic look is foil stamping, a printing technique that involves pressing shiny, opaque colors onto paper. Haute Papier offers an extensive collection of foil stamped goods.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Social stationery line Twist Paper showed off a shiny gold patterned design.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
The foil-stamped design printed by AR-EN Party Printers also played into the Gatsby trend.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Kate Spade escort cards, foil stamped with gold polka dots, encourage mingling. (Beginning this summer, Kate Spade's stationery line will be available through Lifeguard Press.)
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Hipster-fied, camping-inspired motifs and patterns popped up at booth after booth. The new Notes From Camp boxed stationery set from One Canoe Two retails for $22 and features hand-painted plaid and bandana patterns.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
The new hand-illustrated Ferme A Papier collection was inspired by Parisian hipsters and biodynamic farms, according to creator Cat Seto. Her foil-stamped plaid and gingham note cards retail for $5 each.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Other invites offered a more Southwestern vibe with patterns reminiscent of Navajo textiles, such as the Clove suite by Wednesday.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Another invitation with a Southwestern-style summer-camp feel: Caroline Creates offers an eco-friendly collection printed on recycled white card stock.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Chalkboard-like design details can offer a crafty, lighthearted vibe. Tag & Company offers a flat-printed invitation.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Carlson Craft also has a few of the options featuring chalkboard details.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Black-and-white stripes accent Something Detailed's stationery suite printed on a chalkboard-style background.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Several designers found inspiration in the heavens. A letter-pressed invitation from Smock's new line features a mix of hand-lettered fonts and a map of the constellations.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Oblation Papers & Press has a sleek, pared-down interpretation of the celestial theme.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
A letter-pressed invitation from Paper Boat Studios comes wrapped in a pocket printed with a detailed star chart.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Attention-grabbing colors dominated over more subtle, pastel choices. A collaboration between Haute Papier and Dabney Lee has produced a collection of neon-hued note cards.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
AR-EN Party Printers showed off a graphic, flourescent triangle-patterned invite.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
From event planner Shawn Rabideau's brand-new collection for Kramer Drive comes an eye-popping, trippy design.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
A blind impression is a method of letter-pressing paper without using any ink to create a subtle motif or pattern. The invite, from Designers' Fine Press, features blind impressed polka dots.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Printerette Press had two examples of blind impressed patterns paired with colored text.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Hand-painted edges can add a subtle pop of color to an otherwise conservative invitation, as seen in the design from Elum.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Not wood, but an equally interesting textured print medium: Plum Blossom Press's Sonoma invitation suite is printed on cork, a style that would certainly set the right tone for a winery event.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
