carnival parties

At the bar, servers wore suspenders and vintage straw bowler hats.

Celebrity guests including Naomi Watts posed in front of a colorful step-and-repeat, which was decked with circus-inspired imagery.

Marquee lights spelled out carney-inspired phrases such as "Step Right Up."

DJ Kiss spun in front of a backdrop that spelled out the hosts' names in metallic balloon letters.

Games included carnival classics like a dunk tank.

Fortune-tellers predicted guests' futures.

Guests could whack a few moles while playing at another classic carnival game.

Jugglers flanked the step-and-repeat, and guests could have their photos snapped with the circus performers.

With circus-style acts—dressed in items from the new line—performing throughout the space and displays placed on carts and bright orange-colored blocks, the catering for Ted Baker's Spring/Summer 2014 collection launch event provided an additional visual and entertainment element. For instance, parasols held dangling funnel cakes, and servers were trained to imitate tightrope walkers as they passed the bites.

One particularly popular and eye-catching piece was the cotton candy tree, which saw the wispy sweet treats clipped to a willow-tree-shaped metal frame.

The cage for the Coney Island corn dogs was intended to mimic the shape of the big-top tents typically seen at the circus.

Even popcorn matched the design of the event: custom boxes were served from a small rolling cart in flavors like sea salt and vinegar as well as pancetta and maple.

The contraption that held paper cones of truffle tater tots was a nod to trapeze acts.

All elements of the event were designed to motivate attendees to snap pics and share them on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media channels. Additionally, caterer Creative Edge carefully crafted the catering trays to match the theme of the event—and the brand's campaign—with one tray of mac 'n' cheese bites styled after spinning plates.

Circus performers were on hand to juggle and perform the occasional balancing act.

One of the three bars was set up to resemble a game booth with a spinning wheel of fortune.

Occasions Caterers provided upscale circus fare for the V.I.P. publisher party held on the second floor.

Guests could try their hand at classic circus games like the hammer swing.

Planners wanted to let guests act like kids with activities such as cut-out photo boards.

The circus theme extended to artwork placed on pillars at the National Building Museum.

Restaurants were grouped into fours under a series of striped and solid tents.

Event designers added whimsical touches to the bars and side tables.

Chefs from Ping Pong Dim Sum made sweet and savory chicken puffs.

Washingtonian-branded cotton candy bags and lollipops were available.