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Washington's U.S.O. Gala offered viewfinders throughout the reception space. Inside, slides held information about the U.S.O. and its mission. To help guests feel connected to the troops, images included snapshots of soldiers with their families and serving on the front lines, alongside captions that read: “The U.S.O. is always by their side.”

The Los Angeles Children's Chorus' "Gala Bel Canto" fund-raiser in Los Angeles brought the young singers right to guests' tables to deliver personal messages in the form of videos available for viewing on iPads. (In the past, chorus members hand wrote thank-you notes for the guests.)

The Knot Gala also featured a fresh method for engaging guests during the cocktail hour. At one food station, globes filled with tuna ceviche hung from trees, and guests were encouraged to “forage” for the items with help from staffers.

Instead of, or in addition to, traditional flowers, some couples are incorporating paper floral backdrops into their wedding decor. Lil Epic Event Design in Chicago provides such structures.

LoLo Event Design offers hand-painted handkerchiefs that can serve as table numbers at a garden event. Set alongside flowers in a terra cotta pot, tables get a more casual feel than an elaborate formal centerpiece—just right for an alfresco event.

A red thread, symbolizing the fight against AIDS, ran through several of the communal tables at this year's event. At a table designed by Kimberle Winzeler of Pauline Grace, red thread was wrapped around a tall candelabra.

Red threads also appeared on the edges of a communal table designed by Perkins & Will and the Ruder Group. Like many of this year's tabletop settings, the design had a natural look. The table had no linens and was topped with succulents and white taper candles. Small sprigs of greenery were tied onto white napkins with twine, and a furry throw added texture to the seats.

Wolf Gordon by the Getty's Group curtained off its booth, and guests stood in line to enter the mysterious installation. With a "Secret Society of Benevolence" theme, the space had a back wall made of black envelopes sealed with golden hearts. Guests could take the envelopes off the wall, and instructions inside bid them to perform kind tasks, such as offering compliments to fellow partygoers. A large-scale graphic design was slowly revealed as guests took more envelopes.

The center of the table had a "fireplace" that was actually made of illuminated water vapor.