PopSugar and ShopSugar Cabana Club
A floating logo in the pool cast a subtle shadow that echoed the brand message.
Photo: Alesandra Dubin/BizBash
Mercedes-Benz at the New York International Auto Show
On the first press day, several car brands used espresso bars to keep journalists caffeinated. The Mercedes-Benz event brought in an espresso bar on wheels.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
The vibrant green cucumber water cocktail from event planner Barton G. Weiss is shaken with fresh lemon balm, lime juice, gin, and a touch of ginger ale, and garnished with torn lemon balm. The accompanying bite includes spicy liquid pimento beads with gin-soaked cucumber balls and coriander blossoms.
Photo: Claudia Uribe
For a Huggies “Little Swimmers” launch event at the Annenberg Community Beach House, Schaffer’s Genuine Foods created a watermelon "shark" filled with fruit salad, featuring blueberries for eyes and kale “seaweed” with swedish fish and chocolate shells.
Photo: Lisa Reilly/Pinky Blue Photography
At outdoor parties, help guests stay hydrated by serving nonalcoholic beverages in easily accessible containers like the sculptured plastic beverage dispenser ($29.99) from Smarty Had A Party.
Photo: Dylan Murphy
Instead of glassware, consider festive, non-breakable acrylic or plastic cups like the colorful pineapple ones from Oriental Trading ($20.50 per dozen).
Photo: Courtesy of Oriental Trading
Schaffer’s Genuine Foods' "Bathing Bears” cupcakes made with butter cake and topped with vanilla buttercream, graham cracker “sand,” and Teddy Grahams snacks with frosting bikinis and cocktail umbrellas were fun, easy to eat bites at the Huggies event.
Photo: Lisa Reilly/Pinky Blue Photography
Simple pool decor like inflatables makes an impact without the mess. Colorful, papery decor can bleed when wet and items like small beads could gum up the works on the deck area or in the pool, warns Friedman.
Photo: Courtesy of Annenberg Community Beach House
For a Patrón industry party at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, branded towels were laid out on lounge chairs and the pool umbrellas were changed out to match the Patrón theme. Guests snacked on a create-your-own-nacho bar and Café Patrón mini cupcakes and traditional churros for dessert.
Photo: Michael Brewer
At a Lululemon event at the Montauk Beach House, hair-braiding stations and flower-crown-making booths fit the relaxed feel of the yoga brand’s party.
Photo: Courtesy of Montauk Beach House
Perfect for pool parties and resort events is L.A. Photo Party's underwater photo booth. The self-contained unit includes a DSLR camera, strobe flash, preview monitor, and an underwater trigger button. The booths are available globally; pricing is available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of L.A. Photo Party
From TED conferences to celebrity events, Los Angeles-based water ballet company Aqualillies has redefined synchronized swimming for whole new audiences. In or out of the pool, the bathing beauties add a touch of Old Hollywood glam to any gathering. Available globally, pricing ranges from $1,000 to $10,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Aqualillies
When hiring multiple food trucks, lining the perimeter of a venue with food trucks is an effective way to space them out.
Photo: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Orlando
Miami, Raleigh Hotel: Mamba in the moonlight, private event, 2010
Ryan Sjostrom, Kehoe Designs
Lolë White Tour
The Lolë White Tour, a series of yoga events in cities around the world organized by the women’s activewear and lifestyle brand, made a stop at Toronto’s Exhibition Place for an outdoor yoga session at sunset on July 28. A group of 3,000 yogis, dressed in white as a symbol of peace, gathered for the tour’s first evening session.
Photo: Tony F Photography
The reception-style event did not have sit-down tables, so Todd Events provided some casual low furniture for guests who wanted a seat. Oversize black heat lamps were both decorative and practical.
Photo: Roderick Peña
In a new take on the traditional photo backdrop, guests bounced on a trampoline before having their photo taken. Side rails around the custom station kept guests safe.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Blue velvet Louis XVI ottomans offered a pop of color and a luxurious seating option among the eclectic furnishings. "I wanted this one to feel a little haphazard," said Todd Events owner and chief creative officer Todd Fiscus, who designed the event. He said he chose elements that were "whimsical and fun."
Photo: Roderick Peña
One of the games asked guests to estimate the number of peanuts in an eight-foot-tall tube (answer: about 73,000). Two fabricated elephants flanked the tube.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Guests had to win their dessert—a Sprinkles cupcake—by shooting a toy dart gun into the cupcake cutouts.
Photo: Roderick Peña
At a flavored popcorn station, custom-built stands had a false fill at the top so they never appeared empty. Serving staff refilled the popcorn at the base as needed.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Bottles from sponsor Belvedere were used in the ring toss. Winners received a band from Michele Watches.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Florals at the event included a ball of carnations that evoked the classic image of a circus elephant standing on a ball.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Several featured cocktails were served atop white glass columns that were lit underneath with LED lights. The ingredients were printed on the front of the columns, and the napkins had the exact recipe.
Photo: Roderick Peña
A fortune teller offered sartorial advice such as how guests could upgrade their outfits at sponsor Neiman Marcus.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Instead of typical carousel horses, the First Look Party had mannequins who wore several watches on their arms—as well as latex horse heads.
Photo: Roderick Peña
A colorful canopy covered the outdoor food stations.
Photo: Roderick Peña
