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  1. Production & Strategy
  2. Social Events

16 Ideas to Steal From Over-the-Top Birthday Bashes

Get inspired by cool event ideas from lavish birthday celebrations.

Alesandra Dubin
August 7, 2013

Big-budget birthday parties around the world spare no expense when it comes to glittering decor, guest activities and comfort, and high-end food and drink. Here's a look at ideas from spectacular birthday bashes that you can steal for your next corporate event.

With spring comes wedding season—and the requisite events to showcase the talents and ideas of bridal vendors around the country. Here's a look inside such events, from Los Angeles to Washington, for nine wedding trends to consider incorporating into corporate events right now. - See more at: http://www.bizbash.com/9-trends-to-steal-from-weddings-right-now/new-york/story/25636/#sthash.IOSAZEoh.dpuf
Guests gambled at a roulette table and noshed on tray-passed Moroccan-influenced hors d’oeuvres such as mini crab cakes with harissa remoulade, smoked salmon on potato pancakes with cardamom crème fraiche, lamb meatballs with tomato and minted yogurt dipping sauce, and spanakopita. A quartet played vintage ‘40s tunes.
Guests gambled at a roulette table and noshed on tray-passed Moroccan-influenced hors d’oeuvres such as mini crab cakes with harissa remoulade, smoked salmon on potato pancakes with cardamom crème fraiche, lamb meatballs with tomato and minted yogurt dipping sauce, and spanakopita. A quartet played vintage ‘40s tunes.
Photo: Peter Bohler
To celebrate a 70th birthday, a couple chose a Casablanca theme in an homage to their favorite movie. JOWY Productions designed and produced a party at the family’s Los Angeles home that recalled a stylized ‘40s supper club. JOWY turned the front yard into a Moroccan lounge decorated with seating groups, pillows, tables, glass lamps, and hookah pipes evocative of the North African locale.
To celebrate a 70th birthday, a couple chose a Casablanca theme in an homage to their favorite movie. JOWY Productions designed and produced a party at the family’s Los Angeles home that recalled a stylized ‘40s supper club. JOWY turned the front yard into a Moroccan lounge decorated with seating groups, pillows, tables, glass lamps, and hookah pipes evocative of the North African locale.
Photo: Peter Bohler
Each table was different and had white tablecloths, wood bistro chairs, and a mixture of Moroccan lanterns and candles. Infusing the dining space with color, JOWY’s design included cobalt blue plates, colored tea glasses for wine, and Moroccan platters and salt and pepper dishes. Guests supped on regionally inspired dishes family style.
Each table was different and had white tablecloths, wood bistro chairs, and a mixture of Moroccan lanterns and candles. Infusing the dining space with color, JOWY’s design included cobalt blue plates, colored tea glasses for wine, and Moroccan platters and salt and pepper dishes. Guests supped on regionally inspired dishes family style.
Photo: Peter Bohler
Valet attendants and waiters wore fez hats to advance the theme.
Valet attendants and waiters wore fez hats to advance the theme.
Photo: Peter Bohler
Yahoo C.E.O. Marissa Mayer recently celebrated her 38th birthday on the San Francisco Bay's Treasure Island with a beach boardwalk theme. A huge tent housed a massive sand castle decked with beachy props and entertainment, according to Business Insider.
Yahoo C.E.O. Marissa Mayer recently celebrated her 38th birthday on the San Francisco Bay's Treasure Island with a beach boardwalk theme. A huge tent housed a massive sand castle decked with beachy props and entertainment, according to Business Insider.
Photo: Jurvetson on Flickr
Samantha Sackler and Tammy Morgan Ratner's new social event production firm Social (a division of Samantha Sackler Productions) produced a destination 50th birthday party in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, that treated guests to a weekend filled with events. The festivities kicked off with a welcome dinner on the beach featuring a live-action taco bar, a piñata hung from a truss structure, live entertainment, and s’mores over a fire pit. The weekend included activities like poolside cocktails and beachside volleyball tournaments. It was all capped off with a dinner at one long table overlooking the ocean.
Samantha Sackler and Tammy Morgan Ratner's new social event production firm Social (a division of Samantha Sackler Productions) produced a destination 50th birthday party in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, that treated guests to a weekend filled with events. The festivities kicked off with a welcome dinner on the beach featuring a live-action taco bar, a piñata hung from a truss structure, live entertainment, and s’mores over a fire pit. The weekend included activities like poolside cocktails and beachside volleyball tournaments. It was all capped off with a dinner at one long table overlooking the ocean.
Photo: Courtesy of Social
At the end of the evening at the 50th birthday party in Mexico, a fireworks display was coordinated to the honoree's favorite songs.
At the end of the evening at the 50th birthday party in Mexico, a fireworks display was coordinated to the honoree's favorite songs.
Photo: Courtesy of Social
Sackler and Ratner's Social also produced a winter-wonderland-theme child's birthday party that created a snowy look and feel in Los Angeles. A custom-designed treat display offered sweets—and real snow allowed for sledding activities.
Sackler and Ratner's Social also produced a winter-wonderland-theme child's birthday party that created a snowy look and feel in Los Angeles. A custom-designed treat display offered sweets—and real snow allowed for sledding activities.
Photo: Courtesy of Social
The Washington area's Events In the City designed a Great Gatsby-theme 30th birthday party for an intimate 38 guests with a cake done in 1920's-inspired designs.
The Washington area's Events In the City designed a Great Gatsby-theme 30th birthday party for an intimate 38 guests with a cake done in 1920's-inspired designs.
Photo: Katie Stoops Photography
Events In the City's design details included mini handmade gold sparkly swizzle sticks in champagne saucers.
Events In the City's design details included mini handmade gold sparkly swizzle sticks in champagne saucers.
Photo: Katie Stoops Photography
So-called 'Prohibition punch' was wrapped in paper bags for a speakeasy feel.
So-called "Prohibition punch" was wrapped in paper bags for a speakeasy feel.
Photo: Katie Stoops Photography
Maria Menounos recently celebrated her birthday with a luau theme at her home in Hollywood, sponsored by C. Wonder and Patrón. She blew out candles on a summery multicolored tiered cake.
Maria Menounos recently celebrated her birthday with a luau theme at her home in Hollywood, sponsored by C. Wonder and Patrón. She blew out candles on a summery multicolored tiered cake.
Photo: Mike Windle/WireImage
A live snake added drama amid the celebrity guests.
A live snake added drama amid the celebrity guests.
Photo: Mike Windle/WireImage
A fire dancer advanced the Hawaiian luau theme.
A fire dancer advanced the Hawaiian luau theme.
Photo: Mike Windle/WireImage
To celebrate a 75th birthday and pay tribute to the honoree’s birth era, JOWY Productions designed and produced an event with a Coconut Grove-style, ‘30s and ‘40s vintage feel. The Los Angeles event for 200 took its inspiration from the theme “Let’s Relish Life,” a theme announced on the event’s printed materials. The entire party was black and white with silver and crystal accents.
To celebrate a 75th birthday and pay tribute to the honoree’s birth era, JOWY Productions designed and produced an event with a Coconut Grove-style, ‘30s and ‘40s vintage feel. The Los Angeles event for 200 took its inspiration from the theme “Let’s Relish Life,” a theme announced on the event’s printed materials. The entire party was black and white with silver and crystal accents.
Photo: Peter Bohler
A custom-designed ice sculpture positioned in the center of the entrance held champagne glasses in the round with a Krug jeroboam centered and elevated for all to see.
A custom-designed ice sculpture positioned in the center of the entrance held champagne glasses in the round with a Krug jeroboam centered and elevated for all to see.
Photo: Peter Bohler
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