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  1. Catering & Design
  2. Event Design & Decor

#ThrowbackThursday: Get Inspired by These Vibrant Summer Soirees

As Memorial Day Weekend marked the unofficial start of sweet, sweet summertime, we're taking a look back at last year's envy-worthy events.

Ashton Pike
May 28, 2020

Summertime and the living is, well, different (we're looking at you, coronavirus). But that doesn't mean sunshine-infused outdoor gatherings are completely off-limits. Take a tip from a few of last year's summer events for your socially distant get-togethers this season. Shoes are optional, but Champagne is encouraged. 

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Annual Zoo Ball
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Annual Zoo Ball
Last July, the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo hosted its annual Zoo Ball. The gala, themed “A Feathered Affair,” honored the Chilean flamingo and raised $980,000 to benefit the Chicago zoo. Inspired by the pink-feathered bird, the summertime event featured tropical decor by Northern Decor and flamingos perched on the tables.
Photo: Kyle Flubacker Photography
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Annual Zoo Ball
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Annual Zoo Ball
At the outdoor gala, illuminated pink tents served as lounge areas for guests. See more: What You Might Have Missed from the 2019 Summer Benefit Season
Photo: Kyle Flubacker Photography
Engage!19
Engage!19
At Engage!19, which was held at the Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, last June, 400 wedding and event industry professionals gathered to attend speaker and panel sessions, as well as networking activities including two on-site pool parties, one in the evening and one in the afternoon. The luxury-wedding business summit, which is produced by Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce of Celebration, Florida-based Engaging Concepts, was designed by Emily Clarke Events and featured an updated tropical look with pastel shades.
Photo: Paul Morse
Engage!19
Engage!19
Long-time collaborator Vanessa Kreckel and her team at TPD Design House curated and designed the event’s selection of gifts, including colorful pouches by Stoney Clover Lane that guests could customize with patches. See more: The Hottest New Ideas and Products for Hosting a Pool Party
Photo: Corbin Gurkin
Univision Upfront
Univision Upfront
The American Spanish-language network held its Upfront over two days last year at Center415. After the presentation, guests were invited to make their own sangria. The DIY wall, which was created by Riviera Caterers in partnership with First and Univision, held glasses filled with fruit. Guests could take a glass and choose to fill it with red or white wine from a spout. See more: 23 Highlights You Missed From 2019 Upfront and NewFront Season
Photo: Courtesy of Univison
Stella Artois East River Riviera
Stella Artois East River Riviera
For a week in July and August, Stella Artois gave New Yorkers an alternative commute option by launching a fleet of French Riviera-style Riva boats. Consumers could sign up online to ride in the two-person boats, which transported commuters between Pier 25 in Manhattan and Pier 5 in Brooklyn. At each pier, brand ambassadors handed guests complimentary Stella Artois from mini environments inspired by the French Riviera. Bait Shoppe produced the activation. See more: Cheers to Summer: 24 Event Highlights From Beverage Brands This Season
Photo: Courtesy of Stella Artois
Grey Goose x Surf Lodge Pop-Up
Grey Goose x Surf Lodge Pop-Up
Grey Goose took Montauk to Brooklyn with a pop-up that brought beach venue the Surf Lodge’s summer concert series to the roof of the Williamsburg Hotel. The event offered guests custom towels to use, which displayed colorful imagery of surfboards. Grey Goose tapped Epsilon to produce and design the event.
Photo: Angela Pham/BFA.com
Grey Goose x Surf Lodge Pop-Up
Grey Goose x Surf Lodge Pop-Up
Guests could take home Polaroids in branded frames that displayed the name of the event. See more: Cheers to Summer: 24 Event Highlights From Beverage Brands This Season
Photo: Angela Pham/BFA.com
Freeform and ABC Signature Studios' "For Your Consideration" Event
Freeform and ABC Signature Studios' 'For Your Consideration' Event
Freeform and ABC Signature Studios hosted a "For Your Consideration" event for members of the Television Academy on May 31. Working with AOO Events, the team transformed Lombardi House in Los Angeles into a college frat party, complete with lawn chairs as seating, oversize games, and a themed ice luge. The event also offered beer pong, Jell-O shots, and an on-theme step-and-repeat made from red Solo cups. Catering came from chef Draden Medina. The One Up Group handled lighting and audiovisual production. See more: 28 Fun Ideas From Recent TV and Movie Events
Photo: Troy Harvey/Freeform
InstaBeach
InstaBeach
Last year, Instagram partnered with experiential marketing agency Manifold to transform the Gladstone's outdoor patio into an environment inspired by Miami Beach. The aesthetic incorporated an Art Deco pattern that began with the entrance and also featured coconut and palm tree motifs and a color palette highlighting Pantone’s 2019 color of the year, Living Coral. Shown here, the main photo moment for attendees evoked a vintage Miami postcard. The wall featured palm tree cutouts and a boat where guests could pose.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram
InstaBeach
InstaBeach
At the summertime event, guests could sip drinks out of branded coconuts. See more: 9 Highlights From Instagram's Event for Instagrammers
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram
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