5 Parts to a 5-Star Event

Photo from Karen Tran Florals

Planning an event can seem stressful. Sometimes it is difficult to know where to even begin. With several (or probably hundreds) of small details, it can feel like a daunting task.

However, every event, whether a wedding, baby shower, cocktail party, sweet 16, conference or concert has 5 major parts. Once you have determined the type of event, then you want to then give some thought to the following areas.

Theme

Whether “All White Yacht Party” or “An Evening of Elegance”, a theme tends to set the tone for the event, and will help you to make decisions on all other details, like the appropriate food and décor.

While “Disco Inferno” is a clear statement of what your event is all about, a theme doesn’t have to be some overt statement that you put on a flyer or in the ad for the event. It can just be a determination of the vibe or feel you want your event to have. Is it casual? Is it laid back? Is it a dance til your heels come off kind of event?

In determining what your theme is, you can simply think of what you want your guests to get out of it. If guests were to review the event after all is done, what kind of review would you want them to give? Your ideal review can be your theme.

Venue

The type of venue chosen must be appropriate for the type of event and the chosen theme. If you want to have a casual soiree with a nautical theme, then of course you would look for a seaside or even poolside venue. If you want your guests to network, you would choose a venue with good lighting and good open spaces so that people can freely move through the event and meet new people (whose faces they can remember!)

Also, you want to choose a venue of the appropriate size to comfortably accommodate your guests and the type of décor set up that you want.

Food & Drinks

As a foodie and someone who loves a good cocktail or glass of wine, I can’t emphasize enough how much food and drinks can alter the overall experience of your event. The food and drink choices should not only be adequate for the number of guests expected, but should be in keeping with the type of the event and the theme of the event.

For example, if you are having a day time soca party, you want to have people well fed and energized while still dancing and enjoying the vibes. You would therefore choose some nice brunch options that are light and portable (ie, foods that don’t require that people have a table or chair) such as grilled shrimp and pineapple kebabs or mini chicken and waffle sandwiches. You would also choose refreshing fruity cocktails like watermelon margaritas to keep people cool and moving.

Décor

Again, the type of event and the theme will inform your décor choices. The same ballroom will be set up entirely different depending on if you are having a business conference or a gala and dinner.

But even the same type of event will look different depending on your theme. Let’s say the event in question is a wedding. If you have a rustic theme, then you would choose sunflowers, sweet peas or tulips and perhaps mix them with some hydrangeas or lily of the valley to add a touch of elegance. You would use mini wooden barrels or metal buckets as vases. You would use warm wood tables and chairs to tie it all together. However, for a more formal or traditional wedding you would choose peonies, garden roses, dahlias or even orchids and place them in ornate crystal vases with crystal chargers and golden table settings, complete with gold chiavari chairs.

Entertainment

Of course your event is not worthwhile if your guests are not entertained. People will likely forget the beautiful orchid centerpiece or the layout of the grand lavish ballroom, some may even forget what they ate or drank (not me, but some may, lol), but no one forgets enjoying themselves.

So in keeping with the type of event and theme (I am sure by now you are sensing the trend) you need to choose the right entertainment. So you need to pick the right DJ’s, singers, dancers, musicians, speakers and even MCs which will make sure that your guests stay engaged and entertained.

Of course there are other considerations, like managing the guest list, creating a budget, securing sponsorship or marketing and ticket sales, which you will need to deal with, but these 5 areas will set the framework for your awesome 5-star event.

For more information on themes and to get help to envision and execute your dream wedding, contact us at Melissa Simone:

Call us: (876) 832-1978

Email us: melissasimoneevents@gmail.com

DM us on Instagram: @melissasimoneevents