Midsummer Night’s Gala Event Decor Ideas

A fantastical feast awaits those who attend this midsummer night’s gala! All the stops are brought out for this magical evening. Lush greenery and twinkling lights are at every corner with wrapping vines and warm glowing hues spilling out from the corners and shadows. This enchanted midsummer night’s gala event decor ideas board has a little touch of modern influence to it. The shape and set up of the food display lends itself to trends of today, while the indoor garden lawn lounge allows guests to feel as if they are wandering through a magical forest.

Galas, parties, fundraisers, and even weddings with high guest counts will be the type of events that really make this concept shine. With a high guest count, more space is needed to accommodate those guests, and with that extra space allows for these cohesive, yet distinct separate spaces. A vine covered dining space, a lush lawn for mingling and lounging, and even a quite garden space with a few acoustic musicians. The key to a successful midsummer night’s gala is the decor, and making sure lots of fresh greenery and florals of all sorts of shapes and textures are incorporated.

Here are some of my favorite midsummer nights’ gala event decor ideas:

Midsummer Night’s Gala Event Decor Ideas

Midsummer Night’s Gala Event Decor Ideas

Be sure to see where each element of this enchanted evening of greenery and foliage were found:

  • Indoor Garden Reception Lounge Seating with Foliage and Warm Lighting – shared by BizBash
  • White and Green Food Buffet and Dessert Display with Wave Bars, Topiary Bushes, and Green Foliage – spotted on Pinterest
  • Ballroom Ceiling Covered in Growing Green Vines and Fairy Lights – spotted on Pinterest
  • Enchanted Garden Tables Decor and Centerpieces with Lush Greens and Candles – also spotted on Pinterest
  • Lush Tall Garden Centerpiece with Green Foliage and White Flowers – shared on Style Me Pretty
  • Indoor Apple Grove Garden Reception Lounge Space with Grass and Trees – shared on BizBash

Don’t forget to pin your favorite midsummer nights’ gala event decor ideas for future reference:

What do you think of all this greenery? Do you think it needs some pops of color with flowers, or is the greenery enough?

Save

Unusual Ways to Incorporate Green at Your Next Event

Have you ever seen something that was just so weird, so unusual, maybe so out there – that it just worked? And maybe at another point in time in the not too distant future, you find yourself looking at something that is incredibly predicable?

The later of those two thoughts happens far too often, at least for me, at events. Someone tried to be trendy by making a table full of “Greenery”, because Pantone made it the color of the year. But they just over did it. At the beginning of the year, I shared THIS post on how to include greenery into your corporate event. Like many corporate events, I took a very clean but modern approach to this decor. And I stand by it. I can think of a lot of corporate events that would do well by those concepts.

But what about the high end galas, which are counting on wowing guests for donations? Or the social event for a great cause? Or, the brand that is launching their new line and really want to make an impact at the launch party. These types of events are often burdened with the sometimes overwhelming task of what theme to channel. Sure, there are a million “Night in Paris” or casino themed events. I’ve said it a million times before, and I’ll probably say it a million more, but I continuously challenge planners, creative directors, and designers to try something new!

With shades of green, and of course greenery, being on point this year, I thought I would start to see a lot more unique and unusual green event decor circulating. But I haven’t! So to help get your creative ideas firing, I’ve put together some of my favorite unusual ways to incorporate more green at your next event. I’ve included my favorites from high impact receptions, entertainment, and clever uses of lighting. All green, and all unique.

Here’s some unusual and unique ways to incorporate more green at your next event:

Unusual Ways to Incorporate Green at Your Next Event

Unusual Ways to Incorporate Green at Your Next Event

Be sure to see where each of these great ideas were found:

Green Fern Bar with Green Lighting – shared in a roundup by BizBash

Woodsy Green Forest Patch for Photo Opps – also shared in a roundup on BizBash

Green Woods Tent and Ceiling with Green Fern Lamps – shared in a roundup post by Food52

Green Draped and Illuminated Entertainment Cube – shared in a roundup post by BizBash

Garden of Eden Themed Greenery and Foliage Decorated DJ Booth – spotted on Pinterest

Hovering Floating Land with Green Grass and Wood – created by Daniel Ost

Don’t forget to pin your favorite ideas for later:

Need more ideas for your events? Check out my Pinterest board “Entertaining by Design” for lots of big picture event ideas.

How do you incorporate unique decor into your social events?

Save

Sophisticated Green Velvet Winter Wedding Decor with Gold

There was a time I was fearful that I had run out of things to see and discover on Pinterest, but oh how wrong I was! I have found several, absolutely one of a kind images the last few days, and have had an overwhelming sense of inspiration and ideas come to mind after discovering them.

The first piece of beauty I found was a regal looking altar, draped in a dark green velvet, adorned with crisp white orchid flowers along the top. To heighten the look even further, there are gold, regal tassels and fringe accenting the drapery, creating a simple but stunning design. There was no turning back once I started down the path of devising the perfect combination of elegance and class that this wedding inspiration board demanded. I am over the moon with the elements I’ve included in this week’s wedding post. Lots of gold accents, plenty of green velvet, and of course more bright white orchids. Together, they create an almost enchanting, storybook-esque winter wedding.

While I think this would be a beautiful Christmas wedding in general, I would particularly love to see this wedding done on a day like New Year’s, or perhaps even Valentine’s Day. There is something so romantic about the textures and bold use of this luxurious dark green velvet that could really play to those holidays.

Here’s what I had in mind:

Sophisticated Green Velvet Winter Wedding Decor with Gold

Sophisticated Green Velvet Winter Wedding Decor with Gold

Be sure to see where I found each element in this winter wedding idea board:

Draped Green Velvet Wedding Altar with Gold Tassels and White Orchid Border – spotted on Pinterest

Green Velvet Tablecloth Overlay with Gold Tassel Borders – available through PRI Productions

Green Velvet on a Gold Chameleon Chair – available through All Occasions Party Rental

Gold Wedding Favor Box with Gold Tassel – created and sold by UniqueDecorSUPPLIES on Etsy

Sophisticated Green Velvet and White Sofa Lounge – featured on 100 Layer Cake

Gold Candlestick Centerpiece with Bubbling White Orchids – created by Colin Cowie Weddings

Elegant Winter Wedding Scroll Invitation with Gold Print – created and sold by ArtfulBeginnings on Etsy

Pin your favorite elements:

What are your thoughts on this sophisticated winter wedding that mixes green velvet and crisp white orchids?

Once Upon a Time Storybook Gala Ideas

It’s getting to be that time of the year again….fundraisers, holiday galas, office parties….invites are starting to flow! With so many celebrations going on, it’s easy for guests to get bored with seeing the same festive looks, or “night in New York” themes. It’s time to suggest something new to the committee! Why not host a once upon a time storybook gala? It’s nothing too modern, so it suits all ages, but it’s whimsical enough to be appropriate for guests of all ages. With the emphasis on incorporating storybooks into this gala concept, the décor focus shifts from a specific storybook theme, to transporting guests to space where any of their favorite storybook can come to life right off the shelf.

Here’s what I had in mind for this once upon a time storybook gala:

Once Upon a Time Storybook Gala Ideas

Once Upon a Time Storybook Gala Ideas

Be sure to see where I found each element of this week’s gala inspiration board:

Storybook Event Gala Entrance – featured on Special Events

Once Upon a Time Gala Save the Date – shared by REDROSE Fund

Storybook Event Décor – shared on Design Sponge

Poison Apple Escort Cards – featured in a roundup post by BizBash

Oversized Once Upon a Time Storybook Photo Booth – shared by Wedding Chicks

Book Theme Centerpiece and Giant Book Event Décor – created by David Stark Design

Storybook Table Number – featured on BizBash

What’s your favorite storybook?

 

Save

Save

Glamorous Gothic Halloween Wedding in Black and Red

Get ready, we are doing a complete 180-degree this week!

Last week I shared a rustic, goth inspired wedding, perfect for a county area with lots of natural landscape to harness, with candles everywhere. This week I present to you a completely different wedding look, created for the glamorous gothic couple that love all things luxurious. Glossy black finishes with the deepest red roses you have ever seen will line every surface your eyes may lay. Black crystals with delicate black lace accentuate everything from the chairs, to the chandeliers in black above. This has the makings of an unforgettable Halloween wedding. All that’s missing is the perfect chamber music faintly heard in the background. Here’s what I had in mind:

Glamorous Gothic Halloween Wedding in Black and Red #thisisUPevents

Glamorous Gothic Halloween Wedding in Black and Red

Be sure to see where I found each of this week’s inspirational ideas for this glamourous gothic Halloween wedding in black and red:

Black and Red Wedding Aisle Runner – shared in a roundup post by Wedding Newsday

Candles on Black Candlestick Aisle Décor Or Centerpiece with Red Roses – shared on United with Love

Black Lace Wedding Invitations – sold by Elegant Wedding Invites

Black Crystal Chandelier – shared in a roundup post on Weddingomania

Red Roses and Black Lace Tiered Wedding Cake – shared in a roundup post on Cake Wrecks

Black Chantilly Lace Chair Corset with Havana Skirt – available through Wildflower Linen

Black on Black Goth Tablescape with Red Accents – shared in a roundup post by Digsdigs

Red and Black Flower Centerpiece with Gothic Flair – spotted on Pinterest

Grand Entrance with Black Drapery and Red Rose Arrangements on Mirror Pedestals – shared by Eventure

Gothic Wedding Bouquet with Red Roses and Black Feathers and Accents – shared on High Society Event Planning

Black and Red Centerpieces with Gold Accents – shared in a roundup post by Destination Wedding Mag

Black Glitter Charger with Red Rose and Napkin Accent Place Setting – spotted on Pinterest

Would you prefer this wedding, or my rustic take on a vintage gothic wedding?

 

 

Outdoor Jack-o-lantern Halloween Party Ideas

Happy Fall!

To kick off the first week of October, which as far as I’m concerned kicks off all things pumpkin and autumn like, I thought I’d share an outdoor, jack-o-lantern themed Halloween party idea board. This themed party would be fantastic for a neighborhood get together, especially in a backyard or lawn setting. Trying to keep the scariness level friendly for all ages, I kept the Halloween inspiration focused on the pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns… no blood and gore. Don’t want to give little ones unnecessary spooks!

Here’s what I had in mind for this jack-o-lantern themed Halloween party idea board:

Outdoor Jack-o-lantern Halloween Party Ideas

Outdoor Jack-o-lantern Halloween Party Ideas

Be sure to see where I found each element of this week’s holiday inspiration board:

DIY Illuminated Jack-o-lantern Pumpkin Arch Tutorial – shared by Don Morin

Jack-o-lantern Outdoor Display – shared by Our Fairfield Home & Garden

Front Lawn Jack-o-lantern Outdoor Display – shared on a roundup post on BlazePress

Pumpkin Beverage Coolers – shared by Lindsy Steinberg Events

Outdoor Halloween Food Buffet Display – shared by A Fanciful Twist

Outdoor Halloween Party Decor – also shared by A Fanciful Twist

Jack-o-Lantern Hanging Lanterns on Shepherds Hooks – shared by Better Homes and Gardens

Need more fall and autumn party ideas? I’ve got a gallery of all of my autumn party idea boards here, and all of my favorite fall ideas pinned here.

Are you a fan of the mischievous looking jack-o-lanterns, or do you prefer the more smiley ones?

Moonlight Masquerade Ball in Black, Purple, and Silver

There’s never a dull moment in life, and there is always a reason to celebrate. With fall right around the corner, I thought I would take this week as an opportunity to do something different for the season. While I’m no serious fan of Halloween (gore is just too over done for my liking), I do like the idea of a thrilling dress up party, and so why not have a marvelous moonlight masquerade ball?

Now, it’s important to note that this is not just any masquerade ball. No, this is a moonlight masquerade ball. It’s darker, a bit mysterious, and a heck of a lot more dramatic. On any given day when you google “masquerade party” or any variation, the go-to images that come up are gold, green, purple the majority of the time. While that is a great combination, with a warm and inviting sense to it, I think it’s over done. So to mix things up, I’ve created a masquerade ball idea board in black, purple, and silver.

Here’s what I have in mind:

Moonlight Masquerade Ball in Black, Purple, and Silver

Moonlight Masquerade Ball in Black, Purple, and Silver

Be sure to find out where each of this masquerade ideas were found:

Black, Silver, and Purple Tablescape and Centerpiece – shared by Lake Receptions

Sparkle Corner / Tinsel Photo Booth Backdrop – shared by James Wagner

Purple, Silver, and Black Masquerade Mask – shared by Damn Right, Masquerade on Tumblr

Grand Draped Entrance – featured on Ashley’s Bride Guide

Glamorous Masquerade Centerpiece with Purple and Silver Mirror – designed by Red Carpet Events & Design

Star Drop Silver, Purple, and Black Invitation – created and sold by DIYPartyInvitation on Etsy

Silver Candelabra Centerpiece with Crystal Accents and a Black and Silver Masquerade Mask – shared by Kapture Vision

Black Chivari Chair with Purple Ribbon and Rhinestone Accent – found in the Style Me Pretty Vault

Would your masquerade ball be more silver or gold?

Save

Vineyard Wedding in Shades of Plum

How many states do you know that has world class beaches, shopping, amusement parks, AND vineyards? Not too many states coming to mind, do they? Here in Florida we are lucky to have all of those, and so much more. People often forget that we have a number of great wineries here, perfect for an end of summer wedding. This week, I channeled the beauty of wineries from around the world, with shades of plum purples, to create this week’s vineyard wedding idea board. Here’s what I had in mind:

Vineyard Wedding in Shades of Plum

Vineyard Wedding in Shades of Plum

Be sure to see where I found each of this week’s inspirational images:

Autumn Fall Inspired Centerpiece – shared on Rock My Wedding

Vineyard Inspired Wine Bottle Centerpiece – shared on David Corey Photography

Frames Photo Booth Backdrop – spotted on Pinterest

Cocktail Hour Tables of Wine Barrels – shared on Wedding Wire

Plum and Burnt Orange Ceremony Vine Covered Altar and Mandap Overlooking Vineyard – spotted on Pinterest

Tablescape of Floating Candles in Glass Bubbles Under Vines – shared by wedsource on Etsy

Wine Barrel Bar – shared by Elegant Wedding Invites

Plum Wedding Aisle Décor Flower Arrangements – shared on Ruffled

Plum and Purple Flower Wedding Bouquet – shared by Field and Florist

Vineyard Wedding Wine Pouring Ceremony – shared by Floridian Social

Need ideas for a wine themed event? Never fear! I have a Pinterest board dedicated to all things wine themed, check it out HERE.

Have you ever been to a wedding at a vineyard?

Save

Asian Infused Wedding in Red

It’s not too often I find myself designing concept boards based specifically around a cultural theme, but this week I was overwhelmingly inspired by the tablescape you’ll see below. The red and gold paper lanterns with an array of fresh flowers on the table caught my eye. After more digging into similar looks, I found myself disappointed in the number of higher end weddings that incorporated these beautiful red paper lanterns. With that in mind I challenged myself to create this Asian influenced wedding in red, featuring beautiful paper lanterns that looked luxurious and opulent, and less crafty.

Here’s what I created for this week’s Asian inspired wedding in red:

Asian Infused Wedding in Red with Paper Lanterns

Asian Infused Wedding in Red with Paper Lanterns

Be sure to see where I found each of these inspiration images:

Red Paper Lanterns Reception Entrance with Red Drapery – shared on WedMeGood

Hanging Red Paper Lantern Wedding with Chinese Influence – spotted here

Asian Inspired Tablescape with Red and Gold Paper Lanterns Hanging from Above – shared on WedLuxe

Asian Infused Bar – shared by Michael Habachy on Flickr

Large Red Paper Lanterns Grand Entrance – spotted on Pinterest

Red Paper Lantern Food Buffet and Display – also spotted on Pinterest

Red Wedding Reception Up Lighting with Red Paper Lanterns – shared by Bart Boehlert’s Beautiful Things

Do you know of any other weddings that incorporate paper lanterns in a high end style?

Save

Pop of Purple – Countryside Spring Wedding Ideas

I’m dreaming of a whiiitttteeeee…wedding! I’m actually dreaming of a white wedding with pops of purple. Something beautiful, with lots of fresh flowers in shades of white and cream with pops of purple. I’m thinking lilac purple with an occasional darker shade of purple mixed in. Don’t you think that would be a lovely wedding to attend on a nice spring afternoon? Imagine it, a wedding on a sunny countryside side estate, tons and tons of fresh floral flowers is everywhere, and there’s white flowy fabrics blowing in the breeze. I invasion nothing short of graceful and chic. Here’s what I had in mind:

Pop of Purple – Countryside Spring Wedding Ideas

Pop of Purple – Countryside Spring Wedding Ideas

Be sure what to stop by and see where I found each of these images:

Purple and White Tent Tablescape with Crystal Chandeliers – shared on Hostess with the Mostess by Fresh Events Company

Gardenias and Lavender Rose Satin Wrapped Bouquet – shared by Mindy Weiss

Wedding Invitations with Embossed Roses with Lilac Ribbon – made by Violet Wedding Invitations

White and Lilac Purple Rustic Centerpiece with Fresh Flowers and Candles – shared on WedLuxe

Purple Rose Wedding Cake on Flower Tablescape – shared by Colin Cowie Weddings

Romantic Lilac Outdoor Spring Wedding with Purple Flowers – shared in the Style Me Pretty Vault

Purple French Macarons – shared in a roundup post by MODwedding

Would you love to have a countryside wedding like this?