If you’re hosting a gala or a wedding, you probably consider a professional event planner to be a must-have.
But, what about your next Christmas dinner, child’s birthday bash or milestone anniversary party?
When you’re entertaining at home, event planners can help you throw an affair to remember by amping up the décor, making sure the party space flows properly and attending to details like invitations, signature cocktails and favors that can all leave a lasting impression on guests—if they’re done right.
Three local event planners opened up their archives to inspire us with some of their most memorable at-home extravaganzas.
Glencoe mom Megan Estrada operates North Shore Weddings & Events. Estrada applied her professional skills to create an adorable Yo Gabba Gabba-themed birthday bash for her toddlers, Chase and Zoe. Sweets tables aren’t only for weddings. Estrada put colorful cupcakes, cookies and candies on display, turning dessert into part of the décor. She reminds kiddie-party hostesses not to forget about the moms and dads. Estrada treated her adult guests to a mojito bar and short ribs while the children munched on pizza and drank juice boxes.
Rachel Silverberg, an event producer with Heffernan Morgan Designs, says professionals have access to all kinds of custom fabrics and decorative accents they can use to make a theme come alive. At this baby shower, Silverberg and her team brought in striped navy chair covers and ornamental starfish to create a sophisticated nautical vibe in a Barrington residence.
Guests will feel transported to another world when you swap out your everyday furniture for rental pieces that complement your party’s theme. For this Indian-inspired engagement party, Catherine Lamb and her team at Birch Design Studio transformed the pool area at a Northwest suburban home into a chic cocktail lounge with bright ottomans and a wooden laser-cut cabaret table.
Gilded glassware, crackled copper chargers and citron napkins create an opulent look that is worthy of an Indian feast.
A summer barbecue hosted in a private home in a Michigan beach town gets a major upgrade thanks to styling and décor by Birch Design Studios. Burlap tablecloths and bamboo chairs create a relaxed yet elegant feel. Overly formal centerpieces would be out of place at a barbecue, so Grotto says her team created whimsical and simple floral arrangements that look as if her clients might have picked the flowers from their own garden.
For a casual affair, a chalkboard is a charming alternative to menu cards.
Passing signature cocktails as guests arrive makes them feel welcome right from the start. At this July barbecue, partygoers cooled off with icy Arnold Palmers. Grotto says other little touches that made the BBQ memorable were custom bibs guests were given to wear during dinner and bottles of homemade barbeque sauce they took home as favors.
Lamb’s clients wanted to host an autumn cocktail in their suburban Milwaukee home, but didn’t have enough space for their 100 guests. So, Birch Design Studio set up a tent in the backyard and designed it to look like a warm and cozy extension of the house. Oversized couches and soft suede ottomans look homey, but also provide plenty of seating.
Grotto says vintage pieces like this wooden baker’s rack add character to a room and make great spots for food displays.
Event planners are trained to remember details the rest of us might forget, such as dressing up an entryway. Birch Design Studio created a warm and inviting entry by draping fabric and hanging lanterns.
