The Event The Party 2011

 

 
Hey, it's almost New Years Eve !  I was just wondering what people are planning for the big event and who they go to for advice and professional help. I didn't mention affordability but I thought I would take a look at some of the movers and shakers in the business. I like to snoop at what they are doing first and then take inspiration by thier work.

In 2008 - 2010 we witnessed some pretty large gala's, party's , weddings and events. When it comes to celebrities, VIP's, politicians, CEO's and the wealthy money is unsually a non-issue.
Bryan’s extensive client list boasts stars like Elton John, Michael J. Fox, and President Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton for her daughter Chelsea's Wedding and Marriage to Marc Mezvinsky Introducing Bryan Rafanelli, CEO of Rafanelli Events, based in Boston, MA. This event planner's work has been seen around the world. If you can afford his work you probably should book him now for an event in 2012, he's very busy !  His company , Rafanelli Events manages over 100 events annually. Rafanelli Events is a full-service event design, planning and production company.

I am curious as to what makes him so special, a guru of design and events ? His work has afforded him many accolades such as one of the “25 Trendsetters of 2006” by Modern Bride, one of Boston’s “40 Under 40” by The Boston Business Journal, and has earned the title “Best in Boston” seven years running by Boston Magazine to name a few.

And his work speaks for itself. He’s been named and serves as a regular contributor on UPN Boston’s “Morning Show.” His work has been highlighted in numerous print publications as well, including Bride, Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Town & Country Weddings, Good Housekeeping, and more.

If you can't afford the services of an Event Planner like Bryan you can at least you can take some inspiration from him like I did . As if he isn't busy enough Bryan spends some of his time as an occasional special contributor to some of the television networks in NYC. "Put on an extroidinary Halloween Party" was a CBS Today Show segment where Bryan showed us how it's done. Bryan was also a guest recently on Good Morning America (GMA) abc news, sharing some of his secrets for those of us on a budget, okay now were talking. Here is video clip, compliments abc news GMA Good Morning America and the highlights of the show including the tips he shared to make your party a hit:

• Choose a Theme
• around your home gather clocks, timers all set to go off at midnight
• piles of ribbon on the table, find inexpensive ribbons for as little as 99 cents a spool
• round trays with a pictue of a round clock (downloaded) for a liner use for appetizers on food table
• glass vases filled with sugar & painted numbers of all sizes pressed down into the sugar 2011
• go to FB or Google Images grab photos of friends & people we remember in 2010, photo shop in B & W or your color theme then cut in circles or what's better, there's a hole punch for that, about the size of a silver dollar, use as confetti over the tables
• hats, color coordinated to match your theme buy cheap at a favorite 99 cent or variety store
• all good design should be shoulder level & above that's where it will be noticed
• center piece in the room - stack party  glasses on a covered table starting with  10 followed by 9, 8, 7 etc etc
• use bubble wrap for noise makers
• use bundle of helium balloons to float trays of goodies ( in his example) white meringue cookines off the ceiling....party goers can use the ribbon bundles hanging from the balloons to pull the tray down to grab a suprise goodys or hors' devours from the floating tray( that's my most favorite idea cause it's fun and it frees up floor space that would otherwise be cluttered up with hor' devour tables

My favorite decoration ideas:

• Dry Ice with colored uplighting , colored tracklights and chandeliers, a fogger strategically placed with colored lights create the mood as the smoke/fog fills the room so does the color, not advised during any photography sessions as it is difficult to capture pictures, so start the lightshow later in the evening , the fog/or dry ice smoke is harmless and will not irritate the guests eyes or throat
• Using musical instruments for floral centerpiece arrangements, rented from music store
• Helium filled balloons tied up and floating by ribbon and anchored with a themed object as in the photo of the glass new years ball, if you don't know how to do balloon design, contact your nearest party store for a referral
• Tivoli Lights or Dry Ice water falls and fountains
• Fabric, lots of it....go to your nearest garment district or find close outs in your neighborhood fabric strore and buy as much as you can. Fabric is great for table tops and easy to make chair covers. I also love to drape fabric on the ceilings and the walls; you can turn a hideous space into a party wonderland.
• Feathers and Boas for chandeliers, centerpieces and edges of the banquet tables
• Inexpensive Mardi Gras Masks & Noise makers can be had at your favorite party store, discount store and variety store, use non toxic spary paint, glitter, spray adhesive, sequins, feathers and go wild; use for guest, center pieces and wall decor
• If you have non descrip metalic christmas decorations like stars, globes, numbers, letters, mirror balls they are perfect for a New year Party decor; fill you crystal vases with them throw in some tall silk flowers or feathers for a center piece on your tables


special lighting for the dance floor can be rented


• I've seen chocolate fountains, cigar bars and karaokee venues at parties but for a New Years Event or Wedding one of my favorite venues is the Photo Booth. Now if you can't afford to rent a photo booth make your own. Go to the photo lab store ahead of time and get white paper that’s on a wide roll, hang it down just like a photo shoot and set up a big bright light in front of it.  Early in the evening , have someone take pictures of the guests in front of the backdrop, you can add props if you like. Take it one step further if you can and go as far as having a friend playback the photos using a projector app back onto the paper wall or print out the pictures and put them in little frames at the end of the night, your guests will remeber your party for many years to come as you hand them your gift as they leave that evening.

Need more ideas? For more party planning ideas, here are some fun and useful websites to visit:
http://wedding.getmarried.com/
http://www.giantpartystore.com/
http://www.funthemedpartyideas.info/
http://www.savethedateevents.com/

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

http://inthenowweddings.com/blog/

I really love this idea, a mirror ball in helium balloons as a room decor. If you can't find this design at your local party supply store , consider hiring a balloon artist to create your design, your party store would more than likely be able to steer you in the right direction. 

Musical Instruments can be used as floral arrangements or wall decor, check out your local music store for rental

Tivoli Rope Lighting is great for the ceiling, the dance floor or even as a centerpiece or a waterfall effect in the garden

If you need help with your special event, birthday party, sweet 16, bachelor/bachelorette or wedding please drop me an email at dedeanna2001@yahoo.com I am located in Southern California and would love to be part of your special event

                Happy New Year Everyone and be Safe, Please don't drink and drive