By
Wendy Moyle
The
right dress makes the perfect evening...
the right decorations make the perfect event.
Just
as choosing your event dress and accessories is crucial to your special
evening, so is selecting the right atmosphere for your big event. Both
decisions can be difficult and overwhelming, especially when it comes
to selecting your decorations.
Often, you step into the room where your
event will take place and helplessly look around. The place is huge,
the ceilings seem to rise up to the sky and you say to yourself, "How
will I ever decorate this place? Where do I start?"
Don't panic! Event decorating can be fun
and exciting. With a specific plan, the right products, a dose of creativity
and some hard work, you can transform any space into the right setting
for your prom, pageant or special event. The following are some tips
to get you started.
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| Dazzle
your guests with wonderful decorations that complement your theme.
These star theme decorations set the mood for a night that is magical. |
Choose
a Theme
Start by choosing a theme for your event. This will help you define
the look and feel of your space, and will also guide your choice of
music, invitations, favors and other accessories. Your theme can be
a destination (some popular destination themes are Paris, Jungle, Asian
and Tropical), a general romantic theme (consider timeless favorites
like stars, castles, underwater and celestial) or something more festive
and upbeat (try Mardi Gras, Hollywood or a city theme).
Select
Theme Colors
Next, select two or three colors that complement your theme. Try to
incorporate a metallic color into this mix for sparkle and shimmer,
especially if your event will be held at night. For a star theme, choose
blue, silver and white. For a Hollywood theme, black, red and gold will
dazzle and shine. For a tropical theme, pink, green and yellow will
brighten up your room. Keep in mind that if you don't want a specific
theme for your event, then you can always go for a basic color theme.
Cover
Your Walls, Floors
If the walls in your event
room clash with your theme colors, then you'll definitely want to conceal
them with something that better suits your theme. Seamless paper and
poly vinyl are just a few of the materials you can use to cover unsightly
walls, floors, doors and more. If you have assistance from your Art
Department, then seamless paper can be used as a "canvas" to create
a distant sunset, a tropical scene or a starry night to complement your
theme.
Choose background
materials in your theme colors for a cohesive look. You can also choose
these materials with a pattern to match your theme, such as a star pattern
or a water design.
Use
Gossamer to Transform
Your Room
If you haven't worked with gossamer before, then you're in for a real
treat! This lightweight non-woven "fabric" is truly a decorating marvel.
Gossamer can be used to create a number of different looks, including
backgrounds, ceilings, wall and door coverings, and table decorations.
You can also use gossamer to create stunning swags, bows, drapes and
more. Gossamer comes in a wide array of colors, patterns, and metallics,
and in widths and lengths to suit any decorating need.
Cover unsightly
chairs with gossamer for a fraction of the price of chair covers, or
hang a ray of gossamer behind your stage to create an elaborate focal
point. Theme gossamer, like star-patterned gossamer, can be hung across
ceilings with twinkle lights underneath to create a starry sky. Water-patterned
gossamer can be bunched and draped to create waterfalls or ocean waves.
Set
Your Theme with Large
Decorations
Choosing large decorations is the next part of the decorating process.
These will help bring your theme to life, section off areas of your
room, and add depth and detail to your space. Place a large arch at
the entrance. Add columns around the room that complement your arch.
Columns work especially well when they are placed next to doors, stages
and windows. Balustrades help divide your room into different areas
— so you can separate the dance floor from the eating area, for
example. Trees, both real and fake, fill corners and can be covered
with twinkle lights for a wonderful touch. Balloon arches and balloon
strands in your theme colors look festive and will fill larger areas
for a very small price.
Create a photo
setting in one of the corners of the room. Use a column and pedestal
as the photo backdrop. Swag gossamer between the column and the pedestal.
Add an array of balloons and shred to the floor around these items.
In a pinch, a simple metallic curtain serves as a great photo backdrop.
Add
Accents with Small Decorations
Once you have your large decorations in place, you will want to focus
on smaller items to accent your room. Die-cut shapes like stars can
be added just about anywhere. Suspend some from the ceiling using monofilament
line (available at hardware stores). Affix die-cut shapes to walls and
doors, and spread them out on your floors to create a walkway into your
event room. Add balloon bouquets to the corners of your room and on
either side of your stage area. Don't forget to use balloon weights
and curling ribbon in your theme colors to keep your balloon bouquets
in place.
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| It's
easy to create stunning tables at your event. Start with tableware
and accessories in your theme colors and then add favors for the
finishing touch. |
Jazz
Up Your Tables
Start your table decorations by choosing your centerpiece. Add metallic
or tissue shred around the centerpiece along with a sprinkling of confetti.
Next, choose a table cover and table skirt in your theme colors. Select
a placemat for each placesetting (larger die-cut items make great placemats!).
Add cutlery and plates in coordinating colors. Use garland as unique
napkin rings and to trim the edges of your tables.
Order personalized
napkins printed with your event details and a theme design. Display
these on top of each plate, wrapped around cutlery or inside glassware.
Cover chairs with a piece of gossamer and then tie a bow around the
back of the chair using gossamer streamers in a different color. Finally,
add candles to your tables for shine.
Dazzle
and Delight With
Favors
Favors are a great way to thank your guests and add to your d�cor. Be
sure to personalize them with a design and your event details. You can
display them during the event, as they will add an extra decorative
touch to your tables. Don't save them in boxes until the end of the
evening.
Picture frames
make wonderful favors and can be used in a number of different ways.
One idea is to insert menus into the frames and display them at each
placesetting. Or, place a card with each guest's name and table assignment
inside the frame and use it as a placecard. At the end of the evening,
guests can take the frames home as a special memento.
Key tags are
another classic favor that can be displayed and utilized during the
event. Simply slip your napkin into the key tag and place it in the
middle of each plate for a fun and decorative look. Whatever favors
you choose, be sure that they coordinate well with your theme and look
appealing on display.
These ideas
will make decorating for your next event successful and enjoyable. Good
luck and happy decorating!
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Prom
Committee Tips
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Recruit as many volunteers as possible to help with your decorations.
Prepare an outline of everything that needs
to be done and assign volunteers to specific tasks.
Do as much of the decorating prior to the
day of the event (except inflating balloons!).
Have a supply of ladders, staple guns, pins,
spray adhesive, scissors and masking tape.
Use a balloon inflator and other tools to
help with your decorating.
Relax and have fun!
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