Set the Stage

by Colleen Smith

Drama is in the details

Add interest with inventive color schemes, florals and greenery, decor and entertainment

One of the first steps of setting the stage for an event is deciding where the stage will be set. Cavernous hotel ballrooms are out. Unusual locations off the beaten path are in. Denver’s most memorable parties are happening in museums, speakeasies, even a repurposed mid-century airplane hangar. Rooftop patios are high on the list of desirable spaces for events with a view.

Invitations announce the tone of the party and establish color themes. When determining a color palette for the invitation and the event, consider Pantone’s 2019 color of the year: “Living Coral.” The hybrid of pink and orange, coral works almost as a neutral, though with a lot more punch. Coral pairs with various hues—blues, greens, yellows, violets and neutrals. Fresh flowers always set the stage beautifully, and plenty of plants bloom in tints and shades of coral.

Also trending in 2019, purple and silver are a sure hit with Colorado Rockies fans. Pristine all-white or a simple combination of black and white, elegant and timeless as tuxedos, never fully falls out of vogue. Another sophisticated color option is monochromatic palettes. Sticking with the same color—give or take a few degrees on the color wheel—simplifies decision-making and results in a chic look.

For bridal bouquets, centerpieces, wreaths or party favors, succulents have grown in popularity. These architectural plants prized for their fleshy foliage can be arranged in any sort of container—from formal silver to rustic wood—to best suit an event. 

For decorations, balloons have not yet gone bust, but perfectly round orb balloons—some with confetti inside—have risen in popularity above balloon sculptures. Swans are an elegant and ethereal element of design soaring in popularity. Numeral- and letter-shaped confections set the stage by personalizing events with cakes and cookies that spell out monograms, corporate acronyms, or designate numbers for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or company milestones.

“Festivalization” is a buzzword noting the popularity of live music. Set the stage with live music, whether a chamber quartet or a reggae band, matched to the event’s mood. Interactive party activities create spontaneity. Play zones feature everything from giant Jenga to tarot card readers. Other popular event performers include magicians, stand-up comedians and caricaturists.

Whatever the event, these ideas lend pizzazz and help create lasting memories.

 

Colleen Smith, a longtime contributor to the magazine and many other publications, is an avid gardener who propagates succulents and is pleased to see the plants trending as elements of design.