If you’re well-versed in the marketing sphere, you may be familiar with the term "surprise and delight." Essentially, the key to creative branding is to treat clients with good surprises--anything that will light up their day and make them smile.
The same concept applies to special events--in order to put together a truly magical event, you have to greet guests with a breathtaking entrance to both surprise and delight them. From luxury decor to high-end entertainment, there are countless ways to really wow attendees, whether it’s a wedding or a corporate gala.
When it comes to event design, every client is different in their needs and preferences. Still, you’d be hard put to find someone who didn’t want an unforgettable celebration! The key is to start from the beginning--from the moment guests first enter, there needs to be an icebreaker that puts a smile on everyone’s faces. Many people feel uncomfortable when they first arrive at events, all dressed up and looking for familiar faces. By providing a grand entrance, it’ll help people warm up to each other and feel excited about what lies ahead. Fire spitters and troubadour bands are personal favorites--who can feel shy when they’re met with grandeur?
Glamour is widespread in the today’s event scene. From luxurious Gatsby parties to stylish red carpets, weddings and other special events are embracing the opulent lifestyle--even if it’s only for one night. Not only does it give guests a chance to dress to the nines, but it will also make for some incredible memories!
To create an air of elegance while maintaining the "surprise and delight" idea, the majority of our requests are for white palettes with a touch of color to accent the event space. Since white is so prevalent, guests are pleasantly surprised by pops of color in different places--from the bar to the restrooms.
With that said, keep in mind that decor isn’t the only way to blow away your guests. A big band with even bigger sound can set the tone for a lively party--even from the entrance. Place sound systems discretely around the event space so the music carries across. Who can resist dancing to Nat King Cole’s “Love”?
You can also dazzle your guests with celebrity entertainment--they’ll feel as if they’re being treated to a private show! If you’re looking to go above and beyond (and you should be!), have the famed singer or band perform a cover of your client’s favorite songs just for fun. It’ll be completely unexpected and will certainly make an impression of your extraordinary services.
Remember that your ultimate goal is to get people smiling and make them feel comfortable from their very first step. The path to reaching this goal will be different for every event, but that’s exactly what’s fun about this industry--the freedom to be creative and find out the right combination of aspects to put together a truly unforgettable experience for all!
Fabrice Orlando is the CEO of Cocoon Events Group, a luxury event planning company based in Marrakech, Morocco, specializing in high-end weddings and special events worldwide.
