+ HOMESTYLE
So You’re Hav-an-a Party?
Take these tips from our recent Havana Nights party and apply
them to your own theme for a get-together that everyone will
be talking about.
Choose Useful,
Big Impact Items
For the outdoor area, the focus was
on the quintessential Cuban cocktail, the
Mojito. An elaborate, make-your-own
Mojito station combined function with
flair. As the focal point of the space, it allowed
guests to gather and interact while
preparing their cocktails. In this case, we
used existing furniture, but a bar cart
would be an equally stunning option.
We kept the décor clean and authentic
here — white conveys an airy, chic feeling
while palm leaves and bright colors
keep it lively. Burlap and paper runners
simply convey the rustic theme.
Balloons and More Balloons
Balloons are a great way to convey
color scheme. They take up space and
make a big impression without breaking
the bank. The combination of neon
colors, shades of green and chrome gold
transported guests to the tropics while
keeping the balloon garland interesting
and adding dimension. We added mylar
palm leaves, faux palm leaves and gold to
reinforce the theme.
Create an Entrance
We always add decor at the entrance
of a venue. It’s the first thing guests
see, and that’s where the experience begins.
This photo backdrop was placed
at the entrance of the party. Since a first
impression sets the tone, we wanted to
make sure it greeted guests with big, vibrant
colors. We used fedoras, in keeping
with the theme, as a subtle way to make
it interesting when it wasn’t in use.
It’s All in the Details
For us, the party is in the details.
Our planning process always begins
with small
details as inspiration.We take elements highlight the theme
and create a bigger
picture from there.
Here, we chose
items that speak
to Cuban culture
— coffee beans,palm leaves, cigar
boxes — that
clearly translate
the Havana
Nights theme.
We grew those by
combining them with complementary
colors and creating bigger impact
items, working with core details first
to keep all the décor cohesive.
By Andrea St. Onge and Cristina Lima, Lou and Pepper Party Shop
20 Central Florida Lifestyle | August 2019
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