CCF EXCLUSIVE:
Creating Great Events During Covid
Weddings, company parties, graduation celebrations, reunions, and more have all been put on pause. Engaged couples have been left scrambling to reorganize their wedding plans, attempting to rebook for a later date.
Graduates were unable to properly celebrate their achievements with friends and family. Family reunions, festivals, surprise parties, annual company parties… you name it, it’s been.
Nearly every event has been crossed off the calendar for now, but we know in days when we will be able to gather, and party together again are coming soon.
So we’ve touched base with Alpine Events, a West Michigan rental company, to learn some tips on how to make sure your events are safe, magical, and memorable in the months to come.
Planning Your Event
It’s never too early to start planning. If you’re someone who was thinking about hosting an event and then backed down when COVID-19 hit, we’re here to tell you to start planning now. After all, you can never plan for a big experience too soon.
Since it’s hard to know what’s coming up in the world of events, it’s smart to plan for everything. Are you going to be hosting a large event or a small one? What will you do if you need to reschedule? Can you move it to another location if events need to be held outside?
You should be asking yourself all of these questions, especially if you’re not sure what regulations will be in place when your event is set to happen.
If there’s a possibility that you might need to host the event outside, it’s a good idea to start looking into tents that will fit your space. Keep in mind that tents aren’t just there to keep out the wind and rain. They can be a centerpiece of the decor, if you use them right. You’ll want a tent that can complement your space and fit your needs. That way, everyone will be able to have a safe and fun experience.
Stay Organized
When it comes to event planning, there is a lot to consider, which can be stressful and leave you overwhelmed. Add to that a global pandemic and you could be left anxious and in need of guidance from someone you can trust.
“As couples reach out to us, some don’t even know where to begin, so we take time to discover their vision and what they’re hoping to achieve,” said Emily Riley, Alpine Event’s Director of Events & Marketing. “By conversation’s end, I can sense relief in their voice because we’ve got a plan in place that fits their budget.”
The main thing to remember when you’re planning an event is that no matter where you’re holding it, you need to say organized. Start off by deciding what the purpose of your event is, and then follow up with your budget, your guest list, and your venue. Once you have all of those nailed down, you can start focusing on the little details that will make your event pop.
Define Your Style
Now, when we say, “little details,” we really mean “the fun stuff.” Once you get the big things out of the way, you can spend time picking out the decor that makes your heart happy. Are you looking for a summer vibe? Try out some bright or patterned linens. Need something a bit more classic? You can’t go wrong with an elegant table setting.
The type of decor you’ll need all depends on your personal style and the vibe you want your party to give off. You’d be surprised how big of a difference the right seating, lighting, centerpiece, and more can make to your overall vibe.
Feeling overwhelmed? Ask an expert. Rental Companies like Alpine Events can help narrow down your search so you can find the right pieces without the headache. Still, if you want to define your own style, be sure to follow these tips:
- Don’t be afraid of color or patterns. They can make even a dull area pop.
- Try out different lighting. It can totally change the feel of your space.
- Ask for a second opinion. If you have an event planner, friend, or a coworker who’s helping you plan, drag them over to look at your set up. They might find a little detail that you missed.
- Embrace the season! Flowers, woven decor, and other summer-inspired pieces can bring a warm atmosphere, even on a chilly day.
- Think about the time of day. Will your party span all day long? Then make sure your decor looks great during the day and when the sun goes down.
There are a million other ways to make your event your own. Don’t be afraid to look online to see what other people are doing. If you’re not sure where to start, pick a theme, search on social media, and then save your favorite photos!
Other Ways to Get Creative
Just because the event industry is changing doesn’t mean events and parties will have to sacrifice style. In fact, these changes allow for more creativity.
We’ve talked about the fine details, but there are some larger pieces that can make your event sing. Try ideas like choosing different head table styles for a big bridal party, upgrading chairs to add a rustic element in your design or including specialty linens to really bring the focus to areas like a head table, cake table, or your cocktail tables.
While we’re talking about big changes, let’s not forget the biggest one of all: the outdoors. Like we mentioned earlier, outdoor events can be a huge hit if you pull them off right. Plus, these venues could be more widely available than indoor ones.
You should also remember that you want your guests to be comfortable. Outdoor venues can give them the space they need to maintain a safe social distance from each other. That way they can party and feel comfortable all at once.
So, what are we saying? Think outside the four walls and go look around you. Your perfect venue might be waiting right outside your door.
A Personalized Event
Like we were saying, most of the time, events are held in a relatively large venue somewhere, and that means the building is set up for a crowd. Now, when people host events, a lot of them are being held outside their homes so their guests can keep a safe distance from each other.
That presents both a problem and an opportunity. You can change up any outdoor space to feel like a dream event with the right accents, even if it’s not a traditional venue. Try stringing market lighting from one area to another to create a natural event flow. That way your guests will know where they should and shouldn’t be going.
You can also draw attention to certain areas in your space by accenting them with fabric draping or dramatic table settings. A candelabra on a table and some accompanying centerpieces can transform any backyard into somewhere magical.
Make a Memorable Event
Plans change, but the experience doesn’t have to. Events will pick back up again, when the time is right. Until then, there are several ways to celebrate the special occasion in your life.
Drive-by parties are the latest trend. Who says you can’t party while staying socially distant? Decorate a fun sign and hop in the car to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and more.
Some couples have been looking towards more intimate wedding settings during social isolation. They’ve been celebrating in their homes or on Zoom to tie the knot right then and there. After that, they’re postponing their dream celebrations and receptions until we’re all out and about again.
We want your next event to be memorable and worth the wait. So, if you haven’t started already, put on your thinking cap and start brainstorming. The event of your dreams could be right around the corner. When the time comes to properly celebrate and say good-bye to Zoom parties, Alpine Events will be there to assist with all your planning needs.
For more information about Alpine Events, go to alpineevents.com.
Alpine Events is owned and operated by Carey Bisonet, a proud resident of Ada where he and his wife, Meghan raise their four girls.
Alpine Events has been serving West Michigan for over 30 years. The team has extensive experience with special event rentals, vendor coordination, planning and execution, set up, and logistics. They’re excited to work with you to make your event absolutely magical.
