Guest Post: Emma from What a Night Events
Thinking of planning a vintage-inspired party? Emma from Sydney-based events company, What a Night Events, shares her top tips for getting it right:
MOODBOARD: There’s so much inspiration out there these days that sometimes it is easy to be overwhelmed. If you go into decoration overload, you may end up with an event that doesn’t even make sense! Make sure you know what look you’re trying to create by either printing, or using the computer to put together pictures of things you would love to have at your event. It is much easier to see if everything works together when it is placed side by side, and you’re avoiding wasting money and time on decorations you won’t end up using.
SOMETIMES IT’S OK TO SAY NO TO PINTEREST: If you’re an avid Pinterest fan like myself, it is easy to get carried away and want to include everything vintage you pin. Always remember that the images you see come from events where those decorations were appropriate. Utilise Pinterest to get pictures to create your mood board, but sometimes, it is OK to not include something you saw and loved, just save it for your next event!
DECORATION STARTS IN THE HOME: Before purchasing decorations, what do you already have at home that you could use? Very popular vintage decorations are old glass bottles and jars, which many people have in their homes already. If having an afternoon tea event, do you already have vintage tea cups and tea pots lying around? Don’t buy anything until you are sure of what you need.
HOP TO AN OP SHOP: We are really lucky in Sydney to have opportunity shops (known as op shops here) in almost every suburb. These stores provide a wealth of vintage decoration opportunity. Need some vintage tea cups? Look no further. How about a pretty table cloth? Your local Vinnies/Salvos/Red Cross has probably got something that you could use. At a fraction of the cost you’d pay in a department store, it’s a great place to start and as a bonus, you’re helping out charities by purchasing from them. Therefore, you get an awesomely decorated event AND a warm and fuzzy feeling from helping a charity.
DIY: Thanks to the internet, doing it yourself has never been easier! Think free printables and DIY tutorials. Print some lovely vintage botanical prints and stick them around the place. Download some super pretty free fonts and make your own vintage look invitations. The opportunities are endless, and this way, you’re saving a tonne of money and reaping in the compliments when people tell you how awesome your vintage-inspired event was.
HAVE FUN: At the end of the day, it’s important to have fun at your own event, so try not to stress too much! Pour yourself another mason jar cocktail and party the night away.
Don't forget to 'like' What a Night Events on Facebook for more awesome advice, DIY ideas, and beautiful pictures from Emma. You can head on over to her blog too - it's filled with the tips and tricks you just can't do without.