Even if you have experience planning events, organizing a black-tie event requires a slightly different approach. A more formal occasion which typically takes place in the evening, black-tie events can be awards ceremonies, milestone birthdays, weddings, or even dinner parties.
If you’re in charge of organizing a black-tie event but aren’t sure how to go about it, the guide below is just what you need. Read on to discover everything you need to know about planning a black-tie event, including how to choose the perfect venue and what type of décor to decorate it with.
Table of Contents
Choose the date and the venue
When choosing a suitable date and venue for your black-tie event, you need to think about who you’re planning to invite and what kind of ambiance you want to create. As a general rule, you’ll want to give people as much notice as possible so that they have time to find an outfit, organize childcare, etc.
For the venue, you need to consider both the location and the ambiance. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to select a more affordable venue and then bring it to life with your own choice of décor.
Set a budget (and stick to it)
As briefly mentioned above, your budget will determine where you can hold your event and many other crucial elements such as your choice of party catering services and entertainment. When setting your budget, make sure that you factor in everything that you need for your event, as well as a little bit extra for any additional expenses that may arise unexpectedly.
Consider the décor
As you are throwing a black-tie event, you can expect your guests to be dressed in formal attire, which means that this needs to be reflected in your choice of décor. Ideally, you’ll want to create a luxurious and elegant-looking space that makes your guests feel special.
There are lots of techniques that you can use to make a venue look more luxurious, including layered lighting and using materials with different textures such as silk, satin, and linen.
Pick a caterer
When it comes to food at a black-tie event, the obvious choice is a seated 3-course meal. However, there is no reason why you can’t have a more relaxed dining experience at your black-tie event if that is what you think your guests will like.
Make sure you choose a catering company that understands what you want to achieve and who can see your vision for your event.
Add some personality
Just because you are organizing a more formal event, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little fun and add some personality to proceedings. Try to think about what little touches you could add to make your event more memorable, such as a signature cocktail or personalized goodie bags.
When you start to think about it, practically every element of an event can be customized with a little bit of time and effort.
