Party Planning 101: Melissa Andre knows how to impress
her guests; here are some of her tips and tricks on how to
make a party unforgettable.
1) Fabulous Floors: “I feel like flooring really gets ignored…
I love incorporating custom floor graphics for an
unexpected design element,” says Andre. Anyone can toss
around a few rose petals or light some candles, “but I feel
like you can really transform a space by adding
elements that people don’t generally pay attention to.”
2) Food for thought: Andre says food is one of the most
important elements at a party. Create a menu by looking at
your audience and finding a common trait. When
planning a party for NHL player Mikhail Grabovski,
Andre opted for a Russian themed menu to adhere to
Grabovski’s background and guest list. “We even gifted the
guests with miniature bottles of different types of vodka.”
3) Surprise and personalize: “Always surprise your guests
with elements and details that they wouldn’t see at anyone
else’s party,” says Andre. She designed a party for Michael
Cammalleri of the Calgary Flames, where each guest was
gifted a Christian Lacroix journal with a personalized
message from the hosts inside. Custom items for each guest
are bound to make an event memorable.
4) Impress your guests: “Make sure that you are really
thinking about your guests,” says Andre. “I often see people
planning their own events to accommodate themselves,
not thinking about their guests’ experiences.” Avoid selfish
planning by keeping people’s dietary restrictions in mind
and carefully devising a seating chart. Making sure guests
are comfortable is key.
Melissa Andre Events
Celebrate Beautifully
melissaandre.com