Old school moodboards had their moment, but today’s events demand more than just a pretty collage of inspo pics. Enter the vibe deck. A tool that goes beyond aesthetics to fully immerse your client in the energy, feeling, and flow of their future event.
NYC’s sharpest planners are building vibe decks to communicate not just color palettes and table linens, but motion, sound, scent, and texture. It’s like showing your client a trailer for their event and not just the highlight reel.
Moodboards Are Flat. Events Aren’t
Moodboards worked when style ruled, but now experience is everything. Clients want to know what their event feels like rather than just what it looks like. And a grid of Pinterest images doesn’t cut it.
A vibe deck tells a story. It’s emotional. It’s immersive. And it helps clients buy into your creative vision faster.
What Makes a Vibe Deck Work?
It’s Multi-Sensory
You’re not just building a color story, you’re evoking a mood. Vibe decks can include:
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- Motion clips to show lighting design and movement
- Sound bites to preview playlists or ambiance
- Texture cues (velvet, linen, neon) via photography
- Scent inspiration (think smoky candles, citrus spritz, fresh florals)
It’s Interactive
Vibe decks aren’t something you show. They’re something you share. Use digital tools that let clients click, tap, and swipe through the experience. Think Notion, Canva presentations, or interactive PDFs.
It Builds Buy-In
When a client emotionally connects with a vibe deck, they’re more likely to say yes to bold creative ideas. These decks set the tone early and reduce back and forth movement.
What to Include in Your Vibe Deck
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Color Palette with Context
Show how the palette shifts across lighting, time of day, and materials. Not just a static hex code.
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Sound Samples
Think curated playlists, soundscapes, or even voiceover-style intros to set the energy.
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Movement & Motion
Include short video clips or gifs that convey how people will feel in the space as they dance, mingle, and walk through the moments.
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Tactile Cues
High resolution close-ups of fabrics, surfaces, or florals that translate texture into imagery.
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Scent Suggestions
Describe or show the scent experience from the welcome candle to the signature bathroom spray.
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Anchor Images
Instead of generic inspo, use key visuals that ground the entire event concept. One per major moment. The entrance, ceremony, dinner, and the party.
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Callout Quotes
Drop in the client’s own words or brand language to keep the vision aligned.
Real Talk from the Field
There’s a reason vibe decks are replacing moodboards across the NYC planning scene. They go deeper. Instead of showing a flat visual style, planners can convey the full atmosphere, including lighting, music, emotion, and movement. That emotional storytelling hooks clients faster and creates stronger alignment early. With a vibe deck, you’re not just getting a yes, you’re getting a full creative trust. And that makes the entire production smoother, from concept to showtime. Picture pitching a rooftop wedding not just with images of string lights, but with a video of guests dancing under the skyline, a soft jazz track playing underneath, and swatches of velvet and candlelight textures, all embedded in a single deck. That is the kind of vibe that sticks.
Ready to Show Off Your Vision?
If your work deserves more than a moodboard, it’s time to put it in front of NYC’s top event pros. The Event Planner Expo 2025 is where creative planners meet high-profile clients, vendors, and brands hungry for bold and immersive design.
Exhibit your vibe. Own your niche. And let the hundreds of corporate decision-makers see what you’re really made of. Reserve your booth at the Metropolitan Pavilion with us today, while there’s still space available!
