5 Ways to Design Summer Events That Feel Seasonal Without Being Predictable
We don’t know about you, but we’re happy to bid Jack Frost adieu. NYC’s most recent winter was the coldest and snowiest in a decade. In celebration, we’re burning our ugly Christmas sweaters, shredding our trench coats, and planning a summer celebration bash.
Summer events in NYC have to be as exceptional as our recent winter weather, but for all the right reasons. In this article, we share ways you can plan a summer event that feels fresh without the tropes.
1. Tap Into Summer Energy
Begin planning your summer event in NYC by defining how you want your guests to feel. People will remember your event for the emotions it evokes. Summertime in NYC can evoke emotions such as joy, excitement, relaxation, and passion. Your event will feel like summer in New York when you inspire one or more of these emotions.
2. Choose Colors & Decor That Scream “Summer in the City”
Too many event planners reach for palm leaves and cabanas when they plan summer parties. Instead, embrace elements that remind your guests why NYC is the best city in the world to spend their summers.
Opt for urban palettes and materials, such as gray, concrete, and steel. Then insert pops of color that mimic the city. Lush greens, sky blues, and floral hues echo Central Park and other urban gardens.
3. Use Light in a Way That Guests Will Reach for the Sunblock
Nobody, and we mean nobody, likes cheap LED lights. Yet, in the throes of a snow-swept January, LED lights are the only thing keeping us from using our phone’s flashlight to navigate our offices at high noon. So, when summer finally hits, your guests want lighting that doesn’t make them look like a sick Victorian child.
First, maximize natural light by choosing a venue that is either outdoors or is blessed with divinely large windows. Next, opt for artificial lighting that mimics the soft and diffused look of natural lighting. Use lanterns or flameless candles that throw off soft light and dancing shadows. Finally, use high-quality LED lights designed to look natural.
4. Embrace Subtlety with Your Event Designs
Your summer theme should be a backdrop, not the main attraction. If your band is playing “Walking on Sunshine” or “Summer of ’69,” you’re trying way too hard. Instead, dial it down, and ensure your brand’s message is louder than your theme.
5. Design for Traffic Flow With Movement in Mind
True New Yorkers will brave the frigid, icy streets of Manhattan in Jimmy Choos and a halter top, with nothing to betray the season than a thrifted, faux-fur pillbox hat. But even legit Gothamites will hole themselves up in their apartments, sipping Lavender tea under layers of blankets and fuzzy socks when the weather turns especially devilish. When summer arrives, they’re ready to break free.
Design your summer event with movement in mind. Include several activations and space them so your guests can move from one to the next. Have more than one bar and food station, with each one featuring different offerings. As much as possible, include outdoor spaces NYC is known for, such as rooftops and patios.
Get More Fresh Ideas for Summer Events at The Event Planner Expo
Summer is around the corner, and we couldn’t be happier. We’re excited about outdoor markets, movies in Bryant Park, and rooftop dining. Make your summer event in NYC a celebration of summertime energy without the tropes by using these tips.
Make your event planning better for every season when you attend The Event Planner Expo. With three days of exhibitions, presentations, and activities, you’ll be so fired up that you won’t notice the cold next winter. Buy your tickets today.
