More than 8,000 innovative and inspiring events were uploaded to PartySlate in 2019 — and we looked at every single one. All we can say is wow. We’re stunned by the variety of visions, locales, and ways these parties have been personalized. We agonized over the beautiful bounty of choices. Alas, here they are in all of their creative glory: our 24 favorite celebrations of 2019 (because we couldn’t possibly pick just 20).
Weddings
Igloo I Do
What do trendy pampas grass, a futuristic geometric igloo, and magical floating lights have in common? This wedding. We can’t get enough of how this totally unique celebration upends our expectations with its surprisingly muted palette and glamorous desert vibe.
photographer: Ana Hinojosa; Sergio Sandoná photography | event planner: Mindy Weiss Party Consultants | design: House of Kirschner | venue: Montage Los Cabos | paper products: Julie Song | videographer: Aaron Novak Films | entertainment: DJ Vikas Sapra; Giselle World; Mala Rumba; Isabella Roldan; Gram Musik; Salon Acapulco
Marital Mirage
The sunset and the setting played award-winning supporting roles in this celebrity wedding — with DJ Tiesto marrying love Annika Backes. Sunset-inspired florals, creative lighting illuminating desert dunes, and mirrored arches playing hide-and-seek with the arid desert landscape are just a few of the many inspired details we can’t stop talking about.
photographer: Dennis Kwan Photography | event planner & design: Colin Cowie Lifestyle | venue: Amangiri
Fantasy in Fall Foliage
This perfectly round ceremonial space juxtaposes against the jagged Malibu mountains to beautiful effect at this fall wedding. Click to see the fine-feathered invitations, the perfect-pampas arch, and a chic vintage car-turned-photo-spot with its engine overflowing with russet and ivory florals.
photographer: Duke Images | event planner: Tricia Smith Brown | floral & design: Avant Gardens | venue: Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards | rental: Bright Event Rental | rental: Lux Lounge EFR | linen: La Tavola Fine Linen | dance floor: Laced Vinyl Shoppe | dinnerware: Casa De Perrin: Lighting & Sound: 3D Sounds | videographer: Amor In Motion | DJ: DJ R’tistic | entertainment: Synchro Swimmers | cake: Dress My Cake
Sunrise at Sunset
As refined and muted as the first three weddings profiled were, this one is a riot of color and bright florals — a vibrant, visual delight. String lights against an evening sky illuminate this deeply-hued celebration, where nature serves up inspiration. Sunrise-inspired blooms in deep red, pale yellow, and peach hues coordinate with yellow lemons and purple grapes for a fresh take on décor.
photographer: Katie Beverley | planner: Best Bride | floral & design: Butterfly Floral & Event Design | venue: Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Bohemian Beauty
From the whimsy of forest-set nuptials (that guests enjoyed from chic cozy couches) to the watercolor-inspired floral-draped ceiling, this wedding celebration was a bohemian paradise. We love how modern and romantic styles mixed and mingled with a mirror-arched dance floor surrounded by soft blooms in an ombré of pastel hues.
photographer: Rachel Bush | event planner: Evoke Design & Creative | event producer: Syzygy | floral: Exquisite Events and Floral Design | venue: The Goldfish Barn Event Center | caterer: Hempen Hill | cake + desserts: Lara Halabi | linens: Nuage Designs | stage + sound: All Stage & Sound | cocktail hour band: Surprise Attack | entertainment: Carbone Entertainment | DJ: Ryan Kersey | digital lighting: Vinny DiGiorgio | tent: Aisha Malik | henna: Bhavna Nalik | videographer: Brook Bush | transportation: Premier International Transportation
Alabaster Affair
Guests went from the dreamy garden feel of this couple’s vows, infused with verdant greenery, to the opulence of a floral-forward reception. Ivory and soft pink blooms played against a stunning ceiling installation, with gray and lavender blooms punctuated by shiny silver orbs — creating a magical vision. Bonus: See how many spots you can find this couple’s cool custom crest.
photographer: Christian Oth Studio | event planner: Sara Renee Events | florals: Tantawan Bloom | décor: SWAG DECOR, a Rose Brand Company | venue: The Breakers Palm Beach | linens: Nuage Designs | stationery: Ceci New York | reception entertainment: Carlos Vives
Free-Spirited Musical Extravaganza
New Orleans — known for its epic music-driven celebrations — was the perfect setting for the celebrity wedding of Glee star Darren Criss to longtime love Mia Swier. Their southern-set vows under dripping Spanish moss transformed into an “opium den” inspired cocktail reception, then into a 3-hour concert featuring the couple and their talented friends. It’s a must-see celebration.
photography: katie edwards photography | Wedding Planning And Design Kristin Banta Events | venue: New Orleans Museum of Art | rentals: Archive Rentals
Garden-Set Romance
This wedding is all about the details — from the garden-set wooden aisle to the mini florals at each place setting and the In-N-Out burgers for hungry late-nighters. We adore the opulent dual arches at the ceremony and how they lead the eye to the floral-draped chuppah.
photographer: Callaway Gable | event planner: Alyson Fox, Levine Fox Events | floral: Marks Garden | floral: Nancy Kaye | design: Revelry Event Designers | venue: Four Seasons Westlake | rental: Casa De Perrin | rental: Town & Country Rentals | lighting: Images By Lighting | linen: La Tavola Fine Linen | linenResource One | DJ: Big Syphe | print & invitation: Lehr & Black | dessert: The Butter End Cakery | entertainment: West Coast Music
Dreamy Destination
From the half-pampas grass, half-greenery-adorned ceremonial arch framing the ocean, to the overlapping-rug aisle, there are so many elements of this Mexico-set wedding that we can’t stop talking about. The reception wowed with more nature-driven details like grass-woven chandeliers and chargers and pops of hot pink blooms.
photographer: Chris and Ruth Photography | planning & design: Gianna SanFillippo | florals: Maria Limon | venue: Nest Tulum | rentals: Archive Rentals
Emerald Elegance
Emerald-inspired lucite chandeliers sparkle over a gleaming green-and-gold custom dance floor to dreamy effect at this intimate, extravagant celebration. We adore how every detail from the modern cake to the marbled chargers carry shades of the vibrant hue for a surprisingly elegant effect.
photographer: Clane Gessel Photography | event planner: Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants | design/décor/floral: Design House Decor | venue: The Plaza New York | entertainment: DJ Suhel | rentals: Luxe Event Rentals | stationary: Emily Kathryn Paper
Bar & Bat Mitzvah Celebrations
The Party at the End of the Rainbow
This rainbow-hued Bat Mitzvah celebration conjured vivid ROYGBIV fun. Every vibrant, colorful design detail popped against the clear tent and white flooring — with rainbow fringe tassels, clouds of brightly-hued balloons, and colorful blooms creating a stunning, dreamy vision.
photographer: Tripp Street Studio | event planner, branding, & swag: M.Studio Events | décor: Diana Gould Ltd | caterer: Pinch Food Design | venue: private residence | tent: New York Tent | invitations: Alpine Creative Group | entertainment: Total Entertainment | videography & montage: Kornfeld Studios
Glamour & Basketball Team Up
Coral and blush is always a chic combo — but add gold and basketball-themed elements, and you get one unique Bat Mitzvah celebration for a sports-loving girl. Cheerleaders and a custom ball-court dance floor furthered the sporty theme while coral and orange treats at the candy station and ombré florals added a healthy dose of glamour.
photographer: Armen Asadorian Photography | design & production: Aliana Events | florist: Celio’s Design | catering: La Gandola Catering | stage-craft & music: LIV Entertainment Group | rentals: MTB | linens: La Tavola Fine Linen
This Party is Our Happy Place
This Bat Mitzvah celebration was inspired by Happy Place — a roaming combination art installation and photo op that surrounds participants with all things happy-making. This blissful bash immersed partygoers in experiential sets and bright imagery that stretched from the entrance to creative tabletops.
photographer: Cliq Creative Photography | planner: AAvents | event design: Rockpaper Events Inc | venue: The Warehouse Event Venue | settings: Splendid settings | entertainment: Magen Boys Entertainment
Corporate Events
Traveling Tea Party
This Tazo tea product launch was designed to encompass four regions of America — Northeast, Southwest, Midwest, and the Rocky Mountains. Lush florals, neon lucite cacti, a modern picket fence, and hundreds of suspended lemons created a unique celebration that took guests on an American adventure.
photographer: Carols Jerez| event planner, designer & florals: Patrick J Clayton Productions | venue: 24th Street Loft | drape: Drape Kings | Lighting: ProSho | rentals: Taylor Creative Inc. | rentals: Broadway Party Rentals | caterer: Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Branded Beauty Bash
Kiehls’ feel-good skincare line hosted this beautifully branded celebration featuring an oversized CalenduLAB cleanser bottle spilling a burst of glorious orange blooms. The event featured a series of fun photo spots including an upright bed symbolizing the product’s “softening and soothing” qualities.
photographer & venue: Union West | event planner, design, & production: David Stark Design and Production
Colorful Corporate Celebration
This “Work Hard, Play Hard” party utilized bursts of bright color and oversized interactive games to wow and engage guests. We love how inspirational messages and cool installations, like upended and suspended ice cream cones, are displayed in a rainbow of hues.
photographer: Villa Visuals | planning, catering + bar: 24 Carrots Catering and Events | floral design: Shawna Yamamoto | venue: AV Irvine | decorative lighting: Revelry Event Designers | intelligent light + halo booth: N-Effect Productions | reception seating: Theoni Collection | lounge furniture: Found Rentals | glassware: Sig Party Rentals | linens: La Tavola Fine Linen | linens & atelier: BBJ Linen | videographer: Villa Visuals | graphics & branding: Album Agency | performance
Gala & Fundraising Events
Color-Blocked Whimsy
With its bare Edison bulbs hanging from its clear tent ceiling and multi-colored table dressings, this gala looked as if a rainbow landed in California. We can’t get enough of the giant colorful heart décor and how even the chairs support the vibrant theming.
Photographer: Show Ready Photo | planner, décor & rentals: Blueprint Studios – Rental | venue: Stanford Red Barn: catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events | lighting: Got Light
Magical Mash-Up
This gala seems to have sprung straight out of wonderland, with its mix of gilded birdcages and columns covered in vines, long winding tables, and disco-inspired centerpieces. Each table was created by a different team yet every fun little detail worked together to create a memorable — and meaningful — celebration.
photography: Wilo Rosado | décor/design/floral: Akua | venue: Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino | lighting: Music Factory, Inc | rentals: The Lounge Design Events Furniture Rental | videographer: The Film Writer
Purpose-Driven Party
This fundraising gala for the Robin Hood Foundation focused on education with larger-than-life elements typically found in schools. Guests were greeted with a 13′ tall school-desk-inspired chair and walked past 5,000 colorful donated backpacks lining the hall, before encountering an oversized calculator and abacus.
photographer: Susie Montagna | creative design: David Stark Design and Production | technical producer: Nimblist | set design: Theatrical Resources | venue: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center | fabrication: George Czinkota | fabrication: ATOMIC | rentals: All Access Staging and Productions
Birthday Bashes
Valentines & Birthday Candles
This party celebrated two joyful occasions: Valentine’s Day and a 75th birthday. Rose-gold, pink, and red accents brought drama to the clear-tented space with a beautiful balloon installation and a lush floral wall.
photography: Joseph West Photography | lighting: Bright Star Productions | entertainment: Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production
Whimsy & Wonder
A mysterious and magical party celebrated a special one-year-old with a custom playing-card-printed dance floor, dramatic black-and-white striped table linen, and bright blue draping with floating bubble projections. We love how the whimsy extended to mini desserts presented in tiny glass cloches.
venue: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago | lighting: Frost Chicago | entertainment: Élan Artists | invites: Smitten Boutique | cake: Amy Beck Cake Design
Social Soirées
Fashionable Fête
It’s fitting that a celebration honoring the start of spring so beautifully displays nature’s bounty. The tables for this three-course meal were set with an ombré of fresh blooms which guests enjoyed from luxurious pastel velvet seating.
photography: The Wedding Artists Co | Planning & Event Design: 42 North | floral: Lillibet | furniture: Patina Rentals | table top: borrowed BLU | catering: Nuhma NYC | gifts: Vessel Brooklyn | paper: Paperweight
Rustic Elegance
We are awed by how this centerpiece seems to organically rise from the table as if planted and blooming. Colorful cozy blankets showed extra consideration for every lucky guest at this dinner party.
photographer: Jenny Quicksall Photography | event planner, design & décor: Percy Sales Events | floral: Jaime Sanchez | dinner venue: Sunstone Vineyard and Winery | dessert venue: Santa Ynez Inn | cocktail venue: The Landsby | caterer: Good Gracious! Events | dessert: The Sugar Philosophers | bar: Flair Project | rental: The Tent Merchant | lighting: SPARK Creative Events | Linen: Luxe Linen | DJ: DJ Señor Amor | videography: Luxury Lifestyle Studios LLC | music soloist: The Replicas Music | calligraphy: Brown And Co Designs
Contemporary Cocktails
Glamorous shades of pink and green are mixed and mingled to stylish effect at this trendy cocktail party. We love the richly-hued linen, the delicate rose-colored candles, and how even the cocktails continue the tonal vibe.
photographer: Brett Hickman Photo | production + catering: 24 Carrots Catering and Events | floral design: Oak and the Owl | venue: Franciscan Gardens | furniture + lounge: Found Rentals | tabletop rentals: borrowed BLU | linen: La Tavola Fine Linen | lighting: Premier Lighting and Production | entertainment: Elevated Pulse Productions – California | videography: Villa Visuals | calligraphy: Project Watermark | laser cut details: Delovely Details, Inc.