10 Hot Party Trends For 2017
I know, you are still trying to remember to date everything 2017 but it’s time to start thinking about this year’s parties! A new year means a new set of hot party trends, although some are still going strong from last year. Here are the 10 I believe will be making serious waves…
Technology
From event hashtags and digital photo booths, to live-streaming events and mobile event apps, technology is ruling the event scene! From weddings to bar and bat mitzvahs and everything in between, it’s all about getting more interaction and social sharing. Set up a clever photo booth with your brand hashtag like this from Biz Bash. Can you imagine how awesome your party would be using an app like Crowd Mics to turn everyone’s cellphone into a microphone…the karaoke alone is priceless!
Anything with PANTONE Color of the Year
With Greenery deemed Color of the Year, it is a guarantee to be all over events this year, especially weddings. Rafanelli Events create an amazing spread literally using greenery.
Statement Balloons
Back in 2015, we made an awesome balloon arch and the trend has not slowed down! You can’t throw a rock and not hit a balloon garland. Now, it’s all about script balloons and spelling out words and phrases…you can find them everywhere and I love it! Remember I used a script balloon for our New Year’s Eve party backdrop? I found it at Target, but there are lots of online retailers that carry them and letter balloons. Creating a fabulous party backdrop or photo op area like this one from Balloon Corporate Events makes a statement, indeed.
Brunch
It is making a serious comeback and the perfect way to start a late morning! I’ve been hosting them for years, but with schedules becoming more packed to the brim, brunch is the right party time to avoid conflicts with church, sporting events, evening parties and the million of other things people do on the weekend. Plus, having a mimosa or Bloody Mary bar? Any excuse to use gorgeous decanters like this spread from Lavin Label is number one in my book.
New Movie Releases
There are a slew of new movies and sequels storming 2017. Super heroes will dominate with Power Rangers and Spider Man reboots, sequels with Thor and Star Wars and of course, WONDER WOMAN! to Baywatch and Jumanji (Dwayne Johnson rules!), another Pirates of the Caribbean and the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast, parties celebrating new movies release will be all the rage. Right now, I’m working on a The LEGO Batman Movie party…
Unique Themes
On the other end of the spectrum as a complete contraction, unique themes will still dominate. Moving away from classic, character driven parties, kid party themes are centering around their interests like sports, dance or baking. Pun parties are especially hot, like a spaced themed Two the Moon, a One-Deer-Ful woodland themed and You’re One In A Melon from Tell Love and Party. Some people groan…I love me a good pun…you are talking to a woman who did a Hoggy Holidays party!
Local fare
Interest in knowing where our food comes from is causing a substantial rise in sustainable catering and decor using locally sourced and organic products. Minimizing waste and carbon footprints are always in vogue. From using vegetables and plants as centerpieces, runners (like this table featured from Claire Dobson Photography on Grey Likes Weddings), to menus filled with seasonal fare and leading to our next trend, multi-flavored twists on classic cocktails highlighting organic fruits and herbs.
Modern classic cocktails
Like Craft + Cocktail’s Elderflower Spanish Gin & Tonics, a twist on gin and tonic using elderflower tonic and fresh grapefruit, making modern classics is on the rise from home bars to weddings. Using infused vodkas and syrups, swapping fruit and veggie ingredients (cucumber margarita anyone?) and new techniques like freezing juice for ice cubes is filling the classic cocktail scene with limitless options.
Grazing platters
You know about charcuterie trays and cheese platters; the grazing platter takes it to the next level. West Elm teaches you how to feed a crowd and stay out of the kitchen. See it in gorgeous action for Miss Kyree Loves’ baby shower…I so need to do this at my next get-together.
Lettering
I am obsessed with lettering…last year, it was all about calligraphy. This year, lettering with brush, pen, and even Crayola markers (like this from Behance gallery user Ihsan Almarshus) is super hot! Remember my friend Colleen of Lemon Thistle lettered my party signage for our holiday party? With less tools, prep work and more flexibility, it will rule 2017.
Are there any hot party trends you can’t wait to try this year?
