Everyone loves the glamour of a red carpet event, but what if your budget is more bargain basement than high-end designer? Don't worry, it's still perfectly possible to put on a memorable occasion with a little careful thought and planning!
Think creatively about venues
Don't pay for an expensive venue when you can be creative. A lot of pubs and bars will let you book their function room for free if you bring enough guests to prop up a bar, or you could put a marquee in someone's back garden to provide a ready party space without the expensive venue fee. Think outside the box and ask around. An industrial space with parking can even be a great place to put on a party and creatively dress the room for the night for an industrial glamour vibe that will be photo-ready for all those social media selfies!
Get the staging right
You can easily create the effect of night time glamour with the right staging. Choose sparkly banners, disco balls, glitter-filled balloons and sparkling backdrops to create a sense of Hollywood red-carpet glamour, but without huge expense. You could easily add a stretch of red carpet, too, for an authentic finish and to protect heels, especially if you go for a marquee. If you dress the space yourself and get some friends to help, even large expanses of tulle and black cloth can create a sense of drama and style.
Opt for finger foods
A great way to keep to your budget is to avoid sit-down catering altogether and opt for finger foods. You can also choose a themed menu that won't be too expensive. For example, American themed finger food can be as simple as French fries, mac 'n cheese and pizza slices, with crudites, chips and dips. Add some pulled pork mini rolls into the mix and you've got a delicious but low-cost catering menu that will delight your guests. Avoid expensive dishes that rely on meat, fish or premium ingredients. Carbs are delicious, filling and low-cost!
Add some fun extras
A glamorous event is a great excuse for some fun! Why not add some naked butlers into your service mix, or some exotic belly dancers to get the entertainment going? Your guests will love it, and these types of entertainment needn't break the bank either, especially if you just hire them for a section of the night. Add photo props and booths, too, to get everyone snapping and posing, or hire an 'official celebrity' photographer for the night.
Think about the dress code
Get your guests to bring the glamour with their outfits. This is easy to do if you have a black tie or ballgown dress code, or choose a Hollywood theme or something similarly fun. Add some influencer glam by opting for a TOWIE themed night, or ask everyone to wear something with sequins. It needn't be expensive. If you don't want to put your guests out, you could do a 'pre-loved and vintage' glamour night where everyone has to recycle things in their wardrobe.
With a bit of creativity, you can create a fantastic red-carpet inspired event that everyone will remember, without breaking the bank in the process.
Comentários