Take it from someone who has planned a lavish last minute New Year’s Eve bash for a pop star, all it takes is some ingenuity, the right caterer and a whole lot of hustle to create a magical night for your guests.
As an estate manager in Los Angeles I have worked with many a celebrity, and what’s hot right now is customized experiences that are personal, imaginative and original. You don’t need a million dollars to throw a chic shindig, just a little bit of creativity, fabulous food and a cork to pop at midnight. I’m going to share some of my top tips and favorite Los Angeles resources to create a night to remember and to ring in 2016 in style.
1. If you have the budget for a caterer it will not only free you up to mingle with guests, it will take away all that pre-party prep of shopping, cooking, storing and stressing. A few of my favorite L.A. caterers that always bring exquisite cuisine to the table include Choux Choux and L.A. Spice Catering. Additionally, Two Peas Inc. provides a drop-off option if you are serving hors d’oeuvres and would like everything ready to roll when your guests arrive.
2. Choose a signature cocktail to serve before midnight. I like something simple and festive like a pomegranate martini. Wait until midnight to pop that symbolic cork and to serve up the best champagne you can afford. If you want to hire a bartender, I use Black Lab, an eco-friendly mixology catering company, they create seasonal and custom cocktails that will have your guests swooning.
3. Create something personal for each guest. For New Year’s Eve I would create a small chic gift bag with symbolic tokens for the upcoming year; gold coins to represent prosperity, fortunes you can print out on your own with intentions or wishes for the year and gourmet chocolates for a bit of sweet in 2016.
4. For a festive ambiance, you can never go wrong with candles, and then more candles. Use glitzy party hats and gold and white balloons to add a celebratory element.
And, a party just isn’t a party without music. Whether you like jazz or hip-hop or classics like Tony Bennett, make sure you can hear music throughout the house, it sets the tone for the whole event.
I have planned hundreds of events for all types of parties and all types of people, and the one common thread for a successful event is good food, good drinks and good friends. With a little bit of thought and whole lot of heart, you can create a magical New Year’s Eve for your friends and family. Bryan Peele is an estate manager extraordinaire, man about town and the founder and president of the Estate Managers Coalition, a non-profit organization that manages the lives and estates of A-listers worldwide.
Representing America’s most powerful families and ultra-high-net-worth- individuals, EMC members understand how to impeccably manage the homes and lifestyles of the 1%, and they set the standards throughout the industry. As a connoisseur of all things luxury, Mr. Peele is a sought-after speaker and collaborates with deluxe brands and products that value his knowledge regarding how ultra-high-net-worth-individuals wish to spend their disposable income. As the industry trailblazer, Mr. Peele has also created a global consultancy that provides concierge staffing and consulting services for A-listers worldwide from pops stars and billionaires to movie moguls and celebrities.
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