SA’s best event planners reveal their top tips for the perfect party at home
SA’s best event planners reveal the secrets behind their favourite projects and share their top tips to help you throw the perfect party at home.
Lifestyle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Looking to throw a big bash to celebrate a special birthday, milestone or anniversary but not sure how to go about it? Hiring a professional could be the answer.
Louise Antoniadis, from Adelaide event planning business Spoggies Nest, said the right party planner can help “bring your vision to life”.
“We invest endless hours getting to know our clients personally to ensure their event represents their personality and style,” she said.
The Stylist’s Guide Alyse Vozzo said it’s about giving people “complete peace of mind” on their big day.
“They’ll be there to sort out any issues that may arise throughout the process, and will ensure all of the little details are covered to leave your guests’ jaws on the ground when they walk into the room,” she said.
And what makes the perfect party? We’ve asked SA’s best event planners about their favourite projects and their top tips for throwing an entertaining soiree at home.
THE STYLIST’S GUIDE - ALYSE VOZZO
thestylistsguide.com.au
Instagram handle: @thestylistsguide_adl
How long have you been in the business?
Four years! When the business first started, we were operating out of our home on our kitchen table. Then we transformed a bedroom into a home office and then, finally, we moved into a studio.
How many events have you done, and what range of events do you do?
In the last four years, we have lost count of how many incredible events we have worked on. I would say it’s been over 150 for sure! Corporate events, private functions from weddings to baptisms, baby showers and first birthdays are our most popular.
What’s your specialty/focus when it comes to events?
As unforgettable memories go, our unique, fun and professional allure, the event planning, styling and management is resounding. We work with our customers’ flexibility, working with clients to either co-ordinate event suppliers or completely manage an entire event.
What makes a good event planner?
Outstanding customer service and an eye-for-detail and down-to-earth approach to all your clients’ events. Hiring an event planner gives you complete peace of mind that nothing will be forgotten or left behind for your party. They’ll be there to sort out any issues that may arise throughout the process, and will ensure all of the little details are covered to leave your guests’ jaws on the ground when they walk into the room.
Favourite project to date?
Earlier this year we were privileged to take a trip to Mount Gambier to partner with the South Australian Tourism Commission to encapsulate the true essence of SA. We also were able to create a beautiful corporate event which was professional yet so much fun for the team at the Boffo Real Estate Mid-Year Awards at SkyCity Adelaide.
What makes a great event?
Focusing on the finer details – covering everything from floral arrangements and photo moments to menus and name placings. Creating a photo opportunity is key when planning an event – not only so your guests’ photos of the day look fabulous, but it provides a talking point, and draws the eye through the space to the back of the room.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
Styling your table with pieces that are complementary, but also tell a story about who you are, brings personality and warmth to any event. Whether it’s as simple as napkins or menus, or the full works, having these elements on your table settings will elevate your event to the next level.
KEITO EVENTS - BETH RACKHAM
keito.com.au
Instagram handle: @keitoevents
How long have you been in the biz?
Keito Events has been delivering events across Adelaide and South Australia for over 13 years, established in 2008.
How many events have you done, and what range of events do you do?
In our time we’ve planned, managed and delivered over 600 events for over 200 clients. We’ve worked in many locations from a rural mine site in Roxby Downs to the Adelaide Oval footbridge.
What’s your specialty/focus when it comes to events?
We have planned just about all types of events, but our speciality are luncheons, gala balls, awards nights, outdoor community events, offsite celebrations and virtual/hybrid events. No two events we manage are the same so Keito Events uses a tailored and customised approach to each event we work on.
What makes a good event planner?
A good event planner is flexible and can handle lots of moving parts at once. They need to be creative, passionate, detailed and a clear communicator. A great event planner can keep their eye on the big picture goals of the event while also being in control of the small details which add up to make a big difference.
Favourite project to date?
It’s hard to pick one favourite, but for 2021 it would have to the ANZ Community Ball which took place in March this year and raised over $300,000 for 12 local charities.
What makes a great event?
Events should always be planned with the audience and overall goal/outcome in mind.
We believe there are three main things which make a great event:
1. Quality food and beverages (from French champagne to a fruity mocktail – guests always appreciate quality catering)
2. Unique or wow factor entertainment or content (from MCs, keynote speakers, to live music – great entertainment can make or break an event)
3. Something different, unique or a surprise. (Impactful design, a fun theme or a surprise such as a firework show to end the night – doing something a bit different and not giving everything away beforehand can make the event go from good to great)
We also think considered planning and preparation in the lead-up to the event, and post event follow-ups contribute to making the event extra special and memorable.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
Stay focused on the things that matter most to you! And if you can, outsource some elements like the catering or styling, use trusted and professional suppliers who understand your brief, that way you can relax and enjoy your event, which is the most important part.
OUT IN THE PADDOCK - RAY DAHDAH
outinthepaddock.com.au
Instagram handle: @outinthepaddock
How long you’ve been in the biz?
I’ve been in hospitality for 18 years. OITP has been operating for seven years.
How many events have you done, and what range of events do you do?
We have done over 1000 events ranging in different sizes. We do anything from a private dinner for 10 at home, to 1200 guests for a conference.
What’s your specialty/focus when it comes to events?
When I started OITP I wanted to ensure that we can make it easy for our clients. We are the only, all-inclusive events business in Adelaide, with in house catering, florals, event management and styling.
What makes a good event planner?
A good event planner’s role should be to ensure the client doesn’t have to worry about a thing, other than what to wear, hair and make-up etc
Also, as an event planner, you need to get to know your client and ensure the event you create for them, is a representation of them as a person, or to reflect their brand if it’s a corporate client.
Favourite project to date?
This is such a hard one! We are lucky to work with a range of clients from weddings and corporate to private events. I love and get attached to each event. We work so closely with our clients that we build a great friendship through the process. I’m always sad when the event is over.
What makes a great event?
There are many elements to creating a great event. The food, service, atmosphere, and all the little details that people don’t see. Also, the planning is really important. You need to have a great plan in place, and an amazing team to back you up.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
What I love most about OITP is that we cover a big variety of events. The private events are very special. It could be hosting a private dinner for 10 guests in their home, or a wedding for hundreds of guests. The dinners are amazing and so personal. It’s such a privilege being invited into someone’s home to cook for them.
As for weddings, you are working closely with the couple to bring to life such a special and memorable day. My tip is, to build a relationship with the clients, make them feel comfortable and pay attention to all the details.
MARKUS HAMENCE - Markus Hamence
markushamence.com
Instagram handle: @markushamence
How long you’ve been in the biz?
20 years and the passion is still there.
How many events have you done?
Into the hundreds now. Almost as many events as I have indoor plants. Almost.
What’s your specialty?
Big, bold and beautiful. It’s always pleasing to create a space that blows people away on some level and gets them talking and engaging.
What makes a good event planner?
Organisation, thinking quick and outside the box PLUS patience – 100 per cent.
Favourite project to date?
Producing Bon Jovi’s Tour Party will always be a favourite BUT any Christmas gig with a decent budget to work with is always memorable (I’m a sucker for Christmas).
What makes a great event?
Good music, happy guests, flowing wine, good food AND fabulous styling!
What’s your best tip for a private event?
Venue selection is everything to start with and selecting a place where the operators are easy to deal with. And ensure all unsightly elements in the room are hidden from guests with clever styling tricks. Set the tone from the moment guests are at the entrance – in fact from the moment they receive their invite.
MOONCHILD CREATIVE - GEMMA-MARIE BATZAVALIS
moonchildcreative.com.au
Instagram handle: @moonchildcreative_
What makes a good event planner?
Someone who is able to be versatile and adapt quickly, has a strong ability to visualise and communicate those visions and can think quickly on their feet.
Favourite project to date?
My favourite project to date has actually been my clients Kayla & Chris’ wedding. I was given a palette and vision and then free rein creatively to pull everything together.
I worked with the couple from top to bottom on their wedding and we tied in some very classic concepts with an edgy touch and the end result was glorious. We transformed the space at the Treasury (inside the Aldina Hotel) into a New York loft-style space with black, nude and blush tones, candlelit romance and edgy shapes – it was a dream wedding to work on.
What makes a great event?
The layout. While we adore making the space stunning, the location of the bar, dancefloor and ease of access to an outdoor area is key. Having everything as close together as possible together with a top notch playlist and excellent food lays the groundwork for the rest of the event. The best events happen in smaller spaces. When people are segregated or have too many spaces to move to, you struggle to create that exciting ambience of a crowd coming together to have a great time.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
Start with your stationery; this helps with the overall feeling. This is our first step with every client. The most common thing we hear is, “I don’t know how to visualise it all.
People have trouble deciding what they like because there are truly so many stylish and beautiful options out there. If we start with your stationery we can confirm your colour palette, your style – formal, cheeky, bright, fun, statement, shapely etc. It refines your future decision-making choices to tie in with that piece, plus it truly sets the tone of your event for your guests.
How long you’ve been in the biz?
Officially three years on my own, and seven years overall.
How many events have you done?
I’m not entirely sure, we would do about 40-50 a year (except for the year of Covid).
What’s your specialty?
Definitely the ability to think on my feet at the last minute! If there is ever a breakage, a weather disaster – I come up with something!
It’s also visualising and coming up with fresh, new concept and being able to offer floristry within my skillset.
SPOGGIES NEST - LOUISE ANTONIADIS
facebook.com/spoggiesnest
Instagram handle: @spoggies_nest
What makes a good event planner?
An amazing event planner is committed to bringing your vision to life. We invest endless hours getting to know our clients personally to ensure their event represents their personality and style.
Favourite project to date?
It is very rare for a stylist to have full creative control over a space, as clients come with their own desires of what they want. So when the National Wine Centre gave no boundaries to style one of their rooms for a showcasing, we were extremely excited to create a sleek, modern, minimalist, white-on-white wedding like no other.
We also love styling christenings; setting the tone of a religious occasion while creating a youthful celebratory atmosphere. The unique ability to create this balance is something we pride ourselves on. A recent christening featuring burnt orange tones and leather features was definitely a personal favourite.
What makes a great event?
The perfect styling can create a look and feel to your event that your guests will talk about long after the party is over. We establish this lively atmosphere with the three C’s; creativity, consistency and cohesion. It’s about thoughtful placement and getting the right balance of colours, textures, shapes and materials.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
An event is not complete without zones that promote joyful interaction. Zones that put guests instantly at ease and make them feel comfortable. That way they want to drink, eat, chat, laugh and party the day and night away.
How long you’ve been in the biz?
Spoggies Nest has been established for three years. Being immersed in the events industry with the challenges of Covid has been interesting but it has also pushed us to think innovatively and be highly organised.
How many events have you done?
We have been honoured to style all different types of special occasions and events; weddings, engagements, christenings, birthdays and corporate events.
What’s your specialty?
We elevate events with our signature Spoggies Nest styling. We carefully design, plan, create, organise, co-ordinate and execute all the visual components of an event with styling that is inventive, bespoke, modern, beautiful and impactful.
GIRL ABOUT TOWN - MAREE STOUBOS
girlabouttown.net.au
Instagram handle: @girlabouttownco
What makes a good event planner?
The ability to listen to a client and understand their vision, while providing ideas, suggestions and insights based on industry knowledge, previous experience, and current trends.
Favourite project to date?
Having been in the industry for over 12 years now, we have been extremely lucky to have worked on a number of events, both intimate and on a larger scale, for local, national and international brands. However a standout event was for Class A Jewellers, where we held an intimate sit-down dinner right in the workshop to launch their “Engagement Week” campaign. Rather than taking guests outside of the space, we transformed the space with beautiful florals, mood lighting, premium catering, wait service and entertainment for 20 VIPs, who were able to try on a range of jewellery items.
What makes a great event?
Ensuring that the behind-the-scenes aspects (run sheets, briefing notes, roles and responsibilities etc) are well-executed and thought out to ensure a smooth, seamless and successful running of an event.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
Have a budget in place and prioritise what’s most important, as it’s easy to get swept away in the Pinterest world.
How long you’ve been in the biz?
Over 12 years.
How many events have you done?
Over 100.
What’s your specialty?
Guest lists for launch events and our attention to detail to ensure a smooth-running, seamless event.
BPR - BELINDA PETERSEN
bpublicrelations.com.au
Instagram handle: @_bpublicrelations
What makes a good event planner?
A great event planner is a team that listens to the client and then knows what the client wants and how to deliver it.
No project, client or event is ever the same and you need to be able to adapt your style to suit the client’s needs.
Favourite project to date?
There are too many to pick just one! Most recently we launched KickStart For Kids’ new Period Poverty initiative, a new Studio Pilates in Flinders Park, the opening night of the Italian Festival, the launch event for South Australian, female owned coffee roasters, Nectar, and GP, skin health and aesthetic medicine clinic, Luminiq.
What makes a great event?
Preparation, organisation, a clear objective, a great guest list and of course amazing food and drinks.
We love discussing with our clients how they envisage their event and presenting them an event plan that they can get excited about!
What’s your best tip for a private event?
Consider your budget and stick to it! It’s also important to have a clear vision of what you want your event to look like.
HYGGE STUDIO – LUCY TEMME AND RACHEL EVANS
linktr.ee/hyggestudio_
Instagram handle: @hyggestudio_
What makes a good event planner?
Someone who can really put themselves in the client’s shoes and act in their best interest. What would you spend your money on? What would you want at your own event? What standard would you find acceptable? You sometimes need to be able to make quick and hard decisions while keeping the emotions at bay.
Favourite project to date?
We are so fortunate to be able to have worked on some pretty incredible projects like the launch of the Australian Space Agency, the Ghan anniversary, Paolo Sebastian + Mercedes Benz activation, but some of the weddings we have done over the last couple of weeks have been in the works since 2019 so it feels really special to be able to see these clients finally get to say their vows.
What makes a great event?
Including elements that create a mood – ambient lighting, euphoric music, delicious food and wine, memorable decor.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
Put the comforts of you and your guests ahead of all else.
How long you’ve been in the biz?
Five years.
How many events have you done?
More than 500.
What’s your specialty?
We specialise in bespoke weddings where all of the elements are customised for the clients. We design and build in-house, including all floristry, graphic design, lighting and hire but more recently we have been busy activating spaces like shopping centres and retail/office outlets, where we create light fixtures, select decor and wall coverings, design and build custom furniture.
We also have a venue space Hygge Atrium on King William Rd where we run in-house bespoke workshops.
ATMOSPHERE EVENTS - SAM RICE
atmosphereevent.com.au
Instagram handle: @atmosphereeventsadl
What makes a good event planner?
It’s important to listen to the client and understand their requirements and knowing how to maximise their budget for the best outcome.
Favourite project to date?
Too many to choose from! But with the challenges of the ever changing restrictions for events we’ve been fortunate enough to do a series of more intimate dinners for some of our corporate clients.
What makes a great event?
Understanding the brief, who is attending, with a touch of the unexpected.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
To wow guests on arrival, and maintain the experience from beginning to end.
How long you’ve been in the biz?
Started in 2005.
How many events have you done?
I gave up counting after I reached 5000!
What’s your specialty?
Making sure each event is unique, and tailored to the client!
MEMORY LANE - EMILY RENDE
memorylaneevents.com.au
Instagram handle: @memorylaneadelaide
What makes a good event planner?
As an event planner, your mind resembles a Google browser with several tabs open at once, so the ability to work efficiently under pressure and with multiple deadlines should come as second nature.
You definitely need to have an eye for detail, exceptional organisational skills and ability to time manage – as you will never have just one project to focus on at a time. It’s also critical to be able to approachable and understanding, working with your clients to understand their event in its entirety from initial stages; from creative elements to operational logistics to ensure that it can be translated seamlessly into a reality on the day.
Favourite project to date?
This is definitely a tough one to answer! I really do love all the projects I get to work on as they can be so different and unique.
One experience I will always cherish is the styled shoot I created with sculptured florists Stem Haus, named “Run wild in Europe”.
The inspiration driving the styling brief was to emulate a dreamy destination landscape; all while being nestled among the vineyards of Vigna Bottin in SA. The shoot was initiated to reignite the excitement for many couples whose plans had been affected by the impacts of Covid lockdowns and to reinforce that love conquers all.
Styling and planning this shoot was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the collaborative magic that results when some of Adelaide’s talented vendors get together and build on concepts from the brief that we spent countless weeks and hours creating and planning.
What makes a great event?
Planning!! And your suppliers.
It’s imperative from day dot to have a clear objective of what you want to achieve and what is required to be able to execute an event to the best standard it can be. This can include, but is not limited to: scope of works, agenda, budget and time frame you’re working with, styling and visual expectation, logistics and backup plans (hello unplanned weather and/or Covid restrictions).
Communication is also an integral part of the planning phase from the planner’s perspective to be able to relay clients’ requirements and ensure every single vendor involved in the execution stage knows exactly what they should be doing and how/when they should be doing it.
Knowing and being able to understand the expectations of your client from the initial meet is so important.
I always recommend working with a planner/stylist and vendors you completely trust. Regardless of how heavily involved a client likes to be in the lead-up stages of their event, there will come a stage where they must provide a handover and it’s then completely in their planners’/vendors’ hands to execute. I take so much pride in earning clients’ trust and absolutely love when they give free creative rein from the start.
What’s your best tip for a private event?
I’m always down for a party and believe that all events deserve to be celebrated so don’t let the planning process put you off having a party you deserve!
If you are overwhelmed, then don’t take it on alone – reach out to a planner or stylist who can take the weight off your shoulders so you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
For private events my biggest tip is to make it personal to who/what is being celebrated, and throw away any preconceived ideas of what you think you have to do (including formalities that don’t fit you), as there is no such thing as right or wrong.
A lot of private events celebrate an achievement or milestone which can mark some of the most important of one’s life. Make your event a reflection of that person/couple through style and design of the event, and create something that the guests will forever remember!
How long you’ve been in the biz?
I’ve worked in the corporate and social world of events for over six years now
After completing a Bachelor’s Degree at UniSA I started my journey with Memory Lane which has given me great passion, challenges and excitement. Doing what you love every day helps you to stay motivated to create and grow.
How many events have you worked?
When working in the corporate world it wouldn’t be unusual to be working on over 10 events a week, so I have lost count!
With a portfolio consisting of corporate and social events, I’m always open to tailoring our services to whatever the event needs may be.
What’s your specialty?
Weddings! There’s just something I absolutely love about weddings. The months of planning and the lead-up, the relationships formed with the couple, and the exhilaration you feel on game day when it’s time to bring it to life after months of preparation. For me working in events is about working for love, because it can come with a lot of behind-the-scenes preparation, late nights and deadlines.
London bombing survivor’s prosthetic feet to do NY marathon
A terrorist bombing survivor is sending her feet to support two Adelaide parents running the New York marathon for their murdered children.
Jetstar drops thousands of fares from $26
Jetstar has launched a huge, members-only sale, with fares available until midnight on Tuesday.