FAQs: If you had to splurge on something special for your event, what would it be?

October 05, 2010

Last week, I blogged about skimping. This week, let’s talk about the complete opposite. What is the one thing you’d splurge on for your event?

When I gave my last big event this past January, for my Celebrations book launch, I had this same dilemma.

Here’s what I thought one should splurge on (from most to least important):

  1. Entertainment. I wanted it to be memorable, so I booked the diva Gloria Gaynor to perform I Will Survive among other live entertainment.

  2. Lighting and projections. For the central focus of my event, I wanted to create the illusion of a projected “printing press” of my book.

  3. Food. Great food from the fantastic caterer Olivier Cheng.

  4. Location. I wanted an old rustic space like the Armory in New York to transform for this evening.
  5. Decor. Okay, here I could go less, because I was hoping to re-create pieces of past events for my attending clients to remember their own events. (Between you and me–it was cheaper to use existing props.)
  6. Flowers. Because it was my event, and I thought folks would be expecting tons of flowers, I decided to use very little.

Someone asked me this question during a magazine interview so now I’d like to ask you the same: When you are entertaining for the holidays, or giving your own party, what is the one thing you’d splurge on the most?

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5 Responses to FAQs: If you had to splurge on something special for your event, what would it be?


  1. Savannah
    October 5, 2010

    Tough one, Preston! If I had it my way I’d TOTALLY splurge on flowers. (No surprise.) I’d have blooms and petals everywhere. And since cymbidium orchids are my favorite and they’re not exactly cheap, having them everywhere would be a huge splurge!

    Second I’d go for some fun and unique entertainment. Something like horse drawn carriage rides for guests throughout the gardens or something . . . amazing lighting and DJing . . . and for fun maybe a darling take-home thank you bag to each guest filled with top notch goodies . . . Oh the splurging possibilities!!! Fun to dream :)

    -Savannah

    The French Bouquet: http://www.thefrenchbouquettulsa.com/blog



  2. Julia Hewitt
    October 5, 2010

    Lighting is the one single thing that can actually create the mood, look and feel and it completely sets the tone for your guests. Unfortunately it is far underrated by most people especially if they are on a budget. How sad.



  3. Jessica Mastrogiacomo
    October 5, 2010

    I would splurge on the event site and food the most. I’ve always liked unique, inexpensive ways to create the decor; so there I don’t splurge much (unless it is a focal point). I also think entertainment during the event is a must do splurge (whether you have several inexpensive options throughout the event or one main expensive one).



  4. Brad Christopher
    October 7, 2010

    I love your topics Preston! You are a very talented designer. That is what I would splurge on. Keep it up!



  5. feuza
    October 7, 2010

    what about the photography?