Planning a soirée can often be likened to staring at a blank page, inflicted with writer’s block. You no doubt wish to host an unforgettable event, but where to begin? Well, consider yourself lucky, minxes, because the following tips on how to spice up your next fête will surely have your guests talking about it weeks, months, even years later!

1. Go All Out in Theme + Branding

It may be stating the obvious, but giving your party a theme allows for much easier planning along the way. After determining the theme and color scheme, decorations, food, and entertainment will most likely be a breeze to figure out. Plus, partygoers can have creative freedom with costumes. Whether it’s a birthday party or an event for your business, branding is key and can be as easy as ordering personalized balloons, napkins, gift bags, flowers, cocktails, & desserts. Have a signature drink made by a mixologist, get cupcakes decorated with your logo (we suggest Sweet E’s because they’re the best!). A personal favorite of ours is lighting a blank wall or pool up with your logo or name (rent one of those customized projectors called a gobo from Line 204). If you really want to blow people out of the water, hire models to wear your brand or theme throughout the duration of the party, check out our Minx Society models at our one year anniversary rocking our signature gold one-pieces and gold paint.

2. Hire Unforgettable Talent

Aqualillies is a talented, 8-member water ballet entertainment company. Expect a unique performance that combines impressive synchronized swimming with aquatic tricks and flips. Their adorable matching ensembles and vintage vixen aesthetic aside, the group’s past clients include Glee, Justin Timberlake, Turner Classic Movies, and the Kardashians to name a few. Aqualillies is a refreshing and delightful alternative to the standard musical entertainment at most social gatherings. Book them here.

3. Capture Your Event

No one wants to leave a fabulous bash, but all good things must eventually come to an end. One thing guests as well as the host can look forward to post-party is perusing photos taken at the event. Rather than leaving it up to Facebook friends to upload semi-unflattering pics, rent a professional photographer or photo booth. Considering the broad selection of backgrounds, designs, and special effects to choose from, there won’t be a dull moment in the house. Many different companies offer photo booth services, but here are the very best: Smilebooth (for a classic, physical photo booth set up), Snap Yourself (for a quirky, prop-filled, professional snap yourself experience), or Rony’s Photo Booth (for a super professional, well-known photographer Rony Alwin to take photos of your guests with the background or step and repeat of your choice).

4. Reserve A Gourmet Food Truck

Food Trucks are all the rage! The unconventional catering style is a pleasant surprise no matter the occasion. The Food Network‘s first-ever Great Food Truck Race crowned rock ‘n roll Metallica-fan burger-flippers Grill Em All the ultimate winners and we couldn’t agree more! Hire them for your next event and your guests will be raving about it. Menu item favorites include: H-100s (cheddar, jack-filled, hand-rolled tator tots), the Waste ‘Em All (green chilies, pepper jack, beer soaked onion), and Samoa Joe (cheddar, mosh pit BBQ, pineapple, beer soaked onion).

Another amazing food truck and an excellent way to combat summer heat while pleasing everyone’s sweet tooth is infamous Coolhaus’ gourmet ice cream sandwiches.  Coolhaus is extremely accommodating in terms of health-conscious options such as gluten-free, non-dairy, or vegan ice cream sandwiches. The best part? They can whip up a personalized sandwich, with your choice of cookie (snicker-doodle, double chocolate, s’mores, red velvet etc.) and ice cream flavors (dirty mint, salted carmel, dark chocolate, etc.) and can even create customized labels with your logo, to be served at your special event!

5. Host A Pop Up

Reserve space at your spectacular event as a “pop up.” Whether you are hosting a girls luncheon (hire a mobile spa/salon like Spa-Go’s to set up shop to do mani’s, pedi’s, and sell products), or a fashionable soiree (reach out to local high-end boutiques like Stylehaus to come do personal styling and showcase their collection), or your birthday party (and creating jewelry or curating art is a hobby of yours – this is an ideal time to showcase your talents!).