Secrets of a Hollywood Party Planner

If you’re the party-throwing-type, chances are you’re hosting a soiree of sorts sometime in the next two to three weeks.  Not to discount your awesome DIY skills, but we thought you could likely use some help in spicing up your holiday gathering without spending like a Rockefeller (er, Kardashian?). To this end, we’ve enlisted the help of Ally Bernstein of Ally b. Entertainment -- she’s a big-time event producer who plans parties for movie premieres and film festivals, and she counts our favorite CAA powerhouse Roeg Sutherland and Kate Hudson amongst her clients. Listen and learn:

BGG: What are some simple decor suggestions or party themes that will make the party feel special without breaking the bank?
AB: For the holidays, I like to keep it clean while adding a few accents of holiday color, nothing gimmicky or over-themed.  My favorite color scheme is all-white with accents of silver, gold, red, or green. I especially love the look of an all-white tree decorated with whichever accent color you choose -- gold is my personal favorite here.

For decoration, I love to use big tubular vases and fill them up with different holiday-themed items. Just go to Target to buy ornaments, and then place these randomly throughout the party venue.  

For example, you can fill vases with the following: gold ornaments; white gumballs; pine cones; crystals.  I also suggest spray-painting fruit gold for the night and putting it into decorative vases or bowls.

Finally, another easy yet stunning decor idea is floating flowers. Just go to an inexpensive florist and buy whichever flowers you like. Once you’re home, rip the stems off and put the flower heads in vases or bowls filled with water. 

BGG: Any other ideas for ways to make a party special? 
AB: I often do candy bars at my parties, and they are always the hit of the party. I generally select six different types of candies. For the holidays, I would suggest choosing candies that are all red and white. Pour them into six vases on a table somewhere  (with scoops or spoons -- you don’t want people sticking their hands in the candy), and you’re done. 

You might also want to buy those little white Chinese takeout boxes and fill them with candy for the perfect little take-home gift. Candy makes everybody happy.

BGG: Do you have any lighting tips?
AB: Candles, candles, candles. Turn the lights down low and use candles to instantly make the atmosphere sexy and chic. Try Amazon.com for really inexpensive votives, hurricane vases, and large candles.

BGG: Do you have any easy, affordable appetizer suggestions?
AB: You can make a party great on a tighter budget -- it’s all about how you present the food. Trader Joe’s and Costco have yummy prepared appetizers that you can just throw in the oven. If you put them on pretty trays with some piece of floral, no one will know the difference. You can get a lot for your money there…

For sizable parties, I strongly feel that if you want to make the party enjoyable for the hostess / host, it is important to have a couple of servers and/or a bartender. Go to your favorite restaurant or bar and ask for someone who wants to make some extra holiday money, and you can hire someone for not a lot of money... This will add a sense of sophistication and allow the host to mingle and have fun.

BGG: What about wine?  Do you know of any great ones that are surprisingly cheap?
AB: Yes! I love Les Jemelles Sauvignon Blanc, which is awesome and just $8.99 a bottle.

Follow Ally on Twitter @Allyb_Ent.