CANADA DAY : RED & WHITE PARTIES FROM AURA EFFECT

Saturday, July 1^st 2017 marks our Nation’s 150^th birthday! We’re looking good and feeling even better about this momentous occasion which is why Aura Effect is offering up the top ways to throw the most envious RED & WHITE Canada Day parties this country has even seen.

Our Nation’s colours will undoubtedly be proudly on display everywhere you look this summer but how can you parlay that into party ideas? Below are ways to rep your red and white this July 1^st.

GAMES
The key to a successful party is keeping your guests entertained while maintaining a high energy atmosphere. Aura Effect suggests keeping your guests active while participating in team games.  This can include everything from tug of war to water balloon fights, Canadian themed scavenger hunts and if your party space allows, relay races and track and field activities. Divide your teams by the colours; red and white, provinces and territories or even Liberals vs. Conservatives.

LIGHTING
We have a feeling Canada day parties this year will go well into the evening and even the next morning so if your shindig is outside, keep the party going and the lighting on point with Aura effect’s LED glow furniture and décor. Use the easy to control pocket remote to change the colour of your waterproof LED furniture to luminescent red and white and watch while your guests dance the night away under flash, fade or strobe lighting options.

FOOD AND DRINK
Food and drink will be plentiful during the celebrations so go the extra mile and colour coordinate your food and cocktails with our flags colours. There is an enormous amount of information on Canadian coloured food and drink options on Canadian lifestyle websites along with our personal favourite, Pinterest.


PARTY RESPONSIBLY
While Aura Effect knows Canadians will be partying hard come July 1^st, it’s our responsibility to ensure our guests drink responsibly and under no circumstances, drive after drinking. Eliminate these concerns by collecting car keys at the beginning of your soiree and placing them somewhere secure. Plan ahead by posting multiple taxi service numbers by the exit and provide a Wi-Fi password for guests to order an Uber at the end of the night.

No matter where you’re celebrating Canada’s 150^th birthday, make sure to do so responsibly with lots of friends, family and neighbours. Happy Birthday Canada!

With gratitude and allegiance,
The Aura Effect family

Danielle Wilfong
Special Event Journalist
daniellewilfong@hotmail.com 

MAKE YOUR VIP’S FEEL LIKE ROYALTY

When hosting an event it’s necessary to make all of your guests feel important and valued. However, when your event has VIP’s in attendance it’s imperative to make them feel almost like royalty. After all, if they’re at your event and they’re considered VIP - they must be pretty important to your business or organization.

Today Aura Effect is listing ways in which you can impress your VIP guests and make sure their experience is one to remember.

LET THEM STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
Creating a specially made and marked off VIP area is the best way to ensure your VIP guests have both privacy and exclusivity. VIP areas can differ from general public areas by certain distinguishing features such as; more comfortable and visually appealing seating, a greater selection of food and drink options with personal servers and bartenders and a specially marked off section with VIP red ropes. Having an event tent to ensure your VIP’s stay dry in case any bad weather rolls in is also recommended.

GIVE THEM AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER
Personalizing your VIP’s experience is a great way to have them remember your event for years to come. For instance, serving an exclusive cocktail to your VIP’s is a great way to make them feel extra special and important. Say your clients business colours are blue and green; serve a layered cocktail with blue and green liqueur and garnish with the corresponding colour of fruit.  Your VIP clients will be impressed and appreciate the added, thoughtful gesture.

LITTLE TOUCHES GO A LONG WAY
You’ve planned your event and the VIP section down to the last detail. Everything seems great but you have the feeling it’s missing that extra something special. We suggest having small (not cheap) and thoughtful parting gift exclusive to your VIP guests only. Possible examples include; wine openers or keychains engraved with VIP guests’ names or exclusively bottled wine with personalized labels.
Having something tangible that your VIP’s can leave with will remind them just how great the party was and it will keep them looking forward to your events to come.  

Aura Effect suggests using any of our large selection of LED glow furniture and service stations in the VIP area. The 16 different colour and display options are visually appealing and will definitely make your guests stand out from the crowd. You can also have VIP decals added to the seating and display area’s to let everyone in attendance know exactly where and who the VIP’s are.
For more party tips and tricks follow us on Facebook, Instagram and check our weekly blogs on www.furnitureglowing.com

Party on Toronto!
The Aura Effect Team

THE LITTLE THINGS: COMMONLY FORGOTTEN EVENT COMPONENTS

    

That feeling when you know you’re forgetting something but you’re not quite sure what, it can be
stressful, especially when it pertains to your party, event or celebration.  A whole lot of work goes into planning the perfect event and let’s face it; no one on this earth is perfect. Today, Aura Effect has compiled a list of commonly forgotten and overlooked party components to make sure your event goes off without a hitch.

MUSIC & EQIUPMENT
Sure, you have a playlist in mind but don’t forget to check your event space for outlets, extra power cords and speakers to ensure the music can flow freely.

FOOD PREFERENCES
Not all guests are alike and their food preferences are no different. In today’s health conscience world you are bound to run into certain allergens and dietary restrictions. Be prepared to have a wide selection of food, appetizers and drinks to ensure everyone can share in the deliciousness.

CHECKLIST
This is the easiest and most reliable way to ensure you have every detail accounted for. Print multiple copies and delegate certain tasks and responsibilities to your responsible co-party planners.

APPROPRIATE SEATING
Unless you’re having a sit down dinner it’s not necessary to have a chair for every single guest at your event. Most guests prefer to walk around and mingle. Aura Effect suggests having half or two thirds the seating in ratio to your guest count available to guests. Check out Aura Effect’s website for pricing on our wide selection of LED glow furniture seating.

STAFF
Lighten your load and make sure you have capable wait and service staff for your function. Make sure they are clear on your preferred service instructions and relax; you’ve planned a great party so you should enjoy it too!
If you need help finding service staff for your event an Aura Effect representative will happily put you in contact with talented bartenders and wait staff.

A SAFE WAY HOME
Guests are more likely to enjoy alcoholic beverages and let loose when they know they have a designated sober way home. This can include pre ordering taxis, uber’s or renting a school bus to drop people at home after the party concludes. You can also post local bus route times and phone numbers for taxi companies in the washrooms and near the exit.

Aura Effect is serious about being your number one choice for glowing and LED furniture rentals and purchases which is why our company will go above and beyond to put you in contact with any other vendors and services you need to bring your event to the next level. We are a one stop shop for all your party planning needs. We look forward to helping plan your next event in the near future.
Danielle Wilfong
Special Event Journalist
daniellewilfong@hotmail.com 

PERFECT PARTY LIGHTING: SETTING THE MOOD

      A lot goes into planning the perfect party or event and the lighting aspect is no exception. Actually, it’s probably one of the first elements you should consider when planning your soiree. There are so many different options that it’s often hard to narrow down exactly what type of lighting you’ll need or want. Today Aura Effect wishes to share some professional lighting tips and advice to ensure your party or event turns out exactly how you envisioned.

INDOOR LIGHTING
More often than not you will find what is called ‘hard lighting’ in indoor spaces. This consists of lightbulbs with a general wattage of around 100. Sure, hard lighting is great for cleaning and everyday indoor activities but when you’re trying to get a party started your guests are going to want something a little more toned down.
Soft lighting usually works best for indoor functions. Try replacing your lightbulbs with 60, 40 or lower watt bulbs to achieve a ‘soft light’ look. This will work to relax your guests and create a laid back party atmosphere. You can also strategically and safely place bunches of candles in certain area’s to softly and romantically highlight any area of the room you wish.

OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The possibilities are endless with the multitude of light technology that society has today. More and more we see homeowners purchasing LED spotlights and LED flood lights to highlight and accent certain parts of their home, both indoors and out. Although LED bulbs are more expensive than incandescents upfront, you are sure to save money in the long run as LED bulbs last much longer and will save you money on your electricity bill.  Plus you also have the added bonus of multiple colour and lighting options such as strobe and flash. 



DAY TO NIGHT LIGHTING
Your 4 p.m. backyard BBQ guests are still there at 9 p.m. and they’re ready to continue the party. However, the sun’s gone down and it’s getting pretty hard to see where the keg is, good thing you thought ahead!
When the sun goes down, switch on your alternative backyard lights. These can range from string light bulbs around the perimeter of your backyard to your new LED outdoor spotlights that shine perfectly up on your 100 year old Oak trees.

Let me remind you that if none of these options mentioned above are right for you, Aura Effect has over 1,000 LED glow pieces for rent to help your event come together exactly how you’ve pictured it. Their inventory boasts everything from glow balls to accent pillars and glow bars with sixteen different colour options including strobe, flash and fade, all from one easy to use remote control! Check out their website today to see their massive LED glow inventory and start your party planning today at www.furnitureglowing.com.
Danielle Wilfong
Special Event Journalist
daniellewilfong@hotmail.com 

5 Event Planning - Tips, Tricks and Party Ideas

Planning and preparing for a large event is no easy task.  To get an idea of the enormity, let's imagine being in charge of the office Christmas party or an entire graduating class of students. 

Now the first is more of a corporate event while the latter might closely resemble a boisterous celebration. Both of them, including all that fall between have one thing in common! They all take a heck of a lot of work and preparation.

Now, who really wants to plan..... and who really wants to party!!!! I'm sure we have all answered accordingly, so here are 5 tips to get us past the prep and into fun zone.

1. Where will it happen?  That's a very important questing.  Consider your budget, keep it central and look for near by amenities.  One thing that can contribute to a successful event is the location of the venue. Whether it's a one day/night rental or at a friend's place, try to minimize your guests travel time.

2. Look at catering.  Although the word seems expensive it can actually be done on a budget.  Many small restaurants now offer discounts for larger orders. It doesn't hurt to phone and inquire about how they can add to your event. Don't forget to tell them about how many potential customers will be present.

3. Furniture rental and party supply companies can offer tables, chairs and accent pieces for guests to use. Just make sure to do your research, some offer delivery while others do not. Something else to ask, do they set it up? I mean let's be honest, unless you have a crew helping you already, a rental company that can deliver and set up will come in quite handy!

Now the first 3 steps are all about getting things ready and devising a plan before the festivities even begin. The last 2 steps more closely relate to the flow and timing while your guests are starting to fill in and the party starts ramping up.

4. Proper flow and timing.  A very important thing to focus on, as I'm sure we have all been to that event where the speeches go on forever and restless guests comment to one another about the length. The funny thing is, I don't think there is a person around who hasn't experienced that exact situation at some point in their life.  Yet it continues to happen.  Why? Great question, speechs, toasts and media presentations need to be planned timed and scheduled. On top of that everyone needs to stick to the plan or be prepared for the Oscar music mid sentence!  For your guests, try breaking up the presenters to take centre stage throughout the duration of the event or have an interlude after a long montage. This gives guests a chance to stretch and socialize while minimizing discontent.

5. Duration!  Many don't put enough emphasis on this element.  The length of an event can directly impact the overall perceptions of your guests. The reason for its imortance is because it tends to be a grey area that can differ from one party to the next. What you want to look for is called the bliss point. It refers to that exact time where guests have to get heading home yet they feel like staying for a few more hours.  This leaves them with positive thoughts about the day or evening and good things to say to others. Like the old saying goes always leave them wanting more.

In the coming weeks will be posting more of our tips and tricks on planning the prefect event and also some of the crazy parties we attend, stay tuned!