By now, you’ve probably seen multiple publications boasting their 2024 event trend reports and you may have even perused a few lists to see what’s trending, in hopes that it will inspire your upcoming events this year.
For our team at Cassie LaMere Events, we’re focused more on setting the trends, rather than repeating them. After all, we’re in the field 24/7, collaborating with the designers, vendors, and destinations that are ahead of the curve. We have our planning antennas on high alert and as experts at being 10 steps ahead at all times, we know what’s on the rise.
We share a collective goal to ensure our events are on the forefront of trend cycles and our wish is that the details we hand select or custom make end up inspiring future events. We all know those Insta-worthy details (hello bows, disco balls, and champagne towers) that have flooded our feed and in our opinion, some are to love and some have been overdone.
In the spirit of keeping events fresh, we chose to offer you a different perspective on what’s ahead by taking a look into our crystal ball and predicting six details that will be the leading, buzz-worthy emerging trends of 2024.
Performative Draping
Image: Dagnushka
PSA: this is not your typical drape that covers the ceiling and the side walls. Think layers and layers of drape that seem to dance across the ceiling and perform a show that will beguile event attendees to look up.
Like a modern dance, these intricate textiles cascade down the line of sight at an event to express energetic and fluid movements. What we love about this technique is the installation is always changing and evolving throughout the event.
For a recent dinner party, our team worked with an artist collective to hand dye over 1,000 pieces of fabric in tonal, neutral shades and hang them as the centerpiece of the ceiling. Forgoing a statement lighting element, these waves of fabric rippled throughout the evening air intertwined with metal lanterns and entranced guests with their mesmerizing movements.
Cinematic Invitations
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a cinematic invitation will leave guests speechless. Couples and companies are leveraging the latest on screen technologies to create custom video invitations that are mailed to guests, unveiling a surprise film experience when the recipient opens the hard bound video booklet.
By using video content in lieu of traditional paper invitations, the words on the page now leap onto the screen, creating a more meaningful connection with the guest and setting the scene for a memorable occasion. Our team of magic makers designed a film noir wedding invitation, complete with a video worthy of an on-screen romance inspired by the couples’ love story. Guests were blown away to receive such an innovative, personal invitation that was unlike anything they had ever seen! Mission accomplished.
Exclusive Members Clubs
Image: Chateau ZZ’s and Major Food Group
At Cassie LaMere Events, we are seeing a resurgence in the popularity of exclusive members only clubs. In a model that harkens back to the glamorous days of supper clubs, big bands, and perfect martinis, luxury brands are opting to develop private, intimate members club experiences where the air of mystery is all part of the allure.
With traditional event experiences relying on an ephemeral model of popping up and ending in a matter of hours, this concept rethinks how companies approach events and extends the life of the party. Instead of reaching guests in a finite amount of time, brands can leverage their investment into a hospitality experience that guests can interact with over an extended period of time. Even better, the more difficult it is to get a spot on the list or even be invited to make a reservation, the more demand increases amongst guests who are trying to earn a coveted spot behind closed doors. The social currency gained from a photo op captured at the current hotspot carries more influence than brands can buy through conventional media. Plus, there’s an opportunity for clubs to spin-off into special residencies with popular artists, product collaborations or merchandise, and satellite locations for a traveling road show.
For social events, we see this trend applying to after-parties and milestone celebrations, where guests are invited to the host’s namesake club, filled with personalized details and a collection of their favorite things- even if for one night only. Tastemakers are opting to buyout a popular restaurant, instead of a venue, to treat guests to their favorite dishes while enjoying a takeover experience where flowing drinks and dancing on the tables is encouraged.
The Gift of Choice
Imagine you arrive at an event and are greeted with a gifting experience where not only are you provided takeaway gifts, but you’re presented with a curated selection of options that you are invited to choose from. Think an Hermes Twilly scarf in the color of your choosing, or a fragrance bar filled with designer parfums to entice your olfactory senses.
We’ve all, at one point or another, dreamed of being gifted the ultimate shopping spree. Over-the-top gifting experiences where you’re given the gift of choice are what’s next in luxury events. How many times has a host or brand gifted you an item that you didn’t really want, neeed, or find useful, only to ultimately add clutter to your space or be regifted? While the old adage says “It’s the thought that counts,” we tend to disagree. As the recipient, you’re left feeling underwhelmed by the gesture and even worse, the gift does not have the intended impact.
Cut to being presented with fashion labels or custom made gifts that you can choose from; hand selecting your gift bag and walking away with items you’ll not only use, but cherish. This is the leveling-up effect we are seeing at gifting suites. Nothing says luxury like the gift of choice and more and more, we are encouraging our hosts to consider this approach to maximize their investment and create the wow factor that everyone is looking to achieve. Our team had the privilege of experiencing the luxury gifting suite at Engage Summits in Paris where we were transported to a fashion lover’s mecca filled with Parisian fashion houses and personalized luxury gifts. We can guarantee you guests will be talking about their experience for months, even years, to come- we know we have been.
An Abundance of Candlelight
Image: Shannon Skloss
Events are embracing the simplicity and stunning qualities of an abundance of candlelight filling a space, as opposed to excessive amounts of flowers. From tapers to pillar candles and candelabras, candlelight casts a universally flattering light that adds warmth and subtly sets the mood.
Our clients are thinking beyond the constructs of expected floral centerpieces and displays to reimagine spaces that rely on candles as the main focal point. Our personal school of thought is anything looks good when displayed en masse and candles are no exception. At this black tie intimate New Year’s Eve wedding reception, our team curated over 600 pieces of cut crystal candle holders, vases, and vintage champagne coupes to create a tabletop lit from within by a sea of glowing candles.
From parades of candles that trail down a staircase, to long tables filled with flickering flames and pathways that are illuminated by candlelight, there are countless ways to add that extra spark to an event environment.
Cracking the Dress Code
Image: Shannon Skloss
Our team has seen a rise in event hosts providing specific attire inspiration to guests, whether that be in the form of a color palette or particular theme. With an increased amount of attention being given to the importance of the guest experience, we predict that this trend will continue to grow over the next few years.
Dress codes can be ambiguous and difficult to navigate: by providing guests with a vision and clear direction for their attire, hosts are relieving party goers of the stress of answering the perennial question “What do I wear?” Many clients are going as far as to create custom attire mood boards that are sent to guests in advance to get the inspiration flowing.
The perks of a defined color palette is the entire event has one cohesive aesthetic, which means your pictures will come out amazing (As seen at this ultra-chic black tie affair by yours truly). At Cassie LaMere Events, we love a theme and will never shy away from an opportunity to go all in on a singular vision! Inviting guests to join in on the fun makes for a spirited, engaged group of attendees who all feel like the best dressed guest- and what’s better than that?
At our HQ, planning events one to two years out creates a unique challenge for our team to forecast what’s ahead to ensure that by the time the event is revealed, the concepts are still innovative and not redundant. We pride ourselves on our relationships and industry knowledge; we’re calling upon the best of the best, operating as boots on the ground scouring markets, trend forecasting reports, publications, and collaborating with industry innovators to determine what defines high-end, extravagant events in the near future. If you value being the first to the party, consider us your go-to source!