Out-of-the-Box Venues from Party Planning Courses
Is your client looking to have a one-off, extremely unique event? Do you have a large budget you want to get creative with? Are you getting tired of the classic event hall? Think about using a totally out-of-the-box venue to create an event with impact! There are so many places to situate your events. You definitely don’t need to stick to the expected. Some venues are pricier than others and, of course, your budget is number one. But there are also some cheap, unconventional locations that you can pull out of your party planner hat.
Keep reading to check out a few of the amazing and unique places you can use for your next event!
Treehouses
When I say treehouse, are you thinking of a five by five playhouse that a child has in their backyard? Are you thinking, “I can fit about two people in there and not much else…there is no way I can have an event in a tree house…”? Well, get ready to have your mind blown because treehouses aren’t just for kids anymore! There are some amazing and luxurious treehouses that can certainly host a smaller event. They have heating, cooling, and running water and, boy, do they give you an experience of a lifetime!
The view and atmosphere of a large-scale treehouse is breath-taking. And you can rent them out for a nightly fee. Now, you probably won’t find one big enough to have a wedding with a 100+ person guest-list, but this could be perfect for a cozier party.
Dinner in the Sky
If the treehouse wasn’t high enough off the ground for you, maybe you’ll love the concept of Dinner In The Sky. Guests are secured to their seats atop a table suspended by a crane. Your guests get to enjoy an unforgettable evening 50 meters (164 feet) off the ground, whether it be a wedding or a dinner above the Grand Canyon! The company made a show-stopping impact on how events are thrown around the globe. Just make sure that your guests aren’t terrified of heights.
Museums, Galleries, Zoos and Aquariums
Many museums have event services and wedding accommodations, but you don’t need to stop there! Art galleries, zoos, and aquariums are great location options for a fundraiser, gala, or party. These venues offer their own exciting entertainment. Depending on your clients’ theme, these unique venues can be unbeatable choices. If you’re working for a non-profit group that is looking to raise art programs funds for kids, what better place to hold their event than in a beautiful building filled with art! And unlike the previous two suggestions on our list, these locations can accommodate large guest lists.
One of the great benefits of choosing venues like these is that you don’t need to put a large chunk of the budget towards decor. It may cost more than the conventional location up for consideration, but don’t forget to factor in all of the other elements you get to cut back on!
Parking Lots and Parking Garages
Okay, we might have lost you a bit when you read the word parking lot, but hear us out! Depending on the type of event you’re having, a parking lot can be a unique and interesting location. You can surround the area with food trucks, communal tables, string lights, and music. It then becomes the perfect outdoor set up for a product launch or a small convention reception! You can also bring in a pop-up drive-in movie theater using a projector and a screen. There really are so many options!
Parking garages don’t sound like the best place for an event until you think about renting out the open-air rooftop level. Your clients will have privacy and an amazing view of the skyline! Unfortunately for these two locations, your clients will definitely be committing a lot of money for set-up and decoration. But you can do a lot with these blank slate venues.
Word to the Wise
Make sure that your venue is adding to the experience and not distracting guests from the actual point of the evening. If you’re planning a wedding for a shy couple, you might not want to pick a venue where they will be completely lost as the focal point. You should also ensure your venue makes sense with the theme and reinforces it. Don’t pick an art gallery if your clients have a rustic theme. It won’t make any sense and will destroy the carefully-crafted atmosphere.
Lastly, don’t skimp on safety! If you’re going for a really adventurous location, make sure that you have everything in place so that your client and her guests have peace of mind. Falling out of a treehouse would definitely ruin the night and seriously hurt your reputation as a planner—even if no one got seriously injured. Make sure you have all your bases covered, and go give your clients an unforgettable experience!
Do you have any out-of-the-box venues to add to our list? Leave them in a comment below!
