Hollywood Themes | Entrance Decor

Grauman's Chinese, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
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As General Chair and Decor Chair for a non-profit charity ball one year, we decided to use the Hollywood Theme. I have a Decor Worksheet I always use when planning decor for any event so that's where I started.

Here is a sample Decor Worksheet filled out
and a
Blank Decor Worksheet you can use.

Through my Décor Info Sheet ideas, I have a theme, color scheme and a general idea, I needed to go through the decor areas, starting with the entrance and decide what type of décor/atmosphere I wanted to create.

The first impression of your guests is very important and lays the groundwork for expectations. You can simply place a sign on an easel at your entrance announcing your event or you can transport your guests from the very beginning.

I vote for the latter!

Photo Courtesy of Morgue File

With this in mind, I did some internet research. I wanted to see what the actual Academy Awards® entrances were like in past years. Obviously, my venue was nothing like the Kodak Theater but there would be other things I could do to create that ambience.

This particular local event always had valet parking done by a local school club. The guests would drive to the entrance, exit their vehicle, and the valet group would park it for them. Our nonprofit organization provided pizza and sodas for the group members that worked the event as payment (at the same time our guests were eating dinner in the dining room). In turn, they would keep all the tips from guests.

Image Credit: NCinDC at Flickr

It was a win-win situation with little cost. You can incorporate this at your event as well. Be sure to check insurance and regulations for your governing city, county or state. It is a great choice for the comfort and convenience for your guests.

1.Since we had the valet already in place, I decided to play up on the Academy Awards® theme when celebrities arrived in their limos. I asked two friends of my son to play "doorman". One would open the vehicle doors for the arriving guests and the other would open the venue door as they entered.

I wanted them to look the part, so I found items to make "Doorman Costumes" for the young men.

2. Next, my research and memory told me that there were always a lot of paparazzi and fans snapping photos and asking for autographs as celebrities arrived.

I enlisted the help of a local non-profit teen organization. The local high school is a treasure trove of teen clubs that are always in need of money. For a small donation and some pizza, I got my paparazzi.

I attended one of their meetings and explained the theme, what I was trying to accomplish and then asked for volunteers to be paparazzi and fans. There were about 25 kids at the meeting and all signed up to help.

I asked that they all dress like the old-time "Press" members and fans, including ideas such as:

a. Borrowing overcoats/trench coats and hats from a family member for the "Press" representatives. I also suggested sticking a piece of paper into the hat band that stated "Press" in big bold letters and that they carry small notebooks and pencils like they were seeking a "quote" from one of the arriving celebrities (guests). I suggested anyone owning a camera to bring that along to flash photos as the stars arrived.

b. Fans and autograph hunters could dress in old cloth or faux fur coats and scream and yell as guests arrived as well as holding pens and paper begging for autographs from the guests.

Even if you can only find a handful of volunteers, use decor suggested below to add to the paparazzi gallery. Click on the images for more information.

Metallic Gold Paparazzi # 3 Each

Hollywood Paparazzi Each

Paparazzi Silhouettes Set/3

4. What is an Academy Awards® style party without stanchions and a red carpet? I found an affordable red carpet for us to use at the entrance. Here are some resources for you:

Red Carpet Sidewalk Runner

Fabric Oscar Party Movie Night RED Carpet Style Aisle Runner

15' Red Carpet Runner

Red Aisle Runner

5. Stanchions were something I thought would add to the effect of an aisle and keeping the paparazzi and fans "away" from our arriving guests. This element gave the theme "authenticity" and was fun too!

Where to get stanchions: Click on images for more information and pricing.

Elegant Red Rope Railing Set



Lighted Balloon Railings Set/5


Stanchion Party Props Pkg/7

These 40" tall, white plastic stanchions would work great for holding back the crowd! The bases can be filled with sand or gravel to add to the stability and the ball caps snap the chain into position.
Affordable and you can use them over and over!

Now, we have a plan.

So far:

1. valet parking of guests vehicles
2. doormen to open their car doors and again to open the venue door
3. paparazzi and fans to schmooze them as they arrive
4. a lighted marquee announcing the wedding or event
5. stanchions to hold back the fans and paparazzi
6. a red carpet for them to walk on
7. hosting a coat check with attendants just inside the venue

The entrance area décor is decided. Let's move on.

This is an ongoing series and the next installment is about designing the cocktail area: Hollywood Themes | Cocktail Area Design/Decor

Collage constructed of Photos Courtesy of Morgue File