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Hosting Trends for High-End Parties in an (Almost) Post-Lockdown World

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Published
02/18/2022

Over the last couple of years, everyone and everything has had to pivot and adapt to changing circumstances – and luxury, high-profile events are no exception. Throughout the pandemic, special events didn’t cease to exist, but rather, required more creativity to maintain luxury, comfort and elegance while maintaining health and safety precautions.

With events moving outdoors, shorter guests lists and health requirements, high profile event planning called for more innovation, creativity, and caution. The good news is, with these changes came some tried and true trends over the last couple of years that have made party planning in an almost post-lockdown world safer and more luxurious than ever before.

These innovative party trends may have come to be due to restrictions, but in upcoming months, especially as the temperatures start to rise, we expect high-end parties to continue following these trends.

Belated Celebrations

Now, more than ever, parties are a way to make up for lost time. Missed birthdays, milestones, wedding receptions and other occasions that didn’t get the celebrations they deserved in the last couple of years are getting a second chance as restrictions ease. Making up for lost time means that events are celebrated that much more, and elevated to make these occasions count.

The Valet Parking Experience

Premium valet parking is a must for any high-end event where people arrive expecting the ultimate guest experience. While valet parking is nothing new for luxury parties, the innovation of contactless valet parking has made it a safe experience for party goers and hosts.

When your guests pull up to your home or venue after rushing to get ready, fighting traffic and finding their way there, nothing is more relieving and impressive than a team of well-dressed professionals who specialize in caring for A-list VIPs and luxury vehicles. It removes the stress of looking for a safe place to park, sets the tone and gets the party started right.

Quality Over Quantity

Micro events became the norm during the earliest months of the pandemic and will likely continue for the foreseeable future. Besides being a safety necessity, we’ve learned that some of the advantages of a shorter guest list include:

  • Exclusivity: Not only do your guests feel special for being invited, but you can go the extra mile on food, beverage and entertainment.
  • More meaningful interactions: If you’re making new connections, keep in mind seating arrangements, icebreaking games and conversation starters when planning.
  • Reassuring: Micro events reassure otherwise uneasy guests that there will be plenty of room for social distancing with fewer guests in a well-sized space.


Forget about Worries, but Remember Safety

Another trend that is here to stay is greater hygiene awareness. Hand sanitizing stations, paperless invites and menus, custom-printed masks and contact tracing measures are still important and will continue to be.

The good news is, equipment like canopies, tents, heaters and outdoor flooring have made luxurious garden, rooftop and winter wonderland parties a viable option even during Canadian winters (within reason), while providing better ventilation and more space.

Creative Menu Options

During the pandemic we saw a rise in smaller portion sizes with more options, custom-prepared meals, grazing stations and food truck catering, especially with outdoor and picnic-style parties. And while many of us have put on a few over the last couple of years, comfort foods like gourmet sliders, personal, oven-baked pizzas and lobster mac and cheese have made a comeback. If you’re thinking international cuisine, consider catering by one of Toronto’s hottest comfort-food eateries from around the world.

With deserts, bigger, more elaborate cakes are trending -- as are specialty donuts and cupcakes.

Hybrid Entertainment

Fusion is no longer only used to refer to menu options. As events became a hybrid of fewer in-person guests and virtual attendees, so did the entertainment. Getting your live band in touch with the DJ, dancers and performers for collaborations keeps things interesting and memorable.

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