Clients are always asking for new and unique venue ideas for their events.  Some prefer the trendy nightclub, the new restaurant or the haute hotel, while others are seeking a more refined, intimate venue such as a private residence, hilltop mansion, industrial loft or exclusive beachfront home.

Private residences that are conducive to hosting parties are ideal for warm weather events and they are not just for casual soirees or wedding receptions.  Corporate clients are also looking to these alternative unique spaces to deliver memorable experiences to their guests.

Occasionally, private residences that function as unique event spaces may sometimes be historical sites, this not only adds a layer of “extra special” but also allows guests to take in the history and have something to explore and discuss.  An added bonus of this “extra layer” can easily translate to “word of mouth viral marketing” via guests tweeting and updating their Facebook status while they are attending the event.

Here are a few tips when hosting your next event at a private residence:

• Take advantage of the venues’ gardens for garden parties.  Let guests explore the grounds, or set up different stations both inside and outside to maximize use of these spaces.
• Consider warm and homey food stations.  Home-style food has made a big comeback, with finger-food size grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese being big hits.
• If you’re a corporate client, minimize the need for large posters and use subtle ways of infusing your brand.  Specialty drinks, floral arrangements of your brand colors or my personal favorites, branded throw pillows, chocolates and branded cocktail napkins always work well.

Happy Venue Shopping!

It’s hot outside and enjoying a cool crisp summer cocktail is a great way to enjoy a lazy afternoon or relax after a long day.

Pimm’s Cup is the quintessential British summer drink.  Although most famously enjoyed by spectators at Wimbledon, cricket matches and sailing regattas, this refresher with its unique herbaceous tang can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere, anytime.

“Pimm’s” is both the name given to this long mixed drink as well as being the proprietary name of the gin-based, delicately spicy, iced-tea-colored spirit that serves as its base.  At a relatively low 25% alcohol, Pimms No. 1 Cup (the spirit) blends nicely with lemonade, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale and is garnished with cucumber and lemon to make a Pimm’s Cup.

Pimm’s Cup 
(makes one drink)

1.5 ounces Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
lemonade (or ginger ale or lemon-lime soda) 
lemon slices
, cucumber slices 
(optional: orange slice, fresh borage and/or mint leaves, apple slices, strawberry)

Fill a Collins glass half with ice and a few slices of cucumber, borage leaves or other garnishes.  Add measure of Pimm’s, then top up glass with lemonade or soda.  Stir gently and add additional ice if needed.  Garnish with slices of lemon and cucumber.

Cheers!