How to Host a Red Carpet Style Party

Arriving at an event and walking down the red carpet doesn’t have to be reserved for celebrities and A-Listers. We think hosting a red carpet style event is a great way to inject elements of fun and fancy into your next company awards ceremony, charity gala dinner or your end-of-year Christmas party.

Rolling out the red carpet at the entrance of your event however is only the start…

To find out how to create the ultimate red carpet style event we caught up with the events team at Merlin Entertainments who manage Madame Tussauds Sydney – the home of the ultimate red carpet event!

Let’s take a look at what you need to host a party that will have everyone attending feeling like they’re a star….

1. Make sure you have exclusive use of the venue

Create a sense of occasion and exclusivity by hiring a venue that gives you exclusive use of the space. You won’t want to be sharing the entrance or bathrooms with anyone else. This is an invite only event, so make sure there are no carpet-crashes!

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2. Roll out the red carpet

An absolute must for a red carpet style event is to roll out the carpet itself -obviously!

Make the red carpet be the stand out feature of the entrance – wide enough for people to mingle and enjoy the arrival experience (more on that below). Add some Hollywood search lights or gobos to add some wow factor.

Roll out the Red Carpet at your next event

3. Arrange Paparazzi & Roving actors

If you have a photographer arranged for the evening make sure they are on the red carpet on arrival and looking-the-part – encourage them have some fun with the crowd on arrival.

You may also like to hire a few roving actors to act like paparazzi or perhaps some celebrities who will be attending the event.

If you’re recording the event, another great idea would be to have some interviews on the red carpet with guests as they arrive.

4. Include a media wall and a photo opp

The arrival experience of a red carpet style event can be made even better by creating a media wall or branded photo opportunity.

At Madame Tussauds, their Media Wall comes with an interactive GIF element, which sends guests a digital copy post event.

Adding a photobooth within the event space is also a great idea. At Madame Tussauds they can include interactive photo stations – Napoléon Purdis digital make up station & Cosmopolitan Cover shoot (with digital photos provided post event).

Guests love the opportunity to take a memory of the experience home with them so don’t forget this element.

Unique Photo Opp at Red Carpet Event

5. Get the music pumping

Nothing creates atmosphere better than getting the music pumping. Have a DJ on arrival to get the guests in the mood to celebrate and party. And, when it comes to dancing time, an experienced DJ or live band is a must.

6. Invite some celebrities!

There is no better way to create a red carpet style event than to have a few celebrities attend. Don’t know any A-listers to invite? Don’t have the budget to pay for a celebrity appearance?

Well, then you’re going to love Madame Tussauds… the venue comes with celebrities! All the biggest names from the silver screen to the concert stage to an Olympic podium can be

there… Want Chris Hemsworth, Adele or maybe Cathy Freeman at your event? Absolutely! They’ll be there and are more than happy to pose for selfies.

Invite celebrities to your red carpet event

7. Give awards!

Whether you’re hosting an awards ceremony or not, adding a few token awards to give guests during the event will add to the red carpet theme. For end-of-year functions and Christmas parties this is a great time to either recognise staff for serious achievements or make up some fun awards to give out.

At Madame Tussauds they can add to the theme by providing Oscar-style trophies with personalised engraving, which is done onsite – bonus!

Award Events at Madam Tussauds Sydney
Step into the spotlight & take the stage at the MTV Music Awards! This is the ultimate celebrity experience at Madame Tussauds Sydney.

8. Offer Cocktails or Champers on arrival

As soon as your guests have got through the epic and amazing red carpet entrance, make sure they get a drink. Cocktails or Champagne on arrival is a fantastic way to transition from the entrance to the party.

Step it up a level and have a Champagne tower!

9. Provide premium food – including themed food stations!

If you’re hosting a premium event, you need to serve premium food. Circulate canapes on arrival and consider lavish, styled food stations. Or perhaps invite a celebrity chef along… Curtis Stone perhaps?

Invite a celebrity chef to your event

For sit down events, make sure the menu plays the part too by offering plated courses. For an added touch, consider pairing wines with each course.

And for dessert… nothing says A-List event than an indulgent dessert station that guests can pick and choose what they love most.

Premium catering at red carpet style event

10. Consider a theme to tie the event together

A red carpet style event can be enhanced by choosing a theme to tie the red carpet entrance to the details and décor of the event.

Here are a few themes that the events team at Madame Tussauds think work well for red carpet style events:

• Hollywood Glamour

• A night at the Oscars

• 15 Mins of Fame

• Awards night

• Masquerade Ball

• Casino Royal

11. Encourage guests to dress the part

Now that you have the theme and the red carpet rolled out, it’s time to encourage your guests to dress the part. Make sure your invitation clearly states the dress code and that the invitation matches the theme. If you’re hosting a themed event where you want guests to come in fancy dress/ costumes make sure the invitation says that there will be a prize for the Best Dressed.

Final note…

Rolling out the red carpet and hosting a fun and fancy event is a brilliant way to celebrate with staff, colleagues and major stakeholders. Kicking off your event with a red carpet experience works just as well for serious galas as it does for more casual, themed events.

The events team at Merlin Entertainments can assist with all of the above – from exclusive venue hire to helping you arrange the red carpet, actors, media wall and premium catering.

And, if rolling out the red carpet isn’t quite your style, why not consider rolling out the blue carpet at their neighbouring venue, SEA Life Sydney Aquarium. With the exciting announcement of an all-new venue launching November 2018 – Day and Night on the Great Barrier Reef. After strutting their stuff on the blue carpet, guests will be transported to the Great Barrier Reef. This is the aquarium’s largest Ocean Tank vista with floor to ceiling viewing & will allow guests take in the beauty of the Reef for an unforgettable event experience that is sure to make them feel like a VIP!

SEA LIFE Sydney new Day & Night Reef experience