Did you know The Star’s three properties in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast each have their own in-house event organisers? We enlisted their expert help to reveal how to plan an epic event you’ll never forget.

Edible decorations Cucina Vivo private event

When it comes to planning a memorable milestone event, there’s no such thing as too much planning. Whether the event in question is a 21st, 30th or 40th birthday party; an intimate engagement dinner; hens’ or bucks’ party; or a bespoke baby shower with balloons and flowers galore; it pays to be organised.

We caught up with The Star’s in-house event organisers to get the lowdown on how to plan a milestone event that all your friends will be talking about for years to come.

Top event planning tips from the experts

Suelin Tieleman, Event Sales Executive at Treasury Brisbane, says her number one tip when planning an important milestone event is to lock in your venue first before confirming anything else, such as entertainment and theming. “The venue may have restrictions that would apply for suppliers coming on site,” she explains.

Suelin also says you should never leave your invitations to the last minute, even though many people do. “Get them out to your guests with plenty of notice… the more notice you give people the greater the chance you will be able to get everyone in attendance to celebrate your special day together,” she says.

Room styling in The Star Grand Hotel

Meanwhile, Yandell Wass, Celebrations Manager at The Star Gold Coast, says her top event planning tips are to share your budget with your event planner or venue manager and to make sure you do your research. “Reach out to at least three venues to compare their offerings and be flexible with your dates,” she says. “Your dream venue may be available on a Thursday/Friday night for a fraction of the price, which will leave you more budget for cocktails and decorations.” We like the sound of that…

Party styling tips and party theme ideas

When it comes to theming and styling your milestone event the options are endless. A quick trawl on Instagram or Pinterest will give you a host of ideas, but it’s important to remember less is more sometimes, says Suelin. “Stick to just one theme for the event. You don’t need to have too much of everything, just keep it simple and elegant to the theme you want.”

Lighting from above at Treasury Anniversary Dinner

Don’t forget to consider the existing theming and colour scheme of your party venue, too, when planning your styling, says Yandell. Her top tip? “Be sure to ask the venue manager for pictures of previous events that have worked well,” she says. “You may get some great tips or ideas on how to make the space pop.”

While party themes for special events held at The Star have included everything from Casino Royale to the Great Gatsby, balloons and flowers are also always going to be a winner when styling for a milestone event. The Star Sydney’s favourite floral boutique Floral Desire, for example, creates amazing balloon bars and stunning floral displays for all kinds of events. Their creations are artworks in themselves and will instantly give real wow factor to any special event.

Read our story on 5 top tips to create the perfect floral centrepiece.

Where to plan your next milestone event

The Star is the go-to destination for party planners looking to celebrate a memorable milestone. Sokyo at The Star Sydney is the perfect venue for an intimate hens’ party dinner, while Nineteen at The Star at The Star Gold Coast is ideal for a stunning engagement party. Cucina Vivo, also on the Gold Coast, is a lovely, sun-drenched spot for a beautiful and private long lunch. The Darling Penthouses in both Sydney and on the Gold Coast boast gorgeous views and make great settings for a milestone birthday party. 

Treasury Brisbane’s new venue Will & Flow has a relaxed atmosphere close to the city, says Suelin, making it a great option for engagement parties and milestone birthdays.

Styled Dinner in the Cabinet Room at Treasury

“For a more intimate formal affair you can’t go past our Cabinet Room to host a lavish dinner,” says Suelin. “Our most popular event space, Ryan’s Private Dining Room, is a great space to host a themed cocktail party. With views across Queen’s Gardens and a beautiful heritage bar, you don’t need to look any further.”

Find out more information about booking your special milestone celebration at The Star.


We thought you might also like…