Ready for your next white event?

WHITE. What images does that conjure up for you? Maybe the dazzling summer sun reflecting off a spotless t-shirt, a gracefully flowing wedding dress or a white rose with a captivating smell. Could it be the elaborate white wigs, gowns and ruffs of the French aristocracy over the centuries or what about the wonderful whites of those tennis stars that grace Wimbledon every July? We can all associate objects with the color white and when better than during the summer months.

In event planning, the color white can be a fabulous aid. Crisply-ironed pristine table cloths give that immediate impression of cleanliness and also ensure that any food presentation stands out. Here you can go wild with bright, contrasting shades.

White also works beautifully for much of the décor, for example, accentuating the clarity of any lighting deployed or adding a touch of classical elegance with the introduction of pearly statues. You could also consider a more modern approach to the latter by handpicking some stylish mannequins to dot around the room – a great icebreaker for unfamiliar groups. If room dividers between sections are required, try white sheets or semi-transparent veils, which can work especially well at an outdoor event where lush green grass and white furniture announce the summer is here.

“Whiteness refiningly enhances beauty, as if imparting some special virtue of its own” – Moby Dick, Herman Melville,1851.

Let’s not forget our attendees, though. If it suits the event, ask them to come dressed all in white. This in itself is quite a spectacle – with plenty hubbub around those that have put extra ingenuity into the challenge – but you can also dim the lights and use the guests as moving projection screens or blank canvases for a light show.

And what about our color-influenced emotions? White is seen as pure, impartial, independent, and is considered to represent perfection. It’s no coincidence that Steve Jobs chose white for his modern Apple revolution and Calvin Klein may have a wide range of products available but it’s the white underwear that truly identifies the brand.

There is no doubting that a symbolic ‘white’ event is one to aspire to: focused on a perfect outcome from a balanced planning position and that it opens up myriad opportunities for your creativity. What aspect of white can you take into your next plan?