Two seasoned hosts and party pros share their secrets to a successful soiree

ANGELIQUE FRIS-TAYLOR

Super chic, delightfully vivacious and brilliantly in charge, Angelique Fris-Taylor is a well-known personality in New Zealand public relations, with more than 25 years in the beauty, fashion, lifestyle and PR industries. Formerly director of Fresh PR, which she founded in 2002, and currently director at her new enterprise Publicity PR, Fris-Taylor is legendary for creating special events with her own signature brand of sparkle and charm.

"I constantly put on events to showcase clients' products, and as such, play hostess," she says. "I've always liked planning parties and socialising, so it's a natural thing for me."

Describing her style and approach to event-planning as "easy and maybe a little grand sometimes", Fris-Taylor is the go-to for companies like Smashbox and Toni & Guy and high-flying celebs like Colin Mathura-Jeffree (whose 40th birthday bash she helped organise) and says her parties are set apart by "making sure everyone is having fun" and "throwing in the unexpected".

Choosing a recent highlight, she talks us through the envy-inducing backstage happenings at the New Zealand Music Awards.

"We collaborated with (event planners) The WolfPack and made the hair and makeup room a "candyland" for the musicians and performers, transforming it into the essential "sugar-rush stop", complete with paper bags and mini shovels to do your own takeaways. It went down a treat, creating talkability and was a great photo prop to have fun with."

We asked Fris-Taylor to run through her must-dos and don'ts for sensational parties, big and small.

Every good party needs ...

Amazing music, a mix of interesting people and great lighting.

What are some of your secrets to creating the perfect event?

Something is always going to happen that you can't control. Best antidote? Laugh. You have to.
Beautiful lighting. If your party is starting when it's daylight and going into the evening, switch all the lamps on dimmer, so you can forget about it. The mood is created.
Capture the moment with photos. When it came to Colin Mathura-Jeffree's 40th at The Wharf, both Colin and I agreed we wanted the longest and biggest photo wall so everybody was photographed. We wanted everyone to feel special and have a memento of the night. We loaded all the images up on Publicity PR's Facebook page so everyone could tag and share. To date it was our highest page of views with over 6500 checking the images from all over the world.
Security is essential. Gatecrashers are not wanted. It also makes everything more serious and official.
Create a diverse guest list by mashing up personalities and dynamics, so you never know who you're going to meet.
If everyone is a little stiff, try a round of Cafe Patron shooters.

Party no-nos?

Finger foods that can't fit into a napkin. Egg, because it's smelly - where are the peppermints? Not serving some sort of food. You must be a responsible host.

How important is the invitation?

It is hugely important as it sets the tone of the party. For home parties we'll send an email invitation, usually with a ridiculous image on it. When Montblanc brought The Art of Shopping exhibition to New Zealand, we hand-delivered 200 invitations.

What are some of the best or most effective invitations you've sent or received?

The most gorgeous to date has to be the Gucci Race Day invite. Thick, decadent and luxurious. Wanted by everyone.

How do you create the right atmosphere?

By making sure all the key elements are in place. When you pull in a great team, you work seamlessly together. Great waiting staff make all the difference - no one likes empty glasses and plates lying around. When you walk in, everybody should feel immediately comfortable and not awkward. A drink should be served and introductions made. If someone's at a loose end, introduce them to another group.

Favourite music to play?

Mixing up old and new, such as Sade, Hotel Costes, Cafe Del Mar, Nina Simone with a bit of disco thrown in, like Earth Wind And Fire.

What are the keys to successful food?

For parties keep it casual and simple. A cheeseboard, nuts and sliced fruits, with a selection of speciality breads is simple for people to serve themselves. As the party progresses, serve quick hot and tasty nibbles like baby chicken vol-au-vents to mini hotdog sliders. Pre-ordering Il Bucco pizza is perfect too. For events, I leave it to the professionals to step in and pick a theme of food that relates to the season and guests. This gets really exciting as you see different food combinations and trends with presentation. Also, remember vegetarian and gluten-free options.

What drinks do you always have to hand?

Veuve Cliquot, 42Below vodka, Stolen Rum, gin and tonic, Red Bull and Perrier.

CHECKLIST

Party food?

I've just discovered the joys of having a private chef cooking in your own home. I was introduced to Sam Campbell last year and he did the most stunning dinner for a special occasion recently. My guests loved it and so did I. It's my new favourite thing, plus I pick up tips.

Table arrangements?

At home we have a massive table with a "lazy Susan". It feels like being in the Brady Bunch sitcom and is a great conversation-starter.

Decorations?

Lighting. Can you tell I like lighting? Chinese lanterns across the pool and in the trees, and lots of candles.

Drinks?

Cool and refreshing mojitos for summer parties. A divine pinot noir for winter.

Some simple suggestions for readers holding their own parties this summer?

Hire a waiter or two. You want to relax at your own party, not get swallowed up by it!
Lots and lots of ice, limes, lemons and mint.
Have fun music to dance to.
Remember to slow down and enjoy yourself.

Read the full article by NZ Herald here

Secrets to a successful soiree

Two seasoned hosts and party pros share their secrets to a successful soiree

ANGELIQUE FRIS-TAYLOR

"I constantly put on events to showcase clients' products, and as such, play hostess," she says. "I've always liked planning parties and socialising, so it's a natural thing for me."

Choosing a recent highlight, she talks us through the envy-inducing backstage happenings at the New Zealand Music Awards.

We asked Fris-Taylor to run through her must-dos and don'ts for sensational parties, big and small.

Every good party needs ...

Amazing music, a mix of interesting people and great lighting.

What are some of your secrets to creating the perfect event?

Something is always going to happen that you can't control. Best antidote? Laugh. You have to.

Beautiful lighting. If your party is starting when it's daylight and going into the evening, switch all the lamps on dimmer, so you can forget about it. The mood is created.

Security is essential. Gatecrashers are not wanted. It also makes everything more serious and official.

Create a diverse guest list by mashing up personalities and dynamics, so you never know who you're going to meet.

If everyone is a little stiff, try a round of Cafe Patron shooters.

Party no-nos?

Finger foods that can't fit into a napkin. Egg, because it's smelly - where are the peppermints? Not serving some sort of food. You must be a responsible host.

How important is the invitation?

It is hugely important as it sets the tone of the party. For home parties we'll send an email invitation, usually with a ridiculous image on it. When Montblanc brought The Art of Shopping exhibition to New Zealand, we hand-delivered 200 invitations.

What are some of the best or most effective invitations you've sent or received?

The most gorgeous to date has to be the Gucci Race Day invite. Thick, decadent and luxurious. Wanted by everyone.

How do you create the right atmosphere?

Favourite music to play?

Mixing up old and new, such as Sade, Hotel Costes, Cafe Del Mar, Nina Simone with a bit of disco thrown in, like Earth Wind And Fire.

What are the keys to successful food?

What drinks do you always have to hand?

Veuve Cliquot, 42Below vodka, Stolen Rum, gin and tonic, Red Bull and Perrier.

CHECKLIST

Party food?

I've just discovered the joys of having a private chef cooking in your own home. I was introduced to Sam Campbell last year and he did the most stunning dinner for a special occasion recently. My guests loved it and so did I. It's my new favourite thing, plus I pick up tips.

Table arrangements?

At home we have a massive table with a "lazy Susan". It feels like being in the Brady Bunch sitcom and is a great conversation-starter.

Decorations?

Lighting. Can you tell I like lighting? Chinese lanterns across the pool and in the trees, and lots of candles.

Drinks?

Cool and refreshing mojitos for summer parties. A divine pinot noir for winter.

Some simple suggestions for readers holding their own parties this summer?

Hire a waiter or two. You want to relax at your own party, not get swallowed up by it!

Lots and lots of ice, limes, lemons and mint.

Have fun music to dance to.

Remember to slow down and enjoy yourself.

Read the full article by NZ Herald here