Much as we love marquees there is nothing more satisfying than the sight of a marquee interior that no longer looks like a marquee interior! We never fail to be impressed by how creative our partners are and we just had to shout about one amazing birthday party that MGN events conjured up.
Unusually, the party wasn’t just for one birthday – a father was turning 50 and his daughter was about to celebrate her 21st. It’s a situation that would probably see some fathers and daughters demanding separate parties for their respective group of friends, but a shared love of the 80s film Back to the Future proved the perfect theme. It also provided the MGN events team with a huge amount of visual inspiration and plenty of fun to be had – fun in the planning (we think!) and fun on the night (absolutely!).
Stepping into the past
The experience started from the moment guests parked their cars in a field near the client’s home. A vintage Chevrolet was used to transport guests to the marquee location and outdoor lighting created visual interest and a sense of anticipation. At the marquee entrance strobe lighting was effectively employed to represent that moment when Marty McFly finds himself going back in time and, stepping inside, guests literally found themselves in the 1950s. Everyone had been asked to dress for the theme, so as the marquee filled up the effect was incredible!
The marquee interior was cleverly divided into several sections to recreate key locations from the film. Guests ate in an American diner complete with a serving counter, banquette seating and tables, working jukebox and a chequerboard floor more often used as a dancefloor. MGN events took care of every detail to create an authentic ambience, from creating menus that had the right look and feel to sourcing posters from the era. The 50s vibe extended to the catering and guests were served burgers and fries, ice-cream sundaes and milkshakes – typical diner fayre. And to complete the atmosphere, all front of house staff were dressed to match the theme.
Time to rock around the clock
If you’re a fan of the film you’ll know what comes next. The dance area was a splendid facsimile of the high school dance, complete with netting and aquatic props to create the party theme of ‘under the sea’. The masterstroke was booking one of the UK’s leading rock’n’roll bands to perform, a DJ who kept the hits coming in between sets and five roaming actors who stayed in character throughout the evening, interacting with guests and involving everyone in the experience.
The 1950s continues to hold a huge appeal for people, no matter whether they’ve grown up listening to punk music, the entire output of Stock, Aitken and Waterman, garage, grime or rap – everyone enjoys a bit of rock’n’roll. We reckon that – apart from the jaw-dropping way in which MGN events brought Back to the Future to life – the theming choice was inspired in so successfully enabling two different generations to enjoy a fabulous evening and rub shoulders on the dancefloor. We also think that the decision to hold the party in a marquee gave the MGN events team unlimited rein to do whatever they wanted in terms of theming and decoration – a freedom that wouldn’t be possible in a venue.
Inspired to start planning your own birthday party? Give us a call on 01483 322070 or email enquiries@lifestylemarquees.co.uk