Pretty Creative Events Designs Two Dazzling NYE Parties

Photos: Chris Emeott

Local event planner shares some ideas for designing your own New Year’s Eve party.

Cassie Hendrickson knows how to make an impression. The micro-event planner initially gained a reputation for her intricately executed balloon garlands, but the party was just getting started.

Hendrickson launched Pretty Creative Events in 2021 from her Otsego home. Soon, her colorful balloon garlands filled nearly every room. That’s when she knew it was time to move her growing business elsewhere.

Today, Pretty Creative Events operates from a warehouse space in Plymouth, where her two children, Delilah (3) and Dash (7), gleefully join in on the fun alongside her event planning team.

“They love blowing up balloons, and Dash loves to do the tear downs with me,” Hendrickson says. “He’s great at holding doors.”

With a focus on small events, such as birthdays and showers, Hendrickson says her usual clientele is a hostess with the mostest. “Usually, it’s people who love to throw elaborate parties but don’t have time to coordinate it themselves,” she says.

Hendrickson says she works in collaboration with her clients to narrow down their list of must-haves, whether that’s balloons, a beautifully designed dessert table or artful centerpieces.

“We kind of do it all: creative balloon installations, flower installations and luxury backdrops. Every client receives a very custom experience,” Hendrickson says.

Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

Don’t rush to take down that holiday tree. Instead, turn it into your centerpiece. Hendrickson suggests hunting for items such as vintage clocks and old mirrors at second-hand stores, or searching free listings on Facebook Marketplace.

The Vibe: Vintage yet timeless

The Color Palette: Black, copper, cream and gold with touches of greenery

The Highlight: A balloon garland with an interactive countdown “You could do a balloon pop every hour, on the hour, and in every balloon there’s a conversation starter,” Hendrickson says.

Easy-to-handle charcuterie cups using martini glasses.

Personalized menus or “love letters” add a personal touch to the tablescape. “We do a lot of love letters for our clients, who have dinner parties, something as simple as saying, ‘Thank you for being here.’ Things that are thoughtful and intentional,” Hendrickson says.

Take Me to Funky Town

Turn the tinsel
up to 10 to create an eye-catching photo moment. “It’s always nice to have one focal point, so think of a fun backdrop [or] a pretty food spread,” Hendrickson says.

The Color Palette: Silver and gold

The Highlight: Introduce an element of whimsy to the evening by transforming your bathtub into a bar cart.

Local craft stores are great places to source packs of small party favors like disco balls.

Pretty Creative Events
2065 E. Center Circle
Facebook: Pretty Creative Events
Instagram: @prettycreative.events