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It’s Festival Season!

With Coachella upon us and Stagecoach knocking at our door, it’s time to get ready for Festival season! And maybe even host your own festival party!

You’re not a festival person you say? Well with everything from Bottlerock in Napa to the Ultra Music Festival in Miami, festivals have now become part of our vacation destination decision making process, and a summer doesn’t feel complete without experiencing some live music in the sun. Even city-hosted concerts in the park have gotten a more festive vibe. And of course, those fun elements have now infused their way into the party planning space.

I didn’t think I was a festival person until 2016 when my hubs and I decided to try Coachella for the first time. We thought, “People come from all over the world to visit Coachella, and it’s in our own backyard, we have to give it a try.” Man were our minds blown! We thought we’d be the oldest ones there, but we were so wrong. Young and old, cool and not, the vibe was out of this world and the people were so friendly, we actually met some of our bestest friends at the RV Park where we stayed. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Richard and I in front of the iconic Coachella ferris wheel in 2016.
Richard and I in front of the iconic Coachella ferris wheel in 2016.

So to help you get in the festival party spirit and be ready for your next one, whether it’s Coachella or YOUchella, I thought I’d break down a few elements to get you prepped!

The Look

While the outfit and accessories are paramount, I actually love seeing all the creativity people have with things like awesome hairstyles and #bodyglitter.

I love the glitter and #facejewels that so many ladies are rocking that truly enhance their beautiful style, like this chunky glitter by @cosmeticsemilia.

Chunky silver glitter looks fab with the red outfit and accessories
Chunky silver glitter looks fab with the red outfit and accessories

If you’re hosting your very own festival party, or just want to get festival ready, the super talented @workofheartfacepainting based in Santa Barbara can hook up your whole tribe with beautiful #festivallooks.

Rainbow eyeshadow, feather earrings and a big brimmed black hat - 5 out of 5 festival stars!
Rainbow eyeshadow, feather earrings and a big brimmed black hat – 5 out of 5 festival stars!

This gal looks super adorable with a blend of glitter, jewels, fun makeup and hair. I can totally see my niece @jeaneettemorales with this exact look.

Great combo of body glitter, hair glitter, jewels, and makeup.
Great combination of body glitter, hair glitter, jewels, and makeup.

Speaking of hair, to look the part, you can’t go wrong with #doubledutchbraids, those extra long braids that sometimes even have color weaved in them like @baysidepamperparties. And @braidsfordays_shop shows us #unicornhair is also a thing. How fun is that!

Double dutch braids with a touch of color.
Double dutch braids with a touch of color.
This little unicorn is loving her rainbow hair.
This little unicorn is loving her rainbow hair.

There are lots of folks who will braid your hair for you to make your festival prep super easy, like the talented @aslynrenee based out of Los Angeles.

Professional braiding makes sure those braids last all weekend!
Professional braiding makes sure those braids last all weekend!

Of course, you can’t go wrong with a #flowercrown. Especially if you’re hosting your own event, a special touch from a vendor like @edensgardenflowercrowns in the South Bay or @madreflorals in Santa Clarita bring so much fun for the whole tribe.

Beautiful flower crown for a beautiful mom-to-be.
Beautiful flower crown for a beautiful mom-to-be.
Flower crowns are a universal symbol of goddess.
Flower crowns are a universal symbol of goddess.

And how cool are these custom hats by @crownsbychloe_?!

Fabulous festival hats definitely help you look the part.
Fabulous festival hats definitely help you look the part.

I think if you just rocked one of these hats with some sunnys, you’ll look cute no matter what you wear.

The Scene

Well if there’s any reason to host a festival themed party, it’s for all the beautiful decor you can use! There are a few ways to do this…go the ‘chella’ route and embrace some of the colorful and carefree elements of the big festivals, or go ‘boho’ and embrace some of the chic laid back vibes representing a nod to the hippy days. Let’s explore them both.

This adorable set up by @nineteen27vintages is definitely on the #bohochic side, and it’s simply adorable. From the macrame wall to the floor seating with cushions, they’ve transformed this space into a gorgeous festival party scene.

This Boho chic set up is everything.
This Boho chic set up is everything.

For a #Saharatent like experience (that’s the house music stage @Coachella) companies like @wondertentparties do a fab job of making these intimate spaces into festival ready gathering spots. I can totally see a henna and tarot card station set up in there.

Glam Tents = Serious Festival Vibes
Glam Tents = Serious Festival Vibes

For the ultimate festival like experience, services like @festipi bring the camping vibe to life! Just BYO chair and you’re set for an afternoon of music and fun.

Colorful tents bring that car camping feel to your event.
Colorful tents bring that car camping feel to your event.

All the heart eyes go to @santabarbarapicnicc for their pop up intimate festival style picnics on the beach or at iconic places like the Santa Barbara mission. What a great way to bring the festival vibe to your closest group of friends.

Picnic on the beach with this gorgeous festival feel...yes!
Picnic on the beach with this gorgeous festival feel…yes!

Then there’s the more funky and colorful vibe of a #chella party, like @world_event_management put together, complete with colorful marquee letters and hay bales.

Festival vibes all around this colorful setup.
Festival vibes all around this colorful setup.

You can never go wrong with a playful #selfiestation like @lauravallexx posed for with friends.

Selfie stations are best shared with good friends.
Selfie stations are best shared with good friends.

And then of course there’s #kidchella for those of us who wish our parents knew about hosting themed parties back in our day. It’s ok mom, skateland was good enough for me. 🙂 Nice job with this one @teakandlace

Do you think the music at kidchella kid's bop sung acapella?
Do you think the music at kidchella is kid’s bop sung acapella?

The Treats

Talented bakers will never cease to amaze me with special ways to bring a theme to life. Check out these gorgeous treats, like this #coachellacake by @belletorte…I mean it has it’s own #flowercrown and sunset with palm trees!

This baker thought of all the details to make a fabulous Coachella cake.
This baker thought of all the details to make a fabulous Coachella cake.

Or this colorful too-many-to-count tiered cake complete with #peace sign and funky cupcakes all around….so groovy!

Peace, love, and layers and layers of cake!
Peace, love, and layers and layers of cake!

These cute little tent and feather #customcookies by @sugarbabiesbakeshop are almost too cute to eat.

Teepee custom cookies are so cute.
Teepee custom cookies are so cute.

And @pastrygirlslondon crafted these #teepee #cakepops with such fab details for a #sweetstable.

Teepee cake pops would be a hit at any festival party.
Teepee cake pops would be a hit at any festival party.

The Fun

Once guests arrive, it’s only proper to give them some fun swag, like these glow sticks, neon glasses, wristmands, etc., like @gemloujenko did for her #festivalparty

Everyone loves festival swag.
Everyone loves festival swag.

But the real fun comes with setting the mood with music! My absolute favorite #festivalDJ is @djsonny7even based in Los Angeles (full disclosure, this is my hubby – hehehe) Truthfully, he loves playing pool parties and for crowds with festival party vibes, and is just so talented.

DJ Sonny7even making em splash at a pool party.
DJ Sonny7even making em splash at a pool party.

How do you find other great #DJs, #bands, and other artists? Well mainly it’s word of mouth, or you might reach out to an artist you saw perform at another event or venue. It’s hard work finding talent!

Our site @inspomyparty will soon offer a great way to find recommendations for entertainment from family, friends, and neighbors, but there are also great sites out there like @thumbtack and @gigmasters to help you find great bands like @rumbaflamenca and emcees like @mrlifeofyourparty.

Gigmasters is a great place to find bands.
Gigmasters is a great place to find bands.
Thumbtack is another great place to find talent, like emcees.

The Invites

So maybe I’ve convinced you to host a festival themed party? Here are some cool ways to get the word out to your closest friends and fam.

You can’t go wrong with sending a cool #lanyard invite in the mail announcing the festivities. This one by @wedfest.co is super bright and fun.

Lanyard invites will get everyone in the festival spirit.
Lanyard invites will get everyone in the festival spirit.

Can I please be invited to the #bestiefestie? But I need the #VIPpass so….hook me up @teepover_!

Bestie Festie is the cutest name for a party.
Bestie Festie is the cutest name for a party.

Might as well throw in a colorful #baefest #wristband like this one by @wedfest.co to make it look really authentic!

Hosting a Baechella will definitely bring all the boys to the yard.
Hosting a Baechella will definitely bring all the boys to the yard.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the lineup!

Me at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami in 2017.
Me and the hubs at our first Coachella in 2016.
To help you get in the festival spirit and be ready for your next festival, whether it's Coachella or YOUchella, I thought I’d break down a few elements to get you prepped.