How the Rainbow is Inspiring Us During Pride Month, Thanks to These 28 Epic Celebrations
by Pamela Rothbard, Editor
We love how the rainbow — which boasts a traditional, biblical meaning of hope — has become the symbol of inclusivity. This month, in celebration of Pride Month, we want to pause and reflect on the progress that has been made; we also know the road is still long, and there are, as Robert Frost wrote, “more miles to go before [we] sleep.” But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate the now. After all, celebrations are all about bringing people together.
So this June, we are celebrating Pride Month by showcasing our favorite rainbow-influenced events and moments. Three of these events are June installations in honor of LGBTQ+ by one of our favorite design teams, B Floral Event Design & Production. Last year, they designed a Pride Parade float for rideshare company, Lyft, where couples could get married by Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk (scroll to learn more). “We’re always thrilled to be a part of Pride. We love to do our part to make Pride as colorful as possible!” said Bronwen Smith, Owner and Lead Designer, B Floral.
Read on to see some of our favorite rainbow-hued events, installations, and elements that represent our celebration of the importance of Pride Month.
A Floral-Filled Pride Parade Float in New York City
Real-life couples lined up to tie the knot on this festive Pride Parade float from B Floral Event Design & Production, produced for their client Huge. The Lyft-branded float was featured in last year’s Manhattan’s Gay Pride Parade (we can’t wait to see what they come up with this year!). It featured a rainbow-hued, slow-moving altar where lucky couples got married during the parade, with Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk as officiant. Photographer Kelly Balch captured the sweet scene, including the whimsical array of silk florals, the throngs of onlookers, and the couples pledging their forever love.
A Los Angeles Makeup Launch With Color-Rich Décor
We love how this product launch for the Becky G x ColourPop makeup collection mirrored the vivid hues of the cosmetics by bringing rich color to the unique Candela La Brea space in Los Angeles. The spot’s towering statement ceiling was perfect for a vibrant, eye-catching installation at the event from experiential agency, Blue Revolver Inc. A vintage car exploding in a riot of florals from Cesar Ugarte, formed the perfect backdrop for fun photos from Pic Pic Social. Meanwhile, Sydney Jackson Photography captured partygoers enjoying bites from Love Catering and dancing to tunes from the DJ spinning in a cool, custom branded booth. From the entrance draped with florals to the colorful palm leaf light projections, the entire celebration boasted a chic chromatic vibe.
The Cayman Islands Played Host to This Vibrant Celebration
When an event is titled “Rainbow Break”, you know it’s going to have some elements of surprise and provide a burst of color. The team at Engage! Summits curated the perfect expression of whimsy with a collection of vibrant tents from Raj Tents gently blowing in the Cayman Island breezes at Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa. The colorful kick-off break, designed by HMR Designs, featured market-tyle treats like watermelon carpaccio, and refreshing island drinks, including fresh coconut water from the resort’s resident “coconut man”. Conference attendees also enjoyed entertainment from New York-based Élan Artists.
A Pre-Prom Party With All the Rainbow Vibes
Why even leave for the prom when the pre-party is this good? This celebration from Anna Lucia Events used a rich ROYGBIV color scheme to impress its high school guests. The lucky kids entered through primary-hued arches and under a wow-worthy balloon installation to the party before the party. Carmen’s Flowers curated florals in alternating bursts of color and all-white palettes — a respite from the eye candy. Speaking of candy, partygoers enjoyed a candy bar in all flavors and colors of the rainbow and also received goody bags with more treats, as well as too-cool-for-school sunglasses and personal Instamax cameras complete with rainbow-edged on-the-spot printable film. The team from Anna Lucia Events draped the private residence in vibrantly-hued curtains and conjured a cloudy-sky ceiling. Ryan Joseph Photography captured every memorable detail as well as the students in their prom-best before they headed out for the dance. The entire celebration felt as if guests had finally made it to the end of the rainbow.
This NYC Rooftop Wedding was a Technicolor Dream
This New York City rooftop wedding from the teams at Sonal J Shah Event Consultants and Design House Decor was a wonderland of stunning color. The vibrant Southeast Asian wedding’s décor complemented with the skyline views at the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City. The bride walked down a custom-printed aisle designed by Emily Kathryn Paper — which carried the invitation theme through to the celebration. We are completely wowed by the beautiful realization of such a bold design — it’s a rich riot of color, perfectly controlled but a little wild. The colorful place card display is one of our very favorites, and Clane Gessel Photography perfectly captured every exquisite angle and detail.
Bright Elements Transformed This Graduation Party
We adore how Paulette Wolf Events and HMR Designs mixed a bright palette with transparent elements like stark glassware and ghost chairs for a thoroughly modern and original celebration at the Terzo Piano space at The Art Institute of Chicago. The flexible space provided an intimate setting for 150 friends and family who gathered for the colorful graduation celebration. They enjoyed cocktails and small bites from Bon Appetit on the terrace before a sit-down family-style dinner at richly-hued tables outfitted with Tailored Elements linen. Chicago skyline views and acoustic stylings by duo, Carlos and Andrés, captivated partygoers as did a program by the family and graduate. A highlight of the evening was a private showing of the guest-of-honor’s favorite modern art exhibit — an advantage of hosting at The Art Institute. KISBAUGH + PARTNERS ensured that all staging and A/V were perfect, while Sheri Whitko Photography perfectly captured smiles and views. The memorable evening ended with a live jazz band performance and gelato from Italy.
ROYGBIV Influenced Every Detail of this Bat Mitzvah Celebration
This technicolor Bat Mitzvah celebration enchanted kids and adults alike with a perfect expression of ROYGBIV at the Whippoorwill Club in Chappaqua, New York. Tara M. Events planned a fun party that included swimming, bubbles, and face painting from Making Faces Party. On The Move played just-right tunes to fill the dance floor which sported a ceiling of rainbow installation from Katie Balloons. Color took a sweet turn with mini layered rainbow push-pop cakes from Sweet Grace Cake Designs. The vivid décor scheme was present everywhere from alternating-hued chairs, drinks and stacks of cups, and in the floral centerpieces from Enza Events. We wish we could experience every moment of this vibrant celebration — luckily Maggie Marguerite Studio preserved it in gorgeous images, including our favorite detail: the multi-colored evening lights.
An Iconic Chicago Venue Goes Rainbow Bright
We love the beautiful tradition and pageantry of Southeast Asian weddings, and this celebration is one of our favorites. It’s a marriage of color and style from Yanni Design Studio set in a classically stunning ballroom at The Palmer House Hilton. The iconic Chicago spot offers eight spaces for gathering, boasting intricate architecture and historic touches. For this celebration, Yanni’s team utilized a combination of lighting, florals, greenery, and linens to create a multi-hued vision. The mirrored tables reflect and multiply the rich colors, as captured in its full glory by Z Molu Photography.
A Fiery Fiesta Wedding Reception in California
This vibrant fiesta backyard wedding reception brought the word “party” to life in décor form. Planners at Wife of the Party conjured a colorful Mexican-theme in Southern California, with white papel picado banners, dreamy lanterns, ribbons draped from trees, and bright blooms from White Sakuras. EDLT Photo captured fun and touching moments as well as a trio of entertainment starting with a mariachi band from La Victoria, followed by tunes from DJ Herick, and ending with a surprise performance by a “dancing firebird” (click through to see those photos) from The Kidderco Studio. Friends and family also enjoyed fresh Mexican fare from Taquiza El Sinaloense and snapped pics in a photo booth from The Happen Booth. At the end of the evening, each guest received a personal “party jar” filled with fun and treats.
This Mexican Resort was the Perfect Colorful Backdrop
This welcome fiesta kicked off a family vacation in true Riviera Maya style at the Rosewood Mayakoba Resort. Mexico is a land of vibrant colors and Elegant Occasions by JoAnn Gregoli made beautiful use of the natural setting by hosting this dinner party outside where lush greens provided the perfect backdrop for an infusion of bright hues. Once again, traditional papel picado banners provided a festive feel, but we also love how Gregoli’s team mixed and matched colored stools and napkins and other elements resulting in a remarkably cohesive vibe. Modern Fotographic by Dave Noonan captured the fun scene, including bright florals from the team at local Caneteiro Weddings. With this sort of vacation welcome, we can only imagine what the rest of the trip was like.
Parents & Kids Alike Loved This Colorful Birthday Party
Once again, we have a children’s birthday party that’s colorful enough to appeal to kids and sophisticated enough to compel the adults to stay at Chicago’s Studio 415. Nicole Marie Events acted as planner, floral designer, and stylist for this celebration and, consequently, all of the elements worked really well together. Kids sat down to table settings that included mini maracas and personalized customized cookies. Adults enjoyed their own elevated table décor with tables, chairs, and linens provided by Tablescapes Event Rentals, and they even got to join the fracas with their own maracas. In addition, a margarita and sangria bar served the parents while the littles enjoyed an elaborate bubble show from Paint on Me. All in attendance appreciated a dramatic dessert display that included an installation from Brown Sugar Balloons. Click through to the full event for even more gorgeous, vibrant party images from photographer Iron & Honey — you don’t want to miss the pinata cake.
Dreamy Rainbow Ribbon Décor was the Star of This Dinner Party
A riverbed setting plus a rainbow fringe table installation make this event unlike any we’ve ever seen. This creek dinner from planner Rabbit, Rabbit Crew! is hosted yearly by the Bacon & Lox Society — a group dedicated to the concept of the shared table and generosity of spirit through artful gatherings — in Pennsylvania. We’re grateful that Redfield Photography was there to capture every fun and quirky moment, and that Rob Yaskovic photographed guests floating in the creek fully dressed, as well as partygoers posing in front of a giant frame perched in the water with the great outdoors as their backdrop. DJ Brian B provided entertainment for partygoers. Forget-Me-Not Rentals provided the endlessly-long wood tables paired with the modern copper chairs, while Allium Floral Design & Event Styling curated colorful blooms and the star of the event: that stunning rainbow table installation.
Guests Picked a Color to Pick a Seat at This Holiday Party
This corporate holiday party at Gilley’s in Dallas celebrated the holidays — as well as color. The planners from Jennifer Zabinski Events and designers from Todd Events conjured a vision of ROYGBIV that would make a rainbow envious. Guests “picked a color” to “pick a seat” then were ushered into a room alive with vivid lighting from See Hear Productions. An ombré of florals decked tables while a ribbon installation rained color down. Élan Artists provided towering entertainers decked out in glowing costumes, creating a performance and a photo op all in one.
Bloomingdale’s Hosted the Ultimate LGBTQ+ Installation
We love when companies express their support for the LGBTQ+ community. Bloomingdale’s in New York City put gorgeous design behind the cause when they hired B Floral Event Design and Production to create their Pride for All installation. Between the neon signage and the electric florals, we’re swooning.
Rainbow Confetti Celebrated These Newlyweds in Dallas
Rice is bad for the birds, balloons are bad for the environment — how is one to send a happy couple off into the rest of their lives together? With rainbow confetti, of course! We love the implication that this couple has found their happy at the end of the rainbow as they leave their gorgeous wedding reception at Dallas’s glamorous Warwick Melrose. The spot offers the perfect staircase for a dramatic exit, and The Tarnos perfectly captured the moment in everlasting images.
An Epic Rainbow Theme Brought to Life in Miami
We can always rely on THE TEMPLE HOUSE for immersive events — and we’re in love with this colorful triple B’Nai Mitzvah celebration that enveloped guests in every hue of the rainbow. We can only imagine the conversation that led to this vision — after all, there’s no way that three 13-year-olds would be able to agree on a color scheme, so why not use all of the colors? Sara Renee Events worked with Always Flowers & Events to express the vibrant personalities of all three celebrants with a custom rainbow sunburst dance floor, modern mobiles with colored raindrops, and even multi-hued bites from the out-of-the-box catering team at Creative Edge Parties. Meanwhile, LuvRox Photography captured guests enjoying the innovative entertainment from Rock With U.
Rainbow Linens Completed This Dinner Party Tablescape
One of the quickest ways to create a specific mood is through festive linens. That’s just what the planners at Liven It Up Events did to infuse color into this dinner party. The team layered gorgeously vibrant tablecloths and napkins from BBJ Linen onto long communal tables and added richly-hued chairs for an instant party. The Clubhouse Oak Brook provided a perfect setting for the colorful scene with its eye-catching columns and towering windows ushering in floods of light.
A Rainbow Celebration With Too Many Epic Elements to Count
One lucky Bar Mitzvah boy had his rainbow wishes granted by the design team at Anthony Taccetta Event Design. The designers carried the theming to chic new heights with a custom graphic dance floor, a rainbow bookshelf-inspired bar, and cubbies for guests to store their shoes while making use of that awesome dance space. New York’s iconic Ziegfeld Ballroom was the perfect spot for this oversized vision. Fred Marcus Studio beautifully captured the space bathed in beautiful lit hues of purple and blue and every detail like the sophisticated lucite tables adorned with coordinating colors. We’re also wowed by the creative catering options offered by Ram Caterers. They employed lucite boxes to display glasses of delectable fare, and a clear umbrella to suspend sprinkled donuts — offering additional whimsy.
This Branded Activation was a Literal Rainbow of Color
B Floral Event Design and Production created an immersive activation and branded photo moment at Root Studios NYC for the children’s apparel company, Giggle. An acrylic rainbow backdrop adorned with a cluster of multi-colored balloons provided an interactive set for the (adorable!) models. Luckily for us, Alicia Henderson photographed every colorful and vibrant detail.
All the Rainbow Colors Were Incorporated at This Miami B’nai Mitzvah
Plan Design Events didn’t miss an opportunity to infuse color into every element at this incredible twin B’nai Mitzvah at the Miami Auto Museum in Miami. Each acrylic tabletop was filled with beads in different hues, while outdoor lounge areas were accented with vibrant accent pillows. Photographer Jerome Royes snapped plenty of photos of one of our favorite elements: each Bat Mitzvah girl’s name in colorful block letters hanging from the industrial venue’s ceiling.
A Clean, Modern Take on a Rainbow-Hued Event
Ombré and rainbow elements were everywhere at this stunning corporate luncheon at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. We love to see a theme carried throughout each element of an event, and that’s exactly what J Group Events did, with rainbow tote bags, rainbow framing for custom signage from Alpine Creative Group, and even delicious rainbow appetizers from Constellation Culinary Group. Nuage Designs, Lavish Event Rentals, and Different Look provided complementary rentals and linens.
Rainbow Lighting Illuminated This Creative Miami Bar Mitzvah
The Miami Beach EDITION played host to this perfectly-lit rainbow Bar Mitzvah, as creatively planned by Carrie Zack Events. LuvRox Photography captured some of our favorite shots, including the rainbow lighting on the fun and engaging bowling alley, as well as the purple, red, and blue lighting (which illuminated entertainment from Rock With U) and modern, fashion-inspired décor from Bambini Soireé throughout the rest of the celebration.
This Cocktail Party Proves We Truly Eat With Our Eyes First
The color was in the catering at this Los Angeles cocktail party. Good Gracious! Catering brought life to the h’orderves by utilizing the rich, ripe colors of vegetables for quick bites and coating chocolate covered pretzels in colorful sprinkles, and even adding creative candy shooters in accordance with their respective jelly bean color. The Millwick housed the happenings and allowed for an indoor-outdoor event that boasted gorgeous neutral rentals (which allowed the rainbow to shine) from Bright Event Rentals throughout the many spaces. The gathering area for guests to mingle the night away was adorned with greenery and candles from Rrivre that encouraged a warm and cozy vibe for guests to enjoy while tunes from Luxury Entertainment Group entertained.
Colorful Cuisine was the Star of This Corporate Event
This crayon-inspired celebration would’ve made Crayola proud, with its giant crayon structures, towering rainbow balloon installation, and eye-catching balloon ribbons hanging from the ceiling — a design from the team at Kbelle’s Design. J Loft in Brooklyn provided the perfect modern, clean, white space for the colorful party. Mini guests enjoyed a themed bounce house from Long Island Rentals before sitting down to color at place settings offering — what else? — crayons and personalized coloring sheets. We’re sure that the pint-sized attendees went home smiling and exhausted.
A Rustic Rainbow of Throws Keeps Guests Warm
A rustic rainbow comes to life at this gorgeous dinner party. Experienced planner, Percy Sales, thought of everything — even providing blankets in varied colors for when the sun went down and the night got chilly. Draping these across each guest’s chair was a genius way to infuse color. Photography by Jennifer Quicksall Photography allowed this subtle theme to shine through. We are obsessed with the expansive round table sitting at the foot of a stunning landscape at Sunstone Vineyard and Winery. Throughout the night, guests meandered up to the bar, where Flair Project was crafting delicious cocktails at Santa Ynez Inn.
Lighting Creates a Rainbow of Décor at this Washington Wedding
This magical wedding reception transformed Washington, D.C.’s The Waterford Reception Center with stunning lighting. The amazing décor and lighting team at Huqa: Live conjured a lighting scheme that infused vivid color into the celebration, then they added additional texture with intricate projections. The Wedding Laddu photographed the luxe white linen, candles and chairs that allowed the lighting to really shine (pun intended), while Huqa: Films captured the celebration in all of its glory on video.
Velvet and Linens Combine for An Elegant Dinner Party
This colorful and bold corporate celebration incorporated one of our favorite trends: velvet. Planner, RMC, Inc.. lined custom-made velvet chairs in an ombre of hues down alongside a gloriously long king’s table at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail. The floral designers at House of Yonder married the hues in beautiful tabletop bouquets, and each guest was seated at a custom runner that matched his or her chair. The perfection was captured by photographer Eric Allen.
A Colorful & Creative Crayon Birthday Party
This crayon-inspired celebration would’ve made Crayola proud, with its giant crayon structures, towering rainbow balloon installation, and eye-catching balloon ribbons hanging from the ceiling — a design from the team at Kbelle’s Design. J Loft in Brooklyn provided the perfect modern, clean, white space for the colorful party. Mini guests enjoyed a themed bounce house from Long Island Rentals before sitting down to color at place settings offering — what else? — crayons and personalized coloring sheets. We’re sure that the pint-sized attendees went home smiling and exhausted.
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