Special Occasions & Events Party Supplies – Decorations, Balloons, Backdrops and Tableware for Every Milestone

Big announcement or quiet get-together, the Special Occasions & Events range gives you a simple blueprint to style any celebration under the Theme Parties umbrella. The focus is on pieces that install fast, photograph well and pack down without fuss.

Start with a colour story

Pick two main colours and one accent so every corner reads as one scene.

• Ivory and gold with a blush accent for engagements and anniversaries
• White, sage and sand for baby showers and naming days
• Black, silver and a strong school colour for graduations and farewells
• Champagne, black and pearl for New Year’s Eve

Lay a plain table cover or a runner that matches your palette, then echo those tones through decorations, bunting, fans, florals and candles.

Frame the photos first

Give your camera a guaranteed winner. Hang a Congrats or event-specific banner and anchor the wall with a fabric backdrop, shimmer curtain or arch board. Add a petite balloon arch kit or tidy balloon garland in your colours and leave about a metre in front for group shots and prams. A small neon word sign or fairy lights adds glow without heavy wiring.

Balloons that add height without clutter

Use balloons to mark key zones, not every corner.

• Entry: a helium bouquet tied to a weight so guests find the door
• Photo wall: a 2–3 metre air-fill garland with a single hero foil if it suits the theme
• Cake table: a compact cluster for scale and sparkle

Mix 12 inch latex with a handful of 5 inch minis for texture. Clear confetti balloons shine under indoor lights; outdoors they read best in open shade. Always tie helium to weights and keep strings short on breezy verandahs.

Banners, garlands and hanging décor

Layer paper fans, tassel garlands, string decorations and themed cut-outs at different heights. Keep walkways clear and hang with removable hooks. For long halls, run bunting along the stage or rail to frame speeches and award moments.

Tableware that keeps service moving

Dress trestles with a cloth and slim runner. Stack plates, cups and serviettes so guests can self-serve quickly. Use low centrepieces like bud vases, ribbed candles or a small themed ornament so faces are not blocked. Sprinkle a light pinch of matching confetti or table scatter for polish. Place cloths from the table covers range, and set paper straws and drinkware nearby so the line flows.

Event-by-event pointers

• Engagements and anniversaries: keep tones elegant, add a card box, frame a timeline photo, and use cupcake toppers or a simple cake charm.
• Bridal showers and hens nights: soft neutrals, a signature drink station, photo booth props and favour bags with mini soaps or candles.
• Baby showers and gender reveal: pastel latex balloons, prediction cards and a neat dessert corner; stage any reveal in front of the backdrop. See baby shower decorations, baby shower balloons and gender reveal supplies.
• Milestone birthdays: number balloons, a guest book and small award ribbons for fun categories (browse milestone birthdays and 1st birthday).
• Graduations and farewells: house colours, a message board and mini trophies; keep the microphone area uncluttered.
• Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day: heart garlands or metallics, shimmer curtain and LED candles for safe glow (see Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day).

Drinks and dessert zones

Set a self-serve drinks bench with labelled paper cups and paper straws so guests can top up without queuing at the kitchen. For desserts, use a cake stand, cupcake picks and a compact sprinkle mix that matches your palette. Keep wipes, spare spoons and bin liners in a small caddy under the table. Add handy balloon accessories if helium bunches or garlands are nearby.

Accessibility and comfort

Provide a couple of sturdy chairs near the photo wall. Offer left-handed scissors at the card table and a thick-barrel pen for easier grip. Note any strobe lights or fog on a door sign so sensitive guests can choose their seat.

Outdoor and indoor tips that save time

Indoors, keep helium away from ceiling fans and tape down cords near the backdrop. Outdoors, stage the photo wall in open shade, secure cloths with table cover clips, anchor garlands with fishing line and weight inflatables. Under-inflate latex slightly on hot days so balloons stay round.

Quantities guide

• Backdrop: one main panel or 2–3 metres of curtain
• Balloon garland: 80–120 balloons plus 20–30 minis for a 2–3 metre run
• Helium markers: one bouquet at the entry and one by the cake or speeches
• Table décor: one centrepiece per 90–120 cm of table length
• Confetti: a light scatter per section is enough for sparkle without mess

Favourites to keep in the cupboard

Spare removable hooks, table cover clips, fishing line, a roll of double-sided tape, scissors, a texta, glue dots and a small packet of 5 inch balloons will solve most last-minute styling hiccups. For sweet take-homes, keep a box of lollies & candy, lolly jars and fresh party bags on hand.

Fast pack-down

Take final photos of the cake table and backdrop. Roll paper cloths toward the centre so confetti stays contained. Sort décor into tubs by zone, deflate foils with a straw for reuse and coil fairy lights into a zip bag. Leave banners on top for next time.

From proposals to farewells, the Special Occasions & Events collection gives you a clear plan and flexible pieces. Choose a tight palette, frame the photos, keep tableware practical and let the moment shine.