How to Throw an A-List Oscar Viewing Party
Vanessa Bayer and Mindy Weiss (Photo: Kohl’s)
Didn’t get an invite to the Oscars on Sunday? Don’t fret — “SNL’s” Vanessa Bayer says such awards shows are sometimes best experienced from the comforts of home. For one thing, an L.A. red carpet can get “sweaty,” she says, thanks to the bright lights and warm West coast weather. And, you have to tell someone every time you need to use the restroom, so a “seat-filler” can sit in your seat (a production trick used to make sure the auditorium doesn’t look too empty to viewers at home). “The fun stuff you think is fun is fun, but the sweating a lot and dealing with getting up to use the restroom are things you don’t have to worry about at home,” Bayer says.
This year, Bayer and celebrity party planner Mindy Weiss will host an Oscar viewing party in L.A. with Kohl’s that will be Periscoped live (you can virtually attend by following @Kohls on Twitter or Periscope). Weiss has planned Hollywood weddings, baby showers, and corporate events for decades (remember Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello’s gorgeous nuptials in November? Mindy planned it!) She’s also planned dozens of Oscar viewing parties, including one where guests came dressed as their favorite character from movies of that year. “That added that extra bit of entertainment and excitement for people,” Weiss said.
Below, Weiss gives tips and tricks for hosting an A-list viewing party in your own home. Make sure your champagne is chilled when the Oscar telecast kicks off Sunday at 7 p.m. EST on ABC.
Invite fun people: Edit your guest list to include people who appreciate the glitz and glamour of the night. “The people you surround yourself with make a great party,” Weiss says.
Food should be familiar: Don’t serve complicated dishes that guests will spend too much time analyzing. Mac and cheese, French fries, sandwiches, and a great crudité for those that have diet requirements make a solid party menu. For dessert, a popcorn buffet bar with fun toppings like Oreo cookie crumbs, Parmesan cheese, or cinnamon is both thematic and interactive. Remember to keep hot foods hot, and to replenish and refresh when necessary.
A “Black Tie Fizz” with fresh blackberries. (Photo: Kohl’s)
Drinks: Welcome guests with a festive cocktail when they walk in the door. “There’s got to be one fun thing in every drink,” Weiss says, whether it’s a cute straw or extra-large ice cubes. Adding berries to a flute of champagne or a glass of rosé them beyond your average happy hour drink. For the Kohl’s event, Weiss created a drink she calls a Black Tie Fizz, which includes vodka, soda, lime, and a few fresh blackberries.
Decor: To reflect the awards show theme, Weiss likes to use metallics with a pop of color via balloons or flowers. Create a pretty, Instagram-worthy buffet table by using a mix of textures and fabrics on the table and thoughtfully placing colorful dishes. Have plenty of seating available for people to gather around the television, and place a few Oscar-shaped statues on a buffet or coffee table. Also, hand out ballots with the nominees and categories on them so people discuss their predictions. “It makes it more exciting to listen to the winners,” Weiss says.
Finally, don’t forget the swag bag: This year’s Oscar nominees will take home $230,000 in gifts, a collection assembled by marketing firm Distinctive Assets that includes a Vampire Breast Lift (valued at $1,900), a 10-day trip to Israel, ($55,000) and a vibrator ($250). Your guest should leave your party with a little something, too. This year, Weiss will give out cozy gifts including fuzzy socks, really cute leg warmers for girls, selfie sticks, and photos of the night placed in decorative frames.
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