Regency Lighting Trade Show at HELEN MILLS

When the team at Regency Lighting brought their trade show to the HELEN MILLS Event Space, we knew they would put together a fun event focused around lighting. While the back of the space remained neutral to show off the vendors' different lighting equipment, the front of the space was awash with a warm amber and contrasting blue uplights.

The energy of both the Regency team and their exhibitors shone (pun intended) throughout the evening as they hosted a variety of guests.

Warm amber lighting greeted guests as they entered the Event Space.

The bar fully stocked and ready for service.

Exhibitors put the final touches on their displays as they await guests' arrival.

The HELEN MILLS space, complete with modern cocktail furniture and hors d'ouevres provided by Between the Bread catering.

Thank you, Regency Lighting! It was a pleasure hosting you in our Event Space!

Planning an Event? Contact Us to learn more about events at HELEN MILLS, or check out more recent events here.

Finding Love at HELEN MILLS

We love events here at HELEN MILLS, but we love it even more when two people FIND love at one of our events!  Such is the case with Ari and his now-fiancée, Shelby.

Four and a half years ago, Ari and Shelby attended a New Year's Eve party right here at HELEN MILLS. They spent the night laughing and talking, not knowing that this would be the first of many New Years celebrations together. As Ari started planning to "pop the question", he reached out to us with a unique request: to ask the woman he loves to marry him in the place where it all started. 

We were so happy to oblige Ari's request.  The plan was set - Shelby believed she was meeting her father at our event space after he wrapped up a meeting.  When she arrived, we lead her into the event space by herself, where Ari stood alone in the center of a rose petal arrangement.  After a short speech, he got down on one knee and proposed. Shelby, of course, happily accepted! After the initial shock wore off, Shelby realized they were standing in the same area they spent that fateful New Year's Eve. Talk about romantic!

After, family and friends surprised Shelby and joined in the celebration. They toasted to the engagement with champagne, exchanged excited congratulations, and captured the moment with some photographs. Their photographer, Matthew Raney, was there to capture every moment, and they kindly shared the below photos with us.

The surprised bride-to-be!

She said yes!

We feel so lucky to have played a part in Ari & Shelby's special day!  Hopefully, we can play cupid once more in the future.  :) 

Have you had a similar serendipitous encounter at HELEN MILLS?  Drop us a line at info@helenmills.com to share your story!

Alumni Events at HELEN MILLS

Alumni events are wonderful occasions where former classmates get together to relive the glory of college, network, and form new relationships.

Whether you are looking to plan a formal presentation, or throw a casual mixer, The HELEN MILLS Event Space and Theater is a versatile, all-inclusive, and convenient location for your next alumni get together.

Our 4,000 sq. ft. event space offers state-of-the-art sound and digital-video projection systems, as well as high-speed, wireless Internet.

Our street-level entrance offers fun and unexpected branding options, so your guests immediately feel school spirit before ever entering the event!

Connected to the Event Space is our intimate 140-seat Theater, including a large stage and green room. The theater is equipped with surround sound, HD projection, theatrical lighting, and more to create the perfect space for your next presentation, panel, and more.

At HELEN MILLS, we can take care of your catering, beverage, furniture, audio visual needs, and more!

Contact Us to learn more about hosting your alumni events at HELEN MILLS, or check out more recent events here.

Revenge of the Nerds

What is the best way to celebrate both your spouse's and your birthdays? What if you also want to fold in the celebratration of your wedding anniversary? Quiet dinner at a posh restaurant? Backyard barbecue with your closest friends and family? How about revisiting the glory of college and throwing an all-night fraternity kegger?!

That is exactly what this couple did with the help of Florie Huppert Design and a team of incredibly talented vendors.

We're stoked to share these photos from a totally 80's "Revenge of the Nerds" party.

Planning an Event? Contact Us to learn more about events at HELEN MILLS, or check out more recent events here.

Event Design and Coordination, Florie Huppert Design
Photography, Courtney Collins
Catering, Matchbox Catering
Window Graphics, Chief Graphix

Mitzvah Series #1: Basic Mitzvah Terminology

Are you an event planner diving into the world of Mitzvahs?  Will you be attending the Mitzvah of a friend or family member, and are curious about what to expect?  The HELEN MILLS team has hosted many Mitzvahs in the past, and we'd like to compile some helpful information for planning your next Mitzvah.  In the first of our Mitzvah Series, we'll explore some of the basic terminology associated with Mitzvahs to help you better familiarize yourself with this memorable celebration.

• Bar Mitzvah: Male celebration, from the Hebrew word "bar" meaning "son", and "mitzvah" meaning "celebration"
• Bat Mitzvah: Female celebration, from the Hebrew word "bat" meaning "daughter", and "mitzvah" meaning "celebration"
• Tallit: Fringed garment made of wool or linen, typically worn over outer clothes during prayer
• Tefillin: Black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah
• Motzi: Traditional prayer/blessing
• Hora: Circle dance in which the celebrator is raised in the air on a chair and guests dance around them
• Cubbies: Small cubes typically brought in by the entertainment company. Cubbies are convenient for the kids to put their belongings or for the client to put favors in the cubbies for each specific child.
• Mazel Tov!: Phrase used to express congratulations for a happy and significant occasion or event
• Motivators: Dancers brought in by entertainment company to get the children to dance and have fun
• Montage video: Short video with music played on a screen of photos from birth until present of the celebrator

In our Mitzvah Series #2, we'll detail the basic run of show for mitzvahs.  Stay tuned!

4 Creative Ideas for Your Company Summer Party

As the weather warms up, it's time to begin planning your company Summer parties. There are certain elements we all expect at these events; namely good food, good drinks, and a great venue. When it comes to surprising your coworkers, however, it's easy to feel stumped.

Knowing how much pressure there is to stand out from other events, the HELEN MILLS team collected some fun ideas to help you as your plan not only your Summer parties, but any throughout the year.

Let's get started!

Company Movie Night

Does your team sometimes get burnt out on high-energy, loud parties? Why not switch things up and book a private movie screening for your crew? With 140 seats, the HELEN MILLS Theater offers an intimate, comfortable, and alternative way to spend your company outing.

With HD projection and 5.1 Cinema Surround Sound, you can offer your team a night at the movies without the exorbitant ticket prices, teens on their cellphones, and chatterbox neighbors commenting on every scene.

Set up snacks and drinks for guests to enjoy during the movie. Photo from this post.

Gif and Video Booths

Who hasn't attended a party with a photo booth? Whether it be a wedding, Mitzvah, or holiday party, we all have our signature "four poses" down to a science. Yes, photo strips are cute and retro, but in the age of ever evolving technology it's important to take advantage of all the latest and greatest gadgets.

Companies like OM now offer several different types of photo and video booths, offering guests a creative outlet to show off your killer party.

OM's orbit360

Edible Floral Arrangements

There's no denying that flowers are a beautiful way to instantly liven up the look of your event, but at the end of the evening you experience a crisis over what to do with your left-over arrangements. It isn't always reasonable to have your guests take the centerpieces home with them, and letting hundreds of dollars of flowers get thrown away can feel like a knife to the heart. If this sounds at all familiar, you should check out companies like Baked Bouquet, a "Bakery Florist" that offers sweet treats in the form of floral arrangements. 

Baked Bouquet creates stunning creations that will have you guests asking, "These are cupcakes?!" 

LED Furniture

You've spent time and effort on creating the perfect setup for your party, so why let your tables fade into the background? Our friends at Cerf carry a large selection of LED tables and more to help you create a vibrant affair. 

Planning an Event? Contact Us to learn more about events at HELEN MILLS, or check out more recent events here.

It's All About Amelia!

On Saturday, March 25, friends and family traveled from all over to celebrate an extremely talented and lovely young woman, Amelia, here at the HELEN MILLS Event Space and Theater.

After saying their hellos and grabbing some delicious appetizers, guests moved to the theater where Amelia and her friends treated them to a number of gymnastics and dance performances.

Amelia, a decorated gymnast, wows the crowd with her beautiful routine.

Guests spent the rest of the evening eating, drink, dancing, and most importantly, celebrating Amelia!

Beautiful chandeliers hang over each table. Adults enjoyed a family-style dinner, while the younger guests grazed at the ample buffet.

After eating and dancing their feet off, the younger guests headed back down to the theater to enjoy a movie on the big screen! They all changed into PJs, grabbed some popcorn, and got cozy. What a fun and unique way to end a party!

Mozel tov, Amelia!

Planning an Event? Contact Us to learn more about events at HELEN MILLS, or check out more recent events here.

Catering by Orange Grill Catering
Decor and Planning by Nikoletta Events
DJ, Emcee, and Entertainment by
Photography by Inessa Sperkach
Videography by Lucent Vision Studio

Welcome to the Team, Melissa!

Join us in welcoming Melissa Assencoa to the HELEN MILLS team! As our new Director of Sales, Melissa works with all of our clients to book their dream events! She has experience planning meetings, conferences, weddings, social events, and more. 

Here's a quick, 7 question interview with Melissa:

 o  Hometown? West Milford, New Jersey.

o   Favorite place in the neighborhood? Madison Square Park

o   What is at the top of your personal bucket list? To run the most challenging marathon along the Great Wall of China!

o   What do you love most about events / planning events? As an event planner, I enjoy bringing people together to celebrate, learn and bond. I enjoy sharing my passion for events to create lifelong memories for social and corporate guests!   

o   Favorite swag item? A portable charger

o   Favorite event décor? Candles. Candlelight can enhance the ambiance of the room in seconds!

o   Favorite cocktail? Moscow Mule – but only with a copper mug!