At 828 Planning, we believe a great event should feel like a full experience; one that transports guests, tells a story, and lingers long after the last song fades. Our New Orleans–inspired open house at BRICK San Diego was exactly that: a maximalist, lush, and joy-filled love letter to one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
What started as a spark of inspiration quickly turned into one of our most immersive designs yet, layered with culture, texture, sound, flavor, and personality.
The Inspiration: Designing a Fresh New Orleans–Inspired Event in San Diego
The original spark for the NOLA theme came from early design inspiration and unexpected references, including Disney’s New Orleans Square, the iconic brick-lined streets of the French Quarter, and the bold, maximalist energy of a beloved New Orleans–style bar in San Diego. That foundation quickly grew into a richer vision shaped by travel, tradition, and storytelling.
Rather than leaning into the darker, moodier Mardi Gras palette most people associate with New Orleans, Cassidy and Lindsay intentionally reimagined the city through a bright spring-and-summer lens. Pastels, oysters, warm light, and garden textures took center stage; all balanced with deep greens and blues that honored the city’s historic, jazz-filled soul.
The goal was to create an experience that felt joyful, layered, and transportive — not themed, but fully immersive.
Designing With Contrast, Color & Character
Maximalism was at the heart of this design. Contrasting patterns, bold linens, layered textures, and a curated mix of colors created a space that felt vibrant yet intentional. Thanks to BBJ, our incredible linen partner, we were able to explore dozens of pattern options before selecting the perfect mix that felt playful, elevated, and cohesive.
We leaned into the duality of New Orleans, creating elements that were both light and moody; refined and wild. Lush garden elements softened the industrial structure of the space, while lanterns and glowing light sources echoed the romantic streets of the French Quarter at night.
BRICK’s unique indoor-outdoor feel allowed us to fully blur the lines between venue and streetscape, inviting guests to wander as if they were strolling through a neighborhood in New Orleans.
Culture in the Details: New Orleans–Inspired Event Design by 828 Planning
For us, honoring New Orleans meant going beyond surface-level aesthetics and into intentional cultural detail.
Hand-painted oyster shells with gold rims appeared throughout the design as décor and tabletop accents. A live oyster shucker toured the space, creating an interactive moment guests didn’t expect. Jazz music filled the air thanks to a soulful saxophonist, instantly grounding the room in the spirit of the city.
Historic patterns, baroque-inspired elements, and vintage-style textures were layered into the design to add depth and authenticity. And through collaboration with the BRICK Beverage team, the bar became its own cultural moment — featuring classic New Orleans cocktails like the Hurricane and the ever-popular French 75, a nod to the city’s French roots.
Creole-inspired cuisine brought the flavors full circle: beignets, jambalaya, and even a touch of Mardi Gras flair with bead tosses from the catering teams.
Statement Design Moments We’ll Never Forget
Several moments became true visual anchors of the design:
Cascading hanging installs of lush ferns and rattan lanterns drew the eye upward and anchored the central lounge.
Layered tablescapes featured intentionally mixed linens, oyster accents, lanterns, and textured place settings.
The sweetheart table included one of our favorite handcrafted details: oyster shells repurposed as salt and pepper holders with tiny spoons.
The parasol altar installation became the main focal point of the event, softening the space with movement and romance.
European-style street lamps completed the illusion of standing on a New Orleans side street instead of inside a San Diego venue.
Every detail worked together to tell one cohesive story.
The Power of the Guest Reaction
The most rewarding part of any event for us is always the guest experience, and this night delivered in the best way. Guests lingered, explored, asked questions, and truly immersed themselves in the design.
Multiple attendees booked on the spot. The draping, greenery, and overall lushness became an instant conversation starter. One of the most meaningful moments came when guests visiting from New Orleans attended specifically because of the theme — and confirmed that the design genuinely captured the soul of their city. Seeing them share the experience with their own community was incredibly validating.
Why BRICK San Diego Was the Perfect Canvas
New Orleans is a city of beautiful contradiction: historic yet alive, industrial yet overgrown, structured yet wildly expressive. BRICK mirrored that same energy. Its exposed brick, flexible layout, and indoor-outdoor flow allowed us to fully transform the space without losing its character.
Could this event be recreated at another venue? Absolutely. Each venue space lends its unique traits to how a theme is carried out.
The Vibe in Three Words
If this event had to be described in just three words:
Maximalist. Lush. Bright.
One of our favorite final touches was the message written directly on a mirror for guests to see: “Laissez les bons temps rouler” — let the good times roll. And that’s exactly what we did.
A Note to Future Clients
If there’s one piece of advice we’d give to anyone dreaming of a styled event like this: more is more. Be open-minded. Lean into the details. Let your invitation design, your tablescapes, your lighting, your bar — every layer — tell the same story.
When design is intentional, immersive, and bold, the result is an experience people remember forever.
Ready to plan your next unforgettable event? Let 828 Planning bring your vision to life.
