Creating Meaningful Guest Experiences Through Custom Activations at Hello Summer
There is something special about seeing an event come to life exactly as it was imagined.
When Different Look Rentals and Pink Wasabi Events began planning Hello Summer, their end-of-season celebration at the beautiful Castle La Florentia, the vision was clear: create an evening that felt joyful, colorful, welcoming, and full of opportunities for connection.
At PINK. Marketing & Activations, we were honored to help bring that vision to life through a collection of custom-built backdrops, interactive experiences, and statement installations designed specifically for the event.
From the moment guests arrived, every activation was created to feel like a natural extension of the celebration while giving attendees opportunities to engage, explore, and capture memories throughout the evening.
Bringing the Hello Summer Vision to Life
Inspired by the carefree feeling of an Italian summer getaway, Hello Summer was filled with vibrant colors, thoughtful details, incredible food, and immersive design moments around every corner.
Our goal was to create activations that complemented the overall event design while encouraging guests to interact with the environment in a meaningful way.
Rather than simply creating backdrops, we focused on designing experiences.
Each installation was intended to become part of the guest journey, creating moments of surprise, conversation, and connection throughout the evening.
The Portrait Experience
One of our favorite installations from the event was the custom Portrait Experience, featuring a custom-painted 3D arch, integrated lighting, florals, and of course, a pink Vespa.
The activation quickly became one of the most photographed areas of the evening.
Guests naturally gathered beneath the arch, stopped for photos with friends, and embraced the playful spirit of the event. With La Vie Studios on-site capturing the evening, the installation provided the perfect setting for guests to create beautiful keepsake photos while fully immersing themselves in the experience. Watching attendees interact with the installation exactly as we had imagined is always one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
The best photo opportunities do more than provide a backdrop. They create a reason for people to engage, connect, and become part of the experience themselves.
Showcasing Creativity Through Custom Displays
Another standout moment was the Customizable Arch Display with Shelving, designed to showcase custom-branded china created for participating vendor partners alongside some of Different Look Rentals’ newest tabletop collections.
The display became both a visual focal point and a conversation starter throughout the evening.
Guests spent time exploring the collection, discovering personalized details, and seeing firsthand how thoughtful presentation can transform products into an experience.
We love creating installations that allow brands and businesses to tell their story in a way that feels interactive and memorable.
Framing the Celebration
The Signature Frame installation brought another playful touch to the evening.
Featuring florals and a pink fringe chandelier, the activation offered guests a beautifully styled photo moment while adding another layer of personality to the event design.
Installations like these help create what we call “pause moments” within an event. They encourage guests to stop, engage with their surroundings, and fully experience the atmosphere that has been carefully created around them.
Making a Memorable First Impression
Guests were welcomed by our Welcome Drink Wall, where Aperol Spritz and Japanese Hugo cocktails set the tone for the evening ahead.
We often say that first impressions matter, and this entrance experience immediately established the vibrant, celebratory energy that carried throughout the event.
By combining architectural elements, branding opportunities, and hospitality moments, the welcome experience became more than an entry point. It became the first chapter of the event story.
A Celebration Built on Collaboration
One of the things we love most about projects like Hello Summer is the opportunity to collaborate with incredible creative partners.
Working alongside Pink Wasabi Events, who thoughtfully planned and designed the overall experience, and Different Look Rentals, whose custom tabletop pieces and branded china were featured throughout the evening, allowed every element to feel cohesive and intentional.
When planning, design, rentals, activations, and guest experiences all work together, the result is something guests genuinely remember.
Meet Our Vendor Partners
Hosts: Monica Festinger & Different Look Rentals
Co-Host Planning & Décor: Pink Wasabi Events
Custom Backdrops & Activations: PINK. Marketing & Activations
Graphic Design: Only One Mark
Audio/Visual: Event Factor
Catering & Food Station Design: Suzanne Michael
Furniture Rentals: Unearthed Rentals
Linens: Reverie Social
Photography & Videography: La Vie Studios
Transportation: Black Pearl Limousine
Venue: Castle La Florentia
Live Music: Jordan Kahn Orchestra
Chandeliers & Draping: CBK Events
Gelato Station: Feri Gelato
Tent Rental: Tent & Party Events
Live Plants: Jerentropicals
Bartending Staff: Baybes
Looking Back on Hello Summer
Hello Summer was a beautiful celebration of community, creativity, and the relationships that make this industry so special.
We are grateful to Different Look Rentals and Pink Wasabi Events for inviting us to be part of the experience and trusting us to bring these custom activations to life.
From the Portrait Experience and Signature Frame to the custom displays and welcome installations, every piece was designed with one goal in mind: creating moments people would remember long after the evening ended.
Whether you’re planning a corporate event, brand activation, product launch, gala, or private celebration, custom-built experiences have the power to transform how guests engage with your event. If you’re looking to elevate your next event with custom backdrops that reflect your brand and create meaningful guest interactions, PINK. Marketing & Activations is here to help. Let’s create an experience that captivates your audience and leaves a lasting impression long after the event is over.
To learn more about the custom tabletop collections and branded china featured throughout the event, visit the Different Look Rentals recap: How Custom-Branded China and Luxury Tabletop Design Elevated the Guest Experience at Hello Summer
To learn more about the planning, design, and décor behind Hello Summer, visit the Pink Wasabi Events recap: Behind the Design: Planning and Producing Hello Summer at Castle La Florentia
