LIVING PROPS

What is your newest creation or service? It's generally more about meeting a client's vision than working on our own ideas. In May we did the Sex and the City film premiere at Old Billingsgate.

What are the most important things to consider when booking a themed event? For me it's the element of surprise.We built a 40-foot Christmas tree in the banqueting hall at Whitehall one year. You could see people thinking, 'How did that get there?'

What advice would you offer clients working to a tight budget? Give the event the same care and attention as you would any other. We always try to create what the customer wants, regardless of budget. There are compromises that can be made, although obviously the more money involved, the more dramatic it will be.

Which themes are proving popular among event managers? There is always high demand for Winter Wonderland theming at Christmas, with everything covered in snow. I think it's going to be a similar situation this year.

www.livingprops.co.uk

EVENT PROP HIRE

What is your newest creation or service? We are developing props and services all the time - everything from baby rhinos to church organs. We have started doing custom-upholstered banquette seating, which can obviously be Christmas-themed.

What are the most important things to consider when booking a themed event? The level of theming has raised considerably over the past few years, so make sure you have quality products rather than cheap cut-outs. If you are running a corporate event, badly painted 2D just won't work.

What advice would you offer clients working to a tight budget? Concentrate money on what people look at the most over the evening: the table centres and stage area, rather than the entrance.

Which themes are proving popular among event managers? People can put a twist on Christmas in whatever way they want, so we are getting everything from Santa's Grotto and Narnia to more oriental themes.

www.eventprophire.com

HELIX 3D

What is your newest creation or service? We work to order, so it depends on what we get asked to do. People generally come to us with ideas that they want developed. We are asked to come up with all sorts for Christmas; in the past we have built a giant snow globe for Madame Tussauds, in which to hold the 'Beckhams'.

What are the most important things to consider when booking a themed event? It helps to narrow down exactly what you want, so think whether there are particular elements that are key to the event. And have a good idea of your budget, even if it's only a ballpark figure.

What advice would you offer clients working to a tight budget? Don't go for too many curves, because in terms of the building process they are a lot more expensive. And if you're cutting corners, know which items you really don't want to lose.

Which themes are proving popular among event managers? We work on such a range of projects that it's sometimes hard to see. However, our sister company, Bar Bazaar, has definitely seen a recent trend for stylishly lit or mirrored bars.

www.helix3d.co.uk

SKETCH EVENTS

What is your newest creation or service? We are a full-service agency so we do everything from event management to the creative and production side. One thing we're offering is the hologram effect that Gorillaz and Girls Aloud have used, which can obviously tie in with Christmas.

What are the most important things to consider when booking a themed event? I think that it's nice if the theme of the event takes your guests on a whole journey, from the invitation and the greeting on the door to the location choice, the dressing and so on. And don't be afraid to do things that are different; we are often asked to do things with a twist.

What advice would you offer clients working to a tight budget? You can do amazing things with a small budget, you just have to be creative. As long as you have something that focuses the attention, you can then work wonders with elements such as candles and little bits of dressing.

Which themes are proving popular among event managers? People seem to want things that really break from the norm, where guests are going to be transported to another place. We have an apres-ski-themed event this Christmas, with retro skiwear and French disco music.

www.sketchevents.co.uk

THE FULL EFFECT

What is your newest creation or service? New themes this year are Red Hot & Blue, which is a mix of Cuban and nightclub theming; Fete Champetre, an early 20th-century boaters and blazers theme; and Silk Ball, which combines the Silk Road with other oriental elements.

What are the most important things to consider when booking a themed event? For the end client, what sets an event apart is that it doesn't feel like the same old thing being rolled out. Concentrate on a fresh look and feel.

What advice would you offer clients working to a tight budget? You can do a lot with 'softs' and lighting, so rather than going for a huge palm tree or dodgems you can use draping and so on. You'd be amazed what can be achieved in just a standard ballroom.

Which themes are proving popular among event managers? People still like to get dressed up in their party frocks, particularly at Christmas, so most of the themes we are developing create an environment in which clients can do just that.

www.thefulleffect.co.uk

AWESOME EVENTS

What is your newest creation or service? We are working on about ten different themed events at the moment, but this year we're doing a Strictly Awesome Christmas using professional ballroom dancers. We have three couples and the whole event is going to be very elegant and decadent.

What are the most important things to consider when booking a themed event? It's about the wow-factor - the theme of the event should be clear to everyone as soon as they walk into the main venue. You don't necessarily have to have it in the reception area. Focus instead on where everyone's going to be.

What advice would you offer clients working to a tight budget? With themed events there can be a lot of fixed costs - your centerpieces and tablecloths, for example - so joiner parties can work really well for smaller groups. People can come along to them and get everything included.

Which themes are proving popular among event managers? We do a lot of Moulin Rouge and Viva Vegas events, and of course the White Christmas approach is always popular. Our Club Tropicana theme is proving a hit too - we have a great George Michael lookalike.

www.awesome-events.co.uk.