Create 'Instagrammable' Corners at Your Event

By Cooper Gatens

Do you rely heavily on your own social media to promote your event? 

Do you find it difficult to get attendees to post about your event? 

In the era of social media, having a visually compelling event is essential. Of course your event will be awesome, but going that extra mile will reciprocate with attendees. When they see a beautifully curated CORNER, they’re more likely to snap a picture and share it on Instagram, broadening your event’s reach. 

Focusing solely on making a corner or entrance visually appealing can work wonders for passive event promotion. With strategic decor choices and thoughtful planning, you can create “Instagrammable” spots that engage guests and amplify your online presence.

How to Increase Event Attendance through Front-end Work 

Social media is one of the biggest driving forces for an events’ success. Attendees today expect to share their experiences, with around 40% of time at special events being spent taking pictures. 

Your event could be really good at delivering a great experience but lack the visual appeal. No visuals can cause a poor social media presence which ultimately results in poor event “buzz”. There is a strong correlation between visually appealing corners and guests being motivated to take and post pictures, promoting your event and elevating its online presence.

• Expands reach - Each share introduces your event to a new audience.
• Boosts engagement - Visually striking photos often lead to better performance on social media.
• Builds brand reputation - People tend to associate visual appeal to professionalism and creativity. This could eventually lead to a greater influx of returning customers.

Key Elements of an Instagram-Worthy Event Space

The secret formula to making a corner that is camera-ready incorporates the following elements. Each element enhances the decor, making it more likely to be shared and remembered: 

Start with Lighting

Lighting sets the tone for any space and is critical for photos. Understanding the relation between light and pigment can be an extremely creative way to highlight key areas, make colors pop, and create visual interest.

• Natural light - Take advantage of natural lighting for daytime events. Position decorations near windows to make the most of soft, flattering light.
• Accent lighting - Use string lights, neon signs, or fairy lights to create mood lighting. Place these close to photo spots to enhance atmosphere and appeal.
• Statement lights - Chandeliers, lanterns, or colored LED lights add an eye-catching element to your decor.

Use Statement Backgrounds

Backgrounds offer an easy way to create a visually engaging photo area, filling most of the space within the frame.

• Flower walls - Flowers (real or faux) add a lush, luxurious look. 
• Murals or themed backdrops - Custom backdrops aligned with the event theme will boost the brand experience and aesthetics.
• Balloons and archways - Balloons are playful and highly customizable. Combine colors and textures for added effect.

Experienced balloon sculptor Chloe Anderson says that, “Balloon installations are photo magnets! They add energy and a color to events, drawing people in to take pictures. These set ups give guests a place to gather and capture memories together. Balloons are also gold when it comes to promotion- people are much more likely to share photos on social media with a captivating backdrop.“

 Create Cohesion with a Clear Event Theme

A cohesive theme makes an event memorable. Consistency in color schemes, decor, and visual elements ensures each corner feels like part of a unified whole. A dedicated theme ultimately adds to the perception of professionalism among attendees.

• Choose a color palette - Select colors that suit your brand or event theme and use them across all decor elements.
• Incorporate relevant props - Match the theme of the event. If you’re hosting a vintage-inspired event, consider adding vintage furniture and props to set the scene. Allow your guests to interact with the scene.
• Keep it consistent - Use the theme across all details, from menus to table settings as it cements the brand.

 Engage Guests with Interactive Decor

Your corner does not have to be the only place guests can interact with your event. Interactive decor invites guests to engage with your event and create lasting memories, driving more social media shares.

• Photo booths - Provide props and custom filters to encourage guests to snap photos. Extremely effective at event promotion on instagram stories. Try to purchase a picture film that has your instagram handle below the photo. 
• Interactive walls - These could vary from something as chalkboards or walls with stickers to light-up letters that let guests leave a message or snap a creative shot.
• Branded props - Include fun items like hats, sunglasses, or quirky accessories branded with your logo for added promotion as guests enter or leave.

Utilize Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces

Mirrors reflect light and can enhance small spaces. They also make for intriguing photos that guests are likely to share.

• Mirrored walls - These create the illusion of space and depth.
• Decorative frames - Use mirrors with ornate or interesting frames for added elegance. These could be empty for guests to hold up and look through.
• Reflective surfaces - Place centerpieces on mirrored surfaces for a sleek look. Reflecting a healthy amount of light at the photographer makes the photo look more magical. 

Incorporate Signage and Branding

Signage that displays your event’s name or a catchy hashtag can encourage social media engagement. Although this is an important feature, it is crucial that this is not overdone as it can dissuade guests from participating as they can perceive it as “disgustingly corporate”.

• Hashtag signs - Include hashtags that guests can use when they post photos. Promote this hashtag outside of the corner and include a raffle that is automatically entered if you post online using the hashtag. Create an incentive for the passive promotion.
• Directional signs - Lead guests to specific Instagram-worthy areas within your event.
• Logo placement - Ensure your branding is visible in popular photo spots to boost promotion.

How to Promote Your Event on Instagram

All the steps above set you up to create event hype. Once you’ve finished everything listed above, it is now time to put it to work! Now, you are able to leverage them for promotion. Use Instagram’s features and target search terms to amplify your reach.

Create a Pre-Event Hype

Start promoting the event’s photo-worthy spaces before the event begins to build excitement.

• Tease sneak peeks - Post close-ups of decor or unique elements on Instagram Stories.
• Share behind-the-scenes shots - These add an exclusive feel and create curiosity among followers.
• Collaborate with influencers - Invite influencers to share your pre-event content to expand your reach.

Encourage Guests to Share

Make it easy for guests to share their experiences with their followers.

• Display the event hashtag - Post signs with the hashtag in prominent areas.
• Tag your location - Make your event location discoverable so attendees can tag it in their photos.
• Offer a photo contest - Give a prize for the best photo shared using your hashtag.

Post-Event Promotion

After the event, keep the conversation going by posting the best parts on your Instagram. If you decide to post to your Instagram story, make sure to take advantage of Instagram’s story highlight feature.

• Share attendee photos - Feature tagged photos on your event’s profile for added community engagement.
• Post a recap video - Showcase the event’s highlights, including your Instagrammable corners.
• Share testimonials - Post quotes and testimonials from attendees for social proof.

Creating Instagrammable corners in your event is about more than just decor—it’s a versatile promotional tool. When you put a small amount of workload on the front end to craft spaces that encourage guests to take and share photos, you maximize on post event results; social media reach, making your event memorable, and building your brand’s online presence. With these strategies, your event will stand out online, attracting attention long after it’s over.

Most importantly, it will result in a passive promotion of your event that is sure to attract new customers and retain others. Embrace the power of Instagram-worthy spaces to create a big impact from small details.