We talk about what makes our venue the perfect choice for your School Ball and have also invited the amazing Nigel from White Door Photography and Kieran from NZDJ to share their tips about what to look for when booking your school ball suppliers.
Alexandra Park: Choosing Your Venue
We know what the students need but can also ensure teachers have peace of mind for everyone’s safety on the night. Plus we work with some great companies that help make your ball the highlight of the social calendar! Capable of catering for up to 500 guests, Alexandra Park is more than equipped with the facilities and features to make your School Ball a memorable one. We recommend our Tasman Room or Top of the Park for the amount of ample space and views across the track and out to Auckland City. Our experience Event Coordinators and Hospitality team have seen many a school ball season and are here to help ease the stress of planning!
Over the years, we have noticed the theming and decor getting better and better! Students are embracing their creativity and putting their all into ‘Instagrammable Moments’ in the form of backdrops, table centre pieces, entrance ways and more. After having photos taken by the professional photographer, it’s all about lighting and where the best selfie or boomie (boomerang) with a group of mates can be taken! You’ll be spending all of your time on the dance floor and with the photographer so embrace that relaxed vibe with your room set-up too! If you need those extras to create a bit of atmosphere and super chill spaces, we have some amazing new furniture options: light-up cubes, bean bags and even picnic tables if you want to try something a bit different!
Another trend that can NOT go unnoticed is that… Food is LIFE! This year we are encouraging schools to think about a casual set-up and food stations as an alternative to the traditional banquet style buffet. The menu within our School Ball Package is filled with a variety of options to pick and choose from so planners have the flexibility to choose what best suits their guests!
Our Packages are $65.50pp incl. GST
This includes:
- Your choice of a buffet or food station menu
- Venue hire
- Complimentary glass of fruit punch on arrival
- Unlimited soft drinks for the evening
- Full dance floor and staging
- Black or white table cloths with a choice of black or white linen napkins
- Professional, discreet security staff for the evening
- A dedicated Event Coordinator and hospitality team
We’re ready to start planning your School Ball, get in touch with Alexandra Park today!
Email: events@alexandrapark.nz
Phone: 09 630 6164
Click here to visit our School Ball Venue page to find out more information
White Door Photography: Choosing a School Ball Photographer
Choosing a School Ball Photographer is a big decision and requires asking some important questions before you sign the dotted line. Nigel from White Door Photography has years of experience in the biz and is here with some tips on what to look out for…
Find out what is included in the photography package
How many photographers do I get? Are they working all night? Does that package include backdrops or photo booths. Some photographers have their own backdrops and some rely on you to organise this with your theming company.
Check what is involved in claiming all of the images taken at your School Ball
Some ball photographers charge a lesser amount up front and put a logo on all the photos encouraging you to buy them. Some photographers charge more, but allow you to download the photos without a logo for free. Which suits you best?
The school will want a copy of the high resolution photos for their year book. Is this an extra cost?
Ask how long it will take to get the photos… and make sure the photographer commits!
‘Back in the old days’ when photos were taken on film you had to wait weeks – even months before you got to see your ball photos printed out and displayed in the school office. Now with digital photography your photos are on the photographers website the next day… or at the latest the next week. Just be sure you get a commitment from the photographer of when they will be ready to view.
Are they experienced? Make sure your chosen photographer has shot a School Ball & ask to see proof!
Hard to believe but some “Ball Photographers” have never shot a school ball before. Make sure you see an example of a school ball they have recently photographed. Ask to see ALL the photos and not just the highlights. There maybe 20 amazing photos and 2000 duds! The size of the ball is super important. The photographer maybe really good at shooting a school ball with 120 students.. but can he/she handle a ball with 520 students?
On a final note…
Once you have decided on a photographer, make sure you agree on a shot list – everything you want photographed on the night. The last thing you want is to be scrolling though all the photos the following week and asking the question – “Where are the awards photos?”
Alexandra Park recommends White Door Photography for your School Ball, to find out more information or to get in contact with them:
• Email: info@whitedoor.co.nz
• Phone: 021 616 021
Click here to go to the White Door Photography website
NZDJ: Choosing your entertainment
The music at your School Ball can make or break the night. Good music will get everyone up dancing and having a good time, average music will have everyone sitting down bored. We asked Kieran from NZDJ to talk about what to look out for when choosing a DJ to provide the bangers and keep the party going at your School Ball.
A DJ goes beyond the music…
Make sure you meet with the DJ and chat with them about what you want from the night. Talk about the theme and how the music & lighting can complement and enhance your theme.
For a seamless experience, be organised and communicate with the DJ
Compile a list of music requests before the night. A good DJ will allow requests on the night but the more prepared they can be the better.
Avoid disasters!
In addition to a list of song requests, it pays to cover off on music that you don’t want playing at your School Ball. A list of “no go” songs is extremely beneficial to the DJ so that they’re kept up to speed and can avoid awkward situations!
Are they experienced? What’s their vibe?
Ask the DJ for photos/video of past School Balls they have DJ’ed so you can see first hand the vibe they create.
Can they create an atmosphere? A memorable experience?
A good DJ will always mix music on the night. They should also get on the microphone and hype up the crowd – there’s nothing worse than having a DJ who sits down and doesn’t engage with everyone.
A great DJ will have everyone talking about how good the night was at School the Monday after the ball.
Alexandra Park recommends NZDJ for your School Ball, to find out more information or to get in contact with them:
• Email: kieran@nzdj.co.nz
• Phone: 0800 NZDJ HIRE
Click here to go to the NZDJ website
