How to Make Your Event Instagram-Worthy (Without Feeling Tacky)
What luxury brands and elite planners know about creating viral moments
In an age where nearly every detail is captured and shared, the modern luxury event must live both in the moment—and online. But for New York City’s most discerning hosts, creating an Instagram-worthy experience doesn’t mean chasing trends or building selfie traps. It means cultivating intentional, beautiful moments that photograph well without sacrificing sophistication.
Luxury, after all, is never loud. It’s composed. And the most successful high-end events are those that manage to go viral without looking like they tried to.
Here’s how the world’s best planners and brands craft shareable elegance—with nuance.
1. Lead with Story, Not Staging
The most photogenic events aren’t designed around hashtags—they’re built on narrative. Every luxury event begins with a story: a theme, a memory, a purpose. From that story, every visual and atmospheric element unfolds organically.
When a guest steps into the space, they should feel transported—not to a photo booth, but to a moment.
This is why the most shareable images aren’t of backdrops—they’re of reactions, connections, and details that whisper: someone cared about this.
2. Design Interactive Moments That Feel Natural
Engagement is essential—but only when it’s thoughtful.
The best interactive elements are surprising, elegant, and emotionally resonant. Consider:
A floral installation with a secret scent infusion guests lean in to discover
A calligraphy artist creating custom poems or keepsakes
A mirrored hallway lit with ambient tones reflecting the brand’s identity
These moments don’t scream for the camera—they invite it.
A perfect example? Vanessa Deleon’s design at Elm Street Diner, which subtly combined vintage glamour with whimsical modernity—gold marquee signage, candy-wing murals, and nostalgic textures. It created natural photo opportunities that felt curated, not contrived.
3. Prioritize Aesthetics at Every Angle
For a moment to be shared, it must be beautiful not only in person—but in pixels.
This means:
Perfect lighting: flattering, ambient, and adjustable throughout the evening
Cohesive design language: no mismatched elements or last-minute signage
High-quality photography and videography: document the event like a fashion editorial, not a conference
A gorgeous place setting photographed on an iPhone should still look editorial. This is the true test of upscale shareability.
4. Let the Influencers Come to You
Nothing cheapens a luxury event like influencer desperation. Instead, curate your guest list strategically.
Inviting select public figures with aligned aesthetics and shared values ensures that any coverage feels organic. These individuals don’t post out of obligation—they post because the event speaks to them, visually and experientially.
Brands like Moncler have mastered this balance. Their Courchevel runway event wasn’t built for Instagram—it was built for immersion. The snow, the live orchestra, the ambiance. But naturally, it became one of the most visually striking event stories of the season.
5. Build Brand Into the Details, Not the Decor
Excessive logos, hashtags on napkins, and branded photowalls? Leave those for the mass market.
Instead, luxury brands and planners embed identity into:
The tone of the invitation
The music selection
The floral palette that echoes the season's campaign
The textures of the space itself
For example, e.l.f.’s GRWM x PEOPLE party featured a lip gloss vending machine and custom “lip reading” activations—cheeky and on-brand, yet elevated and cohesive.
These are moments guests want to photograph because they’re memorable—not because they’re instructed to.
6. Make the Guest Experience the Ultimate Shareable Moment
True elegance is immersive. Your guests should feel relaxed, cared for, and seen. When that happens, they want to share the experience.
Ensure guests are greeted warmly.
Avoid overwhelming their senses.
Keep transitions seamless and intuitive.
Offer personalized touches that delight quietly.
Remember: the most shared events are often the ones guests never want to leave.
Let Morgan Nevans Craft a Moment Worth Sharing
Morgan Nevans understands the delicate art of creating events that are both timeless and digital-ready. With an editorial eye, an intuitive sense for mood, and deep relationships across NYC’s luxury scene, Morgan designs moments that feel as effortless in person as they do on screen.
To create an event that captivates guests and commands the lens—without sacrificing class—contact Morgan Nevans. She’ll design a story that lives far beyond the feed.