[custom_adv] Pre-printed invitations for red carpet parties are available online; you'll find some shaped like film canisters, some adorned with Hollywood star motifs and some specially designed for an Oscar-themed event. [custom_adv] But if you're creatively inclined, you can design your invitations yourself using a computer graphics program. Inside the envelope, sprinkle confetti, or, even better, tiny metallic stars, which are widely available at party stores. [custom_adv] Sure, you could make things easy on your guests by calling for casual evening attire. But, come on -- it's a red carpet event! Why not challenge everyone to dress to the nines and orchestrate an event they'll remember for years? [custom_adv] There are two ways to approach this: You can make it a black tie event, with men expected to arrive in tuxedos and women in gowns. If you think your guests won't have tuxes and gowns at the ready, you might suggest a few costume or vintage stores where they can find affordable options. Alternatively, you can ask guests to come dressed as their favorite movie actors and actresses. The latter can make for a fun guessing game and encourage guests to mingle. [custom_adv] If the red carpet and velvet ropes aren't enough to indicate where the party is, place movie clapboard signs along the road. Outside, along the red carpet, energize the space with twinkling lights. They'll make it look like paparazzi are snapping away. You can also line the walkway with star-shaped helium balloons. [custom_adv] And if space allows, install full-length mirrors along the walkway and inside, so the lights bounce everywhere and the decked-out guests can get a glimpse of how glamorous they look. [custom_adv] If your party is for watching the Oscars broadcast, you won't need music once the show starts, so you don't really need live performances. You can save money and emphasize the Oscar theme by playing movie theme songs over speakers placed along the red carpet. [custom_adv] If your red carpet event is not an Oscar night viewing party, you could go all out and hire a brass band or "big band" group for the red carpet entry, and have the band entertain throughout the actual party. Be sure the venue has ample space for a dance floor. [custom_adv] Your home may be large enough to run red carpet from curb to doorway and accommodate a large number of guests. But if you have smaller home, it will limit the amount of guests who can enjoy such an extravaganza. Instead, many red carpet party hosts decide to host their events at larger venues -- a ballroom at a hotel, a local community center or even a local theater. [custom_adv] Beyond the people attending your red carpet event, it's fun to add other unexpected attendees and even faux crashers to the mix. [custom_adv] Have a favorite funny friend, a local celebrity or a Joan Rivers look-alike be the red carpet interviewer. The interviewer grabs people as they walk by, shoves a mic in their faces and talks with them, just as it's done at televised red carpet events. Be sure a video camera and microphone capture the moments. You can post the videos on YouTube or put together a DVD for lots of laughs after the party. [custom_adv] No respectable red carpet event is without a paparazzi frenzy, and here's an opportunity to invite some unusual participation to fill these roles. Imagine inviting guests' children to serve as paparazzi! The kids will enjoy being involved in the event by snapping pics of their parents', and those shots will be memorable for years. The kids can then be whisked off to bed by the babysitter after the adults have walked the red carpet.