Party decorations built around your drink station
Party decorations that start at the drink station: a machine bar, papel picado and string lights, flavor-matched balloons, a photo backdrop, and safe placement.
The easiest party decorations start at the drink station: set the machine on a sturdy table near its own outlet, then build your colors, lights, and photo spot around its two flavors. Guests gather where the drinks are, so make that corner the best-looking spot at the party.
Set up the machine bar
The machine is your centerpiece. Give it a clean, sturdy base and a little room to breathe.
- Base: a sturdy table, counter, or bar, or our rolling machine cart (one per machine). Skip flimsy card tables.
- Tablecloth: a plastic or vinyl cloth in one of your flavor colors wipes clean after drips.
- Cups and straws: stack them at one end so guests flow in one direction.
- Rim station: set out small plates of Lime Margarita Salt, Tajín Classic Seasoning, or Sweet Heat Cocktail Sugar with lime wedges. Each 4 oz package rims about 40 drinks.
- Bowl labels: a small sign for each bowl with the flavor name. When one side is a margarita and one is a slushie, say so in big letters.
- Napkins and a trash can within arm's reach.
Papel picado and string lights
Papel picado (cut paper banners) and string lights turn any backyard into a party.
- Hang papel picado in a zigzag over the drink station and the main table.
- Pick banner colors that match your bowls, or go full rainbow for a fiesta.
- Wrap string lights along a fence, patio cover, or tree branches for evening parties.
- Plug lights into a different circuit from the machine. The machine needs a standard 110 volt outlet on its own circuit.
Centerpieces
Keep centerpieces low so guests can talk across the table.
- Fruit bowls: limes, lemons, oranges, and strawberries in clear bowls look fresh and double as garnish.
- Mason jars with sunflowers, marigolds, or paper flowers.
- Succulents or small cactus pots for a Texas or fiesta theme.
- Pineapples for a tiki party.
- Battery candles in jars for evening tables.
Balloon colors matched to flavors
Balloons are the fastest way to tie the party to your drinks. Pick two or three colors from your bowls.
| Flavor | Balloon colors |
|---|---|
| Lime margarita | Lime green, white, and gold |
| Strawberry margarita | Red, pink, and white |
| Mango margarita | Orange, gold, and yellow |
| Blue Lemon Gold margarita | Royal blue and yellow |
| Frosé | Blush pink and rose gold |
| Piña Colada | White, yellow, and pale green |
| Blue Raspberry | Bright blue and silver |
| Cherry Bomb | Red and blue |
| Watermelon | Pink and green |
| Green Sour Apple | Neon green and white |
For a two-flavor machine, alternate both flavor colors in a balloon arch over the drink station.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that children under 8 not play with uninflated balloons without supervision, and that you collect broken balloon pieces right away and keep them out of reach of young children. Keep a bag handy for popped balloons.
Photo backdrop
A photo spot gives guests something to do and gives you pictures to keep.
- Backdrop: a fringe curtain, a flower wall, a painted sheet, or a balloon garland.
- Placement: close to the drink station so guests can pose with a cup, but not in the line.
- Props: oversized sunglasses, paper straws, flower crowns, cowboy hats, and a chalkboard sign with the party name.
- Light: face the backdrop away from the setting sun so faces don't end up in shadow.
Kids corner
Give kids a decorated space of their own near the slushie side.
- A low table with a bright tablecloth and paper to color on
- Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and stickers
- A sign that points to the kids slushie bowl
- Shade from a canopy, umbrella, or tree
Get more ideas for this space in our kids activities guide.
Shade and machine placement
Where you put the machine matters as much as how it looks.
- Power: set it near a standard 110 volt outlet on its own circuit. Keep other appliances off that circuit. See our guide to power for a frozen drink machine.
- Surface: a sturdy table or rolling cart on a patio, deck, garage floor, or porch. We can't set up on rock or gravel.
- Sun: keep the machine out of direct sun when possible. A covered patio, the shady side of the house, or a canopy works well.
- Water: have a garden hose and water source ready when we arrive. You mix each batch with water.
- Traffic: leave room for a line, and keep the machine out of the path of running kids and games.
We deliver and set up 2 to 3 hours before the party, show you how the machine works, and come back to pick up and clean. The first batch takes 2 to 3 hours to freeze, so decorate around the machine while it chills. Pick your colors from our flavors page or try a two-bowl flavor pairing.
Ready to plan? Check dates and book online in minutes, or get a quick estimate first.
Questions
Where should I put the frozen drink machine at a party?
Put it on a sturdy table or a rolling machine cart near a standard 110 volt outlet on its own circuit. Keep it out of direct sun when you can, and leave room for a line.
Can the machine go on a gravel patio?
No. We can't set up on rock or gravel. Pick a patio, deck, garage, or covered porch, and set the machine on a sturdy table or our rolling cart.
How do I match decorations to my drink flavors?
Pick balloon, tablecloth, and napkin colors from your two flavors. Lime and Strawberry call for green and red, and Blue Raspberry and Cherry Bomb call for blue and red.