WHOEVER COINED THE PHRASE an “affair to remember” must have been referring to a gala. As an event planner, having a backstage pass to a gala is like having a sneak peek into the eye of a hurricane. Galas tend to involve at least a few hundred guests and depend on a production team. Galas can be extremely formal and sophisticated or have a high-energy party atmosphere. Whichever the case, when the time comes for your guests to leave and they are thanking you for a lovely evening, all of your planning will be well worth it.