YOU'RE INVITED

And the envelopes, please! Custom stationary designer Marc Friedland, whose clients include Oprah and Tom Hanks, created both the Oscars invitation and the winners' envelopes for this year's awards. "The original design was born out of the inspiration of the glamour of the golden age of Hollywood," Friedland says. "Taking our cues from existing Oscars icons, we set out to create a new icon: the envelope."

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FEELING GREEN

Backstage during the ceremony, presenters will kick back in the plush Architectural Digest green room, conceived this year by designer Madeline Stuart. "We wanted it to be both glamorous and comfortable," Stuart says of the art deco-inspired space that pays homage to Cedric Gibbons, the creator of the Oscar statuette. "We used fabulously luxurious fabrics that encourage lounging and relaxing – even for just a minute!"

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DINNER IS SERVED

After sitting through the hours-long ceremony, guests at the swank Governors Ball at the Hollywood & Highland Center will be treated to savories and sweets from chef Wolfgang Puck. Aside from must-have chocolates and flatbreads shaped like Oscars, attendees will enjoy dishes like duck, kale salad and mango crumble – all served by waiters wearing costumes designed just for the bash.

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BITE OF THE BEST

Care to share? Bite-sized appetizers at the fete include Puck's spicy tuna tartare in sesame miso cones and mini Kobe beef burgers with cheese. "This year what is great is the variety – just like the movies," the chef says. It'll be "like going and trying 10 restaurants in one night."

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CHEERS TO THAT

The night's attendees will toast the occasion with two signature cocktails. Our pick for best beverage? The Patrón Gold Cosmopolitan, featuring a heady mix of Patrón silver tequila, Patrón Citrónge orange liqueur and blackberry and orange juices – all served in glasses rimmed in 10-karat gold.

1 ½ oz. Patrón Silver Tequila
½ Patrón Citrónge Orange Liqueur
2 oz. organic blackberry juice
1 oz. fresh orange juice
Fresh blackberry garnish
10-kt. gold rim

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ROOM TO BREATHE

The stunning Ray Dolby Ballroom – which sits atop the Hollywood & Highland Center – will boast a 120-ft. chandelier on the ceiling and an 18-ft. golden Oscar statuette on the dance floor come party time. About 1,500 bottles of Thienot Champagne and 2,280 bottles of Sterling Vineyards wine were ordered for the occasion, so here's hoping we'll see some inspired dance moves as the night rolls on.

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PUSHING PETALS

Florist Mark Held of L.A.'s Mark's Garden is sourcing orchids, calla lilies and more from far-flung locales like Singapore and Hawaii to make the Governors Ball arrangements. Promising "modern and super sexy" bouquets, he's even adding flowers to the base of some cocktail tables for an extra-dramatic effect.

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