THE EXPERT TEAM AT PAUL DAVID PARTYWARES TRANSFORMS ROUTINE CELEBRATIONS INTO DAZZLING EXPERIENCES BY KAREN HUGHES IRVINE PHOTOS
BY ALEX BARRETO & JALYNNE SKYE DIAZ
For nearly 40 years, Paul David Partywares has been setting the stage for unforget table events from rollicking country barn dances and swanky Hamptons-style soirées to elaborate, out-of-this-world corporate gatherings. The Shrewsbury based company is renowned throughout the tri-state for its expansive inventory of contemporary and uncommon rentals: linens, dinnerware, décor, complete dance floors, tents, professional cooking equipment, and more. The crown jewel, however, is BarsAway, a patented line of modular bars designed by Marisol and Juan Diaz, crafted in-house in the studio atop the Paul David showroom, and customized for every occasion.
“What makes our patented modular bars truly special is their versatility and design,” said Marisol Diaz, business manager and designer. “Whether a client needs a 16-foot, 24-foot, or even 32-foot bar, we can configure it perfectly: oval, circular, half moon, you name it. And because the system is modular, it can be assembled on-site with ease, even on upper floors or in tight access venues. The best part? Once it’s installed, it looks completely built-in. It features integrated lighting and a sleek, custom finish that elevates any event space. Each rental is a one-of-a-kind experience. Clients know they’re getting a unique, high-end design to their event.”
Paul David Kessler, a Monmouth County native, founded the company in 1987. A University of Vermont marketing graduate, he honed his business skills working for tool companies in Connecticut and Illinois before returning to the Jersey Shore, where he previously spent his summer breaks helping his brother William and business partner David Martucci in their catering venture, igniting his entrepreneurial spirit. Kessler started small, stashing his early inventory in his mother’s home, but armed with tenacity and drive, he grew PDP into a hospitality powerhouse with a sprawling warehouse, a stunning showroom, and a dedicated team of ten full-time employees.
Marisol Diaz first crossed paths with Kessler in the late 1990s while shopping for pennants. Drawn to the owner’s vision, she joined the business and soon brought in her husband, Juan, a skilled woodworker. Their craftsmanship quickly expanded the company’s scope. “We started in a shed,” Diaz recalled. “But the results of Juan’s craftsmanship said a lot about the future of the company.” Together, they began designing large-scale events, including six consecutive themed appreciation galas at Asbury Park Convention Hall for Hackensack Meridian Health.
Diaz approaches event design with computer aided sketches, likening the process to building a movie set. The company’s success, she said, comes from listening to clients and offering a vast range of customizable options bars, lounges, furniture, décor that create a personalized experience for every event. In the workshop upstairs, her husband turns those visions into reality, producing everything from custom furniture to the patented BarsAway line. The bars themselves become the centerpiece of many events, often branded with signage, back bars, and tailored finishes to match the client’s vision.
“Even though we’ve been part of this industry for years, we see each season, each project, as a chance to reimagine,” added Diaz. “We’re constantly exploring new materials, new moods, and new ways of telling stories through our work.”
Beyond the custom bars and furniture, Paul David Partywares is also distinguished by its curated collection of artful vintage décor, a timeless selection of candelabras, linens, votives, and accessories sourced from artisans and manufacturers around the globe. While Kessler started the collection many years ago, Diaz continues the sourcing today, relying on her eye for distinctive finds.
“It’s like a treasure hunt,” she said. “Our collection gives our events an unrivaled wow factor. We’re helping our customers create cherished memories. We do our best to ensure that the planning process is fun and the event is amazing.”
T he Diaz family has become central to PDP’s growth. The couple’s daughter, Jalynne Diaz, recently joined the team as the marketing manager, infusing the brand with a fresh perspective through social media, photography, and creative storytelling. “Jalynne brings yet another layer to what we do,” Diaz noted. “She has a very creative sensibility. She tells our story in her own fresh and unique way.”
Jalynne credits Kessler as both a mentor and inspiration. “I’m learning about the industry from Paul, who is an extremely clever marketer,” she said. “He’s also one of the most hospitable people I know. He truly cares about his customers and his employees. His motto is to ‘treat everyone as you want to be treated.’ I believe PDP is making art, rentals that can’t be made anywhere else because they’re so spectacularly grand and unique to the people who’ve made them.”
In a business known for its pace and pressure, the PDP team agrees the work is deeply rewarding. Under Kessler’s steady leadership and with the Diaz family’s creativity, Paul David Partywares continues to deliver events that are as spectacular as they are memorable. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to create, explore, and grow,” Diaz said. “And we’re even more grateful to help our clients celebrate life’s moments in extraordinary ways.”
Paul David Partywares
60 Riordan Pl, Shrewsbury / 732.741.1671 /