A poolside birthday party filled our holiday weekend.  We were thrilled to be throwing a party with one of our very favorite clients, that happens to also be a BFF.  She has a remarkable vision and it was a joy to help bring her dream party for her brother to reality.

She wanted a light fare menu that included passed appetizers that you could nibble on while in the pool or lounging near it.  Appetizers included watermelon bites with feta, fresh mint, and balsamic glaze, prosciutto wrapped melon, Gazpacho shooters, mini Hot Browns, and Ngiri.

Dinner included a seafood trio of butter poached shrimp skewers on cheese grits, crab and avocado cups, smoked salmon on cucumbers with creme fraiche and dill, and an arugula salad.

Dessert was Grand Marnier soaked berries with fresh whipped cream.  

The evening included an after dinner cigar bar, some swimming, and late night homemade ham and cheese sliders.  I believe the birthday boy was happy.  It was such fun to work side by side with some fabulous ladies that made the day go by with laughter and champagne.  We even had time for our own dip in the pool before the evening started.  We can't wait to do it again.

Nothing is more fun than having all of your people around you for overnight events and that is what we planned for a wonderful couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.  The event was held in West Baden Springs Hotel in French Lick, Indiana and is a glorious historic hotel that is elegant while being completely accessible and family friendly.

Guests arrived Friday evening and received beautiful gift baskets and agendas upon check in, telling them where to be and filled with snacks and wine for the weekend.  They then boarded a private shuttle for the neighboring property, French Lick Springs Resort, for some bowling and pizza to kick off the weekend.

Guests returned to their hotel at their leisure and a Dixieland Band played from the porch of the hotel, setting off all of the gorgeous flora.

Saturday morning brought some adult breakfast time while the kids went horseback riding.  

Flowers were designed by the host of the weekend, as he is a retired floral designer/shop owner and has fantastic taste.  We provided helping hands to process the 7 dozen roses and additional 6 buckets overflowing with lilies, white stock, peonies, orchids, and greenery that made up the 22 arrangements of the event.

Gold frames held menu cards and the couple brought their own gold flatware to top off the spectacular tables of gold and white.

Hand made party favors held gold dusted Jordan Almonds and gold foil chocolates for guests to take home.

Cocktail hour was held outside on the sweeping veranda of the hotel.  A jazz combo played while guests enjoyed an appetizer buffet of Smoked Salmon wrapped Asparagus, Bacon wrapped Scallops, Mini Lamb Pops, and Fruit and Cheese.

The appetizer buffet carried the gold theme out onto the veranda with a beautiful gold sequined runner and a gold vase for the arrangement.  

Guests lingered as the weather was stunning and the music and food were all wonderful.

Their cake for the evening was a three tiered cake/  Blush hand made fondant roses and hand dusted 23 karat gold adorned the tiers of lemon raspberry, chocolate, and vanilla cake.  Those were had with a sorbet trio that was just right at the end of the meal.

The dinner was topped off with a coffee bar with liqueurs and flavored syrups for guests to enjoy.

The evening ended with the couple toasting and being toasted, some tears, lots of laughter, and dancing.

Sunday morning wrapped up the weekend with a brunch (and lots of coffee) for everyone before they went their separate ways.  We would recommend the hotel without reservation.  It was the exact right venue for the event and the staff was exceptional.  We can't wait to go back.