We had so much fun planning this theme Après Ski 50th Birthday.

When my client, Amy, reached out about planning her husband's 50th birthday bash we chatted up various themes before Amy suggested 80's Après Ski.  An ideal theme for this couple who shared a love to ski and the best of the 80's.

And so, away we go.....

The first part of the planning process is to secure the venue. As Amy preferred to remain in her neighborhood, we scheduled several site visits in Tribeca. 

Estancia 460 is the ideal venue. The venue offers outdoor space, an open floor plan and plenty of charm!

This super fun invitation was designed by our most talented graphic artist, Krista Design Studio

We converted Estancia's outdoor patio area into a winter seating nook. Added a heat lamp for guests to hang out and chill during the party.

Our team hit up  vintage haunts for ski props & accessories to sit at the entrance of the "lodge". In collaboration with Flower Girl, NYC we set a wintery feel with fake snow, greens & twinkle lights.

Who remembers the paper trail map??  Guests reminisced  

WALL ART:

The team at Mod Creative sourced the vintage maps and fabricated these large scale boards.  80's inspired bandanas imprinted with invite logo hung from a vintage ski.

D.J. Theory played the best of the 80's as guests hit up the dance floor in full 80's ski gear.

We commissioned commercial video editor and freelance creative, Michael Luciano to produce a  VIDEO LOOP of the greatest 80's ski clips.  Michael created a brilliant compilation of clips from movies, extreme sports, olympics and television commercials. Estancia features two plasma screens, Michael handled the syncing and production of the video. Guests absolutely loved the loop as it played throughout the festivities.

 

It would not be the 80's at an Après Ski party with out a keg and a heat lamp warm pretzel.

Guests nibbled on Sigmunds Pretzels and sipped from red solo cups| let's keep it real, 80's!

 

And here they are our hosts.....and birthday boy!

We served warm boozy drinks along with the classic keg.

Happy Birthday PETE!! 

"It was such a fun and special night.  Perfectly executed!   Thank you Loretta!" Amy Kazanoff

The 50th Birthday Party is trending in New York City as the concept of creating experiences continues to grow in popularity. 

We recently planned a fabulous 50th birthday dinner party in a hidden gem....tucked away on Canal Street, NYC.

Lees Private Dining is a two floor "old" New York City loft. Guests creep up a steep rickety staircase  hidden behind an unassuming door on Canal Street to find this gem.

The second floor loft offers a full working kitchen.....brilliant for all catering needs. The loft remains with it's original detail: brick walls, hardwood floors and is complimented with farm tables + wooden folding chairs.

The third floor loft offers the same open floor plan with a built in bar.

My clients were keen on providing their guests with an experience. And, in so making this happen upon arrival guests were escorted to to the 2nd floor loft.  A magnificent assortment of green plants framed the space and so we settled on adding one accent floral arrangement at the bar and votive candles through-out the space. 

As guests mingled, staff passed champagne served in the elegant coupe. Our incredible caterer, Leonard Street Provisions, prepared a well edited selection of canapés.....including blini with caviar, smoked tuna & cucumber.

The hosts are originally from South Africa......honoring the birthday "boy" our bartender mixed up a a cocktail of CAPETOWN GIN + TONIC.  I am a big fan of these details that speak to the hosts and reflect their unique sensibility.

At the end of cocktails, dinner bell rang for guests to move to the second floor loft for a seated dinner.

Act II of the celebration begins with a room with a view:

Lees Private Dining

I collaborated with the host, Sonia, on the design direction. A clean statement done with attention to fine detail led us to a a color palette of grays, aubergine, greens with white accents. 

The art of a small gathering considers guest place seating to ensure a comfort level and social dynamic. 

I absolutely love these place cards designed by Vidhi Dattani Designs.

The organic distress of the deckled edge paper perfectly complimented the tablescape.

In collaboration with Flower Girl, NYC, we set the tablescape.  A mixture of texture felt ideally intimate while the high taper candles added a moody glow.

A little snap of me and Trevor over at Flower Girl.... feeling very pleased:)

Guests enjoyed....sipped, laughed,chatted.......best sign of success!

The seated dinner finale was a champagne toast and birthday wishes.

 

Our fabulous caterer, Frances Janisch owner of Leonard Street Provisions, takes in a well deserved note of gratitude from our hosts......Sonia and Sven. 

Following speeches from guests to the guest of honour.......guests were invited into the open loft for sweets, cheese board and dessert cocktails.

As a parting treat, guests were given a box of stick to me sweets for the ride home.

I really loved planning this celebration and was incredibly humbled when my client, Sonia Jacobson, along with thanking her guests for being apart of the festivities thanked me for bringing her vision to life. There is no better reward than a client treasured memories for a lifetime!!

Looking to celebrate YOU? Give a ring.....See you at the party. Loretta xx