I just returned from a trip to Las Vegas where Rex & Regina planned a 50th birthday celebration at Green Valley Ranch Resort for a fabulous woman named Grace. She’s the kind of woman that, if you meet her, you can’t help but instantly love her. She’s dynamic, bold, inspiring… and she has an enormous network of dear friends who all wanted to celebrate her birthday with her. What a testament to her and how loved she is!
Over 100 people came from around the country to Vegas for a weekend celebration. Grace wanted guests to come to celebrate not just her birthday, but also all of the exciting milestones that have occurred in people’s lives this year. Her friends were invited to bring their friends, and the weekend became a wonderful opportunity to visit with longtime friends and make new ones.
A destination event like this is a wonderful way to catch up with friends and celebrate life’s blessings, big or small. What fun it is to host a reunion of college friends, of special co-workers, of family — or better yet: all three. Bring your social circles together and celebrate… Vegas style!
An informal cocktail party was held on Friday evening so as people arrived at the resort they could mix and mingle. We chose a particular bar at the resort for the gathering because it had four 8-bottle enomatic machines that allowed guests to sample a variety of wines. (I love enomatic machines! They are so fun and interactive and great for a party. Stay tuned for a future post on chic party ideas at bars and restaurants in DC featuring this new trend in wine tasting.)
Mixing and Mingling...
We rented cabanas during the day so that guests could enjoy lounging by the pool. The cabanas also served as a convenient central meeting place for everyone.
Cabanas at Green Valley Ranch Resort
The party took place Saturday evening at The Pond at Green Valley Ranch Resort. The space looks very chic at night and did not require a lot of extra decor.
Seating area at The Pond
Well-placed candles added to the glam ambience of the space
A waterfall and lighting made the pool a dramatic focal point
A logo was created for the party and was used from start to finish to create cohesion for the event. It was incorporated in the invitation and all guest materials. At the party, we featured the logo in the ice sculpture/vodka luge and in a gobo at the entrance door.
A gobo was projected on the ground just inside the door, greeting guests as they walked in
Ice sculpture and vodka luge
The guests really enjoyed the vodka bar and ice luge. Rather than selecting just one signature drink, the vodka bar allowed guests to be creative with their cocktails. We also served a sorbet bar and encouraged guests to mix the two: the result was a refreshing “vodka float” with sorbet, vodka, and perrier. Absolutely divine!
Finally, as a surprise for the guest of honor and as a way to commemorate the weekend, we framed old records by her favorite artists and asked guests to sign the records with a gold paint pen. (This idea was inspired by Second City Soiree!)
The framed records and their album covers were set on the DJ table for guests to sign
The end result was very festive!
Happy 50th Birthday, Grace! We love you!
