The vision for this post-wedding event was a “South Beach” vibe. Miami-cool. Ultra-hip. Modern. Electric. Right away, we knew it wasn’t going to be some fancy garden party. This was going to be “over-the-top”. We only had a couple of months to plan, but we knew right away that this event was going to be sensational. Once we got the okay to just run with the theme and begin planning, we started brainstorming. All these different ideas on lighting, décor, space design and logistics started coming together and the end result only enhanced the original concept.

Throughout the evening, shuttle buses transported guests from a Weston Town Rec Parking lot to the home.

J Kreis Photography took some fabulous photographs throughout the event.

 

When the day finally arrived, it was no surprise that the guests were in fact wowed beyond belief. The client and I both agreed that this was truly a party right out of a SoBe magazine. Martinis, cosmos, and Hendricks and tonics with cucumbers flowed at the two “glow” bars on the property. Casual food stations were scattered around the beautifully lit space allowing guests to  mingle and casually explore all the options provided. The Adventure Station was by far the biggest hit of them all. Delicately wrapped sushi rolls, nigiri sushi or raw fish over rice, and shumai dumpling “spoons” were just some of the scrumptious offerings on this station which illuminated light triggered by LED’s in clear vessels.

Adventure Station

Nigiri and Maki Sushi with Soy Sauce and Wasabi

To include salmon, tuna, yellowtail nigiri and spicy tuna roll with tempura crumbs, California roll, vegetarian roll, salmon and yellowtail rolls

Vietnamese Veggie Rolls (room temp) with Sweet chili sauce

Fried Shrimp Shu Mai with Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce served on Asian Spoon

Handmade Northern Chinese Dumplings served in Bamboo Steamers with Soy Ginger Dipping Sauce:

Chicken w/Chinese Cabbage, Vegetarian Spinach, Shrimp and Pork

The other stations had bountiful displays as well. From the Comfort Station containing assorted flatbreads, sliders and dogs to the Mediterranean Station containing a wide variety of skewers and mezze items, there was something truly for everyone.

Skewers and Mezze Station

Grilled Persian Chicken and Olive Brochette with Preserved Lemon Aioli

Grilled Medjool Dates Stuffed with Great Hill Blue Cheese Wrapped in Bacon Korean Marinated Pork Skewers with Ginger Scallion Sauce

Hoisin Grilled Beef Skewer

Lemon and Herb Marinated Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Salsa Verde

Skewer station served with:

Mezze Platter featuring Zahtar Spiced Pita Chips, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Smoky Eggplant and Tomato Baba Ghanouj, Carrot and Cumin Salad, Herb Tomato and Cucumber Salad, Vegan Stuffed Grape Leaves, Marinated Olives, Salted Almonds

Comfort Station

12 Hour Smoked Mini Pulled Pork Sliders with Cole Slaw

Mini Angus Burger with Truffle Aioli and Tomato Jam

Bratwurst in Puff Pastry with Beer and Mustard Sauce

Passed French fries in bamboo cones with ketchup

Warm Flatbread “Pizza” Board

-Marinated Roasted Fig Gruyere and Caramelized Onion

-Grilled Tenderloin with Caramelized Onion Parmesan and Truffled Potato

-Fresh Mozzarella Tomato and Basil

-Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese

 

Dessert was a treat later in the evening as freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, sweet mini tartlets, mini cupcakes and chocolate covered cheesecake lollipops (the bride’s personal favorite!) were on display for all to enjoy. With such a wide variety, you really wouldn’t be surprised to hear about folks going back for more.

The reception tent itself was lit up with dozens of multi-colored Chinese lanterns, numerous up-lights illuminating bright color schemes, a wall of sheer fabric with up-lights behind the DJ table, and get this- moving lights circulating on the tent ceiling and white dance floor. Exotic plants and succulents were meticulously placed around the lounge area. We placed two white leather daybeds and a large white leather serpentine couch around the dance floor.  Lots of chrome based hi-top tables, and “glow” tables dotted the tent to allow guests to feel as though they were transported back to the Delano. Of course the clear “ghost” chairs and bar stools really added to the vibe as well.

After sunset, dimly lit lanterns lined the walkway to the tent and to the luxurious restroom accommodations. Why luxurious, you might say? It’s all in the name. Luxury Loo provided the “five star” port-a-potties which were by far the most talked about item at the event. These outhouses seemed more like beach cottages than your standard run-of-the-mill restroom stalls.

In the end, it really came down to the overall atmosphere of the event. As every detail came together, one aspect that really stood out was personalities of the fun group of people in attendance. Overall, the crowd was lively and the music was hoppin’. DJ Sheldon kept the party going strong until midnight with his incredible tune selections. No tacky wedding songs were played here and definitely no conga lines! True to his word, he kept the dance floor crowded and had the guests feeling like they were in the middle of a Miami Beach nightclub. Keeping the guests entertained is one thing though but in the end it’s all about the guests of honor. So were the bride and groom over the moon? Witnesses say that the happy couple were all smiles all evening long as the bash held in their honor was truly, in a word, unforgettable.