Drinks

Party Recap

Party Details

Theme & Decor
When Kristina approached me to plan her husband, Kevin's, 40th birthday, she knew she wanted a casino somehow involved, but she didn't want just any normal Vegas-styled birthday. After a little brainstorming we emerged with "Kevin's Forty Deuces": an old Vegas burlesque club theme. The color palette of red, black and silver was accented with sequin and metallic linens (we used the New York linen from La Tavola), crystals hanging from the centerpieces and giant feather arrangements. There was Vegas bling everywhere!

Kristina wanted no detail overlooked! We branded every napkin, sign and favor with Kevin's Forty Deuces (including the deck of cards that were handed out to all the guests as they departed and the cigar wrappers) and on every table were baby and family photos of the birthday boy. Elizabeth from Posh Paperie did a beautiful job creating all the paper products including the huge banner that hung over the delectable dessert table.

Food & Entertainment
The party was held at their home, so we were able to use the different rooms and areas to create unique entertainment areas for the guests. The elaborate dessert bar by Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan Beach was definitely a focal point for the eye and the stomach! From blackout cakes shots to salted tuxedo and red velvet cupcakes to berry filled macarons decorated with hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds to cheesecake bites and mini chocolate nutella cake pops, the desserts hit the mega jackpot.

In the next room we had an indoor "lounge" with the bar serving "Sin City Coolers", blackjack tables (the dealer looked like Kenny Powers!), a DJ mixing up some beats, tray passed appetizers of seared ahi, tiger shrimp, lamb chops, lobster cakes and caviar, and a design-your-own risotto martini bar with osso bucco and lobster risotto by 24 Carrots catering. Outside we created a cigar lounge where the guests could design, smoke and take home their own cigars by Mursuli Cigars.

The highlight of the night, however, was the main "surprise"... a burlesque dancer! It was a tasteful and shocking performance for the shy birthday boy. Her champagne dance was a nice lead in to the evening's toasts and her provocative final routine definitely caught a lot of attention!

This party was so much fun to plan as Kristina wanted this to be the best birthday party Kevin's ever had! With guests flying in from the East Coast and traveling from all over CA, I think it was definitely a party to remember!

Idea

Party Highlights

  • Desserts

    Red Velvet Cake Cupcakes: Red Velvet Salted Tuxedo Other Dessert: Cheesecake Bites (on a stick) Mini Chocolate Nutella Cake Pops French Macarons Dessert Shots: Blackout Cake with vanilla frosting & raspberry jam

  • Activities / Games

    Gambling at the black jack tables, Cigar roller, Burlesque dancer

  • Party Favors

    Personalized Playing Cards

  • What People Ate

    Grilled Beef & Scallion Rolls with Soy Dipping Sauce Buckwheat Blini, Caviar and Creme Fraiche Grilled Petite Lamb Chops with ribbons of red bell pepper basil pesto Sesame Seared Ahi with Wasabi Aioli on Crispy Wonton Sugar Cane Skewered Tiger Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Maine Lobster Cake with Hollandaise Dollop Risotto Martini Station: herb & butter & lobster risotto Toppings - gulf shrimp & braised osso bucco Accoutrements - baby sweet peas, fresh basil, roasted garlic, shitake mushrooms, italian parsley, shallots, sun dried tomato, asparagus tips, pancetta and shaved parmigiano Stationed Appetizers: Regional & International Cheese Station Mediterranean Landscape - bread & crostini station with assorted toppings

  • What People Drank

    Sin City Cooler {Raspberry Vodka, Lemon Lime Soda, Pineapple Juice, Fresh Mint} Kevin's Drink Order {Captain Morgan & Diet Coke}

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Party Helpers

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1 comment

  • Jill W

    Jill W wrote:

    What is the font called that you wrote the word "drinks" in? I love it.