With February at a close, one would think that the love in the air has been swept away with the March winds, but not necessarily so. I believe every day should be like Valentines, where love is shared and always celebrated. The heartfelt joy of giving to others is so beautiful and magical, don’t you think? Every day in my world is about love and joy and sprinkling a little bit of happy everywhere I can. I have planned events celebrating love in many ways, each one limited only by one’s imagination. It does not matter if it is a party for two or 2000; for me it is all about creating an experiential adventure with food, design, décor, and interactive fun. Created with love and joy, and always from the heart! So, if you have ever wondered what an Exclusive Chefs Experience would look like for your event, allow me to indulge you.
1. A SURPRISE 50TH BIRTHDAY (GROUP OF 16)
Our first event is a surprise 50th birthday that the wife planned for her husband. While they and their group of friends enjoyed an entire day away from the home, we put our magic to work early in the day, at the couples’ home. When the guests returned, they entered through the double-entry front doors to see a large blown-up photo of the celebrant—an avid surfer.
Would the linens be a standard fabric, or did they prefer a fancier linen with upgraded china and glassware, and the table illuminated with many candles and votives? Listening to each couple and asking the right questions to truly capture their vision is one of the most important aspects of planning a wedding or event, regardless of if couples live close, or a world away. Building that rapport and relationship is so important to me. Once I have everything in place, the details are communicated back to the team, and we work tirelessly to meticulously bring each detail to life.
2. NAPA STYLE WEDDING RECEPTION (GROUP OF 24 FROM NORWAY)
This was a such a special wedding that was completely planned remotely for a couple in Norway. They spoke little English, but we both spoke the same language of colors, flowers, and wedding aesthetics, ironing out details through emails and inspiration photos. Was the couple traditional or minimalist? Did they want the table to have an elegant or rustic look? Did they prefer seating at round tables, or the immensely popular family style?
For this couple, who planned their wedding around 24 of their closest friends and family, this was an extremely exciting time for them as it was their first trip to the United States, and they were coming to Fabulous Las Vegas! Only one member of the group spoke fluent English and was appointed by the couple to act as interpreter. Only later did I learn this appointed interpreter gentleman was of royalty in the Norwegian Government! The venue we selected for this couple was perfect for their size group, and one of many in our destination portfolio of mansions, villas and estates. The wedding reception was set to take place in sweltering July, but the dinner would take place in the large, glass-walled air conditioned space steps away from the sparkling pool of this gorgeous property. The couple decided on a Napa-style vineyard setting with gorgeous farm tables and elegant gold chairs. Adding to the elegance and charm were billowy fabrics in cream and champagne colors, varying height candles and votives, designer chargers, china, glassware, and flatware. This was a very regal presentation of visual elegance, and, with 1 staff for every 3 guests, the attentive formal service was well-received by all. The long table, oftentimes set in a garden setting, is a beautiful choice that provides plenty of synergy for intimate and free conversations among guests. One of my favorite reminders of this intimate, yet lively setting is portrayed in the classic movie, “The Godfather.” Informal, family oriented, yet beautiful, rustic elegance.
As the artfully designed plates of culinary perfection were presented to each guest by the attentive staff, the chefs explained how each dish was carefully crafted, while their friend, the interpreter, repeated each detail in their Mother language to the smiles and clapping of each guests’ delight! They loved every bite and fell in love with our American cuisine! In between the courses, each guest gave a toast, and this toast this evening was particularly challenging as each guest had prepared their very special speech and stood to read it to the couple, creating a longer timeline for the chefs than anticipated. But never fear when Exclusive Chefs is at the helm!
Timing is everything, and with 90 years of collective experience on the team, it is perfected to a “T”
1st Course – Appetizer
-Peppered Bacon-Wrapped Scallops/Cajun corn maque choux/chive burre rouge
2nd Course – Salad
-Caprese Salad/Heirloom tomato/pomegranate molasses
3rd Course – Entrée
-Center-cut Beef tenderloin “Chateaubriand” /grilled asparagus/garlic mashed potatoes
4th Course – Desserts
Vegan Cupcake Tower & D.I.Y Doughnut Wall
3. BACHELORETTE PARTY (GROUP OF 22 FROM CHICAGO)
Putting together a bachelorette party for your sister is an act of love that transcends a whole other level. You want your bride-to-be to have an unforgettable night of fun, and not have a care in the world when it comes to the details! I worked with this client to plan and perfect a night to remember, done over the miles by phone and email, and of course, lots of inspiration from photos, thank you, Pinterest! At the end, 22 lovely and energetic ladies from Chicago traveled together and were so excited to be in Las Vegas to celebrate this fun weekend!
I arranged a party bus for them, complete with plenty of appetizers and alcohol on the bus so they could enjoy their time before a night of shows and gambling at the Venetian! The highlight of the party bus fun for these ladies was a gorgeous Male Bartender/Stripper that I hired to entertain on the party bus for that evening! So much fun was had that the ladies unanimously directed the bus driver stop at a local ATM so they could get more cash for tips!! The appetizers Chef Dennis and his team prepared were a hit! And when the bus dropped them at the Venetian for the next phase of evening fun, the remaining food along with our platters went with them! For our next party bus adventure, we will be preparing beautiful take-away platters for those wishing to continue indulging on our delicious food.
To me, one of the most satisfying and gratifying pleasures of helping a client is to select a special venue for them, perfect for their needs. Whether returning to relax after a full day outdoors with friends, gathering for a wedding ceremony, flying in for a corporate retreat, or celebrating a milestone, the perfect venue is the start of all things, celebrations! It does not seem to matter how long we have been in this business; the excitement and anticipation grows nevertheless because we know that once the client and guests arrive at the venue and step through the door, it is curtain call! We greet them with our 5-STAR Hospitality, welcome them in, then take them on a guided tour of their temporary home, and then step back so each guest can take in and explore everything at their own leisure. Although the clients have worked with me in the planning and have knowledge of the details for their event, the expression of delight on their faces once they walk through the door is what always makes my day — and that has not changed for 35 years! It is a passion of mine to perfect every detail, lovingly sprinkling heartfelt joy and happy to each client. Our goal is to create individual immersive experiences that leave each client feeling pampered and well taken care of. It is an honor and a blessing for me to wake up each day and do what I so love to do. I believe in my heart that each client is a story, each story a milestone, each milestone to be celebrated in the most unique and individual way. The endless ideas and themes we can create in the numerous private venues and spaces we have are indeed stories within themselves. While the pandemic today limits the number of people we can safely celebrate with for the moment, we know it will undoubtedly change down the road. For the meantime, our “Minimonies” and “Ceremony Now-Party Later” packages will help you celebrate life at our many various-sized private venues, where we are ready to plan and host your perfect dinner or celebration. Book your Experience with us today!
Written by Leslie Sellers
