This was one of the most spectacular, uber creative, and simply amazing events we’ve had in a while! Biana (our dear client and a friend) had an idea in mind and needed our help to realize it. You see, in 2023, around May through June, there were quite a few milestones for her family. Maya’s big birthday and Maya & Leonid’s 45th wedding anniversary, Isabella’s 18th birthday and high-school graduation, her own 20th wedding anniversary with her husband Vladimir, Rafaella’s promotion to high-school and some other very memorable events. In lieu of planning 5 different celebrations she wanted one grand one. A celebration of the century, something she and her family will fondly remember for years to come. When we sat down to ponder the theme, it was a no-brainer - Isabella has always dreamed of traveling to France, and Biana was secretly planning a family trip to Paris. Biana loves extravagance, color and tons of details that make all of her events so very unique. This time it had to be bigger and over the top! Once the theme was set, we had plenty of ideas how to wow her family and guests! We would create our version of Versailles - it will be a ball like no other. The one and only location that would be perfect to carry out our plans - was no other than Kohl Mansion - a historical building that had it all - two gorgeous ballrooms one with high ceilings and heavy dark wooden paneling, the other with a floor to ceiling bay window, painted in muted mint with a fireplace and crystal chandeliers; there was a royal staircase for family to descend from, a gorgeous courtyard overlooking a expansive lawn, and a perfectly manicured garden… when you visit this space you are instantly transformed into 1800’s and can easily imagine royalty spending summers here sipping tea in the courtyard, watching kids play in the grass… The venue was absolutely perfect and Biana fell in love with it as soon as she saw it. There was a lot of elements we wanted to incorporate into the decor, a perfect merge the old times and the new. For the older time periods we had asked the guests to dress up according the times - wigs, ballgowns, tails, top hats - anything would go. Two footmen dressed the part would be greeting the guests, checking an antique scroll for their names, two mademoiselles were strolling around offering gusts a photo opportunity. For the cocktail and the reception We decided to go with different themes to add an unexpected element of surprise when the guests were invited inside. Tall boys and low cocktail tables adorned in textured lush linens were set in the courtyard under market lights. The welcome table offered feather quills for guests to sign antique post cards. The old wind up clock from Paris, the Faberge eggs, a 2’ Eiffel Tower and the giant globe offered a hint of travel theme. The light florals were composed in a gold urn, perfectly fitting with the theme. No detail was spared - the cocktails bore cheeky French names and featured strawberries and French champagne, the ice for the bar was hand-made with frozen pink roses and a cloud of pink cotton candy adorned each champagne glass. We placed a garden swing (what a hit!) on the grass for the ladies and gents to enjoy and wrapped it with ivy and floral to continue with the garden theme. The real wow was inside reception space - 3 massive king tables dressed in burgundy upscale linens with table setting that featured gorgeous crystals glassware and golden flatware, napkins rings served as favors to the guest were incredibly beautiful crystal brooches wrapped around burgundy silk napkins set atop fine china and antique gold chargers. Gold chivalry chairs were adorned with pearls and crystals - yet another detail that elevated the decor another notch. The biggest wow were our floral candelabras and 6’ long tall floral centerpieces featuring the best prime flowers available, golden leaf, white feathers, crystal strands and crystal working chandeliers. When Biana saw our vision coming to life - she gasped! “This is exactly how I envisioned the space”. But that’s not all! Through the months of planning we worked many hours on putting together little poems for each member of her family… these poems were intended for giant 8’x8’ books that custom built. The Books framed the stage adding some fairytale mystery to the band. The mint ballroom, where another surprise averted the gusts, was decorated with a 10’ Eiffel Tower hand cut in and shipped from Ukraine and two burgundy love seats that we added greenery and floral too. A cloud of white balloons wrapped around the tower that was lit up once the sun went down. One more surprise awaited the guests in the checkered cake room. We designed 5 unique cakes to celebrate the milestones and they were simply works of art! Each celebrant’s cake was very unique, and super delicious. We had the most fun designing the open theater cake for Maya and Leonid. As the eldest and most respected in the family, their cake was the largest and featured miniature paintings of the couple inside the theater, there was also a working chandelier, and miniature chess set, and figurines of a royal couple representing Maya and Leonid. All cakes were decorated with tons of crystal brooches and real flowers. These were truly cakes fit for the King and the Queen! The evening was incredibly fun and entertaining - from the grand entrance of our royal family to surprise appearance of Alla Pugacheva - Maya’s favorite singer, from the fun game of rose and a sword and a special brother-sister dance by Biana and Zoriy, to a surprise for Isabella when she opened a book about Paris and found a flight ticket departing in a few days for.. Paris! Biana and Vladimir renewed their vows to custom recorded poems they wrote to each other and a perfectly performed dance they only had a few days to practice. The band - Legal Aliens from Los Angeles was simply incredible! the guest danced the night away the only wish was for this party to never end..

Special thanks to MarinaB Photo for capturing these amazing photos: