A Royal 50th Affair
Milestone birthdays are extremely personal occasions . Months of planning and conceptualisation took place leading up to this beautiful and elegant celebration . We hosted a 1950s Swing tea party fit for a Queen to celebrate our client ’ s 50th birthday .
The event took place on the lawn , surrounded by the breathtaking Constantia Valley , at our client ’ s gorgeous Cape Dutch home . It was the perfect setting for a garden tea party . The gardens had been manicured and attended to for months before to ensure that the setting was absolutely gorgeous and covered in natural blooms . A glass marquee was erected on the east wing of the lawn , which was draped with soft fabric and dripping in orchids .
The affair began at 11am with guests welcomed by an elegant Cellist and butlers welcoming the guests into the garden with trays of welcome cocktails . The home was abuzz with staff polishing silverware and perfecting the table settings . Each place setting was adorned with an abundance of floral and elegant stationery . Menus were foiled in gold and guests were treated to personalized chocolates as thank you gifts . Once the guests had all arrived , they were ushered into the marquee and the gasps of excitement could be heard well above the sweet sounds of the electric Duo playing wonderful jazzy beats . The guests were treated to a feast , as food was served throughout the afternoon . With speeches by family , there wasn ’ t a dry eye in the room . A pianist then took to the stage to play background music while the guests mingled .
A variety of beverages were available , from rose-petal cosmopolitans to fruity cordials and , of course , exotic teas from all over the world and gourmet coffees . The catering was exceptional with Annalize Buchanan providing savoury snacks displayed on tiered cake stands that were delivered to the tables by butlers in white gloves . The sweet treats were displayed on a remarkable buffet-station made from old vintage dressing tables . The menu was vast with items such as tomato tulips , salmon mousse crostinis and classic tea sandwiches . On the sweet side , there were custom-made petit fours , hand painted biscuits and a selection of bespoke cakes and cupcakes by Roxanne Floquet . There was more than imaginable to feast on .
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