Bunmi's 30th Birthday Soiree

Decorations by Lasting Impressions Events by Luly

In February of this year I received a phone call from the Maryland based event planner Feyikemi Kukoyi

of  FTK~Konnect  who was looking for an event decorator in the Miami area to help her put together a destination birthday party for Nigerian designer Bunmi Ojo-Adenugba, of  T & T Fashions  who was turning 30. I loved the fact that I was being contacted by her for such a great occasion and the more I learned about them the happier I became that I was to be part of such a festive date. Bunmi's party took place on Saturday June 25th at the beautiful Hilton DoubleTree Grand Hotel. At around 4:00 pm, after months of phone calls and e-mails I got to meet Faye and Bunmi, who came down to the grand ballroom to greet us. We hugged as we were old friends, Faye gave me a few final instructions, and I tried to melt their nerves away by assuring them they could go up to their rooms for a power nap, that Lasting Impressions would  make certain everything would be done according to all of their specifications. I must mentioned that the staff at the DoubleTree Hotel, headed by Adriana Rader, the Senior Catering Sales Manager and Freddy Lopez the banquet manager and the rest of the servers, Selso, Luis Felipe, Eric, Walter, Florencia, and the bartender Monica, are a professional and exceptional group of people who are willing to help you out in everything, thus making our job not only easier but very pleasant as well.

Centerpieces

Programs

A view of  part of the ballroom

Table awaiting the guests

Another view of the Centerpieces

I love these two colors together, very elegant

Within half an hour the whole room came together and while my staff was busy setting up the table runners and centerpieces, the staff at the DoubleTree added the chargers and enveloped the beautiful programs that Faye had brought all the way from Maryland within the fuchsia napkin.

Bunmi and I talking

Taking a Peek

While I was putting together Bunmi's Wishing Tree, Bunmi payed us a little visit, I think she was a bit apprehensive as to how it was all going to look, since they had blindly deposited all of their faith and dreams with me. Through the corner of my eye and from the chair I was standing on I saw her go into the ballroom and look around, and then she came to me and with tears in her eyes she said : " I don't want to cry, but this is beyond my expectations!" This filled my heart, for it is a great feeling to feel appreciated and to know that you have made someones dream come true.

The Wishing Tree

Close up of the detailed vase

A little treasure box filled with the tags people filled up with kind words of love for Bunmi

Top of the Box

A Little Note just in case...

Blin-bling pen

At 8:00 o'clock Bunmi returned to the Ballroom and made her grand entrance as a true Lady in Red. I believe that when she looked around and saw her husband  Olakunle Adenugba and all of her guests, the beautiful ballroom with the ocean that could be seen through the wall to wall windows all lit up with the candles from the centerpieces and all of the other candles that were placed throughtout  the entire room, it all became real to her and she finally cried those tears of joys she had been holding back all the while her husband consoled her and held her in his arms as they slowly swayed to the music.   

A very emotional and beautiful Bunmi

Lady in Red, she is dancing with me...

Bunmi looked absoulutely stunning in her red dress, her pink dress, her blue dress and her aqua dress, yes four dresses all designed by her,demonstrating her impeccable taste and talent.

In Pink...

In Blue...

And in Aqua

Faye of FTK-Konnect truly did connect all of the dots, she orchestrared an incredible event by assuring that all was done to Bunmi's specification, from the red carpet that met the guests as they arrived to the photographer and videographer Charlton of  Inije- Memorable Art  Photo and Film, the photo background that made all the guests feel as if they were celebrities, to the Master of Ceremony Seyi Brown, the dj with that great Nigerian music that made you want to get up and shake your booty, to the venue, the food, the favor bags, and the cakes by Divine Delicacy which were amazing and delectable as well. 

Beautiful Faye also in one of Bunmi's designs

Gifts of Appreciations

Loved the detailed bag

The Fabulous Cakes from Divine Delicacy

 Wow!      

Signature Drinks, mmmm

  Bunmi's Birthday Soiree was beautiful and unforgettable, one which will stand out in my memory and the memories of all her fabulous guests forever.  I would like to thank all of the vendors that were involved in this party, everyone did a great and professional job and to Faye for connecting all of us .And as always a great big hug and many thanks to my own staff, which make my job easier and a pleasure, without you I could not be where I am, thank you for allowing me to delegate without worries knowing that I can count on all of you to do your job to the highest standard of expectations, you have all come a long way, and for the two new members, awesome job, really appreciate all of you.

Details

One more detallito

Me and the first cake table, we had to get a bigger one because both cakes wouldn't fit.

So Elegant

The fabulous couple

The view at dusk

The view from the outside of the Grand Ballroom

Happy Birthday Bunmi once again, may you always be as blessed as you are today with your loving husband, beautiful daughters, terrific friends and that incredible talent of yours. I loved being your decorator and being part of your Soiree.

Event Planner:         FTK-Konnect
Decorator:               Lasting Impressions by Luly
Photo and Video:     Inje-Memorable Art
Cake:                     Divine Delicacy
Venue:                   Hilton DoubleTree Grand Hotel

The Perks of Being an Event Coordinator - Part Two

I know, I know, it's been more than two weeks and I still have not finished telling all of you about the wonderful venue tour Aaron's Catering invited us to. I have been a bit busy finishing with Bunmi's Birthday Soirre, which I must also blog about. Right now I want to continue with the venue tour because it was truly an inspiring experience with an amazing conclusion to our day.

At the Gusman Center

  The afternoon began with a tour of the beautiful and majestic Gusman Center in Downtown Miami. The Gusman Center first open it's doors in 1926 as the Olympian Theater as a silent movie palace. At the time it was one of the very first buildings in Florida to have air conditioned. Throughout the years it has held many spectacular events, not only for movies but live performances as well, including performances from Elvis Presley, BB King, Etta James and Pavarotti. 

The Upstairs lobby

A view from the stage

Because Life is a Stage

Today, the Gusman Centert is one of South Florida's historical beacons hosting an array of motion pictures, live performances and the home to many social and cooperate events. It is a most pleasing venue for those of us who would love to hold our party in a historical theater and on a stage.

 Check out the Gusman Center for your next Lasting Impressions event.




















From the elaborate and ornate Gusman Center, we were taken to a very literally Cool venue. So Cool  Events.

The Ice Bar

Yeap, that's the name and as it suggest it is a 100%,  risking sounding redundant, cool. This venue is a  10,000 square feet warehouse, a blank canvas just waiting for you to use your wildest imagination. To make your event completely extraordinary they have acrylic tables and chairs, dance floors, casino tables, ice walls and ice columns and it's own permanent Ice Bar, reminiscent of the Ice Hotel in Sweden.

Alaska in Miami

So Cool Events

So Cool Event is the perfect place to host the most unique events from cooperate to social,  it is truly one of a kind bringing a little bit of winter to our forever summer city.

We removed our winter parkas, our ear muffs and mittens and stepped out once again unto the heated streets of Miami. Did I mentioned it was a 104 degrees on that day? Keep this in mind as we continue on to our next destination: the hangars at Opa Locka Airport.

A hangar all dressed up for an event.

I realize that most of you must be thinking hangars? Really? But yes hangars are one of the newest trends for events,. At Opa Locka airport not only can you use the hangars for your event but you can also use the airport and most of its space for large parties, or you can even be flown to the Florida Keys for a more private affair...

A DC7-B9 Eastern Airline Plane in its hangar

Greeted by Fabio Alexander the Chief Executive Officer of Miami Executive Aviation, we were given an extensive briefing of this spectacular venue. Opa Locka Airport has been the site of many video productions as well as motion pictures and television shows. It has over 120,000 square feet of hangar space and it has been used in such productions as Bad Boys, CSI Miami, and Will Smith's "Miami" video, and it is also available for us to use for your next super production event.

MEA, is also the proud owner of one of the last three DC7-B7 planes in the world. This beautiful airplane was first serviced by Eastern Airlines in 1958 and it was purchased by the Historical Flight Foundation a few years back.  At this time it began a period of restoration which is still undergoing today. About a month or so ago it once again became a flyable piece of art, and as a big surprise to all of us present we were going to be flown to the Florida Keys for the last leg of our tour. You can't imagine our excitement, we are truly privileged to be one of the first to fly in this Historical Airplane and we are all now part of this foundation.

My friend and fellow event planner Maribel Bruckner

As we boarded this historical piece of flying apparatus I must say I was excited and anxious, I don't really care to fly and although  we were given the choice to continue with the tour or be driven back to our first destination, I was not going to pass up on this rare and incredible experience. So up the ladder I went, texted my family to inform them of my journey, and boarded this very, very, hot plane.

Flying over Miami Beach

Remember I said it was 104 degrees and that this plane was still going restoration? Well, there was no air conditioning in the plane and even though we were greeted with terrific music from a DJ and cold drinks it was still scorching hot, yet we were all so excited it was sort of overlooked and we were all treated to the greatest time.

Excited to be here

He knew everything and anything about this plane

In this plane ride we were accompanied by Brian Aaron, our gracious host, his staff, a dj, our photographer Alain Martinez, the executive officer Fabio Alexander and various members of the Historical Flight Foundation.

Brian Aaron and some of his staff.

Favio Alexander, Brian Aaron and myself

Alex Nino

No they are not both mine, I was holding Maribel's.

Champagne was poured, laughter filled the plane and off we flew over our beautiful city.

The Seven Mile Bridge from my window

About 45 hot minutes later, the Seven Mile Bridge came into view as this beautiful plane soared above Marathon Key and descended into the runway.

Favio's House

The afternoon was coming to the end and dinner awaited us at Favio's beautiful private house.

He opened his beautiful home to all us and Aaron Catering greeted us with refreshing Mojitos and a delectable Barbecue, we were all made to feel welcomed by our gracious hosts and we could not ask for more, but this expectacular day still delilvered one more beautiful memory...Sunset at the old Seven Mile Bridge, and more Mojitos at the Tiki Bar.

Serene and beautiful

One of the five beaches at the Florida Keys

The view from the inside

Our great group

Mavi and I

So lovely

A perfect end to an unforgetable day. I must not forget to thank all of the vendors who participated in this venue tour, but specially to Aaron's catering who proved to be outstandingly professional  in coordinating this exceptional experience for us all,  yet maintaining a very low key atmosphere making us feel welcomed and part of their professional family. I highly recommend them and look forward to many more years of business with them.

The End.

 

You are welcome to visit my Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LastingImpressionsEvents#!/LastingImpressionsEvents page or my website www.lastingimpressionsbyluly.com to see more pictures of all of the venues.