Great Performances

7/29/2019 Great Performances

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When Event Planner Loulie Walker of Loulie Walker Events called me

regarding hosting an Anniversary Party here on January 5, 2013 my firstquestion to her was “Did the couple marry here 50 years ago?” Thisanniversary party was different though. It was a 10 Year AnniversaryParty for a couple that had a very intimate luncheon wedding inPhiladelphia. The couple now has children and wanted to make theirAnniversary Party a true family affair in the city they now call home.

Celebrating LifeBy Emily Reifel | January 14, 2013



Loulie was instrumental in helping them decide that The Plaza was theperfect iconic location for this New York City family to celebrate. AsLoulie stated, “The Plaza is an enduring NYC Landmark and as such,offered the perfect backdrop for a family commemorating life and love.” The client and Loulie worked to design a party that had a wintry yet warm

feel.

The fantastic Reed McIlvaine of Renny & Reed brought in spectacular blooming white quince branches that were set in tall glass vases and gavean overall wintry feel. Adding warmth and a glow were hundreds of votive candles suspended amidst the branches – the light twinkledthroughout the room. At the base of each branch arrangement were etchedglass vases containing white single variety florals including fluffy peonies,fringed tulips, and ranunculus. To give each table a pop of color and funfestive feel, a red water glass adorned each place setting along with custom

letterpress red and white menu cards.

Butlered hors d’oeuvres such as beef sliders and grilled chicken tacos filled

the Grand Ballroom Foyer. We also mixed up a festive specialty cocktailwhich was thoughtfully named the Cranhattan and included Bourbon,Sweet Vermouth, Maple Syrup and Cranberry Juice garnished with FreshCranberries of course. In order for the kids not to feel left out, they weregiven a mocktail version of the Cranhattan, which was passed in adifferent glass in order for them not to get mixed up!

And what was on the menucard was a delight in itself! Designing the menu for thisparty was a lot of fun and wewanted to give guests an

elegant yet playful meal. It began at Cocktail Hour whereSushi Chefs from Morimotomade Sushi Rolls right infront of the guests’ eyes.



When guests were invited to dinner they were welcomed by the classicsounds of Kevin Osborne and his band, Hank Lane Music & Productions,www.hanklane.com , singing everything from old standards to Katy Perry. While the adults dinned on a Caramelized Onion & Camembert Tart as afirst course and a choice of Roasted Black Bass with Lobster Polenta or aGrilled Filet Mignon with a Foie Gras Bernaise for entrée, the children andyoung adults of the party had their own menu to enjoy. As a first coursewhat could be better than Parmesan Macaroni & Cheese and for an entrée,Steak Frites. In order for the adults to not feel left out, Chef made truffleFrench fries that were served family style at each table. Who doesn’t wantto indulge in truffle fries!

As the dance floor gained momentum and Kevin Osborne continued to belt out the tunes, kids and adults were kept entertained by the photo

booth, http://theboothphotovideo.com/. Whimsical photo props wereon hand so the guests could get creative with some fun party shotsthroughout the night!

Soon Miniature Desserts were served on the dance floor including FrenchMacaroons, Rice Krispy Pops and Frozen Hot Chocolate Shots. A SpecialtyIce Cream Sundae Bar appealed to guests of all ages. The Cotton Candy

Ice Cream, specifically requested by the host, was a monster hit!

http://www.hanklane.com/

http://www.hanklane.com/



Loulie and I enjoyed seeing all the smiles on the guest’s faces as they trulyenjoyed every aspect of the evening. It was wonderful to see familiesdancing, laughing and enjoying this special very evening together tocelebrate life, love and happiness! It was the perfect way to begin a newyear. I look forward to more 10th, 25th and 50th Anniversary Parties. Lifedeserves to be celebrated!

Plaza Personality: Loulie Walker, Loulie Walker Events

By Rob Arango | January 14, 2013

Where were you born?

Louisville, Kentucky – many think I was named for Louisville but Loulie isa family name, my great-great-grandmother’s name was Lucretia and sheshortened it to Loulie.

How did you get started in the wedding business?Since graduation, I have always worked in events – first in fashion atRalph Lauren, next at other houses, and then in nonprofit fundraising –planning the crème de la crème of NYC’s philanthropic events for fiveyears (many staged at The Plaza!). I went in-house for a client when I wasapproached to do a wedding. It was suddenly as if I had come full circle. Everything I loved was incorporated in planning a wedding – story telling,

production, and the variety of detail: venues, stationery, food, flowers,music, photography, cake…



What is your favorite venue?

In New York City, I would have to say The Frick Collection – it is a jewel box of a museum and offers a setting like no other in this city – intimate insize yet grand in stature with the artwork creating the backdrop.

What do you love about The Plaza?

The Plaza is a New York City Landmark, it is a historic building, thesetting of fabulous over the top parties and of course, the home of Eloise. Ilove The Plaza though for two very personal reasons. First, I havememories of my Granny taking my sister and me for Peach Melba sundaesat The Plaza – I don’t know what I enjoyed more – eating the sundae ordressing up! And second, the very first wedding I planned over 10 yearsago was at The Plaza. At that time the top two floors were being

renovated and I happen to be looking for a setting (not a venue) for aholiday wedding for 34 people with a feeling of home. The space wasperfect – spacious yet intimate, warm and inviting with a lovely livingroom complete with a grand piano and opening onto a dining roomoverlooking Central Park. We sped up the work, toned down the gold (!),and created our own holiday wonderland perched high above FifthAvenue and the Park.

What is your most memorable wedding that you have produced?

We produced a wedding a few years ago in Rhinebeck, NY, for a Broadwaystar and his fiancé, equally as talented but in math and the law! It was athree day celebration with music at every turn. I had the pleasure of working alongside the best of Broadway – from the Broadway choir belting out “Crazy in Love” as the recessional and the groom’s flash mobtoast involving over 25 people in sync on the dance floor, to the production

end with lighting, sound and staging. It was such fun to produce thewedding – everyone from guest to vendor was ‘infected’ with the musicwhether Rap, Hip Hop or Salsa. Music was love to this couple and that iswhat the weekend was about. The groom’s Hip Hop improv groupFreestyle Love Supreme performed one night and I remember the tent andlighting crews being absolutely transfixed by them. To this day, we all goto every FLS show we can. turtles arrived to nest so beach flood lights

could not be lit at the ocean-side glass tent reception… Neither the clientnor the guests ever knew. All in a day’s work



If you could have dinner with 3 people tonight who would they be?

Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela, and Madonna

Can you share with me one of the most outrageous moments at a

wedding you planned?

Outrageous to me equals Murphy’s Law: whatever can go wrong, will gowrong. At one Florida wedding – air conditioning in church broke an hour before 400 guests arrived, electrician electrocuted himself trying to fix it(did not die), antique car en route from Miami got in a wreck, sea turtlesarrived to nest so beach flood lights could not be lit at the ocean-side glasstent reception… Neither the client nor the guests ever knew. All in a day’swork

What do you do for fun?

Soul Cycle – it is my escape and what keeps me sane. And…readinganything on forensic or criminal psychology. Years ago I took a class inpsych and the law, followed murder trials in the New Haven court system,and later participated in autopsies. I have been hooked ever since.

What inspires you?

Everything one experiences in NYC – restaurants, hotels, museums, and of course my travels. I recently returned from a trip to South Africa to look atvenues in Cape Town, the wine lands, and the bush. The sights, tastes andexperiences have filled my mind with ideas for weddings both here as wellas there.

What are the 3 biggest wedding tips you can share with our readers?

Your wedding is your story – do what is right for you while still keeping inmind your guests and their hospitality

Have fun planning your wedding – be organized, be mindful, and be on budget

Be present on your wedding day – enjoy every moment and recognize thatthe best laid plans…



If you were to get married tomorrow what would you serve to your

guests at your wedding?

Too many variables to be considered, I am a planner after all…but if I hadto get married tomorrow I would probably serve the finest Dom Perignonalongside cheeseburgers and French fries!

304 Hudson Street Ny, Ny 10013 212.727.2424 [email protected]

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