Event Series III: The Bossa Nova Lounge

So I'd like to start off by stating that this was my first ever attempt at a party. This was probably four years ago, so I forget what the menu was and what rentals we got. But do not fret! Even though I have forgotten some things, there are still tips and advice I can share.

Description: A surprise anniversary cocktail party

People: 70

Drinks: Vitamin water, Fiji water, wine, jungle juice, bahama mama, mai tai

Playlist: Don Tiki, Martin Denny, Astrud Gilberto, Elis Regina, Nouvelle Vague, Nicola Conte, Jet Society Album.

So as you can tell by the title, this cocktail party had a Bossa Nova feel to it. Think 1960's, Sean Connery as James Bond. It was in the dead of winter, and we wanted everyone to feel like they were on vaction somewhere tropical. We didn't do this by turning up the heat. With that many bodies, we didn't need to. We bought as many tropical leaves as we could get our hands on. They are quite cheap and available all year round. We also rented goldfish. Yes, you can rent goldfish! Leave it to my lovely sister-in-law to figure that one out. It definitely added life and colour. We placed them up at the bar (pictured above) because you know everyone will make multiple trips there throughout the night. And because it was a surprise, we gave the party a code name: Operation Goldfish. There was a large flat screen TV on the wall, on which we played Thunderball and Dr. No.

One major part of this night was the "Girl Drink Menu." Let's be honest, tropical drinks are girl drinks. And well, in our house we don't drink them. So it was a bit of a challenge choosing three fun drinks that we could pre-make and serve on the night of the party. It would be so simple that all the bartenders would need to do is pour and garnish with fruit and an umbrella. My husband was in charge of this. When he set out to find the perfect recipes, guess who got to be his guinea pig? Me. Oh dear. I had the biggest sugar rush of my life. But in the end, we had three perfect drinks. And to save the bartenders from repeating themselves on what was available, I made them a drink menu (pictured below).

Since this was top secret, we hired two helpers. That way there were people to greet the guests, give them directions on what to do, and even help with lighting the candles. The night just wouldn't have been as fun without their help.
  

Though the size of the gathering was large, our stealth execution resulted in a couple who were taken completely by surprise! So, as they say in the world of spies and covert operations: mission accomplished.

Cheers!
Carlson...Charysse Carlson