I've had several mental run-through's of my fantasy dinner party running around in my head throughout the years. In fact, just like I'm an advocate of you guys getting yourselves a good deal -- I'm also an advocate of fantasizing.
Without fantasy and dreams of what could be, most people would be hard-pressed to come up with a few new, fresh party food and decor ideas.
When you create parties for a living, it can sometimes be tough to try to constantly come up with interesting and new party ideas. Fantasies are inspiration. Being inspired by something (on some level) is usually what is at the start of every party.
So yes, it's true. You know I love parties; to produce them for people, to host my own, and to write about them. I've loved throwing parties since forever. I mean, sure -- I've been blogging for four years, but my love affair with parties began way back in the day. Way.
The idea behind writing this post comes from one of my new SITStah-girlfriend's (Ashley) blog, The Stafford Diaries. She got the idea to write her fantasy dinner party article from one of her blogger galpal friends. I kind of can't believe I missed this one; when I stopped by to congratulate Ashley on her SITS Day, I thought to myself... I can't believe I didn't think of writing a post like this! Especially as much as I fantasize about parties. My bad.
If you've been reading Cater-Hater for while, you know that this party-thing wasn't much of a stretch for me in the first place; being that I planned a big dinner party with a couple old roommates, back in the day, when I basically had "no clue" about parties. Our "winging it" paid off.
We fed and partied with about 150 of our friends and family members, and if I must say so myself... not knowing what in the hell we were doing, things ended up pretty doggone good. Everyone had a blast! And we didn't run out of anything. In fact, after our shindig, I kept the party going every night for about three days (by inviting my co-workers over after work). I was floor manager at Union Street restaurant in Detroit at the time and my co-workers were more than happy to help empty the keg of Heineken that was leftover, and finish up the open bottles of red and white wine that were leftover.
The "after parties" weren't wild or anything. We basically sat around and rehashed the day, with a "cocktail" in hand. That's all. It was nice to sit and socialize with everybody. And what was also nice for Laura and Diane (my roommates), and myself were the many compliments that we were getting about the party we threw.
But enough about that, here's how my fantasy dinner party would go...
How the Fantasy Dinner Party Starts
Obviously, full out-in-out super-duper big budget parties today are seen as a lost artistic form of pre-party expression and something really special and not necessarily required. Because that's the case, guests will talk about and be in amazement for weeks after receiving their custom designed, individually hand-crafted "Save The Date" invitation, followed 3 months later by the actual invitation and the itinerary, complete with personalized menus and their matching escort and table number seating cards, as a useful type of coveted keepsake they've received.
Different from anything else they've ever seen, Creative Intelligence would design the extraordinary attention to detail invitations and matching announcement accessories that would have guests thinking, "If this is the invitation, I can't wait to see what the party will be like. I'm sending my R.S.V.P. back right away!"
In the real world, I'll never give up on sending party invitations and cards. They're a wonderful way to excite your guests about attending your special event or private party... while making a more personal connection with each person.
The Day of the Fantasy Event Begins
I would invite only 110 very special guests that would include several friends and a family members. In order for all of my guests to have an absolutely wonderful time (and for each performers comfort), this would be an all expenses paid, three day fantasy party getaway - whereby those invited would fly from their nearest perspective airports to one of the top resorts in the world, The Boulders, an extremely prestigious Waldorf Astoria golf and spa resort with swanky decor designed by Mother Nature that is so stunningly surreal that it’s impossible to compete with it's 12-million-year-old rock formations.
The Boulders Resort
The Boulders, located on 1,300 acres of the Sonoran Desert in North Scottsdale, Arizona, houses the World-renowned Golden Door Spa where the ultimate natural rejuvenation is promised at their massive spa compound, and their two Jay Moorish championship golf courses are world class. The Boulders is a five-star resort, so every guest and entertainment artiest will be better than cared for and made comfortable. At their über private gated Villa Retreat is where all of my guests would be invited to dine and be entertained the night of the fantasy dinner party event.
The Boulder World-Class Golf Course
Deborah Bridges, The Boulders PR rep says, “Our clientele is among the wealthiest in the world, but we’re not allowed to talk about who our VIP guests are until they’re dead.” Pretty exclusive.
On arrival day, a cocktail "mixer" would begin outdoors at 6:30 PM, and all guests would be required to be on time. This will be the beginning of a seriously wonderful time to remember, so no one should want to miss a thing. After a period of time to meet with the other guests to get somewhat acquainted, and after a casual buffet style dinner, during coffee and dessert everyone would receive their copy of the special fantasy dinner evening "soft" event program that will take place the last night of our stay at The Boulders. "Soft" meaning: the basic timeline of the evening - sans the names of the performers and a few other details.
A great party planner maintains a sense of mystery about the course of events, never revealing everything upfront. None of the guests would ever imagine they're attending a two-location event; thinking instead, that their entire mini-vacay will be spent at one location, in Arizona. Surprise! There's more to this fantasy dinner party event than any of them could ever imagine.
From the valet servicemen who hold the hands of those exiting their cars upon arrival (others decide to arrive in limousines), to the moment they've been handed their first cocktail along with the custom designed signature event logo cocktail napkin (also embroidered on the fabric dinner menu keepsakes individually wrapped with personalized bellybands), and also on the dinner napkins (for Table of Honor guests), guests are realizing they're being treated to a very special two weeks; week one at The Boulders - whichthey obviously know about, week two at an exotic beach resort location - that they have no knowledge of.
Colin Cowie and Preston Bailey would both participate in planning and organizing all of the details, at both locations. I'd leave it up to them; how they divvy up the logistics of this massive special event undertaking.
Read on...
Both Preston Bailey and Colin Cowie would collaborate, with an unlimited fantasy budget. They would have full reign to "go off"; planning the most gorgeous, over-the top (yet super comfortable) course of events ever. Remember this is a fantasy post, so I'd ask (and receive) these two "party divas" working together, with Preston's team of flora mavens at the helm of the flowers, and Colin and Preston, together, fleshing out the look of the entire party space (and every other detail) -- from top to bottom.
Preston Bailey
Colin Cowie
These two party world design celebrity "top dogs" are both extremely elegant men who would work together with me, to help me to create an extraordinary event -- along with helping me choose the menus designed by Master Chef Joachim Spichal, the owner of LA's finest restaurant, Patina, whose impeccable food mastery team would create the food for our final day at The Boulder; preparing breakfast, lunch, and a fabulously delicious dinner party that would conclude our final evening in Arizona.
Master Chef Joachim Splichal
Patina's "Anytime. Anywhere." philosophy suits this fantasy dinner party event perfectly. Their sample catering menus lend an idea of what will be in store for this one special day. Breakfast and dinner dining times will be served at the same time daily by The Boulders staff daily, giving everyone a chance to dine together. Lunch would vary per guest. And on the final day the Patina culinary team would prepare all three meals at The Boulders Villa Retreat.
Check in and get your Escort Card at a P. Bailey designed table
Stop by one of the bars; a Vodka Ice Bar designed by C. Cowie 
Deliciously divine cuisine prepared by Master Chef Joachim Splichal's Patina Catering
Each table would be set magnificently, eclectic in a uniquely different from the next kind of way -- yet all would be elegant and inviting in nature and perfect in design structure synchronicity, each table setting in shades of white and gray displaying various patterns from paisley prints to stripes and florals that compliment the overall look completely. Instead of table place cards, much more efficient in design, each guests name would be beautifully featured in calligraphy on the bellyband of each place setting. Coordinating tablecloths reflecting the reason for every dinner accessory item on the table allow each guest to know a sumptuous feast awaits them.
My Fantasy Dinner Party Entertainment
Entertainment is something that is important factor to make the night even more special. So, I'd splurge for it.
Neil Patrick Harris would take command of the evening of diverse entertainment, setting up the night -- introducing the entertainment throughout the evening. And what a line up! Starting with one of the extremely funny King's of Comedy, Cedric the Entertainer; Cedric would keep the party moving right along, livening things up and filling in for staging changes -- keeping everyone laughing and ready for a night to remember, beginning right after guest arrival hors d'oeuvre and cocktail hour - introduced of course by Neil Patrick Harris.
Neil Patrick Harris
Cedric the Entertainer
Carrie Underwood is there to sing "Undo It", "Jesus, Take the Wheel", and "Casa Nova Cowboy". Stevie Wonder would follow bringing everyone out of their seats, dancing by their table with his hits, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered", "Overjoyed", and "For Once In My Life".
Carrie Underwood
Stevie Wonder
Celine Dion would come out next to sing, "All By Myself", "At Last", after which Celine and wunderkind super talented singer, Charice, would sing "Because You Loved Me", with David Foster accompanying them on the piano.
Celine Dion
Charice
David Foster
Now it's time to really have fun and party! Next, for our private concert would be Beyonce, performing "Single Ladies", "Halo", and "Love On Top". Taking the stage after Beyonce would be her husband, Jay-Z. His set would include; "I Just Wanna Love You (Give It To Me)", "30 Something", "Show Me What You Got".
The two of them close the show with, "Crazy In Love" and "Forever Young".
Beyonce - 2013 Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Performer
Jay-Z
After the last entertainment performance, two dessert buffet stations and a large coffee, tea, and cappuccino station would open as jazz instrumentals play softly in the background. While we're having dessert, "swag bags" are lined tables at the guest exit area. Each bag contains a custom designed Tag Heur party commemorative gift watch for the ladies and men and a David Yurman bracelet and necklace (and their guests would receive the Yurman necklace and bracelet), and a Mont Blanc pens and Cranes custom monogrammed fantasy dinner party week note cards and envelopes as their gift from me.
Each guest would also receive something from of my fantasy dinner party music artists His 'n Her Carrie Underwood Tour Tee-shirts and latest CD, Stevie Wonder's "Live At Last" music CD, two ticket vouchers to see Celine in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas(before March 2013)the DVD of Charice's recently feature film, "Here Comes the Boom" CD titled "Charice" featuring her hit single "Pyramid":
Each guest would also receive a bottle of Beyonce's fragrances from her "Heat" collection, and Jay-Z's Brooklyn Nets basketball team hats, jerseys, and jackets.
After this leg of the fantasy dinner party event, all 150 guest shocked to find out that they're flying out the next morning to the newly designed Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico, which is slated to reopen next month; December 2012.
Arial view of Dorado Beach
Sitting on 1,400 acres of natural beauty, Dorado Beach, is my chosen fantasy party vacation destination because it's a place that I've been to before. I don't know how they've done it or what they've done, but they have the most delicious eggs I've ever tasted. I mean it.There are eggs and then there are Dorado Beach Resort eggs.
An an added bonus is that thisRitz-Carlton Reserve is in quite an intimate setting, with only 100 guestrooms and 14 one-bedroom suites, all directly on the beach, and Su Casa, an original banana plantation hacienda renovated back to it's original 1920's style that serves as a four-bedroom beachfront VIP villa. So it's obvious, we've pretty much got the run of the place.
Dorado Beach Su Casa
We'd spend most of our time relaxing on Dorado Beach and around the pools but we'd also take two to three days to tour and dine around San Juan. And we'd have to stop by the Lounge at Casa Bacardi,at the Bacardi Rum Factory, for their tour and rum tasting party.
Barcardi Rum Factory's "Casa Bacardi"
I've suggested two different fantasy party locations - where would you choose to go?
For me, this has to be something too fabulous to believe, with the best accoutrements available, that need no last minute anything
As an alternative to anything any guest would desire or need, the staff of Mr. Bailey and Mr. Cowie would ensure that it would be taken care of, and billed to me accordingly. Mega-events are in revivaland are "fierce" type of party for those who can dream that big, and of course for those who can afford them.
British supermodel Naomi Campbell threw her billionaire boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin, a 50th birthday bash in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India that was "to die for". The pre-birthday bash at Mehrangarh Fort today will reportedly see a gathering of celebrity friends from Hollywood and the fashion industry, including Kate Moss (the face of David Yurman ad campaigns), Liz Hurley, Jennifer Lopez, Grace Jones, Donatella Versace and Giorgio Armani.
Naomi & her boyfriend, Vlad
The dinner will reportedly take place at Daulat Khana, and there will be a musical performance by singer Diana Ross in the fort’s Zenana Courtyard, who is reportedly being paid over $500,000 (Rs 2.7cr) to perform at the bash. So you kind of, sort of now have an idea of the expense of just the entertainment that my fantasy dinner party event would cost. A lot.
Diana Ross
It's been reported that the fort was decorated in traditional Rajasthani themes, and that a large painting of Doronin depicting him as James Bond adorned one of the walls.
Sources say that more than 200 guests were invited, and that all of the rooms at the opulent Umaid Bhawan were booked and that the hotel was off limits to all other guests and that security was handled by a private British firm.
Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur
That's just how the ultrarich entertain. And hey, I'm not mad at them one bit (and being a hater because they can afford it). When you have billions of dollars, you'd likely never spend it all in one lifetime. With that kind of money, you can give away a slew of it to charities and good causes and still not feel any financial pain. The way I see it is, God thinks "corporate". And if God can do something spectacular for them, being no respecter of persons, He can do it for anyone else who dares to dream big.
Would like to be invited to a big bash like this?
And, would you enjoy attending my fantasy dinner party, taking part in all that it entails?
What is your fantasy dinner party? Write your own dream dinner party and send me the link - make it good and I'll link to it! I can't wait to "get invited"...
Image sources: Google Images
