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The theme for this annual weekend event was to re-create an ambiance featuring the four elements of Mother Earth: Water, Fire, Earth and Air.
For the weekend’s highlighted event “The Grand Banquet,” held in the Grand Colonnade, the featured element was “Air,” resulting in Dinner in the Clouds.
“Dinner in the Clouds” hosted 120 guests. "The ambiance we created was grand and boasted a celestial grace with a fresh and airy energy," the event team says.
A long view.
The stunning table.
Once the concept of “Dinner in the Clouds” was determined, the team began to collaborate on ideas with which they could deliver the experience of dining in mid-air.
The selected location offered several logistical opportunities because The Grand Colonnade is the main artery by which guests move throughout the hotel between arrivals, casino gaming and the hotel towers.
Due to the design of the space, which is a model of a Renaissance church with an ample center nave and side aisles, the team was able to re-direct guest traffic away from the main nave into the two supporting aisles.
"Thus we were able to satisfy two key elements, which were to maintain the integrity as a stand-alone, distinguished hotel lobby, and also to transform The Grand Colonnade into workable banquet event space," they say.
This event affected almost every department on property, which resulted in many planning meetings to ensure fluidity of set-up and execution.
A close-up on the table.
Due to the monumental expanse of the Grande Colonnade, a custom glass table was commissioned to span more than 120 feet long and more than 8 feet wide.
"This magnificent gleaming glass table, which appeared to be floating, was embraced and supported by a wrought-iron frame, by which the design offered a visually strong look of the metal yet whimsical and airy in design," the event team says.
The elegant and breezy tabletop looked striking because each place setting was directly placed on the gleaming glass top, which further gave the illusion of being suspended in mid-air.
An individual place setting.
Special lighting effects further enhanced the design by suspending crystal chandeliers illuminating the table from beneath, and also the grand radiance from the heavenly ceiling frescoes.
The glamor and sophistication of the table harmonized to complete the illusion that the table was “In the Clouds.”
The application of delicate textures and colors was essential in the transformation.
"The table was decadently set with 14-inch custom gold chargers, which remained as an icon throughout dinner and were given to guests as a keepsake at the conclusion of the evening," the team says.
A close-up on floral.
The elegant pristine white china, totaling more than 2,600 pieces, was purposely not pre-set, allowing for the airy and clean concept.
Custom menu cards printed on white heavy stock paper were positioned on top of the charger plates and handsomely complemented by an equally elegant place card.
A "faux" fireplace thanks to candles.
More than 2,800 pieces of polished silver flatware were carefully chosen for this occasion.
The entire array consisted of a sleek and elegant pattern, which was consistent with the light and resplendent concept. Even the knives were not laid flat adjacent to the charger plate but were set with the blade facing towards the floor, as though suspended in air.
An ice carving salutes a sponsor.
Miss Universe says hello.
The chef team.
And a happy thumbs-up!
