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WHEN OUR FIRST REPLY CAME
via FedEx this year, we knew that anticipation was greater than ever.
For a party called The Young & The Guest
List, one would assume the easiest part would
be the guest list. Not the case. When our first
RSVP response came via FedEx this year, we
knew that anticipation was greater than ever.
There are some who ignore Emily Post and
RSVP even though they were never invited.
Others take it upon themselves to respond not
just for themselves and a date, but also their
cousin, second cousin, second cousin’s friend
and so forth. Then there are those who just
seem to magically appear at the door. This year
we had to be list Nazis in order not to exceed
the strict 350 capacity at Halcyon House.
The party has established a reputation for
offering one of the best gift bags in Washington.
No media organization has ever written about
the party without mentioning its value. There
are always full-sized products, gourmet treats,
luxury gifts, and knick knacks. This is another
interesting puzzle to assemble because no beauty
company wants to have its products in the same
bag with another beauty company’s. The same
goes for other items From luxury Italian sheet
and soap makers, to electronic companies and
gardening equipment, we didn’t leave any stone
unturned. This year’s top prize was Tom Ford’s
limited edition Black Orchid perfume in a
crystal bottle (valued at just over $600). What
most guests don’t realize is that not all bags were
the same. Some were lucky to score Giorgio
Armani’s Crema Nera cream, while others
went home with custom kits from MyBlend
cosmetics. The universal favorite was the See’s
Candies, a first for any Washington gift bag.
When we walked into The St. Regis Hotel it
all seemed perfect. The floral arrangements that
we anticipated for weeks from UltraViolet and,
later at Halycon House, Janet Flowers Wedding
and Event Designs, were even more spectacular
than we could have imagined. The Veuve
Clicquot was flowing at a rate of a bottle per
person. The Himalayan salt slabs with meat by
Design Cuisine were a surprise hit, as were the
gazpacho shooters. (Many said they got drunk on
them, but they were non-alcoholic). The bands
“Big Ray and the Kool Kats,” whom we spotted
at the Kennedy Center, were even better than
we had remembered. They and Eleganza kept
everyone dancing. It was a treat to experience the
french-themed Josephine Lounge (1008 Vermont
Ave. NW) that opened their doors for the first
time for this party.
The sign of a great party is when you don’t
want it to end. When our carriage turned into
a pumpkin at 2 a.m., no one wanted to go
home. That’s what sustains the magic of this
party into the next year. We look forward to
hosting everyone again. |
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    Below, from left to right: At the St. Regis, UltraViolet Flowers provided the centerpieces, and the signature cocktail was a 10 Cane Rum Foam Mojito. (Photo by Tony Powell);
French-themed Josephine Lounge was the ideal spot for our after-party. (Photo by Cameron Habashian) After we spotted “Big Ray and the Kool Kats” at the Kennedy Center,
we knew they were the perfect dance band for our party. (Photo by Tony Powell); Design Cuisine’s innovative Chinese noodle buffet came complete with mini-take out cartons
and chopsticks. (Photo by Jonah Koch) |
WL INSIDER 
