PartySlate Launch Party
On August 25th, more than 700 Chicago VIPs, including media, socialites and event pros attended the launch party for PartySlate with a dynamic celebration at Moonlight Studios in Chicago’s hip River West neighborhood. PartySlate is a beautiful new website that has thousands of gorgeous gala, wedding, mitzvah and corporate event photos posted by the top event professionals in the country.
The launch party was a memorable night for all who attended, thanks to the delicious cocktails, incredible performances and out-of-the-box décor. Launch party ideas stemmed from the theme of the evening, which focused on “Inspiration” and what drives and stimulates the imagination for events. Paulette Wolf Events produced the event, from overall concept and theme development to on-site management and coordination of logistics. It was clear why PWE is known as one of the best event companies in the country.
Inside the spacious, industrial-like Moonlight Studios, some of Chicago’s top caterers partnered with some of Chicago’s best décor companies to create separate spectacular rooms for this launch party, where guests mingled, partied, and enjoyed sophisticated food and innovative drinks. Entertainment for the launch party included a gospel choir, an international drumline and a DJ with a strolling violinist from BKO BeatMix Music, along with servers on stilts, a champagne chandelier and a living red carpet from NewMoon Chicago. The entire space was filled with great sound, lighting, video and wallscapes by Sound Investment.
Décor companies who worked with PartySlate for the launch party included Kehoe Designs, with its watercolor-themed “Paint Your Story” gallery; HMR Designs with an “All About Love” theme in their gallery; and Platinum Events, which created a “Platinum” theme in their gallery.
Kehoe Designs painted its gallery into a watercolor haven, combining layers of blues, green and teal with the organic movement of watercolor. Kehoe provided watercolor-splashed canvas panels to enhance the industrial brick walls, and styled the floor with ombre-toned rugs anchored with refined furniture groupings with organic touches. Whimsical surprises and elements were added to liven up the venue: Color-splashed winged victory statues and bold-toned hand chairs livened up the sultry watercolors. Fur-covered spherical ottomans were nestled amongst petite ceramic cacti and glamorous gold-and-black octopus statues for a touch of eccentricity and distinctiveness. A life-sized coloring wall with a variety of markers was provided so that guests could interact and add their messages and personal designs to the space.
Letting LOVE be their guide (and the theme of their gallery at the PartySlate launch party), HMR Designs created a colorfully urban-inspired space for guests to enjoy. The room was wrapped in custom printed fabric, each panel bearing multiple layered graphics that were given alternate visibility when bathed in different tones. An ivory double banquette took center stage beneath a vibrant mass of multicolored gladiolus suspended from the ceiling above. Rich colorful patterns covered ottomans and pillows, creating a welcoming, outward-facing lounge that kept the room in everyone’s view. HMR also provided a white bar and white croc-topped buffet stations branded for both caterers in their gallery (J&L Catering and Foodstuffs Events & Catering), all topped with more large and colorful gladiolus bunches in tall white vases. Mirrored cubes displayed the caterers fare.
Platinum Events created a “Platinum” theme for the PartySlate launch party, where there was abundance of silver, metal-framed tables with mirrored glass. Multiple “Liquid Platinum” lounge vignettes—complete with crushed black velvet throne chairs—allowed guests to enjoy the breathtaking live floral wall that sprung from a mirror wall onto a table surrounded with orchids. All while a human “Platinum Disco Ball” danced to the beat of the music!
The main launch party room in Moonlight Studios was wrapped in video projection courtesy of Sound Investment and featured furniture groupings and focal bar vignettes from each of the decor companies, as well as an amazing light-up bar from Tablescapes.
Catering partners for the launch party included Entertaining Company, J&L Catering, Blue Plate, Catering by Michaels, Paramount Events and Foodstuffs Events & Catering.
Blue Plate created a Himalayan Salt Block Action Station with rock shrimp and beef tenderloin. And the crowd went wild for a Raclette station with different sausages, cheese and different toppings paired with specialty beers from Catering By Michaels.
Other favorite dishes included J&L Catering’s braised short rib tacos with charred tomatillo salsa, grilled poblanos and queso fresco in a crispy corn tortilla; “Incredible Edible Spoons” (peanut butter sea salt pretzel s’mores) and Candied Cracked Black Pepper & Garlic Smoked Bacon Tightropes from Foodstuffs. As with any good launch party, the specialty drinks were flowing as well: A favorite was the “Caprese” Martini from Foodstuffs, made with extra virgin olive oil-infused vodka with homemade tomato-basil “water” spritzed with balsamic and served with a baby mozzarella and fresh basil garnish—all served in a miniature crystal champagne saucer.
Entertaining Company passed a passion fruit mousse in a dark chocolate cup garnished with passion fruit seeds and edible gold leaf, which was a huge hit as well. Truly, all caterers for the launch party knocked it out of the park! Guests couldn’t stop raving about the amazing food. Paramount Events wowed guests with dishes like a Lemon Verbena-Raspberry Watercolor Tart. Another crowd hit was Paramount Events‘ “The Winslow,” with butterfly pea blossom-infused vodka, Thai basil, lemongrass syrup and fresh lime Juice, which, when added to the drink, changed its color from indigo to magenta—incredible!
In a fun twist, Entertaining Company’s Signature Cocktail was the “Prickly Pear Boozy Snow Cone” with prickly pear puree, tequila and fresh lime served over shaved ice from a 50 lb. ice block in the center of the party.
Last but not least, Tablescapes provided all the rental needs for the bar and catering teams at this epic launch party. It was a true team effort from beginning to end!
Photographer extraordinaire Sheri Whitko snapped photos of all the guests. 360 degree videos were taken by Jamwoc Mixed Reality Solutions, and TagPrints Digital provided a social media photo booth with a green screen for some additional fun.
Pulp & Ink designed the custom digital invitation and Modern Luxury served as the media sponsor, while Beefeater London, Absolut Elyx and Jameson Black Barrel were the featured liquor sponsors for the night.
As guests left the party, they could grab a fresh doughnut to go from the Doughnut Vault truck parked outside while they waited for their car (valet provided by VIP Valet).
It was truly an evening of inspiration and a launch party night to remember!