Wow. When this famous NBA player contacted me to produce an Italian-themed dinner party for his wife’s 40th birthday, I did not know just how gorgeous the result would be. Jada Paul is a beautiful woman who enjoys beautiful details – and she knows what she likes, so I loved that she had a vision already in mind. All I had to do was add The Wife of the Party detail and make all her birthday party dreams come true, including installing a “tree” in the center of the dinner tables set in the round. Yes, a tree. And not just any tree!

When loved ones entered the Alexandria Ballrooms in Downtown Los Angeles, they were met with a cocktail hour that was transformed into the Amalfi Coast, with lemons simply everywhere. They may not have been climbing up steep cliffs, but they were remarkable in their own right! There was a dazzling photo moment with a backdrop of yellow-tipped florals, bushels of greenery, buckets of citrus, and a Vespa. As friends and family enjoyed their European-inspired cocktails, they were also asked to pose for a portrait where an artist would live paint that image onto a wine bottle to take home as a keepsake from the special evening.

The birthday girl arrived and led her guests into the ballroom for dinner, perfectly prepared and catered by Pez Cantina. Personalized menu cards sat at every place setting in addition to a lovely display of chinoiserie china dishes and vases, too. Bright yellow florals – provided by Butterfly Floral Design – lined the custom table crafted into a circle. Collections of candlelight complemented the look of the tablescapes, as well, but the pièce de resistance was the “tree” nestled right in the round of it all. It was showstopping. Buckets of lemons, fresh verdure, and lanterns surrounded the remarkable display that had guests in awe throughout the dinner service. A live Italian band played Italian tunes as attendees indulged in the delicious fare and varietals. The ambience of the ballroom was perfection; the remainder of the ballroom was kept free of decoration intentionally which made the dinner party in the center, along with the tree, so impactful.

As everyone began to finish their dinner, the group was ready to head upstairs for the dance party portion of the evening. The color palette changed into a sexy black-and-white concept with lots of candlelight, arrangements of florals, particularly black-and-white anemones, and another eye-catching “tree” in the middle of the bar. Paper “anemone blooms” adorned the tree to give it a nice contrast. As soon as partygoers entered, they were vibing with the music, enjoying cups of hot coffee and tray-passed desserts, imbibing on cocktails, and trying out the delicious ice cream cart offerings. Revelers danced, mingled, and laughed the rest of the night only stopping for short breaks to relax on the plush ebony couches before hitting the dance floor again.

Happy birthday, Jada!