LOVE IS IN THE AIR

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

by | May 1, 2022 | 2022 May June, DEBUT #5

Heartfelt Debut Party For Caroline Kelleher And Maggie Kelleher

By Jake Gaines Photography by Jenna-Beth Lyde

THE SETTING: Valentine’s Day was the chosen theme and timing for this colorful San Antonio debutante party. The honorees Caroline Kelleher, a graduate of The University of Texas and the daughter of Lisa and Mike Kelleher, and Maggie Kelleher, a graduate of Southern Methodist University and the daughter of Kathy and David Kelleher, made sure the theme of love was in the air. The cousins and their families welcomed guests to a red-turfed entrance under a pathway of bronze star-shaped light fixtures hung from the trees at The Argyle.

 

THE STYLE: A red, six-foot LOVE sculpture, inspired by artist Robert Indiana, greeted the attendees. The main tent entrance included a red, white and pink floral wall with the honorees’ names in neon lights. A large red heart made from over one thousand fresh long-stemmed roses adorned the back side of the wall. Continuing into the main tent overhead were hanging structures adorned with hundreds of ribbons tied with inverted red long-stemmed roses. The floral ambience was orchestrated by Danny Cuellar and his team at Trinity Flowers, so there was no shortage of social media photo opportunities with it as a backdrop. The guest libations included a heart-shaped espresso martini ice luge, and a White Russian bar, as an homage to the Kelleher brothers’ favorite movie, The Big Lebowski. 

 

Red Southwest Airlines Co. heart-shaped drink stirrers honored the debutantes’ late legendary grandfather, Herb Kelleher, the airline’s founder. Guests grazed on exquisite Argyle cuisine that included a sushi and raw bar (oysters, crab legs and shrimp) with sparkling and regular sake options. Lobster bisque, tenderloin, chicken-fried quail, mini chicken-pot pies with heart-shaped cut outs in the crust were served. Champagne and desserts of biscotti, chocolate-covered strawberries and mini berry crumbles were found at other stations. Heart-shaped Linzer cookies with raspberry filling were offered as party favors. The dance floor remained packed into the night with live music by the talented Professor D Band. 

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HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

by | Feb 28, 2022 | 2022 March April, DEBUT #5

A San Antonio German Club Debutante Honored In Classic Setting

 

By Jake Gaines      Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde Photography

With three years in the making, the Hollywood theme debutante party for Rita Calvert, hosted by her parents, Emma and Toby Calvert, implemented classic colors of red, black, and gold to fulfill the glamorous vision. With pandemic protocol in place, Rita, Emma, and Toby Calvert greeted their guests upon their red carpet entrance at the Argyle. The attendees’ eyes and ears were in for a treat with musical scores featured from OscarÓ award-winning movies like Casablanca, Star Wars, and Titanic. Rolling movie reels of old Hollywood movies, along with more modern films, played on either side of the stage in the tent for all to enjoy. Carlynne Fikes from Carbon Lily also entertained by singing tunes from the era.

 

For the décor, Danny Cuellar from Trinity Flowers used white roses, Hollywood-style lamps, and OscarÓ statuettes on the dining tables to create a classic Hollywood setting. Beautiful garlands adorned the balcony porch with red-illuminated stairs that led down to the tent where a red velvet marquise with two seven foot tall, 3D life-size OscarsÓ greeted guests, along with crystal chandeliers illuminating the tent for extra sparkle. A recreation of a lit Hollywood sign provided guests with a glamorous photo opportunity. Katherine Lopez of Sweet August Events planned the event.

 

Later, attendees were treated to the Argyle’s hors d’oeuvres, passed homemade chicken pot pies and stroganoff in tangine bowls. Dessert included bananas foster bread pudding, along with homemade popcorn. Then, guests danced into the wee morning hours to the Austin-based bands, Matchmaker and PDA.

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FLORAL FANTASY

FLORAL FANTASY

by | Feb 28, 2022 | Invite, 2022 March April, San Antonio

Charity Ball Association Celebrates Million-Dollar Fundraising Evening

 

By Jake Gaines      Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde

 

THE SETTING: The Charity Ball Association (CBA) of San Antonio’s 66th Chrysanthemum Ball was held at the Witte Museum’s Mays Family Center, with a record-breaking $1 million of funds raised by the almost 600 supporters in attendance. With pandemic protocol in place, the black-tie clad and elegantly attired guests, arrived on a 100-foot-long red carpet through a floral fantasy arch. They were then ushered into the Zachery Garden for a cocktail reception while the talented Youth Orchestra, San Antonio (YOSA), played in the background.

 

THE STYLE: Guests entered The Mays Family Center, greeted by a 15-foot-tall ice sculpture, in the shape of a birdcage, by award-winning Buddy Rasmussen. It mimicked the invitation design created by Elizabeth Roberts and was framed with floral details and jeweled butterflies, which encircled the base of the sculpture with magenta lighting highlighting the etched ice. Magenta, which represents universal harmony and emotional balance, was selected as the evening’s primary color palette by CBA President Terrie Musselman and Décor Chair Gayle Embrey. Complementing magenta were additional shades of lavender, green and white represented in the floral arrangements, along with jeweled butterflies that dotted the room.

 

The décor and floral design by Danny Cueller of Trinity Flowers was perfection with the ballroom’s beautifully adorned tables covered with oversized vases supporting a burst of colorful flowers. The centerpiece arrangements included magenta flowers, Pink Floyd roses, green hydrangeas, Queen Anne’s lace, green amaranth, curly willow, silver dollar-seeded eucalyptus, and the organization’s signature logo flower, green chrysanthemums. Meanwhile, a giant pergola of a floral effusion was installed over the dance floor.

 

The dinner began with entertainment by a dance orchestra. This year’s program was emceed by Albert Steves, assisted by his wife and sponsor member, Tricia Steves, with Carrie Catalani orchestrating an elaborate and exciting presentation of Prizes & Prize drawings. As the night progressed, guests savored decadent hors d’oeuvres, all by Rosemary’s Catering. Wine pairings were an elegant and perfect accompaniment to the gourmet meal. The evening was capped off by entertainment by the band, Blind Date of Austin.

 

THE PURPOSE: The special, unique, and memorable night was helmed by CBS Chairman of the Board Lynn Ziegler, President Terrie Musselman, and the many committees that orchestrated the festivities. The 2020 and 2021 combined gala Diamond Chrysanthemum Patrons were the Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation, Charity Ball Legacy Foundation, Kittie Nelson Ferguson Foundation, and the Mays Family Foundation. Even with the unusual year in 2020, the Charity Ball raised over one million dollars under the chairmanship of the 2020 Vice President for Patrons, Kelly Kennedy, and then again raised over one million dollars in 2021 under the Vice President for Patrons, Ellen O’Gorman.

 

The organization is so very grateful for The Charity Ball Legacy Foundation, which made a significant contribution of $125,000 in 2020 and an increased donation in 2021 of $180,000 to The Charity Ball Association. During these past two years, under the guidance of Sharon Seal, Vice President of Charities, a rigorous process was developed to determine the 36 charities to be funded in Bexar County. As a result, many needs were met for these children, such as food, shelter, clothing, safety, education, disabilities (both intellectual and developmental), and improved playground facilities.

 

The Charity Ball Association graciously acknowledged decades of giving by Cavender Cadillac. The Charity Ball Association of San Antonio supports the children of Bexar County by distributing grants each year since 1954, now totaling more than $24 million. The organization’s tenet is Children Benefit Always.

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