Photography by Leslie Gilbert Photography
We love planning parties–picking the theme, choosing a signature cocktail, decorating the space. Even more than the anticipation, we love celebrating. Event planners and designers often miss out on the celebration since their role involves handling pre-party production, not post-planning relaxation. Leslie Gilbert and Katy Trefry wanted to change this. Since the local photographers have many close friends in caterers, florists, and other event professionals, they celebrated a chance for these vendors to enjoy a party rather than to work for one. However, this fairy tale was not any ordinary party.
Guests were led through a scavenger hunt to find the prize of an anonymous invitation for an unspecific event—no location, no occasion, no identity. Anxious, excited, and absolutely clueless, each guest showed up to the party simply to solve the mystery.
Meanwhile, Gilbert and Trefry worked meticulously, crafting an unforgettable night. They chose a classy French theme to fit their diner avec des amis, meaning "dinner with friends."
All-white décor with touches of gold, silver, and pale pink created an ethereal setting. The table was set up, place settings laid out, lights strung, and that August day brought a disastrous downpour. With hours left until the party, Gilbert and Trefry were forced to tear everything down. While leaving Lauxmont Farms to retrieve their guests, they could only hope that the rain would end and Lauxmont’s staff could set up the entire space again.
A limousine bus picked up each guest and transported the unknowing group to Lauxmont Farms. Since the vehicle's windows were shaded to keep guests from discovering the location, Gilbert and Trefry were oblivious to the weather. However, with their closest friends together in a glamourous limousine, passing champagne, spirits were high. Their most pressing wish was that DJ Mike Miller would play Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” as guests stepped out. As the limo came to a stop, guests were blindfolded, while Leslie and Katy were blind to what they would see outside the doors.
They stepped out to a cloudless summer sky, the courtyard rearranged perfectly, and “Fancy” playing in the background. In that magical moment of resonation, there was screaming, crying, and endless hugging. A large square table clothed in white linen sat in the middle of the courtyard holding gold china, tall silver candleholders, and vases of roses, dahlias, and sweet peas. Gold chairs lined the perimeter of the table, while a vintage vanity held beverage selections. Strings of glowing lights stretched from Lauxmont’s stone mansion to above the table’s center, where a sparkling chandelier hung. Every view was stunning, from the lush hills to the blooming gardens. As the sky turned into violet starlight, the friends relaxed, laughed, and enjoyed the time spent celebrating a party that they did not need to design. Still today, they reminisce over the perfection of that evening.
Vendors:
Floral arrangements: Laura Kohr, Laura of Lauxmont, Wrightsville Lighting: Rodney Shumaker, Shumaker PDT, Lancaster, www.shumakerpdt.com DJ: Mike Miller, Mixed Up Productions, Harrisburg, www.mixedupproductions.com Menus and invitations: Jessica Meadowcroft, Love, Jessica, Jacobus, www.lovejessica.com Linens: Claudia Himes, Special Occasions and Queen Street Linens, Lancaster, www.specialo.com Chairs: Channon Allen, Event Central, Mechanicsburg, www.eventcentralpa.com Design: Betsy Kohr, B Kohr Design, Wrightsville, www.betsykohr.com Food: Josh Short, Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, Harrisburg, www.harvestseasonalgrill.com Photography: Leslie Gilbert, Leslie Gilbert Photography, Marietta, www.lesliegilbertphotography.com Limousine Bus: Unique Limousine, Harrisburg, www.uniquelimousine.com
