Kennedy Creative recently had the pleasure of planning one heck of a bash for Leadership Austin. The ninth annual “Best Party Ever” gala was a highly anticipated event celebrating community leaders for their contribution to making Central Texas a better place to live. It’s the single largest fundraising event for the Austin organization that is dedicated to preparing leaders to effectively address challenging local issues.
This year’s event took on a fun circus theme and was held at the Austin Four Seasons Hotel. Entryways were adorned with large jewel-toned balloon columns and arches, centerpieces of glowing red, fuchsia and teal feathers topped the dining rounds and circus-tent boxes and circus themed candy tempted guests mingling in the cocktail area.
Tarot card readers, a Zoltar Booth with live fortune tellers and psychics, and the amazing Flourish and Fool circus act entertained the guests as they enjoyed the always perfectly presented (and delicious) catering from the Four Seasons.
A 40 foot backdrop of a vintage circus tent provided the perfect setting for the evening’s presenters and musical entertainment from Austin favourite, the Sara Hickman Band.
500 delighted guests contributed enough for Leadership Austin to exceed their fundraising goals, making this truly the “Best Event on Earth”!
Kennedy Creative was recently called in to plan a final send off dinner for a corporate group staying at Hyatt Lost Pines Resort. The event was held in the Hyatt’s LBJ Pavilion, overlooking the serene Colorado River and surrounded by beautiful green foliage. Inspired by the relaxed Texas hill country environment and the lush accommodations of the Lost Pines resort, the chosen theme for the dinner was Denim and Diamonds.
Table settings included denim linens and silver square vases full of white flowers and spring greenery. Tallboys were wrapped in silver linens and tied with denim sashes and small diamonds were scattered about all the tables. The stage backdrop included three oversized neon diamonds hung on a white drape with custom neon signage.
Guests were greeted at the entry with a custom neon cowboy hat. To keep them entertained, two live longhorns were brought in for photo opportunities and a handsome cowboy trick roper also performed with his horse “Trouble”.
During dinner, guests enjoyed a performance by Paula Nelson, Willie Nelson’s daughter. Post dinner fun was a concert by local favorites Two Tons of Steel in the hotel’s beautiful outdoor amphitheater. It was a hugely successful event and a perfect end to a Texas visit.
We love working with Performance Contracting. For the fourth year in a row, Kennedy Creative was called in to create a themed kick off party for the fun costume-loving group. Past themes have included pirates, Austin music and a roaring 30’s jazz party. This year we outdid ourselves with a retro-inspired beach party, deep in the heart of Texas.
The Kennedy Creative team went all out transforming the lawn at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort in San Antonio into a Southern California style beach party where people could twist the night away.
The entrance was flanked by two lifeguard stations, surrounded by surfboards, beach umbrellas and foliage. Overhead was a piece of driftwood with every surfer’s favorite saying, “Hang Ten” spelled out in neon.
The round dining tables brought to mind a favorite 60’s beach tune with their yellow and white sheer polka dot overlays atop bright yellow linens. Centerpieces were another 60’s classic – a VW Bus surrounded by brightly colored daisies and wheat grass. For an extra special touch, the tallboy cocktail tables had surfboard tabletops with wrapped thatch skirting.
“Big Kahuna’s Surf Shop” was a large, realistic surf shack where guests could get drinks and mingle. Sprinkled about the party were large multi-colored beach umbrellas with beach balls dangling whimsically. Hula hoops were placed strategically about the party to add to the 60s fun.
Special Interest, an all star Texas band, played all the Beach Boy favorites and classics from the era on a stage that was fit for the Beach Boys themselves. Lifeguard stands with beach umbrellas, surfboards and other beach-themed accents were on each side of the band platform. Lush live palm trees and tropical plants softened the edges and added to the tropical feel. 
Kennedy Creative teamed up with the most historical city in Texas to go back to the good ol’ days, when soda pop cost a nickel and tipping your hat to a fellow on the street was the neighborly thing to do. In Bastrop a simpler life is a way of life and, for the night, our guests experienced why small town livin’ is so great.
The night started off with an interesting twist as the buses bringing guests to Main Street stopped to let “hitchhikers” on for a quick ride. As the buses arrived, the guests learned that the hitchhikers formed the opening band for the evening. What a hilarious surprise!
A small town party isn’t complete without a high school marching band and cheer-leading squad. Guests followed the musical marchers from Bastrop High School down the street to let the party begin.
The backdrop of beautiful historical building facades was further enhanced by white bulb lights strung across the street and large round tables draped in bright yellow and white gingham linens, topped with Texas wildflower centerpieces. The Bastrop Area Cruisers provided vintage vehicles for the evening, which were parked up and down Main Street adding to the old Main Street feel.
Guests enjoyed many old Texas fair games like rodeo inspired mechanical bull roping, soda bottle ring toss, cork gun shoot the can game, and “chunk” the tail on the donkey. There were even live armadillo races to get the crowd riled up! And at the far end of the street was a drive-in theater, decked out with vintage cars where guests could sit and watch old black and white television episodes of classics like Leave it to Beaver, Bewitched and The Andy Griffith Show. For an end of the night treat, Hey Cupcake was in attendance with their mobile trailer providing guests with their famous cupcakes.
The Hyatt Lost Pines Resort provided delicious fare such as grilled burgers, a traditional crawfish boil and a make-your-own sundae station.
The historic Bastrop Opera House was converted into a old fashioned dance hall for the evening. Texas favorites Owen Temple kept the guests moving with their blend of country western and American folk music.
It may be 2010, but it was the city of Bastrop, the Kennedy Creative team and our fantastic partners that were able to bring us all back in time for some good old fashioned fun!
Turning 16 is a huge milestone in every young woman’s life. That’s why one birthday girl turned to Kennedy Creative to make her sweet sixteen the party of the year. The event was held at Austin’s newest favorite nightspot, The Highball on South Lamar, where a dance floor, retro-style bowling and karaoke rooms are among the highlighted and highly entertaining activities.
More than 300 guests enjoyed a “Sweet 16 Bar” that included an assortment of the guest of honor’s favorite candies; cakeballs customized with bowling pins & bowling balls; mini cupcakes and made to order smoothies and sundaes.
In addition to satisfying the sweet tooth, guests took to a dance floor lit up with LED panel images that changed to the beat of the music and intelligent lighting and lasers that splashed color across the floor. Celebrity guest DJ, Basshunter, hailing all the way from Sweden, provided tunes that kept the crowd on its feet all night.
To add a fun glowing edge to the evening, guests adorned themselves with LED glasses and glow necklaces, light up orbs and candles were scattered throughout the venue and glowing tables changed colors throughout the event.
With only five days to deliver the sweet sixteen party every girl dreams of and nobody forgets, the Kennedy Creative team jumped in and went to work… and we had a blast!! Happy birthday Hannah!
Kennedy Creative was honored to produce a fabulous event for the Harley Davidson Owners Group Annual Meeting at the unique and beautiful Horseshoe Bay Marriott. This group was full of energy and one of the most enjoyable groups we have had the opportunity to work with, incredibly down to earth and ready to have a good time! After all, they live by the mantra, “It’s a journey, not a destination” which just sparks that wonderful energy we love in a client.
There were officers from HOG (Harley Davidson Owner’s Group) Chapters from all over the world – Singapore, The Kingdom of Jordan, Hong Kong, Germany, Britain, and even Dubai. You name it, the country was represented amongst the 200 attendees.
Kennedy Creative produced a fantastic Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament with 8 tables of players, concluding with the winner of each table going to the final round. A gentleman from Hong Kong, who had never played Texas Hold ‘Em before was the Grand Champion. How about that for beginner’s luck!
You know you have had a fabulous event when guests are standing on chairs, whooping and hollering to get a view of the final round. Now THAT is what we call a good time!
We LOVE LOVE LOVE when we stumble over a fabulous find. We Love it even more when it comes wrapped in a cute package including too cute decor, pampering and mimosas to boot! We all need a day, or even just an hour, to reboot from our busy, multi-tasking lives to sit back and enjoy the niceties of a fabulous mani and pedi…without breaking the bank. Our answer, Embellish Nails & Boutique!
The super savvy owners of Embellish, Lisa and Wendy met right here in Austin during their first semester of MBA school at UT. They became fast friends and as all girly girls do, they spent time getting manis and pedis together. Working on a college girl’s budget and with a penchant for research, they quickly realized that there was a need for a chic, stylish salon that was clean, budget friendly and catered to a client that really wanted a place to get away, relax, shop and feel pampered!
Visit their Central Austin or Westlake locations and you will be greeted with a warm neck wrap while enjoying complimentary sodas, white wine or mimosas on the weekend and an unlimited supply of M&Ms for your sweet tooth. Their adorable atmosphere of pink walls, chandeliers and flat screens showing chick flicks all add to the fabulous experience. To accentuate their clean processes, soak in metal basins prior to your pedi and go home with your own nail file and buffer used for the first time on your oh-so-cute tootsies. Got the entertaining bug, host a party at Embellish for your next bridal shower, birthday party or girls’ night out!
Mention the Kennedy Creative or Weddings by Kennedy blog and you will receive $10 off a Signature Facial using the Eminence Organic Skincare line! Now go pick a color!
5. Vintage – We adore the beautiful vintage pieces that so many artists and vendors on Etsy. This funky alarm clock is perfect for any modern home need of a classic touch.
4. Handmade Jewelry – You can always find handmade and totally unique pieces that you are sure to love. We have found everything from a boom-box charm necklace to birthstone rings. We have totally fallen for this fabulous cuff, talk about standing out in a crowd!
3. Pretty Paintings – It doesn’t matter what colors or styles you are looking for, there is certain to be a talented artist with exactly what you need. Check out this three piece abstract painting which is perfect for anyone looking for a pop of color in their home.
2. Perfect Paper – Etsy offers a huge variety of artists that offer anything from greeting cards to paper roses. This perfectly designed set of baby shower stationary is just the tip of the iceberg!
1. Wedding Wonderland – If you are looking for something custom, cooky, or just a little different to fit into your big day, Etsy is where you need to be. Anything from wedding bands to guarders, Etsy has you covered. We have to say, this handmade-headpiece it a show-stopper. We can’t get over the detail and overall beauty.
As always, we had a great time working with the W Austin Hotel and Residences on another great event. The W asked Kennedy Creative to assist them with designing a luxuriously sleek event for their buyers. Held on the 31st floor of the unfinished skyscraper, we had a blank slate to create our vision of a party with true W Hotel style. We brought in our light-up bars to create a dramatic flare which was accented by our modern floral centerpieces and foliage. Chic rugs and furniture created sitting areas in pure W style while Ilios set the tone with specialty lighting and chandeliers. A section of the event was designed with an Austin City Limits theme to showcase the new Austin City Limits Theatre venue to open at the end of this year. Sullivan’s Steakhouse catered the party and Delish Cupcakes offered treats to cap off the night.
After a crazy weekend, we can officially say the LifeWorks 16th Annual Academy Awards Gala was a huge success. LifeWorks, with its mission to transition youth and families from crisis to safety and success, has been such an inspiration to the Kennedy Creative team. Last year alone, the organization provided aid to over 10,000 children. The Annual Gala is a major fundraiser for them and, Sunday, LifeWorks raised approximately $400,000 that goes directly to further assisting children and families in need. Michael Hancock was honored at the Gala for being a driving force for the last three years. Michael has been instrumental in raising over 1 million toward Lifeworks fundraising effort. In addition to recognition of Michaels efforts, the guests were inspired by Carmela Lucero, a speaker at the Gala. Carmela was a child that was assisted by Lifeworks when she was homeless and had no one to turn to. She has since become a successful student at St. Edwards, a proud mother of two children and an intern at Lifeworks assisting other youth in achieving their dreams.
Guests enjoyed a delicious sit down dinner as the Academy Awards show played on the large screens above the stage. The live auction, kicked off by Brett Barnes’ rendition of “Big Spender,” included one-of-a-kind experience auction items for guests to bid on which turned out to be a huge part of the amazing success in raising money toward the Lifeworks goal. Following dinner, guests were able to further explore the Behind-the-Scenes theme which included three interactive studios on the second floor of the venue, Austin Music Hall: Shakespeare in Love with a photo booth, Fantasia with a caricaturist, and Fame with a Guitar Hero stage. Ilios Lighting, a Kennedy Creative favorite, was one of the sponsors of the event by offering their amazing lighting services. The lighting they provided completely transformed the room and made the decor pop. Other fabuolous companies who truly made the event sparkle include BBJ Linen, who provided the glamorous linens, and Delish, who provided the to-die-for cupcakes and desserts for the Gala.
We had a wonderful time working with this incredible organization, as well as the excellent vendors that sponsored and offered their services to this event.
