Leave it to a best friend to throw the perfect bridal shower. When it came time for Katie Larson to throw the party of a lifetime for bride Jessi Bird, she had two things in mind: Asian cuisine and high tea. While these may not immediately strike as congruent, Katie was able to pull off a charming and fun lakeside affair with the help of Elite Events. Jessi is a sommelier, so food and drink were top of mind. Bradley Dickinson, who is the head chef at the renowned Pearl restaurant in Bellevue, took charge to create a unique Asian-fusion high tea brunch menu. Standout dishes included Bahn Mi sliders, curried chicken salad tea sandwiches, fresh berry and lychee tarts, and ube macarons.
Specialty cocktails featured edible flower garnishes and were served from vintage teacups. The “Beijing Sling” swirled together plum sake, vodka, vanilla, orange juice and plum bitters. Other additions to the menu included a lychee ginger fizz made with Prosecco and vodka as well as a green tea punch that boasted rum, cucumber and mint. And in case that wasn’t enough, there was also a mimosa bar and Champagne passion fruit popsicles.
For the décor, the team at Elite Events wanted a fresh and modern aesthetic. Bright hues of pink, orange and yellow with pops of white accented the bright blue lake that sparkled close behind. Colorful paper parasols hung upside down over the space to add a touch of whimsy, while vintage tea pots served as vases for bright yellow and pink blooms. Since Jessi loves a good wine and paint night, guests were invited to tap into the right side of their brains to create portraits of the bride’s golden retrievers or a rendering of a bridal bouquet.
By the end of the celebration—and thanks to the 90-degree weather—Jessi, Katie and their friends and family found themselves taking a dip in the lake to cool off—and chill out.
