One of our proudest memories took place in February of 2000 when Elegant Occasions was the location chosen to host the 50th Anniversary Celebration for a Fort Wayne based business, Pettigrew & Sons, Inc. Pettigrews did not want the event to be too formal. They did not want their guests to be "glued" to their seats rather than mingling with each other. There were several meetings arranged and many people involved in the "brainstorming" before the Pettigrews ultimately decided that they wanted to entertain their guests by offering an elegant "Open House." One of the decisions made was for Elegant Occasions to provide food stations. This was decided to keep guests mobile, rather than filling a plate and finding a seat. One station offered a marvelous selection of canapés and tea sandwiches. Another station offered warm Hors d'Oeuvres including Fresh Bruschetta, Chicken & Pineapple Brochette and Stuffed Mushroom Caps. A third station included Fresh Fruit, Brie with Caramel & Pecans and Spanikopita. The final enticing station was a Sweet Table including Cheesecakes and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels. Elegant Occasions was very creative with the presentation and design of the food stations. Very simple cocktail tables and stools were clustered throughout each room. There were ice sculptures down the center of the North Hall. Pettigrew & Sons invited some of their sister companies and their vendors to set up displays along the perimeter of each room. Each couple was greeted by a member of the Pettigrew "Family" and given a special "Anniversary" chocolate from DeBrands and a long stemmed red rose. Pettigrews provided live entertainment in each room. The food, drinks, entertainment and networking were flowing. It was an absolutely outstanding evening. The mayor of Fort Wayne at the time, Graham Richards was among the over 500 guests in attendance! This event was a first for Elegant Occasions. Pettigrew & Sons allowed us to "run with it". They gave us the budget to work within and let us put our ideas together with theirs. It turned out well for all of us. We are still meeting people who were in attendance and tell us what a special evening it was.

Other special events that Elegant Occasions has had the pleasure of arranging include 80th and then 90th birthday celebrations held for a very special lady.  Helen gathered her Family and Friends together to celebrate.  At the 80th birthday, Helen's sister, a member of a local group of senior citizen tap dancers, the Alley Cats, invited the dancers to perform several numbers for the group. When we met with Helen to make arrangements for the 90th birthday, she asked for the same menu as served before.  With great embarrassment we explained that the menu had changed and the entree she wished for was no longer available.  Helen insisted that a woman her age should be able to serve whatever she liked!  Of course, we honored her wishes.  Maybe it was necessary to be in attendance to get the true feeling of love and devotion to her family & friends that Helen shared, but Elegant Occasions was glad to be a part of it.

This year will allow us once again the honor of being the location of Holiday Celebrations for many area businesses. Some of these businesses have been with Elegant Occasions since 1990, the year we began our business. The event planners for these businesses are happy to make a few decisions and allow Elegant Occasions to do all the work. Elegant Occasions feels rewarded by the "repeat" business. Is there any greater compliment to a business than to allow them to provide the service again? We don't think so!

We recently were the venue chosen to host a Quinceanera - 15th Brithday Party - for a special young lady.  We met with Thalia and her family several times before the decision was made for Elegant Occasions to be the home of this Hispanic tradition.  It was amazing to learn of all the "pomp & circumstance" involved in Thalia's day.   There was a special service for her at her Church and then she and her "court" were whisked away to have some photos taken.  Meanwhile her friends and family were welcomed at Elegant Occasions with snacks, drinks and music performed by a Mariachi Band.  Once Thalia and her court arrived at Elegant Occasions, they performed a special waltz that they had spent countless hours rehearsing.  Thalia and her guests were treated to a wonderful dinner that included two desserts; one prepared by Elegant Occasions and also a traditional Hispanic Dessert that had been brought in by a local bakery.  Thalia was in a beautiful white gown, the girls in her court wore red gowns, the guys wore black tuxedos.  Her father was at least as nervous as a father of the bride!   I'm sure he was thinking the same thing as those Fathers of the Bride -- my little girl is growing up!  The waltz, the gowns, the tiara, the bouquet, the bible, the doll ...all evidence of the importance of family and tradition in this Hispanic community.  It was an honor to share in Thalia's day.

We've had one Pool Tournament, one Funeral Dinner, Proms, Winter Dances, one New Year's Eve party, Graduation parties, Milestone Birthday and Anniversary Parties, Christmas Parties, Sales Meetings, Bridal Showers, Bowling Banquets, Bridge Club Luncheons, Golf Outing Luncheons and Dinners, Baby Showers, Church gatherings, Class Reuinions, one Bridal Show, Benefits, Awards Dinners, Customer Appreciation Parties, Staff Appreciation Parties, Seminars, Teamsters Meetings, one Estate Auction, Wedding Ceremonies, Quinceaneras, Branch Meetings, Retirement Parties, one "Meet Me At 5", District Meetings, and many, many, many Wedding Receptions.  We've grown a lot over the years and gained unmeasured amounts of experience.  We've made a lot of friends and earned a great reputation. 

...Make Every Occasion an Elegant Occasion!