Cossette Communications’ corporate holiday party offered guests a glimpse through the looking glass at the Fermenting Cellar on Friday. Christine Scott of Cossette partnered with Christine Ho of C Ho & Associates to create a whimsical Alice in Wonderland theme for the firm’s Christmas night out.
Two four-foot red paper roses surrounded by tea lights flanked the walkway leading into the Distillery District venue. Directions posted on wooden signs hanging from a spiral juniper tree pointed guests to the bar (where waiters served a selection of three signature cocktails), to the black-and-white checkerboard dance floor, and to a photo-op area where the company’s 300 employees could have their portraits snapped.
Two topiary trees trimmed to look like bears stood at the entrance to the dining area, which was inspired by the mad tea party in Lewis Carroll’s classic children's story. White teapots filled with pink, red, orange, and yellow gerbera daisies topped a 40-foot-long dining table surrounded by mismatched chairs. A canopy of colourful oversize balloons, supplied by Balloon Trix, hung above the table.
Daniel et Daniel Event Creation and Catering served a menu of crab cakes, mini turkey cupcakes, mini croque monsieurs, and butternut squash angolotti. The dessert course included painted gingerbread and sugar cookies, assorted mini cupcakes, and fruit lollies.
Tall boxwoods covered in paper butterflies provided a backdrop for each of the foods stations and bars, giving the industrial space the feel of an outdoor garden. Additional greenery included three 12-foot juniper trees and two large custom Astroturf carpets, which provided a grassy setting for the seating supplied by Contemporary Furniture Rentals.
