Jamie O'Donnell of Jamie M. O'Donnell Public Relations & Events Inc. gave guests a taste of Austria at a dinner commemorating the naming of Toby Unwin as honorary consul for the Austrian Honorary Consulate of Orlando.
"After meeting with the new consulate and discussing their desire to host an event with the purpose of introducing the new Orlando branch to important members of the community, I wanted to create an event that would immerse guests and transport them to the heart of Austria," O'Donnell said. "It was important that we design an elegant and experiential event that highlighted the best of Austria, through authentic dishes and wines, musicians playing classical music from famous Austrian composers, and more."
The black tie event, held at Unwin's expansive home on Big Sand Lake, welcomed about 125 guests, including Austrian ambassador to the United States Dr. Eva Nowotny and George Rodon, a representative of Mayor Richard Crotty, who presented a proclamation commemorating the opening of the consulate and declaring October 27 as Austrian Day in Orange County.
The event details were tasteful and thoughtful, starting with black and red invitations by Dragonfly Custom Design featuring the crest of the Austrian flag as a seal. Dragonfly even created real postage featuring the same crest.
Live music from a harpist welcomed guests as they made their way down a velvet-roped red carpet. Then they had their picture taken by Christie's Photographic Studios Orlando in front of the American and Austrian flags. On their way out later that night, guests received their photos in commemorative frames.
Lee Forrest of Lee Forrest Design created about 17 floral arrangements of various sizes, displayed throughout the house and pool area and reflective of the colors on the Austrian flag. He used red Charlotte roses, red opium roses, burgundy black baccarat roses, wine-colored black magic roses, green and white hydrangeas, pale yellow stock, seeded eucalyptus, lime green hanging amaranthus, and magnolia foliage.
The back deck areas and pool each featured two bar-top style tables, each draped in a rich iridescent burgundy taffeta and topped with an arrangement flanked by tea light candles. A string quartet from Beautiful Music performed on the second floor balcony in the back of the home throughout the night.
Attendees enjoyed a diverse butler-passed menu, inspired by Austria and created by Puff 'n Stuff Catering LLC. Items included mini wiener schnitzel tender veal cutlets breaded and served with a warm mushroom dipping sauce; buckwheat pancakes with smoked salmon finished with sour cream and fresh dill; and chicken and baby roulades with béchamel on a toasted crouton. The cocktail menu was as varied. Guests had their choice of peach or peppermint schnapps, a bright blue 'ElectricTini,' or wine. The wines served, Gruner Veltliner (white) and Gradenthal (red), were shipped directly from Austria specifically for the event.
Passed desserts included apple-, cherry-, and cheese-filled strudels; cheese-filled crepes; and chocolate cake.
—Matthew Porter
Photos: Debra Brett Photography
"After meeting with the new consulate and discussing their desire to host an event with the purpose of introducing the new Orlando branch to important members of the community, I wanted to create an event that would immerse guests and transport them to the heart of Austria," O'Donnell said. "It was important that we design an elegant and experiential event that highlighted the best of Austria, through authentic dishes and wines, musicians playing classical music from famous Austrian composers, and more."
The black tie event, held at Unwin's expansive home on Big Sand Lake, welcomed about 125 guests, including Austrian ambassador to the United States Dr. Eva Nowotny and George Rodon, a representative of Mayor Richard Crotty, who presented a proclamation commemorating the opening of the consulate and declaring October 27 as Austrian Day in Orange County.
The event details were tasteful and thoughtful, starting with black and red invitations by Dragonfly Custom Design featuring the crest of the Austrian flag as a seal. Dragonfly even created real postage featuring the same crest.
Live music from a harpist welcomed guests as they made their way down a velvet-roped red carpet. Then they had their picture taken by Christie's Photographic Studios Orlando in front of the American and Austrian flags. On their way out later that night, guests received their photos in commemorative frames.
Lee Forrest of Lee Forrest Design created about 17 floral arrangements of various sizes, displayed throughout the house and pool area and reflective of the colors on the Austrian flag. He used red Charlotte roses, red opium roses, burgundy black baccarat roses, wine-colored black magic roses, green and white hydrangeas, pale yellow stock, seeded eucalyptus, lime green hanging amaranthus, and magnolia foliage.
The back deck areas and pool each featured two bar-top style tables, each draped in a rich iridescent burgundy taffeta and topped with an arrangement flanked by tea light candles. A string quartet from Beautiful Music performed on the second floor balcony in the back of the home throughout the night.
Attendees enjoyed a diverse butler-passed menu, inspired by Austria and created by Puff 'n Stuff Catering LLC. Items included mini wiener schnitzel tender veal cutlets breaded and served with a warm mushroom dipping sauce; buckwheat pancakes with smoked salmon finished with sour cream and fresh dill; and chicken and baby roulades with béchamel on a toasted crouton. The cocktail menu was as varied. Guests had their choice of peach or peppermint schnapps, a bright blue 'ElectricTini,' or wine. The wines served, Gruner Veltliner (white) and Gradenthal (red), were shipped directly from Austria specifically for the event.
Passed desserts included apple-, cherry-, and cheese-filled strudels; cheese-filled crepes; and chocolate cake.
—Matthew Porter
Photos: Debra Brett Photography