Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The 12th Annual Africa Energy Forum Dinner

We are thrilled to have been part of this internationally renowned conference, held in Basel Switzerland. The Africa Energy Forum which was launched in 1999 is Africa's premier annual power and gas investment and business forum where governments and state utilities address the international energy community on opportunities available in Africa's power and gas sectors. ABSA Capital was a sponsor for this year’s forum and hosted an elegant dinner for their clients in attendance.

The ABSA Capital Client Dinner was held at the 5 star Les Trois Rois Hotel in Basel. This hotel has hosted numerous high-profile guests since it opened its doors in 1681. These include General Napoleon Bonaparte, Pablo Picasso, Charles Dickens and the Dalai Lama. The stunning setting for this high-profile dinner was the ‘Salle Belle Epoque’; this historic ballroom is both enchanting and opulent.

The beautiful floral arrangements were created by florist, Thomas Sauer, who provided the decor for Tina Turner’s 70th birthday celebration. What a pleasure to work with him! The way in which his ideas were completely in sync with Aleit’s vision was uncanny! His work was truly magnificent and fit perfectly with the look and feel of the event. Guests were entertained throughout the evening by a classical string quartet and pianist.

The event kicked off with cocktails and French Champagne which allowed guests to network and relax after a long day of conferencing. Amongst other delightful flavours, the menu included Cold Melon Soup with Vodka and Parma Ham and Lamb Filet with Hummus, Lemon Thyme and Paprika Oil. Each dish was paired perfectly with wines from the exquisite Les Trois Rois wine list. The six course dinner was prepared by the Les Trois Rois chef Marc-André Dietrich. The meal was perfectly rounded with a delicious Cherry Trifle incorporating cherries from the “Baselbiet” region and white chocolate sorbet as dessert. Needless to say the cuisine served was outstanding as one would expect from this hotel with its two Michelin star-rating.

The service received by the staff of the Les Trois Rois Hotel was truly remarkable and made the coordination of this event an absolute pleasure. It was indeed refreshing to deal with individuals whose work is of such a high standard – we, in fact, learnt quite a bit from them!


Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Limited Edition Wedding Newsletter Part 3

The Aleit Group came up with this terrific concept: As the wedding unfolds, the waitrons cut down the specific glassware and cutlery needed for the course at that precise moment. How cool are these Delft glasses? We are sure that you would love to know if they are available to hire. Well, the computer says no.....Now that is what you call Photoshop.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Limited Edition Wedding Newsletter Part 2

                       
Today technical production is vitally important to any occasion. Lighting is not just a practicality; it should be a feature in itself. Something Different gives you the freedom to customise every technical aspect of your event with bespoke lighting, slick sound systems and uniquely made staging. Along with power management and personalised consultations, this talented team provides clients with peace of mind on the day of their event. Something Different also offers a range of glamorous and exclusive feature lights, including custom lampshades and chandeliers in all shapes, sizes and styles. Anything from structural set design to classic dance floor styling can be tailor-made to fit your colour scheme, stationery or craziest ideas!

     

      For this shoot Something Different combined classic elements with unusual arrangements to create a fusion of funky and traditional styling. The effect of disorganised clutter, as seen with the random bulbs and leads, creates a softer, more quirky feel, while the chandeliers and neon ribbons introduce a sense of eccentric elegance. The custom-made 2D vinyl art showcases the hottest wedding trend: printing anything your heart desires and simply sticking it on the wall for some eye candy.

     

    Something Sassy, Something Bright, Something Loud, Something Classic, Something Different!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Limited Edition Wedding Newsletter Part I

We’re pretty certain that you’ve never seen a photographer shoot a wedding after the festivities have occurred. But OKASIE challenged aesthetic convention by creating a table setting that depicts the messed up, dishevelled look that’s usually associated with the end of an event. This daring concept proves that beauty can indeed be found in anything, even in a cigarette butt at the bottom of a champagne glass. The idea is so intriguing that we might brief our photographers to shoot the table settings after the party, allowing for a world of fascinating facts to be set on display. As Dané from OKASIE says, “there’s nothing like clearing your table after a dinner party and seeing what everyone kept themselves busy with. You’ll discover an array of interesting little details left on the table... shrivelled chocolate and candy papers, napkins that have been doodled on and perhaps a few structures created from cutlery and salt and pepper cellars.” We’ve taken Dané’s observation to heart and make every effort to appreciate all the stories behind each place setting. Try it... you’ll be amazed at what you will find!

Nwanedi Wine and Country Manor – “a place worthy of celebration”

"The passion of the NWANEDI experience is inspired by the mystical legend of the Vhavenda people where culture meets Africa in the tranquility of Paarl."

The founders, Gavin and Jean Stork, were inspired by the natural beauty of the Nwanedi region and have captured this perfection in redefining their Paarl estate with the noble winemaking tradition of the original farm (circa. 1692). The modern wines will grace any fine lifestyle and never disappoint.

Since inception, a definite eco-conscious philosophy permits only free organic development and no interference with the natural ecology of the estate.

The Country Manor graces the summit of the First Dawn ridge, encapsulating the mysteries of the past, nurturing the passion of the Nwanedi experience. The luxurious decor and African hardwood furniture complement the majestic mountain views, creating a fine tapestry of imaginative tales from the past. The luxury suites are spacious and fully equipped with modern conveniences and fine percale linen. The manor offers perfect relaxation and regeneration in natural surroundings.

The Baobab Restaurant offers a unique occasion for guests to interact with the chef while delectable cuisine is prepared. Seasonal produce, herbs and spices are harvested daily from the estate orchard and gardens. Breakfasts are an extravaganza of estate fruits and traditional country fare.

Wines of the Estate: Nwanedi is endeared with four distinctly different terroir, each with a unique structure from rocky riverine shales to luxuriously deep granite terroir. Four primary vineyard blocks are single vineyard registered with the wines bearing the vineyard names: First Dawn, Meditation, Junction and Railyard, complemented by white wines, all epitomising the perfection demanded in making fine wine.


Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The best is yet to come...New Aleit Weddings newsletter















Eight years down the line I am proud to say that Aleit Wedding Coordination is a well established, solid and mature business. We all know that aging is not an easy thing to embrace – especially if the adjectives I have used above are attached to the feminine form – but at Aleit Wedding Coordination, we truly relish the years gone by! We’ve loved meeting so many wonderful couples, we’ve loved engaging with their guests and making their dreams come true. Simply put - we love growing “older”! We can safely say that the older and more rotund our business gest, the more we have to offer our clients.

And the good news is that we love sharing our knowledge with you! We have spent hours upon hours brain storming new ideas and coming up with fresh angles that are expressed through our real life weddings, our newsletters, on our blog and on our Facebook page. We’ve ceased following trends and do our utmost to set them. Having said that, we are thrilled to engage clients who think for themselves and are confident about their true essence – even if they don’t realise it at first. Many couples approach the first consultation a little unsure of where this may take them, but under our nurturing care they soon become comfortable with the banter that bounces between myself and the creative team. They are then able to say YES, I love that idea or NO, you’re not hitting the spot we need to see more. And those are our rules of engagement really – “be who you are and say what you feel”. It’s so simple. It fuels our fire and gets our energy levels going! 


Read more...

Monday, August 23, 2010

Small Business Awards

The Aleit Group has been nominated for Cape
Talk Small Business of the Year award. This is indeed such an honour, and we are thrilled at the prospect of winning this award. Well, if you believe in the service excellence and are in agreement that we should win this award, follow the link below comment on...