CASE STUDY: A $250K 50th Birthday Takeover During Mardi Gras

A group of guests in elaborate Mardi Gras costumes and wigs posing on a private balcony overlooking Bourbon Street, adorned with purple and green balloons.

A luxury 50th birthday celebration for 24 guests during Mardi Gras featuring hotel floor buyouts, private parades, and VIP float rides.

The Ask

Design an unforgettable 50th birthday experience in New Orleans for 24 guests, during Mardi Gras. The client wanted something wild, high-touch, and completely seamless.

The Challenge

Mardi Gras is beautiful chaos. Thousands of people. Packed streets. Sold-out everything. We had to create privacy, exclusivity, and nonstop magic during the busiest weekend of the year.

The Execution

  • Full hotel floor buyout at one of New Orleans’ top boutique hotels—24 guests, all together, plus a dedicated private suite transformed into their daily happy hour lounge
  • Welcome reception on arrival night, complete with custom cocktails and surprise entertainment
  • Private Bourbon Street balcony lunch on Friday, during the exact window locals take over the French Quarter
  • Second line parade through the French Quarter with a live brass band, Mardi Gras Indians and a juggler to lead the way
  • VIP parade viewing + private dinner experience that evening
  • Saturday parade ride on a Mardi Gras float in the legendary Krewe of Tucks… each guest suited up and throwing beads like locals
  • On-demand IV drips back at the hotel to recover in style after the ride of a lifetime

The Outcome

  • A weekend their guests are still talking about
  • Client texted the next morning: “You outdid yourself. This is the best money I’ve ever spent.”
  • YouTube Proof

Why It Matters

When you can create this level of detail and delight during the most logistically challenging week of the year, planning a flawless exec offsite or leadership retreat is light work. This is the gold standard we bring to every experience; whether it’s a birthday or a board meeting.