Mateo & Company Presents- ‘A Candyland Soiree’
Also Published/Featured: NOLA Adore Magazine, Where Y’at & PartySlate
We loved hosting another fabulous annual holiday party! For this year, we decided to make Son of a Saint our beneficiary. This has been a tough two years for everyone and there is nothing more that people need right now, than a real party and giving back during the holidays. We were able to raise right under $35,000 for Son of a Saint, through our event. Thank you Greg Keller for your generous donation of $25,000 to Son of a Saint through our event.
Mateo Annual Holiday Party Benefitting Son of a Saint New Orleans was a hit. We think it’s safe to say that Matt ‘Mateo’ Diaz throws the funnest parties in town.
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-199-500x750.jpg)
Your party host- Matt ‘Mateo’ Diaz, owner of Mateo & Co.
Son of a Saint
Our events target the backbone of the city- the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants, etc), the event & wedding industry (vendors- planners, photographers, florists, venues, etc), local influencers that help push the businesses in our community, and our business community leaders & folks that like to give back to the city through organizations (such as Son of a Saint). We had over 350 people in attendance.
Design & Planning
This is an event that will definitely be talked about for years. From the immersive talent to the performances, to the insane design and décor…. this event was epic. When you walked in, it felt like The North Pole meets Candyland, and they were both brought to life. Belinda, with Blue Gardenia Events, is the mastermind that designed this magical event. Valerie, with Sapphire Events, handled the logistical planning & event management. Mateo, with Mateo & Company, had a vision and some ideas, but between all three people (Belinda, Valerie & Mateo), this event was a huge success. Taylor & and her staff, at Republic NOLA, were so amazing to work with and accommodated all of our teams perfectly.
We cannot thank our event partners enough. Without them, the vision, designs, purpose, etc could not have come to fruition. We really worked with the best in the city, and out of the city, to pull off this production and they are the reason why it was so amazing. Please take the time to review the list of vendors and check them out for your upcoming events.
One of the super fun things that Blue Gardenia Events came up with, is having our amazing stationery designer, Dogwood Blossom Stationery, design a Candyland game board in the program for when people came in. The program highlighted all the events details and the game board highlighted each of the stations throughout the event. SO FUN!
Some things to highlight from the event:
Snowflake Lake Look-I-Do
The Shadow Box Wall Lounge, sponsored by Calfee Productions (also lighting & production), New Orleans Fashion Week, The Vanity, & Chau Chic
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-182-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-183-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-188-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-301-750x500.jpg)
Queen Frostine’s O2 Bar
The Oxygen Bar by The Remedy Room
Lollipop Palace Photobooth
Your insta-moment photobooth & real-time face detection photos by Mateo & Company
Gingerbread Cottage Confections
Sweet treats by Bittersweet Confections
Mr. Minty’s Main Squeeze Juice Bar
Juices provided by Main Squeeze Juice Company
Pigeon’s Peppermint Forest Fare
Savory treats by Pigeon’s Catering
Lord Licorice’s Libations
Cocktails & libations by Who Dat Spirits, Urban South Brewery, Cuervo Tradicional, Chandon, & Artisan Fine Wines
Aerialists & Acrobats by YellowBoxCircus
Flash Mob by Move Studio
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-673-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-672-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-678-750x500.jpg)
Main Entertainment by Jordan Kahn Orchestra
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-545-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-273-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-694-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-688-750x500.jpg)
DJ Krieger from LA & Atlanta
Our Emcees were Reagan Charleston (for the VIP party), Kenny Lopez (with WGNO, & Brooke Laizer (with WGNO)
Décor & Rentals from Explore Element
Models by Nola Fashion Week
Hair & Makeup & Styling Assistance by The Vanity
Custom Designed Outfits by Chau Chic
Tuxedos (pants, suspenders, coats, vests, bow ties, etc) by John’s Tuxedos
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-221-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-107-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-108-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-110-750x500.jpg)
![](https://mateoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mateo-co-2021-holiday-party-new-orleans-photography-243-500x750.jpg)
Stationery (event logo design, invitations, programs, etc)& Custom Signage by Dogwood Blossom Stationery
Custom Ballon Installation, Immersive Entrance, & Custom Photo Backdrop by The Graceful Host Shop
Gooey Gumdrop Media Lounge
Sponsored by Partyslate
Additional Performance & Event Talent by the Mande Milkshakers
VIP Party Drag Performance by Debbie with a D
Florals by Kim Starr Wise
Stay tuned for next year’s annual holiday party! Scroll for more highlights from the party and a list of full sponsors/event partners.
After Party at the Virgins Hotels New Orleans on the rooftop
Event Partners:
Wine: Artisan Fine Wines
Baked Goods: Bittersweet Confections
Hair & Makeup Accommodations: Bleu A Blowdrybar
Event Designer & Planner: Blue Gardenia Events
Emcee: Brooke Laizer
Lighting & Production: Calfee Productions
Champagne: Chandon
Costume Designer: Chau Chic Designs
Tequila/Sonny’s Margarita: Cuervo Tradicional
VIP Drag Queen: Debbie with a “D”
Giveaway Partner: District Dental Spa
DJ: DJ Krieger
Stationery & Signage: Dogwood Blossom Stationery
Rentals & Decor: Explore Element
Giveaway Partner: Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans
Tuxedo Attire (models, & staff): John’s Tuxedos
Band Entertainment: Jordan Kahn Orchestra
Emcee: Kenny Lopez
Florals: Kim Starr Wise
Hotel Accommodations: Le Pavillon Hotel
Juice Bar: Main Squeeze Juice Co
Talent: Mande Milkshakers
Party Host/Photography Team: Mateo & Company
Talent (flash mob): Move Studio Nola
Talent (models): Nola Fashion Week
Media Partner: Partyslate
Catering: Pigeon Caterers
Emcee: Reagan Charleston
Event Marketing Consulting: Relevate
Venue Host: Republic Nola
Logistical Planning/Event Management: Sapphire Events
Beneficiary: Son of a Saint
Videography: Studio Vieux Carre
Balloons/Decor Installations: The Graceful Host Party Supply & Rental Shop
Oxygen Bar: Remedy Room
Talent/Entertainment Makeup/Styling: Pilar’s Vanity
Beer: Urban South Brewery
Giveaway Partner/After Party Host: Virgin Hotel New Orleans and Dream Boat Cocktail Lounge
Spirits: Who Dat Spirits
Talent: YellowBoxCircus
We cannot wait for another Mateo Annual Holiday Party Benefitting Son of a Saint New Orleans!