For our 10th Anniversary Celebration we planned a private reception in the Oak Room at Steakhouse 55. The restaurant is located within the Disneyland Hotel and is named for the year 1955, when the Disneyland Park opened. Steakhouse 55 takes you back to a bygone era of decadence with a dimly lit ambiance and feels vintage with dark-wood furnishings and black-and-white photos of movie and music luminaries of the era, including Walt Disney.

Planning

We were penciled in for the Oak Room several months out, but officially put the hold on the credit card about 60 days out. There is only one reservation in the private room per night so it was ours for the evening. We were able to decorate (no balloons, confetti or hanging things from the walls) and planned a three course meal for our guests. The staff was very easy to communicate with and answered any questions. We also loved that our Disney Vacation Club membership gave us 10% off the bill!

Pictures

We brought along our friend Ryan Hartford from Ecliptic Media Photo to capture images throughout the evening. Prior to dinner we took some formal pictures around the hotel. We wanted to capture some nice portraits for all of guests since everyone was dressed up for the occasion, as well as candids throughout the evening.

Decor

All of our decor needed to be light and easy to transport so that we could fly it by carryon and also transport it from the Grand Californian Hotel to the Disneyland Hotel the day of the event. Julie and Ever Ella collaborated to design custom event collateral and mixed in some purchased pieces to complete the look. Here is everything we added to the room:

A sparkle tulle table runner
A 3D castle puzzle as a centerpiece
Pink roses in glass vases tied with light blue ribbon
Some votive candles from our 2008 wedding
Custom menu cards
Custom place cards
Metallic printed cocktail napkins
Cookie favors with ribbons and tags
Custom signage
Gold striped party straws with blue mini flags
A photo frame collage with images from over the years

Our table setting included beautiful roses and a sparkly table runner. Custom menus, cocktail napkins and place cards by Ever Ella.

Shortbread cookies in glass slipper and heart shapes with custom favor tags by Ever Ella. — Julie made shortbread cookies in glass slipper and heart shapes with custom favor tags by Ever Ella.

The Celebration

Once we were settled into the room we ordered a round of champagne for everyone. We thanked everyone for coming and then recited some heart felt poems/speeches we had written to each other. After getting a little teary eyed we had a toast. It was so special to be able to share that moment with very important people in our lives and feel so much love.

Champagne glass and a Wine — What's a celebration without champagne?

The room was the perfect size to host our party.

Dinner

The evening started with some delicious bread service. And then we were served the rest of our special menu:

First Course: Little Gem Salad
Lemon Gremolata, Ricotta Salata, & Caesar Dressing
Main Course Selections:
Moroccan Spiced King Salmon
Pan Roasted Mary’s Farm Half Chicken
Filet Mignon with Cabernet Demi-Glace
(All served with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans with Applewood Smoked Bacon)
Almost everyone in our party chose the filet. And oh my gosh was it amazing. The meat was so tender and cooked spot on. The potatoes were buttery and whipped to perfection. The green beans were probably the best a vegetable could ever be, because: bacon. This dinner overall was probably the best meal we have every had on a Disney property.
Dessert: Vanilla Bean Creme Brûlée
with Chantilly Cream, Raspberry Compote and mini doughnut
This dessert was lovely too and the perfect way to end the meal.

Throughout dinner people also ordered some delicious beverages as well. Steakhouse 55 had a great wine list and then many themed drinks such as "The Aviator", "Magic Star Cocktail" and a popular one for the Cinderella themed evening: "Blue Glow-tini".

Once we wrapped up dinner we enjoyed the lounge at Steakhouse 55 and then headed over to Trader Sam's Tiki bar. All in all it was a magical evening with amazing people and we loved every second of it!