Snow business

A night out turns into an evening in Jackson Hole

Published On: April 13, 2009



You have to get up pretty early in the morning to surprise Kelley Beaman. But Lee has her number. Along with the numbers of the people who know how to make Kelley happy. He had them all in his pocket while he planned a 30th birthday party that would transport her and about a hundred friends to Jackson Hole, Wyo.—at least for an evening.

Everybody was in on the secret, even daughters Katherine and Natalie.  The ruse was that a highly placed politician was having an intimate gathering to celebrate his birthday at the Belle Meade Club, just for close friends and their families. Kelley prepped the whole family, including three-month-old Jackson, who was traveling à la pram when the Beaman clan pulled back the curtain hanging over the entrance to the Club ballroom.  The only thing sweeter than Kelley’s surprise was the delight on Katherine and Natalie’s faces as they witnessed it.

The room had been transformed into a snow-covered cabin in the mountains, and s’mores ingredients were plentiful for the patient (or the out-of-practice) for roasting over a blazing log fire.  A flocked tree was hung with paper snowflakes on which guests could pen warm—or funny—birthday wishes.

Bars were flowing, carving stations buzzing, and chili stations serving either beef or turkey chili with all the fixings. Musicians from the Nashville Symphony played as friends hugged Kelley, kissed Jackson and the girls, and congratulated Lee on a great coup. In the gallery, groups of guests posed before a huge backdrop of the Grand Teton to have their pictures made wrapped in scarves, knit hats and gloves available nearby, looking as if they were perched atop the slopes just about to slalom down. By the time they were ready to leave, the pictures had been developed, framed and labeled.

And in 10 years, they might all be celebrating Kelley’s 40th by roasting marshmallows in the real thing. But, of course, it wouldn’t be a surprise. BCA

—photographs by Peyton Hoge

See all the photos from this party in the print edition of Nfocus.