Southern Belle in Training

Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle Blog || Est. 2012 || Virginia Beach, VA

January 3, 2017

Southern Skyline Grand Ball 2017: Ringing in the New Year!




     More than ever before, I was so very excited for this new year. While 2016 did hold many sweet memories and accomplishments, it also brought some of the lowest lows of my life. I have never been more than ready for a new beginning and a fresh slate. Last year was actually the first year that I ever had New Year's Eve plans- it's never been a holiday that I really grew up making a big deal over. But I knew that this year I needed to give the start of 2017 a celebration that it was worthy of.


      I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to attend the 4th annual Southern Skyline Grand Ball at one of my favorite places in Uptown: Le Meridien Hotel. My companions for the evening's festivities were two dear friends from college: Caroline, my senior year suitemate, and Mary, one of my sorority sisters. The night began with them arriving at my apartment and all of us getting ready together. It definitely brought back memories of sorority formals and other college events. After an interesting Uber experience to the event (our driver{s} was an elderly couple who were blasting classical music), it was finally time to party!


     The Southern Skyline Grand Ball is held annually in both Charlotte and Greenville, SC, but my friends and I attended the Charlotte event at Le Meridien. All tickets, both General Admission and VIP, included an open bar. I'm not a big drinker myself, but I will say that my friends and I did enjoy this feature of the ticket at the event. You gotta celebrate for the New Year, right?! ;-) We all had the VIP tickets, which meant we had access to each room and bar at the event.


     The event spanned over all of the ballrooms at the hotel (which is a lot of space!). The main ballroom held the largest performers of the evening. The Charlotte Southern Skyline Grand Ball was headlined this year by UK electronic duo Gorgon City. They started performing after midnight, and before them there were other DJs and live acts in the largest ballroom.





     Since we were VIP ticket holders, we enjoyed visiting the main VIP lounge a few times throughout the night. There was food for all ticket holders in the main foyer, but the VIP lounge had a few additional food options. (I was by far most excited about the giant cheese board buffet in the lounge... if you know me, you know that if I'm eating at a restaurant that offers a cheese plate on the menu, I am 99% likely to order it.) Below is a picture of the VIP lounge before it got busy- there was also live music in there throughout the night!




     My friends and I had a great time ringing in 2017 at the Southern Skyline Grand Ball. We ate, drank, danced, and laughed our way into the new year! The dress code for the event was Black Tie Optional, and I of course loved the chance to wear a formal dress to an event! If you're looking for more info about the dress that I wore- see this blog post.







     If I'm still living in Charlotte at this time next year, then I'm already excited for next year's Southern Skyline Grand Ball!



     xoxo Annaliese



     Thank-you to Le Meridien and Southern Skyline Grand Ball for partnering with Southern Belle in Training. I received a complimentary VIP ticket to the event. All opinions are honest and my own.

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14 comments

  1. New Year's Eve is much more fun when you have exciting plans. You look so pretty and happy in all of these pictures. Wishing you nothing less than a fabulous new year!

    XOXO
    mQs
    www.shorelifeofm.blogspot.com

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  2. This sounds like such a great time and an awesome way to start the new year!

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  3. What a great and fun way to celebrate the new year! It sounds like you had an amazing time with some good friends!

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  4. Ahh! This looks like a TON of fun and the perfect way to ring in the New Year!

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  5. This event looks like such a blast! Gotta love ringing in the New Year in style.

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  6. Ahh this looks like so much fun! Love your dress!

    Tori

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  7. This looks like such a fab party! I love your dress!

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  8. What a neat experience! I think I would love to have a night out like this, getting all glammed up with my girlfriends!

    xoxo, SS

    Southern And Style

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  9. Awe this looks like so much fun! Happy New Year! you looked fab!

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  10. This looks like such a fun event. Last year (2015-2016) my fiancee and I rang in the New Year in similar fashion. I can't agree with you more - everyone should ring in the New Year grandly at least once in their lives.

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  11. This looks like so much fun!! I love getting all dressed up for a night out, hope you had a blast!

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  12. what a great night to get dressed up & celebrate...loving the model is the big red get-up. happy new year gf! x, nicole // www.nicoleeigh.com

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  13. That looks like such a fun party! Your dresses are all gorgeous.

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  14. OMG where can I get one of those giant red bows?! This looks like so much fun-- and you look stunning! Happy New Year!

    xo,
    Stephanie
    Diary of a Debutante
    www.thediaryofadebutante.com

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