The Quadrille Ball is always my favorite event of the New York social season. I’ve shown you the year I danced, what happens behind the scenes, and what went down last year at the Quadrille. So now I’ll give you a peek at the days and months leading up to the Quadrille.

Photo by Windau Photography
This year Brian and Kendall were the Chairs.

Photo by Windau Photography
And Nick and I were the Vice Chairs! We even came up with a celebrity nickname, “Nickley,” which we thought was hilarious but made everyone else roll their eyes.

Photo by Windau Photography
Together we were a great team and it was fun leading the Junior Committee with these three.

Photo by Windau Photography
The Quadrille season starts in October and every Tuesday we rehearse for two hours before heading to after parties that last well into the night.
In past years I’ve been in charge of teaching the dance, a role that I absolutely loved! But this year since I was Vice Chair I handed over the teaching reins to Lauren who did a great job.
I was still able to help out at practice.
And so was Nickley.
In fact the entire Junior Committee attends the rehearsals to help the dancers learn the choreography. We also use the rehearsals as an opportunity to stand, completely unposed, in front of windows…
Then the week before the ball we have an all-day rehearsal at The Pierre. The lady dancers get a chance to dance with their hoop skirts for the first time.
And everyone gets an opportunity to work on their poise and grace…
…with varying levels of success.
Then finally at the end of January the Quadrille Ball arrives!

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
Before the ball the dancers have their dress rehearsal.
While I, and the rest of the Junior Committee, give last-minute feedback.
Here they are, the 2017 Quadrille dancers!

Photo by Windau Photography
And here is our 2017 Junior Committee. Don’t we look good?!

Photo by Windau Photography
Then, before we knew it, it was time to head down the stairs and over to the reception. The Quadrille Ball had officially begun!

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
During the cocktail hour most of us had glasses of champagne.

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
While others had a little bit more than a glass!
We also used the reception time to take our step and repeat photos. These pictures invariably end up in frames scattered around my apartment until the next Quadrille Ball when they’re replaced with new ones.

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
Then after the reception everyone headed into the ballroom for dinner.

Photo by Windau Photography
And after dinner was the moment that we had been preparing for since October: the Quadrille performance.

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
We watched the dancers perform with baited breath but we had no need to worry. They did fabulous jobs!

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
And the performance was over before we knew it.

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
If you want to dance in the Quadrille you need to be sponsored, and this year I sponsored Isi. She looked absolutely gorgeous during the performance! I was so proud of her!

Photo by Windau Photography
Then after the Quadrille dance was over the real dancing began!

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
And the night dissolved into a blur of music and twirling.

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography

Photo by Windau Photography
It was another magical Quadrille experience.
To stay updated on next year’s ball, click here.
I’m already counting down the days!
~A
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