Business Spotlight: Haute Hostess & WISH

Did you know that Park City has a party muse? This shouldn’t come as a surprise in light of the inimitable parties our town does indeed throw. From Sundance affairs to backyard bashes and, of course, killer Sotheby’s soirees, Park City loves a party. Behind some of the best of these fetes is Haute Hostess and sister biz WISH. And behind these two local businesses is hostess extraordinaire Emily White.

It all started in 2010, when Emily began following her passion for “the merriment of organizing and creating events.” While Emily has called Park City home for two decades, her Southern roots back in West Virginia play a formative role in driving her passion for hospitality and entertaining. While a good party in her book takes a dose of her whimsical style and plenty of time-earned savoir-faire, she believes that a true successful event should speak to the people being celebrated and the people celebrating. Her ultimate mission? To create personal and meaningful social events.

Six years later, in 2016, Emily opened her complementary party boutique WISH. “It was an extended branch of Haute Hostess to bring Park City locals the very best in party decor, favors, cards, gifts, and, of course, our ultimate balloon bar,” says Emily. It’s the perfect place to find a tastefully curated collection of tableware and global party gear to set your next event apart.

For Emily, one of the best parties in the books at Haute Hostess was one of her own: a Housewarming/Halloween Party following a two-and-a-half year home renovation. To accommodate the over 100 attendees, she tented the driveway and added lounge furniture. And to create the conditions where indelible party memories are made, she brought in mirrors, chandeliers, a bar, and a DJ. Desserts were all black and white, while specialty drinks were served with spooky smoking dry ice. “With the help of Culinary Crafts, we threw one fabulous party!” Emily recalls.