Let me tell you, you missed a real fun time at The New York Botanical Garden's Winter Wonderland Ball sponsored by Wempe Jewelers this past Friday night. Over 400 guests made their way up to the Bronx in their black tie best, greeted by a fleet of umbrella-toting men waiting to escort the sea of women arriving with their gowns bundled up in their hands and puddle-averse satin shoes. My own Alexia Maria silk gown spent a good portion of the night tucked up off the ground.

As all respectable events unfold, the evening began with cocktails. Guests snaked their way through the 28th annual Holiday Train Show, a spectacle which boasts an impressive scene of more than 175 iconic New York landmarks crafted out of natural materials, stopping to enjoy the view, and, obviously, pose for photos amongst the nooks bursting with Christmas trees.

Well-buzzed and adequately socialized, the group of hungry partygoers ventured to a second location, The Garden Terrace Room, via an open air trolley-slash-van situation. A moment long journey which on any other night would have proved a refreshing break, but which on this night meant wet seats and frizzed hair. All laughed it off as a charming episode. After all, if Olivia Palermo was going to be carted off in the same fashion, who was anyone else to complain?

Following a delightful, festive dinner, guests certainly were not shy about kicking off the dancing portion of the evening, as DJ May Kwok kept the room on their feet well past midnight.

All in all, I think it's safe to say that everyone had the absolute best time. And with the annual event raising more than $300,000 to support the beloved institution, t'was a win-win.

Click through for an inside look at the very merry, incredibly stylish scene!

[Photos courtesy The New York Botanical Garden / BFA]

Wes Gordon, Paul Arnhold

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