Betty Is The Occasion · Betty Cody turns 40

Betty in a polka-dot dress, eyes closed, smiling

A word of welcome

A milestone worth celebrating, a destination worth travelling for, and a weekend I hope we'll remember forever.

The flights have landed, the champagne is on ice, and the Indian Ocean is waiting. Welcome to Malindi.

From America, England, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Italy, Tanzania, Uganda and across Kenya, you have travelled across oceans, continents and time zones to be here. You've stepped away from demanding careers, busy households, families and overflowing calendars to celebrate this moment with me, and I don't take that for granted.

The older I get, the more I realise that true luxury isn't found in five-star resorts, beautiful ocean views or champagne sunsets. It's found in having remarkable women in your life who will board a plane and travel thousands of miles simply because your joy matters to them. Your presence here means more to me than any present ever could.

This weekend is about so much more than turning 40. It's about celebrating the life that brought me here — the lessons learned, the risks taken, the prayers answered, the challenges overcome, the friendships cherished and all the beautiful memories collected along the way. Most importantly, it's about sisterhood and celebrating the women who have been part of my story in different seasons of my life.

So for the next few days, I want us to enjoy every bit of it: the sunshine, champagne and ocean breeze; the late-night laughter and unforgettable conversations; the ridiculous photo sessions and all those little moments that somehow become the memories we treasure most.

Let's be fully present. Dance a little longer, laugh a little louder, ignore those calories, take the photo, watch the sunset, wear the outfit and say yes to the adventure. If reaching 40 has taught me anything, it's that life is far too short to save the good champagne, postpone the trip or keep waiting for a special occasion.

We are the occasion.

So here's to the women who showed up, showed out and made the journey. Here's to friendships that have stood the test of time, new friendships waiting to grow, and a weekend filled with so much laughter, love and joy that our cameras run out of storage before we run out of memories.

Thank you for being part of my story and for helping me step into my Golden Era surrounded by women I love.

Betty Is The Occasion.

Now let's make the kind of memories worthy of the group chat, the photo dump and the "remember when…" conversations we'll still be having years from now.

May we always be too glamorous for ordinary weekends, too fabulous for bad photos, and too blessed to travel economy.

The older I get, the more I realise that true luxury isn't found in five-star resorts, beautiful ocean views or champagne sunsets. It's found in having remarkable women in your life who will board a plane and travel thousands of miles simply because your joy matters to them. Your presence here means more to me than any present ever could.

This weekend is about so much more than turning 40. It's about celebrating the life that brought me here — the lessons learned, the risks taken, the prayers answered, the challenges overcome, the friendships cherished and all the beautiful memories collected along the way. Most importantly, it's about sisterhood and celebrating the women who have been part of my story in different seasons of my life.

So for the next few days, I want us to enjoy every bit of it: the sunshine, champagne and ocean breeze; the late-night laughter and unforgettable conversations; the ridiculous photo sessions and all those little moments that somehow become the memories we treasure most.

Let's be fully present. Dance a little longer, laugh a little louder, ignore those calories, take the photo, watch the sunset, wear the outfit and say yes to the adventure. If reaching 40 has taught me anything, it's that life is far too short to save the good champagne, postpone the trip or keep waiting for a special occasion.

We are the occasion.

So here's to the women who showed up, showed out and made the journey. Here's to friendships that have stood the test of time, new friendships waiting to grow, and a weekend filled with so much laughter, love and joy that our cameras run out of storage before we run out of memories.

Thank you for being part of my story and for helping me step into my Golden Era surrounded by women I love.

Betty Is The Occasion.

Now let's make the kind of memories worthy of the group chat, the photo dump and the "remember when…" conversations we'll still be having years from now.

May we always be too glamorous for ordinary weekends, too fabulous for bad photos, and too blessed to travel economy.

With love,

Betty

The details

29 May 2027 Saturday

From 4:00 PM

Welcome cocktails from 4:30 PM. Betty arrives at 5:00 PM. East Africa Time.

The 40-metre infinity pool at dusk, lanterns lit along the terrace

The Beach Palace

Jacaranda Bay, between Malindi and Watamu, Kenya

Shades of brown

Parking & arrival

Parking is available at the villa. Most guests will arrive by transfer from Malindi Airport; transfer details to follow.

Directions

Betty and friends at night under a lit beach pavilion

Will you be there?

Three quick steps, under a minute. Let Betty know you're coming, and tell us what to put on the playlist.

You're coming 🎉

Betty can't wait to celebrate with you in Malindi. Save the date and check back here for updates.

We'll miss you

Thank you for letting Betty know. Leave her a note in the guestbook so you're part of the night anyway.

Sign the guestbook

40 years in moments

From a blanket in 1987 to the start of her Golden Era. Swipe through, tap to look closer.

1987 Where it all began.
Growing up Already camera ready.
Her twenties Cap, gown and the degree to prove it.
Her thirties Saying yes in coral beads.
Her thirties And once more, by the ocean.
Her thirties White gown, palm shadows.
Her thirties Sisterhood, on the sand.
2027 Hello, Golden Era.
More photos to follow before the big night.

Milestones

1987

Birth

A little girl arrives and the story begins.
Graduation

The cap, the gown, the proud family photos.
Career

The hard work and the big leaps. Story to follow.
Family

Love, two ceremonies and the people she calls home.
2027

Forty

Malindi, her sisters and the start of her Golden Era.

The celebration begins as guests arrive and settle into the evening with welcome cocktails and mocktails, relaxed DJ lounge music and the first photographs of the night.

This is time to mingle, reconnect, meet new faces and enjoy the beautiful Malindi setting as the sun begins to soften.
- Welcome cocktails & mocktails
- DJ lounge set
- Candid professional photography
- Mingling & introductions
The music changes, guests gather and the evening officially begins with Betty's grand entrance.
A short opening fireworks burst marks the official start of Betty's 40th celebration, followed by the birthday song and the first full group photograph of the evening.
A few words from Betty to welcome everyone to Malindi, acknowledge the journeys made to be here and share what celebrating this milestone surrounded by these women means to her.
Glasses raised to friendship, life, sisterhood and the beginning of an unforgettable evening.
With the formal welcome complete, the evening slows down.

Guests enjoy signature cocktails, mocktails and coastal-inspired canapés while the photographer captures natural moments against the Malindi sunset.
Until 7:00 PM

The best light of the evening belongs to the girls.
- Individual portraits
- Friendship and group photographs
- Beach photographs
- Candid moments
- Drone footage
- Sunset shots

Under the Stars

Guests are invited to take their seats.

The MC gives a short welcome, introduces the evening ahead and dinner service begins.
The first courses are served with soft background music, good conversation and plenty of time to simply enjoy being together.

No rushing. No long programme. Just good food, beautiful surroundings and great company.
And the sky becomes part of the celebration.
The music returns and dinner continues, giving everyone time to enjoy the meal before the more personal part of the evening begins.
Friends and family share their memories of Betty: the beautiful ones, the meaningful ones and, inevitably, the stories she may later regret allowing them to tell.

A mixture of laughter, friendship, encouragement and love.
Lights down.

A short video montage celebrating 40 years of life, photographs, memories, friendships, family, milestones, adventures and the people who have been part of the journey.
The cake is revealed, glasses are refreshed and everyone gathers for the birthday song.
- Cake cutting
- Champagne refill
- Celebration photographs
- One very happy 40-year-old

The Golden Era

Dessert is served, cocktails continue and the formal part of the evening begins to melt into the party.
Shoes become optional.

Good behaviour becomes increasingly unlikely.

The DJ turns things up and the Golden Era officially hits the dance floor. Dancing under the stars, cocktails in hand, with nowhere else anyone needs to be.
Vote of thanks.
One final glass raised together:

To the friendships that brought us here, the memories we made in Malindi, the adventures still ahead and never waiting for a special occasion to celebrate life.

We are the occasion.
And from here...

There is no programme.

The DJ keeps playing, the cocktails keep flowing, late-night bites appear and whatever happens next belongs in the group chat.

Dance. Laugh. Take the photos. Lose track of time.

Betty Is the Occasion. And tonight, so are we.

The colourway

Shades of brown: champagne, gold, bronze, butter yellow, ivory, et al. Wear any of them, or all of them.

Ivory
Champagne
Butter Yellow
Gold
Bronze
Cocoa

Glamorous, evening-ready, and in any shade from ivory to cocoa.
Golden hour portraits are on the sand: block heels or flats save the day.
Ocean breeze after dark. Bring a light wrap in the palette.

The Beach Palace

A private beachfront palazzo on three acres of Jacaranda Bay, with a 40-metre elevated infinity pool and a white-sand beach of its own.

The Beach Palace Jacaranda Bay, between Malindi and Watamu, Kenya

Directions

Fly into Malindi Airport. Parking is available at the villa. Most guests will arrive by transfer from Malindi Airport; transfer details to follow.

Where to stay

Venue photography courtesy of The Beach Palace, by Rosalia Filippetti.

The guestbook

Leave Betty a birthday message, a memory, or a photo. Notes appear on the wall once they've been approved.

The first page is yours

Be the first to leave Betty a note. It will appear here once approved.

On the night

Xthedeejay

DJ

MC

Announcing soon

Live entertainer

Announcing soon

Good to know

No children, please. This is a grown-up celebration, so leave the little ones at home and enjoy the night.
Your RSVP form shows exactly how many guests your invitation includes. If it only lets you reply for yourself, your invitation is personal to you.
Shades of brown: champagne, gold, bronze, butter yellow, ivory and everything in between. See the dress code above for the full palette.
Welcome cocktails start at 4:30 PM (East Africa Time). Aim to be there by then so you are settled for Betty's arrival at 5:00 PM.
Yes. A professional photographer will capture the evening, including golden hour portraits and drone footage. Share your own with #BettyIsTheOccasion.
Fly into Malindi Airport. The Beach Palace is in Jacaranda Bay, between Malindi and Watamu. Tap Get Directions in the venue section for the route.

Betty Cody is turning 40. Betty Is The Occasion.

A word of welcome