The biggest challenge lay in the fact that the school hoped to use it's new gym, which would be plenty big enough, but was...well, a School Gym- not exactly the look you want for a beautiful Gala. The first idea that came to mind was to create a 20's inspired, yet Modern Day, Speakeasy. It was less about wanting to make it a "theme party" and more about the fact that we knew when guests heard the Gala was going to be at the School Gym, there was potential for a little grumbling. Let's use that to our advantage to knock their socks off after the gym is transformed into a gorgeous event space!
And TRANSFORMED, it was!
Guests could literally not believe their eyes- from the boarded up speakeasy set entrance (complete with "bouncer" awaiting the secret password) to the flappers and henchmen tray passing champagne and cocktails, the guests were transported from High School Gym to a luxury space designed for fun-making!
We had a great time coming up with the entertainment, the run of the evening, but especially the variety of centerpieces: Tall, fringed lamps, Plumes of ostrich feathers and vignettes of old books, cigar boxes, antique decanters and gorgeous floral arrangements.
The evening ran without a hitch, and Karen and I finally breathed a sigh of relief as Grammy Award winning artist, Bryan McKnight took the stage. His honey-like voice filled the room, and it was then that we looked at each other and gave the secret wink. School gym transformed, experience successful and money raised- the perfect trio!!
