An Evening in the Hills: Charity Gala at The Bradford Supporting InterAct of Wake County

Jun 22

We were honored and delighted to be asked by The Bradford, a wedding venue in New Hill, North Carolina, to partner with them on their first annual charity gala for InterAct of Wake County. InterAct is an incredibly valuable and necessary resource within our community, as the organization supports victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Bradford invited us to plan and design the event and gave us creative control to run with a theme of our choice.

The plated dinner gala was to be held under a fully enclosed, heated tent on the back lawn of the venue. Curated Events was extremely generous with a donation of the tenting and rentals, complete with a ground-up build that started earlier that week. To ensure we had enough capacity for a seated dinner and 250 guests, we used two connecting tents to create the event space.

Since the date fell the weekend before Valentine’s Day, we were aiming for a design that portrayed a romantic and cozy, yet sophisticated aesthetic, and something that could be promoted as a date night activity for local couples. We landed on “An Evening in the Hills” - a tasteful Beverly Hills inspired party, without the gimmicks. We drew inspiration from Hollywood regency parties and interiors, as well as the Beverly Hills Hotel.

We leaned into a neutral palette of black, taupe, creamy whites, and gold, with a touch of palm green as a nod to the Beverly Hills Hotel. The goal was to create a cabaret-like ambiance with luxury elegance. The evening promised not only fine dining and exquisite entertainment but also a profound sense of purpose and unity.

Guests were greeted upon arrival with trays of champagne as they headed to the courtyard to walk the red carpet. Cocktail hour was hosted in the main ballroom, where a live jazz band performed. The highlights of the cocktail hour design were black fringe draped through the ceiling and a floral wall seating chart of escort cards on display that mimicked famous Beverly Hills signage. Attendees took advantage of the photobooth, a watercolor artist offering portraits on-site, and a bit of shopping at the on-site Kendra Scott jewelry pop-up.

As guests were later invited out into the tent for dinner, they were instantly captured by the mesmerizing ambiance set by extravagant candelabras, luxe linens, cabaret-style seating, and expertly layered tablesettings. There were numerous impactful details to elevate the experience, from an actual working fountain in the tent to individual boxes of gourmet chocolates at each guest’s placesetting. Floral arrangements included white roses, orchids, and regal palm leaves for those true California vibes.

The culinary journey commenced with a delightful symphony of flavors for dinner. Guests indulged in a prosciutto and tomato jam salad, black garlic beef tenderloin accompanied by lobster and lemon risotto, followed by assorted macarons, tia maria cookie stacks, and raspberry white chocolate cheesecake.

The true essence of the evening lay not merely in the grandeur of the event but in the collective power of generosity that unfolded throughout the night. We had the honor of hearing more about InterAct, their mission, and the work that they do, as well as from the family of a local victim who sadly lost her life to domestic violence. This testimony kicked off an immediate need fundraiser - attendees were able to make direct donations via a QR code, or bid on one of the many silent auction items.

After-dinner activities included dancing, a coffee bar, cigar roller, and virtual golf simulator. Some guests opted to shop at the on-site Kendra Scott jewelry pop-up. After raising over $25,000, the delightfully glamorous evening came to a close.

The presence of numerous individuals and companies, who graciously offered their time and financial contributions, was a testament to the unwavering commitment to help those in need. The gala was a symbol of compassion and solidarity, reminding us that when we come together, we can create a profound impact. We are so very grateful to both The Bradford and InterAct for inviting us to be a part of this meaningful and beautiful event.