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Not many businesses make it to their 100th anniversary, and when we’re talking about a black-owned business in the South, that milestone becomes even more outstanding. WM Events was honored to design décor and manage the run of show for the Huntsville, Alabama-based Royal Funeral Home’s Centennial Celebration. A staple in the community for so many years, this family-owned business regularly hosts events for locals, and with this ticketed event, welcomed more than 300 leaders in the community and the local government for a night to remember.
Purple Passion
There was no need to deliberate about a color theme for this celebration – based on the client’s logo and the imperial name of the company, we immediately rolled out the purple carpet and coordinated all aspects of the décor around it.
We created a secret garden for the pre-function area, which gave a nod to the Royal Funeral Home cemetery in an elegant manner. After traversing the purple carpet, guests were greeted by boxwood walls decorated with flowers and greenery. Statues, columns, benches and park lamps enhanced the authentic feel. Branded boxwood walls served as the step-and-repeat for photo ops during this early portion of the event. When the reception began, guests entered through branded Royal gates into the main room.
While waiting for the royal procession, guests mingled in a reception area replete with highboys, cocktail tables and lounge seating – think velvety sofas and chairs, golden linens and lush toss pillows. Gold columns formed the perimeter, while crystal chandeliers floated above the space in the ballroom, imparting a luxe, elegant atmosphere. Guests enjoyed cocktails from the 16-ft. branded infinity bar, and the history of the Funeral home was on display for guests to read.
A Grand Entrance
In order to highlight the company’s legacy, a royal procession of the leaders and staff entered the room in grand style. The company had come down through the bloodline of the Queen Karen Smith, and she was resplendent in a crown of feathers, a dress with a long train and opera gloves. Her son and husband had aspects of her dress integrated into their outfits. After entering the dining room together, the staff sat at a grand table with custom print satin napkins and grand floral centerpieces, an arrangement intended to pay homage to the employees as part of the “family.”
We planned the seating for the more than 300 attendees with a mixture of estate tables and variously sized round tables. Gold Chivari chairs with ivory cushions surrounded the tables, which were topped with specialty linens and extravagant place settings. A variety of centerpieces combining purple and green florals noted ticket levels in a subtle way. On stage, we continued the theme with a copper tile backdrop, purple drapes, a sparkling chandelier and lush vegetation.
In addition to celebrating its own success, Royal Funeral Home honored the community during speaker presentations and by the incorporation of local artists into the event. While guests dined, they had the chance to enjoy live performances by Keke Wyatt and Kelly Rowland’s group June’s Diary before getting on their feet to show off their own moves on the dancefloor.
Photography: AVO Communications
