Alice in Wonderland Corporate Bash!

The curiouser and curiouser space at Architectural Artifacts in Ravenswood set the perfect backdrop for this Alice in Wonderland-themed holiday fête. Held in collaboration with Boka Catering Group, the cutting edge minds at (now closed) Event Creative brought the whimsical tale to life, curating an event unlike any run-of-the-mill holiday party. Elements were sophisticated, but every inch playful.

Guests entered through a lush, green “forest” where they then stumbled upon a hidden champagne bar. A door near the entry that guests unassumingly passed when they first arrived was later revealed to be the night’s tasting room. This creative display featured seven action stations run by notable Chicago chefs, each inspired by a different moment in the story. Creating a feast fit for a queen, Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish & Oyster was stationed at the “Queen of Hearts” vignette. Guests delighted as he served up beef tenderloin medallions, arugula whipped potatoes, crossness and shaved black truffle. The “Mad Hatter’s” table was 20-foot display of divine treats like homemade donuts, French macaroons, cookies and candy. And who can forget the tea?

The floral was transcendent with oversized blooms, complementing the eccentricities of the book. Moss runners were speckled with bright orange, purple and yellow flowers, which were tucked in between grape wood. Moss-covered fern curls were paired with fairy lights for a touch of whimsy. Nickel candelabras added height.

Creative devices to help guests find their way were used, such as directional signage made from birch posts anchored in a bed of moss and floral. The stairs needed to be blocked, so Event Creative place a large vintage map table at the bottom, made it a raw bar, and filled the stairs with lit floral to make it seem as if guests were truly “down the rabbit hole.”