See The Geraghty Event Space Transformed by Kehoe Designs for Two Very Different Events
By Lindsay Matousek, Writer & Jessica Terson, Writer
We love seeing venues with flexible DNA. The Geraghty in Chicago is a perfect example — a former paper mill turned sophisticated venue. The massive space is perfect for large-scale events like galas, corporate gatherings, and large weddings, but can also be divided in creative ways for a progressive event that moves from one space to another.
When it comes to transformation, Kehoe Designs — with in-house teams for everything from custom furniture to floral design — are experts. In fact, The Geraghty was devised by Tom Kehoe, Owner of Kehoe Designs, with an eye toward perfect event hosting. With distinctive décor and unique lighting, this gorgeous ballroom reinvents itself from one event to the next. We especially adore how the team at Kehoe Designs transformed The Geraghty for these two very different events: a pop art-inspired corporate party and a secret-garden wedding. Each reveals the infinite potential of this beautiful space.
This corporate event by Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc. and Kehoe Designs turned The Geraghty into a dreamscape of laser lights and vibrant colors. “This dynamically immersive pop-art holiday party was a fresh, innovative way for a corporate client to celebrate achievements while energizing their team for the coming year! The theme was a dramatic departure from the event in previous years and brought together a diverse employee base, uniting both millennials and more experienced professionals in the wacky world of Warhol,” says Timot McGonagle, Senior Event Producer at Kehoe Designs. Colorful laser beams coordinated with multi-hued uplighting. Custom pop art graphics and a 40-foot panoramic projection screen further enhanced the vivid wonderland. “The entire evening was a seamless hybrid of technical expertise and stylish décor.”
We at PartySlate especially love the graphic tables and perfectly-pop art bar. View the full event to see how boxes of light were made into sleek centerpieces and how a creative photo op was conjured using LED screens, steps, and a stage.
For this romantic wedding, Kehoe Designs converted The Geraghty into a sea of lush greenery and dreamy lighting. The Geraghty’s very own Sales Manager, Lauren was the beaming bride and the Kehoe team conjured a truly stunning vision to fulfill her dream of bringing the outdoors in. “The wedding décor must be an extension of the couple for the ambiance to feel authentic,” says Kehoe. “The element that I felt most embodied Lauren was the old-world, reimagined conservatory gate that greeted guests upon entry. We covered it in fragrant Stephanotis vines, hedges of Algerian ivy and boxwood orbs in classic urns. Those gates transported everyone out of the city and into an enchanted secret garden. Here, everyone could catch their breath and be present in this magical moment.”
The wedding ceremony backdrop included three walls of lush greenery and elegant trees accented by chandeliers and a floating structure draped with white florals. Clear ghost chairs positioned the lush greenery décor as the event focal point. For the reception, also at The Geraghty, verdant foliage backdrops and wood frames suspended from the ceiling were wrapped in greenery, evoking charming upended window boxes. Kehoe Designs added gold chandeliers to sparkling votive candles and soft uplighting against the space’s signature chic honeycomb wall to create a feel of enchantment, evoking a secret-garden vibe at this romantic wedding.
We adore how the space was utilized for the ceremony and the reception by a vision that perfectly married both parts of the celebration. View the full event to see how how sheer drapery was used to create a beautiful hallway and how lighting shifted color throughout the evening to completely transform the vibe.
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