Have you read the book, The Night Circus; by Erin Morgenstern... no? Well you should! In fact stop what you are doing, go find the book and prepare to enter a world so mesmorising that you wish it was a place that actually existed! Here is what it looks like..... no go on a hunt for it, I promise you it will be amazing.
I picked this book up when we first got to London, in a little second hand charity store that looked like the items hadn't been moved for many years. I was in the need of a new book to read on the tube, stepped inside out of curiosity and ended up doing what we were always told not to do 'don't pick a book based on the cover...' But I did, the cover and the spine is so nice, why wouldn't you choose it for that reason! The story is also so captivating that I couldn't put the book down, wished tube trips were longer so I could keep reading (and if you live in London you know how ridiculous that sounds!) and even attemtped to read while walking along the footpath... quite unsuccessfully!
So as I worked my way towards Assignment 2, I realised I had to make a huge decision. Most of my assignments were going to be based on a mock wedding, a wedding of my own creation and the concept that I select, (knowing what felt like very little!) is going to be carried on throughout my entire course! For ages I thought I was going to do a bohemian theme, because it is very on trend at the moment, along with the use of Marsala the colour of the year, floral head crowns and the use of an outdoor venue such as a forest or a tipi style reception! But then I decided against it.... mainly because I thought that was something everyone would probably do and I wanted to focus on something that was a little more unique and a theme that I most likely won't get to explore if I actually plan events for people one day, it is, of course, The Night Circus! (You should read it!) The Night Circus is based on a vintage travelling circus, beginning in the late 1800's and follows the story of two young lovers twisting the boundaries of reality and actual magic to create magical illusions that circus goers can not comprehend, and rightly so. So what is the story..... (Thanks Wikipedia)
The Night Circus is a phantasmagorical fairy tale set near an ahistorical Victorian London in a wandering magical circus that is open only from sunset to sunrise. Le Cirque des Rêves, the Circus of Dreams, features such wonders and "ethereal enigmas" as a blooming garden made all of ice, acrobats soaring without a net, and a vertical cloud maze where patrons who get lost simply step off and float gently to the floor. The circus has no set schedule, appearing without warning and leaving without notice; they travel in a train disguised as an ordinary coal transport. A network of devoted fans styling themselves "rêveurs" ("dreamers") develops around the circus; they identify to each other by adding a splash of red to garb that otherwise matches the characteristic black and white of the circus tents. The magical nature of the circus is occluded under the guise of legerdemain; the illusionist truly transforms her jacket into a raven and the fortune teller truly reads the uncertain future, and both are applauded for their ingenuity.
The circus serves a darker purpose beyond entertainment and profit. The magicians Prospero the Enchanter and the enigmatic Mr. A.H— groom their young proteges, Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair, to proxy their rivalry with the exhibits as a stage. Prospero teaches his daughter to hone her innate talents by holding ever larger and more complex magical workings in her mind. Celia takes her position on the game board as the illusionist who makes true transformations, adding tents and maintaining wondrous aspects from the inside. Mr. A.H— trains his orphan ward with books in the ways of glyphs and sympathetic magic and illusory worlds that exist only in the mind of the beholder. Marco takes a position as an assistant to the producer of the circus; he works from the outside in, connected to the circus via a magical link to the central bonfire, but not a part of it. The two beguile the circus goers and each other with nightly wonders, soon falling in love despite being magically bound to a deadly competition with rules neither understands.
So to complete the assignment I have a faux couple who are pretty much loaded, they have an unlimited budget, work in high profile jobs, know quite a few high profile people and therefore have attending some extremely ritzy events which the likes of you and me will probably never attend in our life! The challenge... The couple want a wedding which exceeds expectations and stands out among the events they, and their friends, have so far attended! The major part of the assignment was to write a concept then tell the story of the wedding. To create something that really inspires the couple and gives them a little taste of what their wedding might look, feel, taste, sound and smell like! The story must paint pictures in the couples mind of how the event will be! This telling of the wedding story, along with the concept and a story board addressing important areas of the wedding should be presented to the couple! Of course they are going to be completely mesmorised and fall in love with the concept! Well, that is the aim and purpose of a wedding concept and story! Have a look and see if you are captivated by the telling of my wedding story and how this event will unfold. Can you imagine what it would feel like to attend this event as a guest, or the wedding couple yourself!
(Note: This concept, wedding story and story board was completely written by me, Bonnie O'Brien, with quotes derived directly from Erin Morgenstern's book; The Night Circus. Please do not use this concept and story without permission.)
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Last night, at your pre wedding dinner, tickets were distributed. Small, black cards with elegant crimson words reading ‘Where dreams come true…’ No one knows what it means. Only that it must be presented the following day at nightfall, at your wedding reception.
‘A black sign painted in white letters hanging upon the gates reads; ‘Opens at nightfall, closes at dawn.’ The tent looks abandoned and empty. But you think perhaps you can smell caramel wafting through the evening breeze. A subtle edge of sweetness at the edges of the cold. The sun disappears completely beyond the horizon, and the remaining luminosity shifts from dusk to twilight. First, there is a popping sound. It is barely audible over the wind and conversation. A soft noise like a kettle about to boil for tea. Then comes the light. Stretched across the gates in front of you, hidden in curls of iron, more firefly-like lights flicker to life. At first it is only a random pattern of lights, but as more of them alight, it becomes clear that they are aligned in scripted letters. Leaning to your left to gain a better view, you can see it reads: Le Cirque Des Reves.’ Some in the crowd smile knowingly, while others frown and look questioningly at their neighbours. A child near you tugs on her mother’s sleeve, begging to know what it says. “The Circus of Dreams”, comes the reply. The girl smiles delightedly. Then the iron gates shudder and unlock, seemingly by their own violation. They swing outward, inviting the crowd inside. Now the circus is open. . Now you may enter. Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus, 2011.
As night falls, with ticket in hand, you make your way through the field, towards the mysterious white tent. You stop.
As the gates swing open and guests enter the tent they are overcome by the smell of popcorn and caramel and the sound of circus music from the vintage band. A beautiful sense of nostalgia washes over them. For a second they forget where they are, instead transported back to their very first circus experience, the excitement of ring side seats, the taste of treats and a feeling of utter amazement.
As guests find their way to their tables, eyes are drawn to the white lace umbrellas, somehow mysteriously floating and glowing above their heads, framed perfectly against a sky of crimson and white silk. As guests sink into crushed velvet chairs the music stops and the crowd hushes, anticipation hanging in the air as if this really were a circus about to begin. Lights softly illuminate an entrance to a mysterious side tent, although before they can see what is concealed inside, you both (the bride and groom), appear on the soft carpet walkway, dancing your way elegantly into centre stage, a dance so beautiful it is not only the first, but most dazzling performance of the night.
Throughout the evening, everyone is swept up in the magic of The Night Circus, believing that this really is a place where dreams come true.
Elegant meals served on mirrors reflect the sky of crimson and white, the array of umbrellas above and the awe on guest’s faces. Everywhere clusters of people are intrigued by an illusionist vanishing golden cutlery, fearing for an acrobat balancing precariously upon a chair with her own umbrella, and apprehensive of a fortune teller, dealing out fate.
For those first curious and brave enough, a series of smaller tents transports them from the bustle of the circus into a space where magic really comes alive in the stars above, on the writings on the wall and in the power of a single memory.
As The Night Circus comes to a close you and your new wife/husband disappear though a tunnel of your guests golden sparklers, illuminating the night sky. You’ve left your ticket, but as you walk back through the field, you suddenly stop, curiously peering back into the dark for one last glimpse of an illusionist or forgotten box of popcorn, a hint that the evening was real. But there is nothing. Nothing to be seen but the tall, white tent, towering mysteriously in the centre of the field. A small secret wells up inside of you. That secret, that feeling, that no one else knows the magic, the love and the mystery that lies beyond the gates, and inside the walls of Les Cirque Des Reves; The Circus of Dreams.
The Night Circus Wedding Concept © Bonnie O'Brien, AAWEP Student, 2015.
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I hope you like it! I hope the story helps you to envision what my Night Circus wedding might look and feel like! Part two of my assignment was to develop a story board to better understand how each of the 5 senses would be incorporated into my event... even if you haven't read the book. Have a look below at my story board and try to imagine how these little details would come together to make the whole event!
The Night Circus Story Board © Bonnie O'Brien, AAWEP Student, 2015.
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So if you haven't yet read the The Night Circus, but you feel inspired by, or even curious about, what I have created, I suggest you read it soon! The sooner you do, the sooner you will step into Les Cirque De Reves and into a world you will wish could come true! I sure wish it was! xoxoxox
Oh and just so you know, I managed to score 49.5/50 for this first assignment! :-) I am so happy with how it all went and I can't wait to move on to the next assignment!