A champagne reception set the stage for a three-course meal prepared by a top Mayfair chef. Recreating the glamour of the roaring twenties, our Gatsby Ball was a night to remember.
Our primary school is small, and we’re funding an ambitious playground project. But regular quiz nights and cake sales weren’t giving us the money we needed. I’ve run events before and knew we could raise a good amount with a ball. Luckily the school was keen too.
We often work closely with our church and we held the event there. It’s a beautiful venue. Although we didn’t have to pay for the venue hire, we gave a donation afterwards.
One of the fathers at school is the head chef at Novikov Restaurant in Mayfair, and he agreed to take on the catering. We were so fortunate – through his contacts and hard work, he managed to get all our food either at cost or for free. He also headed his team of chefs, cooking ‘Our fabulously stylish Great Gatsby-themed ball turned out to be a roaring success’ on-site on the night. It was quite the spectacle and everyone applauded them at the end.
The idea for the Gatsby theme came from one of the mums, who works for an architectural firm. She’s incredibly creative and had organised a Gatsby party before. There was so much scope for creativity with the stylised 1920s theme and she did a stunning job on a low budget.
On the Friday before the ball, a group of parents came to help set up and we took a few bottles of fizz to them as they spray-painted wine bottles gold. Our architect mum persuaded the printing room at her practice to make a huge printout of a grand staircase, which added to the glamour. Leonardo DiCaprio, who played Jay Gatsby in the 2013 film version, also attended – another printout for a bit of fun.
One of the mums knew a DJ, so we got them involved. We also had a saxophonist. Beautifully dressed in their outfits with massive feathers, our 1920s dancers did the meet and greet. A group of teachers in full 1920’s costume sat around one table and some of the governors came along too. After we had finished eating, the dancers got people up for a dancing lesson, and we held a silent auction and raffle. The DJ moved from flapper music to modern sounds for a party at the end.
We charged £80 a ticket, which is a lot, but it was worth every penny. At the school gate the following week, the conversation was buzzing, and the ball raised over £13,000.
Companies may not give like they used to, but if you ask your contacts and see what they can do, the results can be phenomenal.
Nikki Cornfield, committee member, Friends of St Mary’s School, Putney (214 pupils)
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