The plethora of pages alternated vellum sheets with cotton rag stock; text displaying content such as the intricate event details, or select Edgar Allan Poe poetry or quotes, were printed on vellum to act as sheer “illusion-effect” overlays revealing photographs of cemetery statuary or various images such as a photo of the poet, beneath the vellum. The featured photographs of exquisite cemetery art: vintage tombstones, exotic monuments, elaborate statues, iron gates and railings, and masterfully created mausoleums, were featured from photoshoots staged at the legendary “Sleepy Hollow Cemetery”, Sleepy Hollow, New York, as well as from a photo shoot at the renowned “Pere Lachaise Cemetery”, Paris, France, the most visited necropolis in the world.
SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY EVENING LANTERN TOUR
To embrace the mysterious macabre feel synonymous with all things Edgar Allan Poe, the edgy celebration began at the “Sleepy Hollow Cemetery”, Sleepy Hollow, New York, just prior to sundown, within the exquisite chapel touting stunning stained-glass windows illuminating vibrant images depicting “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, written by Washington Irving. The two-hour walking guided tour began with an overview of the history of the chapel, as well as the cemetery which spans 90 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. The walking guided tour began in daylight and, as the sun set, kerosene lanterns were provided to each guest to continue the evening lantern tour beneath the light of the moon. The educational tour highlighted some of the most impressive residents including Washington Irving, William Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and John Dustin Archbold, as well as select monuments and mausoleums considered noteworthy for their statuary or symbolism.
EDGAR ALLAN POE PRESENTATION
Following the evening lantern tour of the cemetery, guests gathered in “The Washington Irving Memorial Chapel”, aglow with candlelight, where individual seats were adorned with a single long-stem red rose and a keepsake cemetery map. The rose was symbolic of the anonymous individual who for a period of sixty-years left roses at Poe’s graveside on his birthday. Within the dimly lit chapel, beside a desk adorned with vintage Edgar Allan Poe books, candles, and an antique inkwell and journal, stood Campbell Harmon, a renowned Edgar Allan Poe impersonator, who delivered a passionate one-hour dramatic portrayal of “The Tell Tale Heart”, “The Raven”, and “Annabel Lee”, amongst others. Campbell speaks in-character as Poe, educating the audience on the author’s life, his death, and his profound influence on American literature, dispelling the myths that have surrounded his legacy. Following the Poe presentation, guests retreated to a reception table adorned with “Mortuary Morsels” indulging in large custom artisanal-confections of individually packaged raven-shaped cookies /custom black and white M&M’s depicting a portrait of Edgar Allan Poe and the apropos inscription: “death by chocolate”, served in individual glass test tubes from a test tube rack / miniature skull-shaped candies / black licorice / “Beloved Raven Hearts”, red raspberry jelly hearts /and custom beverages served in individual glass cork-topped bottles embellished with wrapped jute, silver skull charms, and rose quartz crystals. The customized and bottled drink of choice: Rose Water, entitled “Love Poe-tion No. 25”, (a nod to the guest-of-honor’s 25th Birthday), denoted on custom burned-edge labels. The gothic-oriented chapel tablescape, inspired by the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, showcased a vintage typewriter for guests to type messages to the guest of honor, prominent gold and black gothic candelabras, Poe books and poetry, pieces of slate with hand calligraphed Poe quotes, neon necklaces and bracelets, custom Edgar Allan Poe t-shirts, and an infusion of candles.
“POE-ETIC FÊTE”
The final destination on this poetic journey was that of an intimate vintage inn, located in Chappaqua, New York, known as “Crabtree’s Kittle House”. Here a poignant “Poe-etic Fête”, artfully staged and perfectly orchestrated, allowed guests to immerse themselves in fond reflection of Edgar Allan Poe. A plethora of Poe books, literature, images, and quotes, provided immense inspiration for the design aesthetic. The king table revealed black iridescent-crush linens showcasing black crumpled tulle as a lengthy and dramatic runner that puddled to the floor. Custom embroidered raven napkins were strategically placed cascading down the sides of the table length. An assortment of vintage gothic iron candelabras graced the center of the table, along with a plethora of red rose floral clusters, black feathers, black feathered ravens, Crystal Skull Vodka heads, gold and black quills, and vintage frames with Poe quotes and images of unique cemetery art, all displayed atop a bed of assorted mosses, twigs, stone, and slate, to convey a dark, cemetery vibe. Custom hand-calligraphed Poe quotes inscribed on individual “slate placemats” infused poetry at each guest’s seat. Black iridescent-crush napkins were displayed within an assortment of vintage “metal cross” gothic napkin rings, and hand-forged iron scroll napkin rings. Show plates were custom china creations exhibiting an image of a black raven with delicate silver and black scrollwork around the perimeter of the rim; custom cocktail napkins were imprinted with Poe’s famous “Annabel Lee” quote: “we loved with a love that was more than love”.
Individual guest clipboards were placed at each guest’s table setting, featuring the “Poe-etic Fete” Dinner Menu & “Hand-crafted Libations” Selection. Each clipboard featured several pages, all replicating the invitation stylization, displaying custom burned-edges on each page. Clipboards were enhanced with silver wire vining encasing quartz crystals. Both the dinner menu and libations selection offered customized items that reflected the thematic ambiance. The “Poe-etic Fete Dinner Menu” suggested such entrees as “Rigatoni for the Raven-ous”, “Farro & Local Legume Petrified Pilaf”, “Forbidden “Hidden Fjord” Organic Scottish Salmon”, and “Freakish-Farm Chicken Breast”, while the “Hand-crafted Libations Menu” offered such custom mixes as “The Master of Macabre Mojito”, “Poison Apple”, “Morbid Mule”, “Black Widow”, “Kindred Spirit”, and “Abstinence” which promoted non-alcoholic beverages!
The culmination of the evening was a dramatic, edible replication of an Edgar Allan Poe Book, adorned with a single long stem red rose, a stunning work of art and delectable cake!
“Tell-Tale Heart” desserts individually packaged and served to guests, acted as the parting gift… a sublime praline milk chocolate mousse, tart cherry cremeux, paired with a pistachio dacquoise covered with a shiny cherry glaze.
CUSTOM FAVORS
Following the event, as a statement closure to the event, a custom-blended tincture, entitled “Absolute Love” Body Elixir (displaying the Poe quote: “we loved with a love that was more than love”), was hand-crafted and bottled by “Willow Wisp Wellness Apothecary” and the hand of the guest-of-honor, to serve as the final event favors. Each tincture blended essential oils of rose, peppermint, lemon, grapefruit and orange, with essences of orchid, star jasmine, Indian pipe, borage, and pink amaranthus. Customized brown glass bottles adorned with hand-burned labels and wrapped jute and silver skull charms, were decoratively packaged within bespoke presentation boxes, containing a personalized thank you note with hand-burned edges, then enhanced with vintage red wax-seals, a lazer-cut black cross, and black feather plume… each hand-delivered to individual guests as a token of the guest-of-honor’s appreciation.
