Evergreen: Merryl Brown Events Grows Another Great Green Gala

As guests enter the Santa Barbara Armory, which has been transformed into a magical garden, they are welcomed by a costumed Green Greeter with the event's logo airbrushed onto her chest and arms. "This event was all about branding," says Merryl Brown, "on cookies, cupcakes, walls, napkins and bodies!"

The Green Greeters--high school girls that Merryl Brown Events trained to be greeters--deliver sound bites about the organization's mission to reduce the area's reliance on fossil fuels.

The 2012 Green Gala takes over the Santa Barbara (Calif.) Armory, with lighting by Shine Lighting and rentals from Classic Party Rentals.

Guests are entertained by giant stilt-walkers in custom-designed tree costumes.

A custom private booth for an event sponsor created by Santa Barbara interior designer Tamara Riley Designs. "Everything in this booth was reclaimed, recycled or reusable as well as totally comfortable and gorgeous!" Brown says.

Now, that's a living room: A living room created out of moss, trees, vintage furniture and other natural elements. Event floral was created by Louloudi Design.

A bust gets dressed up for the occasion. And in true eco-chic spirit, the bust was repainted and costumed a week later for a Halloween party.

Living room vignette, with styling by Tracy Jo Brewer.

Colorful LED screens by 721 Productions are an edgy touch amid the floral and greenery design from Louloudi Design.

Custom cookies, made by Merryl Brown Event's private baker, depict the event's logo.

Custom floral cake pops by Samantha's Sweets in Santa Barbara. Catering was handled by Full of Life Flatbread.

The Merryl Brown Events' Rhythm Cave™ is a "room" created out of LED screens that surrounds the dance floor with thematic images from nature, transporting guests from the middle of a forest to underwater kelp beds to a Midwest wheat field to a windswept mountain top. Here, L.A. DJ Derek Monteiro. Videography by Isaac Hernandez.

Airbrushed Green Boys helping make the evening more beautiful.

Green Boys share the event's eco-awareness messaging, which was painted on reclaimed boards. The event featured an interactive photo area for guests to pose with signs--and with the cute boys if desired!
For a video of the making of this event, click here.
For two prior Green Galas from Merryl Brown Events, click here and here.