Things to do: Book Lush Events Fantasy Balls

Editor Soph sitting on the stage in ball gown.

Book Lush Events was founded by Halie Allen from Atlanta, Georgia. Halie has a background in modeling, hair, makeup, and has her own company Lush Beauty Bar ATL which has made quite the splash in the Wedding and Events world for Atlanta. Her deep love for books and fantasy lead to the creation of Book Lush Events. Book Lush Events has a full schedule of fantasy balls for the next year. They have their first event, a Night Court Ball, from Sarah J Maas’s A Court of Throne and Roses (ACOTAR) series, done and under their belt, with a Winter Gala, a second chapter of the Night Court Ball, and a Bridgerton Ball announced.

This event list shows the dedication to fantasy events that strive to bring beloved book worlds to life. Halie shares a statement about their mission “to create inclusive spaces where fans can celebrate their favorite stories and form meaningful connections“

Books have always been a cornerstone of my life. They’ve been my escape, my inspiration, and my bridge to new perspectives. The idea for Book Lush Events was born out of me and my previous partners passion for literature and the desire to create a space where others who love books can come together, celebrate their favorite stories, and forge meaningful connections.

- About Page at Booklustevents.com

I was fortunate enough to get to attend Chapter 1 of the Night Court Ball this March and I chose to try and make the most of it. I did the VIP, the special High Tea in the Spring Court event, and some of the add-ons like the High Fae dances. I did not do the karaoke as my mother and I would not be in town soon enough.

I want to get this out of the way. I loved this event immensely and already plan on returning as well as looking for opportunities to attend fantasy events and get to be immersed in these worlds more often. The promises of Book Lush Events were met and exceeded as someone who had not attended any ball before. The atmosphere, the cast, the staff, and the experience were more than I could have ever hoped for and you can assume the rest of this, as I discuss my experiences will be from that lens.

So let’s get into it!

High Tea in the Spring Court

First up for me was the Spring Court High Tea event. This event took place during the afternoon before the main ball. We were to have tea and snacks while interacting with the cast in a Spring Court atmosphere. It was to take place at the venue as well.

Editor Soph taking the entrance photo at High Tea in front of a Cherry tree and chairs with a small table

When I arrived, I was greeted with a line of attendees that were all in thematic and beautiful outfits that showed off personalities and creative talents. Those of us in line were sharing stories of our outfits, how far we traveled, and our love for the ACOTAR book series. Atlanta cooperated with the event and gave us a beautiful sunny day to complement the Spring vibes we were trying to capture for the high tea.

A decorated banquet table with flowers, candles, and tea placements.

The doors opened and became a portal to a scene only in my dreams. We were in a hall decorated delicately with flowers, candles, and matching tea cups in soft pastel colors. Two long tables that one might image in a courtly castle setting adorned the room with the many cast members in full costume and in character, ready to greet us. We started with a photo with a cherry tree and fluffy chairs before picking anywhere we wanted to sit.

Banquet table with finger food and drinks for the High Tea

Each place setting had two tea cups, one specifically was a gift to take home with a heart shaped tea infuser. Next to the wide windows letting in generous amounts of sunlight were tables bearing multiple teas to sample and a spread of finger sandwiches, wraps fruits, veggies, and desserts.

This event had a limit of around 50 tickets and so it helped not crowd the room. We were given freedom to roam about and mingle with each other and the cast. We were able to take photos and have photos taken by the talented photographers brought in as staff.

The cast worked the room in character and helped all of us feel that we were spending an afternoon in the Spring Court. Throughout the afternoon they had some games (trivia) and some small speeches as we got to experience the characters. The cast made everything feel very comfortable and warm. As an attendee, it really felt like they had spent years together.

This was my first event like this and I had initially felt a little overwhelmed, as it all became real and the room filled. This event was a great way to relax and get used to everything so I could handle the night event without any worries. The High Tea was done with care and planning that allowed all of us to experience everything the tea had to offer. We had time and atmosphere on our side.

The Night Court Ball

Editor Soph dancing the High Fae dance with Feyre played by Juliette Sureau

I was a VIP ticket holder so I was entitled to early access, a special VIP lounge and a photo with the cast. I also bought a high fae dance which entitled me to 2 songs with the cast member I had been chosen for. I was selected to dance with Feyre, played by Juliette Sureau.

As before, the line outside the venue was filled with folks from all over, in well prepared outfits, and we passed the time waiting for the doors by sharing how we bought or made our outfits, our favorite parts of the High Tea for those that attended, where we came from, who we were dancing with, and what we were most excited about.

Vendor’s table selling crowns, magazines, and more

The doors opened to the same room as the tea event but it had been transformed this time into a dark motif for the Night Court, with our gift bags, vendor tables, a temporary tattoo table, and a table for getting your hair done for the night. You could buy art, jewelry (my mom bought two rings that I swear she spent a good chunk of time just staring at on her hands. Shoutout Darling Embers), book marks, resin daggers, and more from the fantasy world. A table was setup for sketches you could have done by Allison's Sketchbook

Editor Soph with the full cast from the Night Court Ball

After getting your fill or skipping this entrance, you could pass through double doors to the ball room. We had the VIP lounge, three bar and drink stations, three different backdrops for photo shoots and opportunities, high tables to mingle at, a dance floor and a stage with two thrones. One corner held artist Eden Wilder (ArtyStay) painting live as a prize for the night’s costume contests. We were given free reign to wander and get photos and more before General Admin joined and the nights events kicked off. One backdrop even had a glambot by Con Culture Podcast. The place was beautifully decorated as an elegant ballroom with book and flowers as a major theme adding to the atmosphere. Staff had appetizers on plates being walked around and the VIP lounge had a buffet table setup as well.

A wall backdrop made of book pages and flowers

Editor Soph dancing during the ball

The event ran from 6:30 PM until 11:30 PM with a pretty packed schedule. We had different photo ops with different cast members, a full cast entrance with the founder, a comedy roast, a choreographed surprise dance between the cast members, costume contests, High Fae dances, and just general partying and dancing. The set list the attendees helped fill with a submission form prior to the event. It was like the nights of clubbing I did years ago.

The staff and cast were all amazing and did a wonderful job helping us feel included and immersed in the event. They took time for everyone that stopped them and kept their energy and love for what they were creating on their faces all night. I will never forget the charmed looked on my mother’s face when Azriel (Shaun Wada) and Rhysand (Jennings Brower) included her in photos and greeted her. She was along for fun and hadn’t read the books but got to be involved and immersed all the same.

The other attendees were also a huge part of what made this event worth every cent spent. They were all so kind, excited, open, and caring for each other. Everyone was just as excited as the next person to be there and have a good time and uplifted everyone around them. Whether it was dance circles, screaming lyrics, or helping organize for the dances, everyone helped make the night extra special and magical for one another.

Editor Soph posing in front of the Book Lush Events backdrop

I also wish to take a moment to shoutout the Makerspace at Miami University Libraries. Carla Myers and Lindsey Masters helped me recreate an old bridesmaid dress as a ball gown from my dreams. They spent so much time helping me plan, sew, test, and more to create something that I could never have done on my own.

If you are a fantasy lover and a reader wishing to immerse yourself and forget about the world, Book Lush Events is a great place to start. Currently all events are based in Atlanta, but they have hinted at a possibility of taking their efforts on the road. I’d recommend following their socials and keeping an eye on all they have to offer. They showed their experience and open hearts with an event that listened to attendees, made everyone feel welcome, and spoke up and defended the community when needed. The cast all shared their views and values and helped keep the atmosphere and experience going for us attendees and it was an easy choice to set money aside, and make a reminder so the moment tickets for Chapter 2 go on sale, I can grab mine.