A few years back we decided a very creepy theme was in order for our annual Halloween party. We sent out announcements of a death and invited everyone to attend the wake at our "funeral parlor".
I had been wanting an excuse for years to build a full size Funeral Carriage like the one parked in front of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Before plunging into the project, I planned it all out on paper first so that it could be taken apart completely for storage. It all fit nicely in a 2' x 5' closet and is pretty easy to assemble.
The skeleton driver's head is on a motor that turns slowly to the side and back again. The lanterns are lit with flicker bulbs and the interior is fitted out with satin drapes and antique wallpaper from the early 1900's. There is even a reluctant passenger in the coffin.
We put Aunt Evelyn in her coffin on the buffet table and then piled it high with tasty food served on old tarnished silver pieces.
It was an open casket service...she looked really good, don't you think?
We had another lovely dead girl in the bathroom. We converted the tub to a macabre bed chamber with plywood and black velvet drapes. She was wearing a psychedelic Marie Antoinette dress that Joanne Worley wore on "Laugh In" in the 60's made by costume designer Arloon. There were a few screams from the hall as people went in and spotted her.
The night of the party arrived along with the guests dressed for the occasion.
By the end of the night we were drinking shots of Irish Whiskey and doing the zombie dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller video.
You know your guests have had fun when they fall down and can't get back up because they are laughing too hard.And of course, the Halloween Village in the entry closet featured a large cemetery in the middle of town complete with a little funeral carrige.
You can purchase one of the Funeral Wreaths made for this event Here.
I hope this inspires YOU to be creative this coming Halloween. MMUUHAWWHAWWHAWW!
12 comments:
I would like to rent your carriage when I die. As a matter of fact, I'd like to have my photo taken in it prior to that. In a reasonable representation of the corpse I hope to one day be.
Your parties look awesome!
OMG... what FUN! How do you do it all?? I'm always so crazed making Halloween art for other people, I'm lucky if I manage to throw a couple of pumpkins on the porch, haha...
My pointed hat is off to you - absolutely amazing!!
~ Carolee
I never cared for Halloween but you have completely converted me!!You are an artistic genius!!
Can't wait to see what is up your sleeve for the next post!!
Love,
Marilyn
William, once again your imagination amazes me! How wonderful a party that must have been. Who could resist having fun in that enviorment. Can I come to the next party pleeeeze!
If I don't get an invite to your next party... my nose is gonna be REALLY knocked out of joint!! lol....What a BLAST!! Details Details Details...perfect in every way...
The stuff that dreams (or is that Nightmares) are made of...hee hee!!
Wonderful...
Jodi
Can I please come to your next Halloween party?! None of my friends know how to celebrate like this :(
I used to work as a head docent for the historic haunted Whaley House museum. The family lost a toddler to scarlet fever who supposedly haunts the house. The museum finally decided to display the house in mourning for Halloween last year, and to have the traditional coffin in the parlor for the boy.
But nobody could come up with a coffin. I was out driving two year old Sophie home from preschool, when I spied in a driveway a small wooden coffin, only $15.00. Screeching to a halt, I dragged Sophie down this guys driveway and pulled out $15...every cent I had in my bag. He worked on motorcycles and the parts come in a wooden coffin box (how cool is that?)
Walking back to the car with Sophie holding one hand and the coffin she would have fit nicely inside in my other, I hoped that no passers by thought I was the next Casey Anthony as I bundled the two into the backseat.
If only the celebrated William Szabo lived in San Diego...I'd have had him take a post mortem dag of her in the box, you know, just for fun.
It took a little work, and now The Whaley House now has a coffin for little baby Tommy laid out in the parlor for all the Halloweens to come.
I wish I could remember the name of the company that uses these nifty boxes, because they sure come in handy afterwards...perfect for parties!
Or very big vampire dolls.
Robin....wonderful story.... I have always heard that the Whaley House is sone of the most haunted places in America....is it?? I have been by it...never in...'really itching to go...I will look for the little coffin...again, cool story..
Jodi
WOW!! You really go the whole 9 yards.....no actually you go the whole football field when it comes to decorating AND celebrating too! What creepy fun! Wish you lived in my neighborhood William!
Can't wait to meet you at Ghoultide this year! Be on the lookout for 3 goofy women wearing some special little witch hats......*giggle*
*Lori
One word: Fabulous.
Creepy FUN!!!!
I'm going to have a Halloween party this year...not sure of the theme, maybe Ravens for the 150th anniversary of Poes death, 25th anniversary of Thriller or just a fun ghost party.
Keep us posted if your going to have a party this year and what theme your going to use.
Bugs & hisses
Patty
Oh Will, how was it that both Holly and I were ill that Halloween eve. Sigh. I am so sorry we missed the festivities, and the chance to know You and Kevin better, sooner. Holly and I miss you!
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