Cathryn lived life large and wanted her celebration of life to reflect her fun and vibrant life. Cathryn had a unique vision – she didn't just want a typical somber affair for her celebration of life; she wanted a lively party that would resonate with joy and vibrancy.

Cathryn entrusted her stepdaughter with explicit instructions to ensure everyone had a fantastic time remembering her life and legacy. The New Narrative team stepped in, taking charge of nearly all aspects of event planning. From scouting the perfect venue to offering catering options, providing a decor style-sheet, handling custom printing, and, most importantly, shaping the ceremony to embody the essence of a Broadway musical

With a three-month timeline, our team transformed Cathryn's vision into a dynamic and heartfelt celebration that truly captured the spirit of her life.

THE PROCESS

Planning

After a light venue search, we all decided the UBC Boathouse would be the perfect area for this event. Located along the Vancouver waterfront, the Boathouse featured floor to ceiling windows and lots of outdoor space for guests to take a moment for fresh air and reflection.

The location was also transit friendly, giving guests lots of options for parking and accessibility.

We all wanted the event to centre around Cathryn’s passion for dance, her friends, and Broadway musicals. The event was named “Cathryn: The Musical” and immediately took the shape of a three-act musical. Our team designed a life-sized cutout, arranged for feathers and sequins instead of flowers, and using Cathryn’s playbills as centrepieces on the tables.

ON THE DAY

Celebration

We were thrilled to be able to bring this musical celebration of life to life! Together with our clients, we designed the day in three acts:

ACT I: The Arrival
Guests were invited up to an hour prior to the ceremony start to hear a soundtrack of Broadway musical hits, take their picture with the life-sized cutout, and see a variety of Cathryn’s dance photos on screen - all to set the stage for the ceremony.

ACT II: Celebrating Cathryn
During this portion of the day, we hear speeches, view slideshows, and watch as Cathryn’s friends, family, and colleagues share their perspective of her, through their lens. Cathryn’s dance group closed off the ceremony with a choreographed dance, leaving a “Cathryn-sized hole” in the middle.

ACT III: Let’s Party
After speeches, guests were encouraged to grab a drink, have a bite to eat, and share their unique stories and memories of Cathryn with each other.