Raleigh’s Diamond of the Season: Inside An Evening To Ignite 2026

In partnership with La Fête Planning & Design, our annual fundraising event, An Evening To Ignite 2026, was a night to remember! Hundreds of individuals came together in support of our 2026 charity partner, Haven House, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth experiencing homelessness, crisis, and other significant challenges through safety, housing, counseling, and essential support services.

What started as an idea and a dream in 2017 to bring together community members and events industry vendors to make a large-scale impact for one local, grassroots nonprofit has grown into an annual tradition of generosity and impact across the Triangle. What began as a mission to unite some of the Triangle’s top event industry partners around a local organization in need, creating an over-the-top annual event where every dollar raised goes directly back to the selected nonprofit, has become something far greater than we ever imagined. 

With the incredible support of our sponsors, vendors, and local community, we are proud to share that $206,564 was raised for Haven House through this year’s event.

Even more meaningful, this year marked a major milestone for An Evening To Ignite: together, we have now raised more than $1 million for grassroots nonprofits across the Triangle over the years. Thanks to the generosity of our donated vendors, partners, and supporters, every dollar raised has gone directly back to our nonprofit partners, maximizing impact where it matters most. Every contribution continues to create a meaningful, lasting impact right here in our local community.

VIP Dinner

This year’s VIP Chef’s Dinner, held at Junction West, welcomed guests into an immersive evening filled with thoughtful details, elevated hospitality, and meaningful impact in support of Haven House. Guests enjoyed a multi-course dining experience by HL Catering, paired with curated cocktails, wine, and beer service as they gathered ahead of the evening’s main event.



The space was transformed through lush, garden-inspired florals by Meristem Floral, atmospheric production from Get Lit Event Lighting, and an elevated tablescape featuring rentals from Curated Events. Custom paper goods by Surcie and statement signage and seating installations by Revel NC added intentional, personalized touches throughout the experience.

As guests arrived, live harp music by Hummingbird Harmonies set the tone for the evening, while photography by Ally & Bobby, videography from Adam Gilbert Films, and content captured by The Harmon Edit documented every meaningful moment. A special raffle featuring diamond hoops donated by Bailey’s Fine Jewelry added an exciting touch to the night before guests boarded the Great Raleigh Trolley to continue the celebration at The Merrimon-Wynne House for the main event.

Presented by The Merrimon-Wynne House and La Fête Planning & Design, the VIP Chef’s Dinner served as the perfect start to an unforgettable evening of community, generosity, and celebration.

EVENT DESIGN 

This year’s An Evening To Ignite 2026 transformed the grounds of The Merrimon-Wynne House into Raleigh’s Diamond of the Season, an immersive evening inspired by Bridgerton-era grandeur, lavish details, whimsical moments and an unforgettable sense of celebration in support of Haven House. In the days leading up to the event, an incredible team of creative partners worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life.

The property was layered with dramatic tenting, lounges, rentals, and custom installations from Curated Events, paired with specialty furnishings from Greenhouse Picker Sisters to create intimate gathering spaces throughout the property. Atmospheric lighting, chandeliers, and production design by Get Lit Event Lighting transformed each corner of the venue, while elegant draping from Party Tables softened and elevated the experience.

Lush floral moments and statement installations by Heritage Floral Design, alongside custom fabrication by Framework Events, created an unforgettable visual experience from arrival to dance floor. Personalized details including paper goods, cocktail napkins, and specialty signage by Surcie and interactive statement moments like the drink wall and entry installations from Revel NC added thoughtful touches throughout the evening. Guests were welcomed into a space designed to surprise and delight at every turn, with every detail intentionally layered to create a truly transportive experience.

ENTERTAINMENT & EXPEIRENCES

As the evening unfolded, guests stepped into a high-energy celebration filled with entertainment, immersive activations, and meaningful moments of connection. Music and entertainment evolved throughout the night with performances from The Synergy Twins and Karma through East Coast Entertainment, while performances from Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Opera, and immersive character performers from Elevate Performers brought unexpected moments of magic throughout the property.

Guests explored interactive experiences including casino gaming, luxury beauty touch-ups from Blissful Muse, a photo booth experience by ZimZoom, whimsical cotton candy from Spunderful, live silhouette art by Traditions Silhouette, and decadent desserts from Sugar Euphoria. Catering and late-night bites from Rocky Top Catering kept guests fueled throughout the evening. Guests enjoyed audio from Island Sounds, while a silent disco afterparty featuring DJs and headsets from Silence Activations kept the celebration going into the night.

Throughout the evening, guests also experienced the mission of Haven House firsthand through storytelling, outreach activations, and opportunities to directly support programs serving youth experiencing homelessness and crisis. An Evening To Ignite 2026 was a celebration of generosity, creativity, and the incredible impact of community coming together for a greater purpose.

Guests fully embraced the spirit of the evening, arriving in fashion-forward looks that brought the night’s elevated, whimsical atmosphere to life! From statement gowns and tailored suiting to bold accessories, sparkle, feathers, and Bridgerton-inspired glamour, the creativity on display made every corner of the celebration feel even more vibrant and unforgettable.