Looking for a little creative help

[Kelliezgirl]

I'm in the middle of writing part two of The Suburban MILF's Club Ch. 01. Our characters are going out to a dance. Yes, a prom-like dance, but for adults. No weirdness, just a nice romantic dance. A wealthy couple does it a few times a year, for their friends and my MCs are invited. Fancy clothes, corsages, limos, the whole enchilada. I'm 56 and I think it's a really cool idea, and I'd love to take my wife to one. It would be romantic and fun.

The question is, where would be somewhere fun and unique to hold the gala?
A mansion - yawn. Too 'Eyes Wide Shut'.
A hotel - pretty obvious.
A seaside or lakeside restaurant. - patio lanterns, bright moon and stars, the surf, real romantic. I'm leaning toward this one.

But after that, I'm drawing a blank. Anyone got any other ideas? If I end up using one you suggest, I'll happily give you a shout-out in my author's notes and post the link in this thread.

Edit- this is about two people who know each other and are attracted to one another, on their first date.

https://www.cafmo.org/hangar-dance

Something like this would be pretty cool. Perhaps the wealthy couple in question are benefactors of a WW2 museum or something similar?

ETA Since you are Melbourne Florida there is a nice aviation museum in Titusville with a bunch of old warbirds. They do special events.

https://www.valiantaircommand.com/events

 

[Rob_Royale]

People of means have connections to use non traditional non commercial places for events.

We have a series of beqwethed parks (former big $ families residence) which have eye watering gardens, lawns, spaces, etc.

Why I like it as a setting is the cache further characterizes your hostess, it's non commerical so you've got in built privacy and no real public to speak of and, the draw of being somewhere few are allowed/part of something few get to experience let's the venue do some of the heavy lifting of getting couples interested (it's hard to get couples to agree to communal dinners. Dancing/public display of proficiency adds degree of difficulty.).

Think Biltmore before it became a commercial enterprise. Smaller scale if better fit. Stylistic gardens (Japanese/Italian were popular turn of the century) manor house if you want it. Essentially Lego facilities as your narrative needs.

BTW, thanks to everyone for their input. I've decided to go with the botanical garden and thanks to Euphony for the idea. I'll make sure I thank him in my Author's Notes of the story.

 

[Euphony]

BTW, thanks to everyone for their input. I've decided to go with the botanical garden and thanks to Euphony for the idea. I'll make sure I thank him in my Author's Notes of the story.

Save yourself the keystrokes and just drop in my cash app

Glad to help though you were 99% of the way there being honest.

Write on.

 

[ColinPiper]

Very well, but I get the feeling you're perhaps concentrating on the wrong thing - the setting isn't everything, the story and characters are. I feel you have the gem of a great idea. How about someone sets up an "Adults Prom" night for single people who didn't go to their high school prom, because back in the day they were too shy/low self-esteem, or poor, or some other reason? They don't have to bring a date of course, they're single. The protagonist decides to go, and while the occasion may be for anyone who went to any high school, the protagonist meets the person they were in love with at the same high school. When they get to know each other a little more the other person explains they (surprisingly) didn't go on the night because their date was a jerk and they (the other person) were sad when they found out the protagonist wasn't going. It may be somewhat predictable, and I've tried to tell you how to write your own story, but anyway, there you go. Maybe the jerk is there too. Dunno. Something like that.

Ah, Billie had the same idea...

 

[Rob_Royale]

Very well, but I get the feeling you're perhaps concentrating on the wrong thing - the setting isn't everything, the story and characters are.

Thanks for chiming in. As I mentioned in my OP, this is for a second chapter. So, characters and story are already established. So at this point, the setting IS everything. It's a first date. It's the setting and atmosphere that makes it memorable. It's important to the characters and to the writer. The right setting inspires me, opens up scenes I wouldn't have thought of if it was just set in someone's home.

How about someone sets up an "Adults Prom" night for single people who didn't go to their high school prom, because back in the day they were too shy/low self-esteem, or poor, or some other reason? They don't have to bring a date of course, they're single. The protagonist decides to go, and while the occasion may be for anyone who went to any high school, the protagonist meets the person they were in love with at the same high school. When they get to know each other a little more the other person explains they (surprisingly) didn't go on the night because their date was a jerk and they (the other person) were sad when they found out the protagonist wasn't going. It may be somewhat predictable, and I've tried to tell you how to write your own story, but anyway, there you go. Maybe the jerk is there too. Dunno. Something like that.

Go for it.