Make-A-Wish Annual Gala 2025: An Evening of Wonder and Wishes
Preziosi Event Productions thrives on helping organizations bring their visions to life with seamless planning, thoughtful design, and unforgettable guest experiences. This past spring, we were honored to partner with Make-A-Wish for their annual gala in San Francisco—a night that celebrated the organization’s incredible mission and two inspiring wish kids.
A Theme of Discovery and Wonder
The gala’s theme, Paleontology, was inspired by one of the wish kids whose dream was to become a paleontologist. The Make-A-Wish team hired us on to help with design, flow and vendor coordination. Once we heard the theme, we leaned into that childlike sense of wonder, designing an evening where adults could rediscover the joy of curiosity and exploration. From the moment guests arrived, the theme came to life through immersive details, playful activations, and carefully curated design elements.
A Unique Spin on the Cocktail Reception
Guests were welcomed with a warm greeting from Make-A-Wish staff and a step-and-repeat photo opportunity before heading into the cocktail reception. Here, the paleontology theme truly shone. Instead of a traditional wine pull, we created a hands-on dig experience: guests purchased a ticket, unearthed a “fossil,” and discovered a number corresponding to a bottle of wine. Wish volunteers—dressed as archaeologists and paleontologists—encouraged participation and added to the fun.
One of the standout features was a hand-built rock wall designed by Rick Herns Productions, complete with a massive skeleton, whimsical dinosaur eggs, and lush Jurassic-inspired plants. The installation became an instant photo favorite and set the tone for the adventure ahead. We wanted guests to feel like they were walking into an experience and to really get to the heart of the event - which is the kids!
Dinner and Auction Highlights
Dinner, provided by the Palace Hotel, continued the theme with thoughtful menu touches. We leaned into the theme with the dessert and the pastry chef came up with two desserts to set the mood a pistachio mouse with doughnut chiffon cake, a delightful chocolate egg and a salted chocolate tart with chocolate twigs, a caramel egg and green chocolate leaf. It’s a simple and really fun way to bring any theme to life and the Palace team did not disappoint!
The live auction, led by the energetic Ellen Toscano, became a highlight of the night, raising remarkable support through both the live appeal and the Fund-a-Need.
Floral designer Terry Chantrel elevated the dining space with inventive arrangements of succulents, tropical plants, ferns, and air plants. Each table centerpiece was a nod to natural wonder, while at every place setting, guests found a small ammonite fossil to take home—a keepsake of the evening’s theme.
Celebrating Wishes Coming True
One of the most memorable moments of the evening came when another wish was revealed: a trip to a Capybara Reserve. As the Capybara Song played, every guest raised their paddle—each printed with a capybara photo—and joined in the lighthearted celebration. It was a joyful reminder of the life-changing impact of a wish.
A Night to Remember
The celebration didn’t end with dinner. Guests moved into the Palace’s stunning garden courtyard for an after-party, where DJ HeyLove kept the energy high with music and dancing. Blow-up dinosaur volunteers made surprise appearances on the dance floor, adding laughter and delight to the late-night fun.
Behind the Scenes: Streamlined Planning and Vendor Coordination
Our team coordinated every vendor, managed the event design, and ensured the logistics ran seamlessly from start to finish. From working with Rick Herns Productions on the rock wall design to supporting the Palace Hotel’s team and collaborating with the various talented vendors that make a night like this happen! Our goal is to streamline the planning process so our clients can could focus on celebrating their mission.
The result was a night of wonder, joy, and generosity—an evening where guests not only experienced unforgettable moments but also helped make more wishes come true. We’re grateful to have partnered with Make-A-Wish on this remarkable gala and can’t wait to see the impact of the funds raised for children and families across the Bay Area.
Venue & Catering: The Palace Hotel, San Francisco
Photographer: Drew Altizer Photography & Arnold Suliguin
Auctioneer: Ellen Toscano, The Singing Auctioneer
Entertainment: DJ HeyLove
Florals: Thierry Chantrel
Stage Design: Blueprint
Rentals: Bright Party Rentals & Encore Rentals
Fossil Dig & Photo Wall: Rick Herns Productions
Plant Rentals: The Plant Library
Production: Preziosi Event Productions