Caite has been at C-VILLE since 2007, when she started as a part-time proofreader. Over the last 16 years, she's held the positions of Online Editor and Special Sections Editor. Currently the Magazine Editor of C-VILLE, Caite oversees content in special issues and special publications (ABODE, Knife & Fork, C-VILLE Weddings, and Best of C-VILLE).
Abby’s passion for interior design gave her an advantage when it came time for her and her then-fiancé to plan their Keswick Vineyards wedding: She simply drew on her own aesthetic.
“I aimed for an elegant, timeless wedding with organic textures and colors,” she says. That meant a palette of white, brown, and green, manifesting everywhere from vintage Turkish vessels at the altar to an ethereal hanging installation in the reception tent to the wedding party’s attire.
Keswick Vineyards provided a timeless setting for the festivities, echoing the romantic setting of Kalan’s proposal in Aix en Provence, France, and offering the backdrop for all of the couple’s favorite moments: having a first look and exchanging vows privately, sipping mezcal margaritas with guests during cocktail hour, taking tequila shots at the behest of the couple’s parents.
And since the wedding? The couple is enjoying their new life together.
“Kalan and I have always made a great team, but getting married has strengthened our partnership in surprising ways,” Abby says. “Despite my inherent independence, I’ve come to appreciate the profound value of relying on one’s partner and confronting life’s trials together.”
Good eats
C&O created a menu that combined vegetarian items like mushroom ravioli with chicken, beef tenderloin, and halibut entrées.
All in one
Not only did Keswick remind them of where they got engaged in France, the couple liked how all of the events—ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception—could be in the same location, making it easier for guests.
Signs point to yes
The bride worked with an Australian designer to create signature cocktail signage—drink illustrations with a limewash background—that tied closely in design to the food menus.
Wild times
The couple, who met through a mutual connection while Abby was on a trip to Los Angeles, spent their honeymoon on safari, visiting South Africa and Seychelles.
The fine details
Event planner Kelsey Mayo Ros (Donovan Groves Events) Officiant Dr. Joel Jenkins Catering C&O Flowers Steelcut Flower Co. Cake Cakes by Rachel Music Valente Haynes from AstroDJ Bride’s attire Huntleigh Dress from Jane Hill Bridal shoes Khaite Groom’s attire Black Tux Groomsmen’s attire Black Tux Bridesmaids’ dresses Various Rings Blue Nile (engagement ring and groom’s band), Ring Concierge (bride’s wedding band) Hair and makeup Avenue42 iPhone pictures/videos Follow the Bride Custom bar Happily Ever After Rentals Custom outfit-change skirt CassB By Designm Outfit-change top Loho Bride (Alex Perry) Alterations Mara Toonyan Cocktail signage Paige Tuzee
With a “summer celebration” theme in mind, colorful flowers were the key, says Blair. Washington, D.C.-based floral company Darling & Daughters took on the task, arranging bountiful bouquets that mixed flowers of yellow, pink, purple, and blue. Not to mention creating two overlapping arches arranged with bright blooms and romantic greenery.
“The flowers were the showstopper,” Blair says. “Colorful, vibrant, plentiful.” And, for the bride in particular, they were an ode to her grandmother Gogo, who loved crafting arrangements for her home.
The couple agrees, though, that the best part of the day was catching each other’s eyes while Blair walked down the aisle. That, and what came after.
“Right after I married Blair,” Colin says of his favorite moment. “I was so happy I finally got to call her my wife.”
Dinner bell
The Boar’s Head offered up a menu of Southern fare—ham and pimento cheese biscuits, Chesapeake crab cakes, local greens, molasses salmon, succotash, and Southern smashed potatoes.
The answer
The couple met at a bar in High Point, North Carolina, while they were in college. It was trivia night and they ended up on the same team. They dated for five years before getting married.
Mais oui!
For their honeymoon, Blair and Colin traveled first to Paris, then to Budapest for a cruise up the Danube River.
The fine details
Event planner Pamela Barefoot Events Ceremony and reception venue Boars Head Inn Officiant Rev. Robert J. Robertson III Catering Boars Head Inn Flowers Darling and Daughters Cake Cakes by Rachel Music Melodious Strings (ceremony), East Coast Entertainment (reception) Bride’s attire Monique Lhuillier from Carine’s Bridal Shoes Loeffler Randall Groom’s attire Jos. A. Bank Groomsmen’s attire Jos. A. Bank Bridesmaids’ dresses Bella Brides Rings Jamie Grasso JG Jewelry Hair Top Knot Studio Makeup Rouge 9 Videographer Yeattes Productions Paper goods Paper Refinery Rentals Something Vintage, BBJ La Tavola, Gibson Rental, Lola Valentina, Emerson James, Maison de Carine, Stradley Davidson Linen Collective, The Lighting and Sound Company, Nüage Designs
With an elegant backdrop like The Bradbury, Patricia didn’t feel the need to include too many embellishments in her and Isi’s summer wedding. She left the flowers up to Tourterelle, only giving a direction for neutral colors; the bridesmaids wore pale pink one-shoulder gowns; and Patricia chose warm tones for décor, with gray tablecloths and shimmering candles. “I felt this was timeless and easy to match,” she says.
The unfettered scheme set the scene for a beautiful brunch wedding, where each guest—from Isi’s Nigerian side and Patricia’s Jamaican—could enjoy “good food, company, and music,” says Patricia. Plus, she notes, everyone seemed to enjoy the money spray—a Nigerian wedding tradition during which guests shower the couple with more and more cash the longer they dance. It symbolizes showering the couple with blessings. It must have worked.
“[I love] learning new things about each other and growing together,” the bride says. “Having someone to share all the large and small joys from day to day and all the accomplishment and disappointments along the way.”
Love in lockdown
The couple met online in April 2020 during the height of COVID. Their first date was that May, and they dated long-distance for two and a half years before getting engaged in Paris in November 2022.
Let’s go
Patricia and Isi are planning a trip to Croatia in May 2024 for their honeymoon.
The fine details
Event planner Sarah Fay Waller (Day By Fay) Officiant Quentin Washington Catering Harvest Moon Catering Flowers Tourterelle Floral Design Cake Cake Bloom Music Wemi-Mo Bride’s attire Ava Laurenne (Fredericksburg) Shoes Badgley Mischka Groom’s attire Custom by Commonwealth Proper Groomsmen’s attire Suit Supply Bridesmaids’ dresses FancyVestido Rings Jared (groom), Mark Pallanche (bride) Makeup Rouge 9 Videographer CY Wedding Films
Once Kelly and Emily fell in love with The Clifton for their early summer wedding, it felt like a no-brainer to make it black tie. “Black tie attire just says ‘wedding’ to us,” Emily says. “And what other time are you able to throw a black tie affair?”
They leaned into the venue’s color palette, requesting elegant white and green florals from the bouquets to the magnolia leaf place settings to the hanging installation above the head table.
In all, it was a truly elegant affair—with some seriously fun moments.
“The reception was such a fun time,” says Emily. “We are the couple that is always on the dance floor and that’s where we were most of the night. At one point…Kelly’s cousin’s husband and I were voguing on the dance floor. Everyone kept asking if we choreographed the dance.”
For all of their planning, Emily credits their guests with its success.
“Our wedding was full of love, dancing, great music,” she says. “All of our incredible friends and family really made the wedding as special as it was.”
Good times
The couple’s “goodest boy,” their dog Banks, got in on the big-day action, following Kelly out to the location of their first look. “Having all of us there was very special,” Emily says. “He had lots of cute moments with us throughout the day.”
Special moments
As they were getting ready to walk down the aisle, Emily’s father (who has since passed) confessed: “I’m getting nervous now!” “You can’t be nervous, I’m nervous!” Emily replied.
What’s the buzz?
“Kelly will say that she saw me from across a bar and sent me a drink but that’s not true!” Emily says. The couple, who dated for three years before getting married, met on Bumble. Kelly sent the first message, “but I made the first move and asked Kelly to go out for drinks.”
Trip of a lifetime
The couple combined both of their vacay personalities (adventurous and relaxed) to create the perfect getaway. They started on the beach in Bali, Indonesia, traveled to Sydney, Australia, and the Gold Coast, wine-tasted in the north and south of New Zealand, then finished in a bungalow in Bora Bora.
The fine details
Event planner Kerri Johnson (Elle Loren & Co.) Officiant Emily’s best friend Catering The Clifton Flowers Tori Hardy Cake Maliha Creations Music The Masters of the Ceremony (DJ Adolphus Louis Maples) Brides’ attire BHLDN (Kelly), Noemi gown from Sarah Seven (Emily) Bridesmaids’ dresses Birdie Grey Rings Blue Nile (wedding bands), L. Priori Jewelry (Kelly’s engagement ring), Yadav Jewelry (Emily’s engagement ring) Hair and makeup Emily Tucker of Emily Artistry Videographer Altamira Film Co.
Inspired by their vineyard venue, Ashton and Jack decided to create a colorful garden party-themed wedding—with an abundance of florals.
“We wanted to incorporate color and florals wherever we could to create a welcoming and fun environment. We had such a hard time narrowing down what color florals we wanted to go with,” says the bride. “So we just decided to go with them all!” Steelcut Flower Co. put together bountiful bouquets in pinks, oranges, purples, and blues, and created a flower cross at the end of the aisle, which ended up being one of the couple’s favorite details from the day.
Among their favorite moments? When Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” started playing while they were on the dance floor. “Everyone was singing it at the top of their lungs,” Ashton says. As for Jack, listening to his great-uncle Tom, their wedding officiant, deliver a homily about marriage.
“He talked about how sweet marriage is and what a gift it can be to share life with someone,” he says. “Getting to stand by Ashton and hear that beautiful message reminded me how special it was to get to marry my best friend and get to spend the rest of my life with her.”
Belly up
The couple created the Jack & Ashton Bar, an outdoor spot for guests to relax and enjoy a cigar (Ashton was named after a cigar brand) and a sip of Jack Daniels.
Southern eats
Veritas’ Southern-inspired menu appealed to the couple. They had the most fun picking out appetizers for cocktail hour—Virginia ham biscuits with apple butter, buttermilk fried chicken with spicy ranch, fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and green onions.
Crossing paths
Both University of Virginia alums, Ashton and Jack were in the same friend group, lived next door to each other, and were involved in the same college ministry group before they started dating in February 2020.
Bring the fun
Now that they’re married, the couple says they’re enjoying everyday life. “Even mundane tasks and errands can be joyful and filled with laughter,” says Ashton.
The fine details
Event planner Emily King (Just a Little Ditty) Officiant The groom’s great-uncle Catering Veritas Vineyards Flowers Steelcut Flower Co. Cake Cake Bloom Music Morwenna & Jay (ceremony); DJ Derek Tobler (reception) Bride’s attire Suzanne Neville from Zoya’s Atelier Shoes ALOHAS Groom’s attire Ralph Lauren Groomsmen’s attire Vera Wang Bridesmaids’ dresses Birdy Grey Rings Brilliant Earth Hair and makeup Avenue 42 Videographer Travel House Films Rentals Emerson James, BBJ La Tavola, Argent Events Ice cream truck Rookie’s Paper suite Rock Paper Scissors Calligrapher Calligraphy by Carole Transportation Albemarle Limousine
We already know that when it comes to attire, décor, and florals, personalization is the name if you want to make your big day your own. But your dinner menu and dessert offer myriad opportunities to customize, too, says two local vendors. Below, The Catering Outfit’s Courtney Hildebrand and Commonwealth Cake Company’s Tiffany Rosales share some insight into what couples are asking for this season.—CH
Dinner
Customization
“Menus tailored to the couple’s preferences, dietary restrictions, or cultural backgrounds are very much in demand,” Hildebrand says. “Interactive food stations or DIY food bars where guests can customize their dishes according to their tastes have been trending for a lot of our menus this year.”
Interactive experiences
Speaking of which… Couples looking to keep guests engaged or entertained are opting for live food experiences. “We are doing a lot of weddings that have cooking stations, chef demonstrations, or tasting menus where the guests can interact with the chefs and learn about the dishes being served.”
Sustainability
With growing environmental awareness, eco-friendly catering options are top of mind, including locally sourced ingredients, zero-waste practices, compostable or reusable tableware, and plant-based menu options, Hildebrand says.
Fusion cuisine
“Mixing and matching cuisines creates a unique dining experience that reflects the couple’s backgrounds and interests,” she says. This year alone, The Catering Outfit has served a Vietnamese and French-inspired family-style menu, a Southern and Asian fusion buffet, as well as a stationed-style menu with Virginia- and India-themed items.
Non-traditional serving styles
Buffet, plated and family-style dining have always been very popular for weddings, Hildebrand says, but more and more couples are exploring other options: progressive grazing stations opening at different points throughout the evening or tapas-style food bars with different types of small plates for guests to grab and enjoy during an open dining period.
Inclusivity
“A lot of our couples want to ensure that all their guests, including those who don’t drink alcohol, feel included in the celebration,” Hildebrand says. “As a result, many of our couples are incorporating zero-proof cocktails into their wedding menus, either as standalone options or as part of a broader beverage selection.”
Photo: Kelly Spaine Photography
Cake
Color
Just as we’ve started seeing more color incorporated in local weddings’ overall color schemes, so too are we seeing more color on cakes. “I’m getting lots of requests for colorful cakes,” Rosales says. “Soft, muted tones that complement their florals and reception décor, and vintage piped buttercream cakes.”
Texture
Stencils, delicate hand-cut fondant details, hand-piped buttercream petals and foliage, and ethereal wafer paper or sugar paste florals are topping Tiffany Rosales’ current list of couples’ requests. Rosales says that Charlottesville is sometimes “a little behind in the trends,” but she tries to use couples’ inspiration as a starting point and then encourage more updated options. “People don’t know what they don’t know,” she says.
Flavor
When it comes to taste, Rosales says her most requested flavor is a light, refreshing citrus cake with a lemon-flecked vanilla buttercream paired with a fruit component (“usually a tart raspberry jam and our orange honey Swiss buttercream”).
With her handcrafted rug business, KES Collections, Morgan Bailey prides herself on creating a boutique experience, including custom-sizing her offerings and matching them to Benjamin Moore paint swatches. Supplied photo.
Morgan Bailey was tired of replacing the rugs she’d bought at big box stores every nine months (“thanks to my toddler and golden retriever!” she says), so when she moved into a new home in 2020, she took the opportunity to search for something durable, high quality, and family-friendly.
“I was searching for bright and colorful rugs but couldn’t find the right fit,” Bailey says. “After trying out various suppliers and facing some trial and error, I eventually found a few beautiful pieces.” So beautiful, in fact, that when her family and friends saw her new rug, they wanted one, too. And that’s when it came to Bailey: There might be a market for these in Charlottesville.
KES Collections (short for Keswick, where her business is located) launched in April of 2020. Bailey sources the rugs—which range in size from 2’x3′ to 18’x22’—from artisans in India or Turkey, always on the lookout for new ideas and designs.
“You can count on us to introduce two to four fresh styles every month or put a new spin on your favorite existing design in a new colorway,” she says.
Bailey prides herself on the custom touches she offers, like being able to order rugs down to the inch for a client’s own specifications. She hand-selects threads from more than 1,400 hues, many of them matching directly to a Benjamin Moore paint color. Customers can choose from a selection of in-stock rugs at one of four local retailers—Brigid and Bess and Flooring Fashions, as well as Gramercy Collective and Gild and Ash in Richmond—but Bailey likes it best when she gets to put her own personal stamp on a project. To that end, KES Collections offers 2’x2′ samples of most designs, as well as in-house design consultations.
“I love being able to meet and get to know my clients while creating a beautiful heirloom piece that will last a lifetime,” she says. “Let’s not just decorate your space—let’s craft a story.”
Pitsuda LaRussa believes that every journey begins with one small step—at least when it comes to living a more sustainable lifestyle. The Botanique & Co. owner started her own journey shortly after giving birth to her daughter. She began with a little switch, from conventional to organic food, then worked her way from plastic shopping bags to fabric, disposable diapers to cloth, and paper towels to reusable.
“I always inspire people to start one thing for each month or each week,” she says. “A little bit of daily routine change or switching things will become part of your life for the long term.”
Eventually, she began to wonder if there was a bigger contribution she could make. The Botanique & Co. opened in November of 2023, stocking indoor plants and offering a refillery service. From there, she brought in eco-conscious products for the kitchen and bathroom, as well as vegan cosmetics and organic skincare.
Her daughter’s favorite section in the store is the eco-friendly toys, and she says customers have responded best to the plants and the reusable cotton makeup removers. LaRussa, though, is partial to the self-care and beauty products.
No matter where in the store customers find inspiration, LaRussa hopes it makes a lasting impact.
“My goal is to help inspire you to do some little switch,” she says. “Every item could be a great gift for yourself to start a journey of sustainable living or even a zero-waste gift for friends and family to start their sustainable practice journey.”
While a home’s public-facing (and public-gathering) rooms, like kitchens and dining areas, often call for more staid or timeless design, a powder bath—or even an ensuite—is the perfect opportunity to show a little personality. These three luxe loos (and their surprising wallpapers!) nailed the assignment.
Photo: Robert Radifera
Welcome to the jungle
This powder room off the home’s main entrance wasn’t part of the initial project, a whole house renovation in the Venable neighborhood, but Mandy Oliver, whose firm Oliver Falder oversaw the interior design, is so glad the homeowners changed their minds.
“We had great bones to work with,” says Oliver, who runs the business with her sister, Heidi Falder. “It was one of the most fun bathrooms we have done.”
And, to the designers’ delight, despite their initial hesitations the homeowners placed no restrictions or limitations on the design. They began by choosing the floor (sourced from Sarisand Tile).
“We were trying to find a wallpaper that held its own against it,” Oliver says. “When we suggested the one currently installed she immediately said ‘yes!’ It worked out beautifully.”
Photo: Lincoln Barber
For the trees
It’s not unusual for rooms to work double duty—guest rooms often are used as offices, dens take on a second life as playrooms—but this North Downtown basement bathroom had to take on three roles: bathroom to the guest bedroom and basement living area, as well as powder room fill in for the main level.
“Because of this,” says designer Betsy Kraft, “I wanted to ensure that it was punchy and bold but also highly functional.” The first step, given the poor shape the room was in, was ripping everything out and starting fresh. The minimal square footage proved to be a challenge, too (“originally the shower clearance was only about seven feet,” Kraft says), but Kraft worked with Peter Johnson Builders to finagle the shower casing and make the space a bit more roomy.
The showstopper, though, is the wallpaper. It was the colors that spoke to the homeowners, says Kraft. They loved that the orange and blue was a subtle nod to their alma mater, UVA.
“They thought it was the perfect amount of whimsy surprise,” Kraft says.
Photo: Robert Radifera
Bathing birdies
Two decades ago, Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects designed a French-inspired home for a couple who’d lived in Paris. So when it came time for the current owners to renovate the space for their own needs—to suit their active lifestyle, three teenagers, and two dogs—they turned to its original architects.
The resulting addition comprises a primary bedroom suite, home office, guest bedroom, and adjoining guest bath. The guest bath, in particular, was one where designer Chloe Ball of Kenny Ball Designs, felt the family could do something a bit unexpected.
“We wanted to create a fun vibe but still keep the space luxurious for guests to experience and enjoy while overnighting,” Ball says. “In Japanese culture, the crane symbolizes good fortune, longevity, and happiness. It’s considered a symbol of hope and healing as well. Perhaps this is the wish for all the guests who stay?”
Say you’ve just moved into a new house. Or the seasons changed. Or it’s your birthday. There are endless reasons to host a gathering, but where do you begin? We’ve asked a few local experts—from home hosts to the pros—how to pull off a low-fuss get-together. It starts with an idea, then throw in some wine, some tunes, and you’ve got yourself a kiki. Let’s party!
Supplied photo.
THE SIMPLE WAY TO SOIRÉE
Edward Warwick-White has been helping host parties for as long as he can remember (“Even Christmas felt like a big party where friends and neighbors could drop by at any time,” he says of his family holidays growing up). He’s lent a hand to local wedding and event planners, and is often tapped by friends and family to arrange charcuterie boards or help flesh out a theme for parties at home. And in his position as assistant dean of the full-time MBA program and student affairs at UVA’s Darden School of Business, he’s overseen everything from Proud to be Out Week to planning graduation for the McIntire School of Commerce and opening week for Darden.
We knew he’d have thoughts on everything from the food to the décor, and asked him to share his opinions on each, but his greatest tip is this: “At the end of the day, you do you,” he says. “Inspiration is great, but do what feels natural and comfortable for you. Your guests will love it.”—CH
Supplied photo.
THE FOOD
If it’s a cocktail party, it’s all about the apps. If it’s a multi-course dinner party, be careful to not overload your guests on pre-dinner apps and snacks. I like to focus on having three or four substantial apps as opposed to a smattering of 15. My go-tos are a meat (ex: chicken satay skewers), a veg (ex: crudité/grilled veggies and hummus), a sea (ex: shrimp, oysters), and a cheese board situation. I’d rather replenish than be continually cycling through different dishes. Don’t forget to include some gluten-free options.
I’m obviously a big fan of a cheese/charcuterie board, and I like to make one whenever possible—they’re communal, they offer a lot of variety in a contained way, and they can be a centerpiece/conversation starter on their own. I love that guests can try different combinations of things without fully committing—ooh, a little goat cheese with some fig jam and a praline pecan? Don’t mind if I do! Ooh, a little manchego with some hot honey and speck? Naughty little treat! It’s like speed dating, but with cheese. Be sure to include both hard and soft cheeses, and at a minimum, cut the cheese (lol) for your guests to start. Much like a cake, no one wants to be the first person to cut into a big wedge.
Ina Garten was right: Store-bought is fine.
I love to cook, but I don’t believe we have to do it all. Make two things, buy three things. We are fortunate to be surrounded by so many incredible food options here in Charlottesville, so we should take full advantage. Whether it’s snagging a flourless chocolate cake from MarieBette for dessert (finish off with some fresh berries and cream), an antipasto platter from Mona Lisa, or an abundance board from Plenty Cville, you can really treat your guests without spending the whole night in the kitchen.
The drinks
My handsome husband got very into craft cocktails during the pandemic, but the goal is not for him to be bartending all night. When we host, he’s started making drink menus based on what’s being served, who is coming, and what’s available. By having a narrow cocktail list, he can maximize ingredients and time. You can offer a variety (a few shaken, a few stirred, and a signature) without having to take orders for piña coladas and vodka stingers. If you don’t have a mixologist husband, storebought is fine. But no, seriously. Consider a batch cocktail like an Aperol spritz in a big carafe. Guests can pour over ice and garnish with an orange wheel. I’m not a wine expert, so I always let my friend Mariko bring/pick the wine. Don’t be afraid to say, “This is what we will have, but if you want something else, feel free to bring it!” Most guests want to bring something—make it something you can use.
Here’s the thing: Your guests want to have a good time.
They don’t want to feel like you stayed up all night getting everything ready. Instead of trying to impress, focus your energy on making everyone feel at home. It doesn’t have to be fancy or fussy to be nice. Reclaim the keg party! Order a variety of favorite pizzas from local pizza joints paired with a pony keg of craft beer or cider and your best jam band playlist. Guests care about good food, good company, and a good time—not about salami shaped like roses and napkins folded into swans.
Supplied photo.
The entertainment
Having an activity can be fun, but it can also wreck a vibe faster than your ex showing up drunk and uninvited. If you’re planning an activity, read the room/assess the vibe as the night goes on. If everyone is having a great time talking and catching up, maybe you don’t need to stop the train for charades and card games. If the goal is for guests to get to know one another, consider something easy like some fun/funny question prompts on the table, but don’t make it weird. I went to a party solo once where all of the husbands had to sit at one table, while all of the wives had to sit at another table. If you know me, I would have rather been at the other table with the few wives I knew. I also went to a party where the hostess made us continually rotate seats every 30 minutes, and it eventually just got old. Your guests are coming to have a good time, not to be in a social experiment.
The tunes
Music is a fast and easy way to create a vibe. Obviously music can serve a theme (Roaring ’20s, Beach Boys, Christmas, bluegrass…) but I also like to approach music seasonally. Summer to me feels vintage breezy like Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald, fall feels cozy like Fleet Foxes or Django Reinhardt. Don’t ignore the volume—is it background music? Or are you trying to start a dance party?
The look
Décor should be simple, pretty, and true to who you are. If you have a theme, feel free to embrace it without breaking the bank. I once co-hosted a baby shower with an Alice in Wonderland/Mad Hatter tea party theme. We decorated with scattered playing cards, mismatched tea cups, saucers, and swapped out flower vases for arrangements in tea pots, and even some edible décor—cookies that said Eat Me from a local bakery. If you don’t have a theme, don’t underestimate the power of fresh flowers, votives, lighting, and some personal touches. Keep floral arrangements low for conversation, adjust the lights as the night goes on, and don’t overdo it. Even if your table is magazine-worthy, it’s no fun if you your guests can’t figure out where to set down their glass.
Word to the wise: Don’t let a theme ruin your party.
Theme parties can be fun, but they can also be stressful and cumbersome for your guests. If you’re going with a theme, make sure it serves the purpose of the event—generating excitement, not creating a barrier for entry. Remember that not everyone has a flapper dress or a leisure suit in the closet. The goal is to not create a bunch of work for your guests before they even get in the door. Keep it fun. One of my favorite summertime party themes is “Camp Warwick White”—hot dogs, burgers, nugs, s’mores bar, a batch cocktail (“bug juice”), and some lawn games. Guests can wear T-shirts, shorts, and tanks. Who doesn’t love adult summer camp?!
The practicals
Be organized. One of my favorite tips for a cocktail party is to arrange all of the serving dishes on the table and label each one with a post-it of what will go on it. That way, you aren’t digging for dishes at party time. If guests arrive early, put them to work—chiffonade that basil while you enjoy that free booze, my friend! Make/purchase food that can stay warm or be easily replenished. Consider a buffet or family-style so you aren’t in the kitchen plating every course, and clean as you go, if you can. If you have enough glasses and plates from cocktail hour, go ahead and run the dishwasher so you aren’t overwhelmed with dishes after dinner. And if you’re going to be in the kitchen cooking/prepping, be prepared for most of your guests to gather in the kitchen, too.
A word on dishes: Rent!
I’m not talking the musical or the Charlottesville housing market—I’m a big fan of rentals for a party. Whether it’s linens, glassware, or a cotton candy machine, renting is a great way to save time and shake things up without the lifelong commitment of buying. For Thanksgiving, I like to rent almost everything but the food and family. Not only can you pick out fancy pheasant plates and funky amber goblets that you’d only use once a year, you can avoid the mountain of dishes at the end of the night when you’re completely over it all. Just scrape your dirties and drop them in a milk crate for return. Renting glassware for your next cocktail party is a great way to avoid both emptying your cabinets or resorting to red solo cups. Keep it fun and fresh by mixing in some of your own favorite pieces.
THE PERFECT PLAYLIST
If you’re throwing a party, you’ll need a list of tunes created with a good time in mind. We asked WNRN’s Jeff Sweatman to get the party started, and he delivered with a 33-song (“in part as a salute to the 33 1/3 LP,” he says) list, plus a few notes for true music nerds. You’ll likely recognize a few names on the list.
“I wanted to represent at least some of the amazing music being made right now across the Commonwealth (Deau Eyes, Free Union, Kate Bollinger, Kendall Street Company, Boxed Lunch, Dogwood Tales),” he says, “and C’ville legends of yore, too (Love Canon, Pavement, Tommy Boyce).”
Track 1: Sets template/vibe I was going for, plus the band is called Dinner Party!
Tracks 11 and 33: U2 and Bob Dylan are reinterpreting past works to (mostly) great effect.
Track 12: Brittany Davis is blind, non-binary, and in the supergroup Painted Shield with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam.
Track 13: The original lineup of Fishbone is back!
Tracks 15, 21, and 25: Everyone who knows about SAULT and Danielle Ponder and Joy Oladokun is better for it.
Track 22: De La Soul is finally on streaming services!
Track 28: This came out in early 2021 so it’s a funny pandemic juxtaposition of scenarios (meeting God/The Devil/being sentenced to death) and food (gorditas, quesadillas, chicharrón—not necessarily in that order)
Track 29: Whether it’s SNL, covering Bo Burnham, or creating a new supergroup, Phoebe Bridgers has the Midas touch lately. Her version of Sir Paul’s song coulda been a big hit in a less jam-packed release environment.
GOOD FOR THE GATHER
Making people feel seen is artist Britt Davis’ superpower. She does it through her paintings—which often feature encouraging titles and hidden messages—as well as through events at her home. A co-host of TONIC + bloom, a seasonal women’s retreat, Davis says it’s important to help guests feel at home and relaxed.
“I like to do simple things like run around with no shoes on, or have my kids greet people in the driveway,” she says. “This helps people know our home is a place where they can come as they are.”
Davis is a strong believer that if you don’t have a specific reason to gather, it’s fine (and fun!) to make one up. We asked her for a list of her greatest hits—plus a few tips and tricks she’s learned over the years.—CH
Seasons of love
Every fall, the Davis’ host 300 people at their Greenwood farm to celebrate the turn of the season. They hire a band, have crafts for the kids, and roast s’mores. “We always have Brownsville fried chicken and drinks and every family brings a side dish to share,” Davis says. “It’s turned into one of my kids favorite days of the year, with tons of kids running around the farm covered in marshmallow stickiness.” (For the adults, Davis recommends this spiked cider recipe: Mix 2 oz. of Captain Morgan’s spiced rum to 4 oz. of warm apple cider. Add a cinnamon stick and serve.)
For the ladies
Davis loves helping facilitate new friendships, so she hosts a casual playdate party for new-in-town moms. It can be as simple as putting out a pitcher of water and a bowl of fresh strawberries. “I love seeing info being exchanged,” Davis says. “Meeting families who are in the same stage of life as you, when you are new to an area, can help you feel so hopeful and at ease.”
Solemn vows
A suicide loss survivor, Davis hosts an annual event called Ladies Summer Survival Toast during suicide prevention week. Guests wear white and write short love letters to themselves on a luminary that gets floated in the pool. “This event started seven years ago when I lost my best friend to a silent battle of postpartum depression,” Davis says. “I did the first toast to thank the friends that truly helped me survive the summer that she passed. It’s beautiful to see how the event has evolved over the years.”
Country strong
For her daughter’s 5th birthday, Davis nabbed straw hats the Dollar Store, bought a 12-pack of mason jars and had all the guests arrange flowers. “It was sweet, simple, gave them an activity to do, which was also their favor to take home,” she says. Two years later, for her daughter’s 7th birthday, the girls painted wooden bird houses.
Simple is good
“For my first child’s 1st birthday party, I had my husband and father moving furniture into a UVA garden. I hired a photographer. All of the decor was DIY perfection,” she says. “By baby number three I realized that the first birthday party was for me surviving that challenging first year.” She wised up: For her third child’s 1st birthday, she asked friends to meet her at King Family Vineyards with a side dish. “We had a fabulous time drinking wine and snuggling my 1-year-old on a picnic blanket.”
EASY SERVE
When it comes to wine, you don’t need to be an expert to offer something that’ll have your guests’ mouths watering. We asked Reggie Leonard, co-founder of Blenheim Vineyards’ inclusive wine club Oenoverse, to help us out with a list of Virginia bottles that’ll please all palettes (and budgets).
Rosé
Still: Blenheim 2022 Rosé
Sparkling: Rosemont Extra Brut Sparkling Rosé
Treat yourself: King Family Vineyards 2021 Mountain Plains Rosé (100 percent petit verdot + one year of age)
White
Lighter-bodied: Eastwood Farm and Winery Petit Manseng; Early Mountain Vineyards 2021 Five Forks
Medium/full-bodied: Common Wealth Crush “The Artist Formerly Known As Sparkling”; Fifty-Third Winery 2022 Chardonel
Anyvent owner Jazmin Portnow is known for creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind wedding experiences for clients. We figure, anyone who knows how to pull off an event like that surely has some tips for home hosts. We tapped her expertise for a few tricks when it comes to creating a memorable event at home.
Tip 1: Details, details, details: Focus on creating an experience for your guests for events both big and small. Sure, people don’t typically notice that anything is “missing,” but they will potentially talk about small details and how they felt throughout your gathering for years to come. For instance, I didn’t realize how much people noticed this until my mother-in-law commented on how lovely our dining room table always looked—all due to the magic of a few Crate & Barrel vases and Trader Joe’s centerpieces created right in my kitchen. You can bring out the good china and flatware for special gatherings, but places like Amazon and Etsy have a lot of high-end disposable options that look fancy, won’t break the bank, and will elevate any gathering.
Tip 2: Let food be their guide. Food is the focal point at most events, so be sure to place it in an area that you’d like guests to gather in. If your food is too far away from the action and pulls people away from the party, it has the power to bring down the vibe or take your guest’s attention away from the festivities. And, word to the wise: Create a fun menu that allows you to prep things ahead of time. It’s great to spoil your guests and showcase your talents in the kitchen when you host, but try to avoid being so tied up in the kitchen that you don’t have time to enjoy quality time with your guests.
Tip 3: Don’t forget drink tags. Ever put your drink down at a party and forget which one was yours? It happens all of the time and leads to a lot of waste. Avoid waste and look like a details rock star by providing guests with wine or cup charms that differentiate one glass from another.
