Plan Celebrations like a Pro
In many ways, sharing an occasion with friends and family is an act of selflessness – after all, you could have decided to tie the knot in a Vegas drive-thru or turn 40 years old at home in bed. Orchestrating an event reminds us that milestones are more valuable when celebrated with others, and a professional point of view can make planning easier and more fun.
While weddings are the first thing people think of when it comes to staging large events, they aren’t the only excuse for a soirée. Birthdays, reunions, showers, anniversaries, even engagements are popular occasions for working with local event planners who can add that extra sparkle. In fact, according to Jackie Taylor and Calla Rowell at Mercer + Smith Events, parties other than weddings “allow a little more room for creativity, unique touches and venue flexibility, since they are often smaller in guest count.”
SETTING THE STAGE
When it comes to venues, Northeast Florida has no shortage of distinct settings for toasting with bubbles and saying cheese, whether the vision is historic, rural or urban. People are drawn to a certain space for personal reasons. From a sunset backdrop at Congaree and Penn to the stately Treasury on the Plaza in St. Augustine, these locations become fantasies transformed into real life.
“I’ve been sharing everything on social media from day one, and I’ve let people in on the behind-the-scenes that went into renovating an old movie theater,” says Andrea Vallencourt at Clay Theatre in Green Cove Springs. Many of her clients are intrigued by the theatre’s back story.
While most couples or families are armed with ideas for their event ahead of time, (Instagram and Pinterest are real, y’all) experienced planners are able to offer ample guidance. Adair Currie of Dairing Events invites new clients into her home studio for the discussion. “I spend a lot of time asking questions about how they’ve decorated their home and who they follow on social media,” she says.
Customizing a dish - from mac ‘n cheese bars to a shrimp ‘n grits station with toppings - is another way hosts ensure their guests can indulge their individual taste buds.
Just as in a custom-designed home, the decor of an event reflects both the tastes of the clients and the guidance of the professional. It’s not uncommon for family pets to be included in wedding ceremonies these days or for brides to wear a crown of wildflowers, according to Taylor and Rowell. They often find themselves working to satisfy multiple whims; it’s usually necessary to strike a delicate balance between what clients love online and their innate individuality.
“It forces me to constantly show up and push the envelope creatively,” Currie remarked.
These days, curating the perfect playlist for celebratory gatherings does not always involve placing requests with a band on stage. “I see that DJs are becoming more popular over bands,” Currie says. “Throwback music is always a crowd-pleaser! It’s something everyone identifies with, and the dance floors go crazy.”
CUSTOMIZE THE MENU
Because the heart and soul of any event is the food, it’s no secret that much consideration goes into selecting a menu to satisfy the palate of both hosts and guests. Casual yet festive options, including barbecue, have recently taken center stage, and “beautifully curated grazing boards with a variety of options are a big trend,” according to Taylor and Rowell.
Customizing a dish - from mac ‘n cheese bars to a shrimp ‘n grits station with toppings - is another way hosts ensure their guests can indulge their individual taste buds. Want to leave off the bacon? Pile on the green onions? When it’s all over, everyone leaves happy.
Cocktails and dessert, the two items that elevate a gathering from dinner to party, provide the best option for creativity. It’s not unusual to partake in signature cocktails crafted to commemorate the occasion. And for weddings, don’t be surprised if there is no sign of a towering white cake. Party-throwers are opting for more variety and offer their guests a selection of pastries. Some are even forgoing sweets entirely, offering savory snacks such as pretzels, sliders and popcorn.
“Whatever their own guilty pleasure is, they want to share it with guests,” says Currie.
Whether you are looking for a bit of tasteful and trendy advice or for someone to take the reins of the entire celebration, local event planners are ready to strike that perfect chord, in the venue that reflects your personal aesthetics. Combining your imagination and their expertise for elements such as food, music, decorative touches and ambience ensure your perfect day or evening is within reach. Just tell them your vision, and watch the magic happen.
Special thanks to Andrea Vallencourt at Clay Theatre, Feather and Bloom for floral arrangements, Kelly Weaver and Spring Park Coffee for pastries, John Schaefer and Cellar 6 for cocktails, Pre Event Resources for chairs and Mercer + Smith Events for custom design used in shooting this story.
