This week we are very lucky to be a featured guest on Augusta's local TV program, the Very Vera show! One of Greg's good friends personally and professionally, Vera has been a local chef and caterer for over 30 years. She teaches her viewers how to master the art of southern comfort and the show airs not only in the Augusta, but also across the state!
In this week's episode, Vera is throwing together a cocktail party at the Partridge Inn for about 20 or so guests. She brought us on and asked us to transform the Inn's penthouse veranda into a warm and welcoming atmosphere for her guests. The penthouse is the perfect blank canvas with incredible views of downtown Augusta and beyond. She asked Greg what a few of his favorite tips and tricks are that he uses to transform a space, which we like to incorporate into any event, large or small! Keep reading to hear what some of our most commonly used design tips are...
1. Have a variety of seating options for your guests
We like to have multiple variations of seating options for guests not only at our small private events, but also large corporate events and weddings. We like to mix simple round guest tables with estate seating to create some variation, and we also like to use taller, bar-height seating and comfortable soft seating in order to give guests options depending on what is most comfortable for them! This particularly comes in handy for weddings that do not have a seated dinner and guests need a place to sit and eat.
Image by Ashley Seawell Photography
Image by Andrew Donnan Photography
Image by Robin Gerrard Photography
Image by Ashley Seawell Photography
Image by Lauren Carnes Photography
Image by Ashley Seawell Photography
2. Lots and lots of candlelight and mood lighting
One easily overlooked but incredibly important aspect of any event design is lighting. Lighting can transform a dark, cavernous space into a warm and inviting party instantly. We like to not only use dramatic lighting and bistro lights, but lots of candles as well. Votives, lanterns, pillar candles in hurricanes, and tapered candles in candelabras to name a few! The more the better in our book. While it was a bit windy the day we filmed for the show, we loved the way it looked lining the bar-height counter with votives and it would look even more beautiful once night fell!
Image by Robin Gerrard Photography
Image by Andrew Donnan Photography
Image by Ashley Seawell Photography
Image by Robin Gerrard Photography
Image by Ashley Seawell Photography
3. Welcome guests with an inviting beverage or food display
One of Greg's main goals for every event he helps plan is making our guests feel instantly welcomed and at home. What better way to do that than by offering them a beverage and something to nibble on as soon as they arrive? For this episode, Greg worked alongside Vera and the catering team at the Inn to create a beautiful food station for guests to enjoy throughout the cocktail party. We also encourage passing some hors d'oeurves for guests to nibble on, as well as creating a beverage station of either pre-poured champagne or wine or even a fruit-infused water station!
Image by Ashley Seawell Photography
Image by Ashley Seawell Photography
Image by Mark Williams Studio
Image by Ashley Seawell Photography
It was so fun to get to be a part of the show, we hope you all tune in to see what our team created with Vera for her guests! It will air today at 12:30 PM and Saturday at 7:30 PM! Let us know what you think!