How to Throw a Small Dinner Party with Nicole Regan

I am thrilled share my collaboration with Nicole Regan the creator behind the lifestyle and entertaining blog Cedar and Rush. 

Nicole asked me to design the menus, place cards, and invites for her outdoor summer dinner party. “Adding stylish menus is a fab way to take your dinner party up a notch,” said Nicole, “especially this crazy summer with limited restaurant seating and reservations.” Little touches like personalized place cards and menus add interest and charm to intimate events.

She had already selected Blue and Weil’s Elliott tablecloth with a light blue, shades of pink, and white color palette. I got to work with my watercolors and painted a border design for the paper goods with the tablecloth pattern in mind. I was especially drawn to the striped corner detail and use that design element as inspiration in creating the borders for the menus, place cards, and invitations.

For event designers like myself, 2020 is the year of adapting to the unprecedented times and adjusting to be able to thrive again as a small business. I usually design for events with hundreds of guests and had to adjust my usual product offering to be well suited for a hostess of a small dinner party, so I came up with the idea of fill in party packs for ten guests, which includes ten menus, ten invites (and envelopes) and ten place cards with pre- printed watercolor borders and space for the hostesses like Nicole to write in the invitation details, menu and guest names on the place cards by hand.

“Adding stylish menus is a fab way
to take your dinner party up a notch!”
- Nicole

Meet Nicole Regan

Creator behind the lifestyle + entertaining blog Cedar and Rush. Nicole builds captivating narratives through styling and storytelling. She is the founder of her own marketing company. Her expertise and refined style provide a multidimensional viewpoint that sparks a bold and fresh way of thinking.

Check out more from Nicole…
@nicolearegan | www.cedarandrush.com

SHOP THIS LOOK

Photos by Mary McCoy of Wonder and Awe Photography & Tablescape and Styling by Nicole Regan of Cedar and Rush

Designer Spotlight: Toni Lenzi

Meet Toni Lenzi, Simply Flowers, with a few years of design experience, Toni started a boutique studio that specialized in striking floral design for the client who loves to entertain, or just have joyful flowers at home. Since then she moved into wedding design with a focus on detail driven couples who want to have beautiful wedding flowers and keep sight of the importance of enjoying the process. With a steady stream of couples she still loves how each wedding has its own unique style.

Toni and I have worked together for years now and she is truly a pleasure to work with throughout the whole planning process and she does beyond beautiful work every wedding. Emily and James’ wedding at Saints Faith Hope and Charity Church and Indian Hill Club is just one elegant example of her work. We worked together to tie the paper goods in with the light mint and coral floral and decor design she was creating for the day.

“I was so struck by the simplicity of the invitation,
yet as you looked at it, the detail was so subtle,
the soft mint border with the charcoal ink,
Oh and the block font with their names
in script to set them off, perfection.”

- Toni Lenzi

Toni’s Design Tip

“Less is more, but more of one thing is opulent.”

Toni’s favorite things right now…

1. The ARS clipper, in pink of course.

2. Handwoven Rattan Planter

I would pop a glass cylinder in this wicker container which will add style to any table.

3. Glass Tea Light Votives
When you think you have enough votives...add more

4. EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen
Maybe off topic, but I don't leave home without it.

5. Belvoir Fruit Farms Elderflower and Rose Lemonade
My favorite!!!

Credits

Photography: Nicodem Creative | Planning & Floral Design: Simply Flowers | Ceremony Venue: Saints Faith Hope and Charity | Reception Venue: Indian Hill Club | Stationery: Charm Studio