party Archives – McKenzie Interior Design

June 10, 2023

So you did it, you invited some friends or work pals over to your place for some nibbles, beverages, and relaxed conversation. Bravo! Now, read on for some easy entertaining tips from Steve and Jill McKenzie and the team at Mottahedeh China. Your goal? A memorable and care-free evening for all.

Photo credit: Gustav Wilde Use your low dishes for nuts and olives Tobacco Leaf on the bar Pop a grocery store orchid in a cachepot for instant room refresh. Steve lighting candles just before the guests arrive Add some dear friends like Lauren Finney of Modern Luxury magazine and designer, Clary Bosbyshell, and mix! Steve McKenzie and Lance Jackson of Parker Kennedy Living

Now, who will you invite over this weekend?

Banner from Thimblepress

February was a fabulously fun and busy month for us! First, our son’s rehearsal dinner and beautiful wedding at The The Stave Room (stunning photo backdrop, thanks to ASW Distillery) and then we hosted a baby girl shower for our oldest daughter who is expecting their first child very soon.

So, please enjoy some moments of pink and gold happiness from the Atlanta and NYC Baby Girl celebrations, perhaps taking some notes on recipes and decor for your next celebration.

Balloons by Thimblepress CamiCakes cupcakes, floral by Steve McKenzie

Topping off the light chicken salad luncheon, guests had their choice of delicious CamiCakes cupcakes or pretty pink sugary sweet iced butter cookies. Some of us had to taste both!

Sugar succulents by Nicolettsy and cupcake toppers by SmashCaked, both on Etsy

Aren’t those sugar succulent toppers the cutest?! It’s amazing what you can find on Etsy.

Pink and gold decor on the bar with cups and napkins by our fav, Sequins and Lipstick

In keeping with our baby girl pink and gold theme, our dear friend and tastemaker, Paige Minear of The Pink Clutch suggested the perfect rosemary, grapefruit cocktail recipe from Australian blogger, Tell Me Tuesday and you can get it here. Pretty and pink!

Remember to look in your cabinet for serving pieces as shown by the mint julep cup holding the gold and white paper straws.

Parents to be, Molly and Jim Do you know Atlanta-based Blablakids? The cutest, softest stuffed animals ever…here is Rivier the elephant, all ready to welcome Baby Girl!

We’ll keep you posted on upcoming developments as there’s nothing like a new baby to bring joy to our world.

As our family had the privilege of recently hosting our own rehearsal dinner, I want to share some thoughts while they are still fresh in my mind. Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is held the night before the wedding and hosted by the groom’s family. It’s the vehicle to gather the close family, attendants, officiant and bridal couple together, break bread, and fellowship together, and kick off the Big Event with food and merriment.

Take a look at these top tips for a successful, relaxed rehearsal dinner ~

1. Choose a style that is distinctly different from the wedding.

Not wanting to compete with the black tie optional wedding, we went the other way – a pizza truck! Here we used black and white gingham tablecloths from steve mckenzie’s, pulled up a wood-fired pizza oven food truck, and served ice tea, beer and wine. Father of the groom, Atlanta interior designer Steve McKenzie created the lush winter floral arrangements. Festive color-coordinated napkins from Dot and Army completed the table. More about their easy napkin rental program soon…

The wedding is the main event, so offering a different experience to the wedding party gives them a more complete weekend.

Black and white gingham fabric anchors the tables in the window-filled venue. Floral by Steve McKenzie

Any well done event, especially a wedding, follows a curated path of carefully chosen details. From the save the date to the invitation to the floral, consistent colors, fonts and written tone set the stage for your special day. The groom’s love of outdoors and hunting were celebrated with custom stadium cups, monogrammed napkins and photo booth props.

Custom monogram by Sequins and Lipstick Photo props by Captivating Creations Groom + Jill aka Mom

3. Choose the Rehearsal Dinner Menu Secondly to Wedding Menu

The wedding menu plays a starring role in the event, and the budget. Tastings are held, serving pieces are surveyed, table-cloth colors are coordinated, all these details culminating in this once in a lifetime event. The rehearsal dinner should coordinate with this evening, not compete with it. Southern Crust Catering food truck provided this complement to the sit-down dinner on Saturday night.

Bride + Groom Southern Crust Catering Hot pizza on a cold night! Floral by Steve McKenzie A moonlit magical rehearsal dinner!

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Get out your calendar, call a friend and grab your spots at this class on Saturday, November 4th from 10am – 11am. You’ll go home full of holiday inspiration and sparkly ideas! Click here to purchase your ticket.

Be sure to join us on November 3rd and 4th for our annual Holiday Open House with specials, treats, giveaways, and all the best gifts and holiday decor.

Next, explore your inner artist with Madcap Cottage gent, John Loecke and Atlanta artist, Steve McKenzie on Saturday, November 18th from 10am – 11:30am. Get your ticket here.

On Saturday, you can also get your copy of their new book, “Prints Charming: Create Absolutely Beautiful Interiors with Prints & Patterns”, signed by the Madcap Cottage gents, Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke from 11am – 3pm.

Stay tuned to steve mckenzie’s social media and newsletters for more upcoming Holiday hoopla! Hint, hint – another class with ConfettiStyle perhaps…details on November 1st…

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