Now, That’s Entertaining!
Gorgeous spring weather is finally here, and you know what that means…let the outdoor festivities commence! The flowers are blooming and the sun is shining, so why not get outdoors for entertaining?
When it comes to coordinating events, I am a lover of all of the things - planning, decorating, and hosting. If you need help getting back into entertaining mode, I’ve got some recommendations just for you on how to get creative with your events this spring.
Host a Grazing Picnic
📸: Annah Riedel Photography
📸: Annah Riedel Photography
📸: Annah Riedel Photography
Raleigh Cheesy catered a backyard picnic for my friend’s birthday and set up a beautiful charcuterie tablescape for us to graze on. Depending on the size of your get-together, Raleigh Cheesy offers both custom boxes or boards for you to choose from.
Other Ways to Graze:
Host brunch - did someone say bloody bar?
Invite the girls over for afternoon tea/coffee & pastries
Set up a projector for a movie night w/popcorn & sweets
Whip up a good ole’ low country boil
Throw Your Own Pop-Up Event
Durham, NC
Oh, Junie B, you had me at “edible cookie dough”. Junie B’s claim to fame is owning the Triangle’s very first E-Tuk, a three-wheel electric cart, that is used for local pop-up appearances and private events. It comes fully strapped with upscale bakery items from their Durham store. Rent this guy for your event and I’m sure everyone will go home with a satisfied sweet tooth!
*Gluten-free options available
Contact Junie B’s via their website for pricing + info on booking!
📸: Fount Coffee
Morrisville, NC
Bring the cute coffee shop experience right to your doorstep! Fount Coffee just announced their Coffee + Kitchen cart that you can rent for your coffee date.
*All items are 100% gluten-free
Email https://fountcoffee.com/ for pricing + info on booking!
📸: Tara Murphy
Greensboro, NC
Feature Gracie’s Garden truck, Baby Blue, at your event and give your guests the ultimate party favor - a beautiful, fresh bouquet of local flowers.
Submit an inquiry via Gracie’s website for pricing + info on booking!
Book a Private Class
Raleigh, NC + Durham, NC
My fellow plant lovers, have The ZEN Succulent host a virtual plant terrarium workshop for your group. Throw the instructor on the big screen, pour a glass of red, and make something beautiful!
Email hello@theZenSucculent.com to schedule a virtual workshop.
📸: Mick Schulte
Raleigh, NC
The YoBa Bus, YoBa Studio’s lobby on wheels, hosts pop-up yoga and barre classes all over the United States. Either check the schedule to attend with others in the community or book a private session just for you and your group. Instructors can travel to your event as well so check out their website for more details!
Ready, Set, Crawl!
Asheville
Chapel-Hill/Carrboro
Charlotte
Durham
Greensboro
Hillsborough
Raleigh
Wilmington
Winston-Salem
If your crowd is full of foodies, Taste Carolina’s walking food tour is a great group activity. Taste Carolina offers both private and public tours that explore 5-6 of the best restaurants throughout the city of your choosing. The tour guide will give you insight into the local history of the area, you’ll get the chance to meet some of the chefs, and of course, the opportunity to try yummy signature dishes.
Create Your Own
For all of the amazing celebrations that we had to postpone in 2020, my girlfriends and I combined our engagements, promotions/awards, and new family members into a brewery crawl. At each stop, we lifted our glasses to a different life event, which made the day really special. Just pick your favorite spots that you want to hit, put together a schedule of events, and voilà! A little coordination never hurt nobody.
Make it Custom!
📸: Raleigh Cookies
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh Cookies absolutely kills it every time I need speciality cookies made for an event. Erika, the owner of Raleigh Cookies, is so talented and will work with you on your theme/vision of the perfect cookies for your celebration. I guarantee that you will say that the cookies are too pretty to eat, but they are just as delicious as they look!
📸: Annah Riedel Photography
Charlotte, NC
Donut get just ANY cake for your party! Suarez Bakery is notorious for their made-from-scratch texas stack donut cakes, sprinkle message donuts, macaroons, pastries, and cupcakes. Sign. Me. Up.
📸: Designs By DuBose
📸: EB Creative
Let Designs By DuBose personalize your event! Whether you need decor, props, or party favors, customization adds such a fun and special touch to entertaining.
Gift Like You Mean It!
Los Angeles, California
Galley Los Angeles jewelry is timeless, unique, affordable, and so cute! They offer both women & men accessories, so go frost your friends (or yourself)!
Raleigh, NC + Durham, NC
The Zen Succulent has an amazing gift section full of cards, coffee table books, and home accents.
Raleigh, NC
The Local Squirrel has a little bit of everything when it comes to gifting: art, cards, baby, bridal, bath, books, NC local merch, and beyond.
Have friends that are bookworms and want to give them a book that you are sure that they don’t have? A Folded Fiction book is such a thoughtful and unique gift that acts as decor - if you’re reading this, I would like 12, please!
ParMar Media has a large selection of stadium, national parks, cities, metros/subway, and vintage maps.
Happy Entertaining!
