Fall Soup! Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe

The weather has been grey on and off for the last couple of weeks, which makes for a perfect time to cook some fall soups. One of my favorites is carrot-ginger soup, also a favorite of RRE team member, Cara. Here is her personal recipe. Do you have a go-to fall soup you like to make?

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped

• 1 T fresh minced ginger (add more if you are a big fan of ginger)

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 lb peeled and chopped carrots

• 3 C vegetable stock

• 1 T apple cider vinegar

• 1 T maple syrup

• 1 T olive oil

• salt & pepper

• greek yogurt, sour cream, heavy cream, or coconut milk (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a dutch oven or stock pot.

2. Add minced garlic and onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes on medium-low.

3. Add carrots. Cook for another 5-7 minutes.

4. Add stock, ginger, vinegar, and syrup, along with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Bring to a boil.

6. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Make sure carrots are tender.

7. Take off heat. Let cool for 5 minutes.

8. Blend with either an immersion blender or in a blender.

9. Add a dollop of cream of choice, should you wish.

10. Serve warm with crusty sourdough bread.

Late Summer Peach, Burrata, and Prosciutto Salad

While we're still in the heat of summer we're starting to anticipate the upcoming fall season. When it comes to food, recipes that are light and bright but also with substance are perfect during this seasonal transition. One thing we love at this time of year is a spread of fresh peaches, burrata, and prosciutto. Delish!

Peach, Burrata, Prosciutto Salad

Serves 4
Prep: 10-ish minutes

Ingredients:
·      2 large, ripe peaches
·      1 ball of burrata cheese (roughly 8 oz)
·      3 to 4 slices of prosciutto
·      1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
·      1 teaspoon kosher salt
·      1/2 teaspoon black pepper
·      finishing oil (high-quality extra virgin olive oil)
·      fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1.     Cut peaches into quarters and then again, to create 8 wedges.
2.     Spread the peaches on a platter.
3.     Tear the burrata into pieces and tuck them around the peaches. Try not to make the pieces too big.
4.     Cut or tear the prosciutto slices and nestle them on top of the cheese and peaches.
5.     Drizzle with finishing oil.
6.     Sprinkle thyme, salt, and pepper over the platter evenly.
7.     Tuck basil throughout.

Keep covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.  

What to Look for in a Wedding Planner

You’re engaged and ready to hire a wedding planner to help you navigate the wedding planning process. You’ve begun the search for the right fit-–googling, Instagram hunting, and reading countless reviews—so what’s the next step? 

As you narrow down your list of potential planning partners, consider the things that are most important to you in working with a planner. Here are a few key characteristics to consider: 

1. Depth of Experience

It’s a given that you want a planner that is experienced, but what kind of experience is important? Have they worked at a variety of venues? Do they have experience troubleshooting unanticipated hiccups? Do they stay calm under pressure? Are they a strong leader of the vendor team? 

Having a planner who has managed a diverse portfolio of work gives you the confidence and peace of mind that everything is not only being handled but being expertly handled. 

2. Refined Processes and Philosophy  

Your planner is essentially the project manager for your wedding. Think about times you have worked with a team on a project – how do you like those projects to be managed? What is your preferred communication style? What organizational systems are you most comfortable with? 

It’s also important to understand why the planner approaches the planning process the way they do. Is it because they have learned from experience what works best? Do they have underlying philosophies or values that drive their processes? 

3. Listen to Your Vision 

Do you feel heard? Is the planner making all of the decisions for you or are they your partner in the process? Do they listen from the start to what is important to you and keep those priorities forefront in their mind as they lead you through the months of planning? 

4. Chemistry

Besides your future spouse, your wedding planner is the person you will spend the most time talking with about your wedding and the vendor that will be with you the most on the wedding day itself. It is important to feel a connection with that person. You want to vibe well with them and trust that they have everything in hand. 

You should feel like they are your fierce and capable advocate, honest sounding board, and trusted partner.

Wines Under $20 for Weddings, Events, and Large Groups

Happy National Wine Day!

Clients often ask if there are wines at reasonable price points that would be delicious to serve at an event with a large guest count. Great wines at $20 or under are out there — they might just take a little research to find.

I recently did some R&D to find a few to recommend to a client. (Big thanks to my pal, Matt Brooks, for many of these suggestions!) Check out the resulting list below.

At events, I usually recommend having two whites (most often a sauvignon blanc and a chardonnay); two reds (usually something like a pinot noir and a cabernet sauvignon); a sparkling wine; and a rosé when the weather is nice.

You’ll see the R&D is ongoing… I am still on the hunt for a chardonnay and rosé to add to the list.

Cheers, All!

Pinot Grigio
Tesoro Della Regina
Pinot Grigio
Valdadige
2021
$16.99

Zaccagnini
Pinot Grigio Bianco
2021
$14.99

Sparkling Rosé

Tesoro Della Regina
Prosecco Rosé
$20.99

Laboure-Gontard 
Crémant de Bourgogne
Rosé
$16.99

Cabernet Sauvignon

Z Alexander Brown Uncaged
2019
$12.99

Pinot Noir

Conscious 
2021
$14.99

**prices from Total Wine in Virginia | May 2023

Classic Mint Julep with Crushed Ice

It’s Kentucky Derby Day and you know what that means?  Mint juleps in classic silver cups! And a mint julep is not a mint julep unless it is made with crushed ice. 

Don’t have crushed ice at home? This classic Lewis Bag and mallet will solve that problem. Simply fill the canvas bag with ice cubes from your freezer icemaker and hammer away. (It’s a great stress reliever, too!)

To make a mint julep: 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz bourbon

• 3/4 oz simple syrup

• 4 mint leaves

• sprig of mint, for garnish

Instructions

Bruise (slightly muddle) the mint leaves in the bottom of a julep cup with simple syrup.  Fill the cup three quarters of the way with crushed ice and add half of the bourbon. Stir to chill the julep cup. Top off with more crushed ice and the remaining bourbon. Continue to stir until the outside of the cup looks frosty. Garnish with the mint sprig. 

You can find some fun twists on the julep in this great roundup from Town & Country. 

Cheers! 

Insider Tips for Preparing for Your Engagement Photo Shoot

Are you preparing for your upcoming engagement shoot? 

A few weeks ago we shared some reasons why engagement shoots are worth doing.  We are back with more insight from our conversation with Astrid Woltering, a DC-based and destination wedding photographer, on how to prepare for your engagement session. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Photo: Astrid Photo

1._Look and feel your best. We highly recommend getting your hair and makeup professionally done–at the very least you will feel confident and stress-free, but it will also help you get familiar with wearing professional makeup if you haven’t done it before. That way on your wedding day, the process won’t feel awkward. 

Also, make sure to get a good night’s sleep to avoid tired eyes and to have energy for enjoying the experience!

Insider tip: Combine your engagement tip with your hair and makeup trial for your wedding day. 

Photo: Kir Tuben

2. Consider the timing. The season you choose for your engagement session is important. If you're in DC and it is summertime, it will be unbearably hot. If it is winter, you’ll need to wear several layers. Your outfit should match the weather and season. 

Also, consider not just when during the year you will do your engagement session, but also the time of day. Golden Hour (just before sunrise or sunset), provides soft light which is the most flattering. Scheduling your session two hours before sunset is usually the most optimal (unless you like to rise very early!).

Insider tip: Do your engagement shoot in a different season than your wedding, so you and your spouse have a variety of photos. 

3. Plan to wear something comfortable, but special. 

The engagement shoot is an opportunity to have fun with fashion. Astrid sees a lot of her clients using Rent the Runway or another service where you can rent something special without having to break the bank. 

In selecting your outfits, Astrid encourages couples to keep in mind: 

Photo: Eli Turner

• Wear clothing you can move in comfortably 

• Consider how you and your partner’s outfits complement one another  

• Keep in mind the types of fabrics and colors you choose - neutrals tend to work best

Astrid recommends sticking to just one outfit because it won’t interrupt the momentum of the shoot. If you prefer more than one outfit, just plan extra time and a location for your wardrobe change.

4. Prepare ahead when bringing pets.  Including your pet in your engagement shoot can be a lot of fun, just make sure you have a handler for your four-legged friend. This will prevent any distractions during the session and allow the photographer to get the best photos possible. Most couples either start or end the session with their pet and then the handler takes him/her away for the rest of the shoot. 

Above all, enjoy the time together with your partner. Keeping these simple tips in mind will make the engagement session an enjoyable experience leading up to your Big Day! 

Tips for Giving a Memorable Wedding Toast

Photo: Jack Looney

Have you been asked to give a toast at your friend’s or family member’s wedding? Maybe you are super excited and confident because you love any opportunity to talk in front of people. On the other hand, maybe you are the type of person that doesn’t like all eyes on them or has a fear of public speaking. Whichever camp you may fall into, here are some key things to remember when you are preparing your toast:

1. It’s a toast, not a speech. 

   Keep it short and sweet. The best toasts are the ones that are meaningful and straight to the point. Even the best of toasts can’t prevent guests from zoning out and wondering where the entree is or when dancing will start. We recommend no more than two minutes per toast. You’d be amazed what you can get across in that amount of time.

2. Be Prepared. 

   Not everyone needs to write their speech in advance; some people do better speaking more from the heart in the moment. But we strongly recommend you prepare in advance, and think about what you are going to say. Either write it all out or make bulleted talking points. This will help you avoid rambling and deliver a more polished toast.

3. Remember the purpose.   

   Be sure to introduce yourself and let the guests know your connection to the couple. And as you start your remarks remember the toast is to celebrate the two of them getting married – not just one person or the other. Try to keep the toast balanced and avoid inside jokes or memories that only you and the bride or groom shared. (Those are the things you reminisce about in private or in a heartfelt card). Speak from the heart, keep it upbeat and positive, and remember it is all about the couple. 

4. Have a glass in hand! 

   And last but not least, make sure to have a beverage to raise your glass and toast at the end. If you can’t juggle the glass along with your notes and microphone, ask someone to hand your glass to you when you are ready. 

Toasts can be some of the most meaningful parts of the wedding day. With these tips in mind, they are bound to be memorable! 

How to Manage Guest Dietary Restrictions at Events

The world of food and health is constantly evolving, and every day there are new dietary considerations that restaurants and caterers need to adjust for. When hosting an event, it is important that the host is aware of any special guest dietary restrictions in advance, so that the catering team is prepared and can accommodate those needs onsite.  Keep in mind, though, that there is a difference between dietary restrictions and dietary preferences.

Dietary restrictions are most often food allergies or constraints on what a guest is able to consume in his/her diet for medical reasons. 

Dietary preferences are more of a personal preference on what the guest prefers to eat or avoid eating. These do not pose health issues, they are just likes and dislikes.

Photo: Mauricio Cordeiro; CAtering: Design Cuisine

Because menu selection and food service is so central to the success of an event, we sat down with our friends at DC-based caterer, Design Cuisine, to discuss helpful tips for hosts to keep in mind when preparing to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences at their event. 

Ask for the information well in advance.

1. Collect your guests’ dietary restrictions in advance. This helps the caterer not only be prepared to accommodate your guests’ needs, but also helps you brainstorm creative options to serve at your event. If you can share this information prior to your tasting with the caterer, it can help you craft a creative menu that accommodates all needs. 

   Be sure to ask for this information in your invitation reply card/online RSVP form.

Address every part of your menu. 

The Design Cuisine team is always brainstorming ways to answer the question: “how many dietary restrictions “boxes” can you check with one dish?” 

1. A great way to make the event seamless for everyone is to accommodate the menu to fit multiple dietary needs.

2. A couple things to try: make fifty percent of your appetizers vegan or make all of your meal gluten-free. You won’t have to worry about any of the gluten-free guests because they are already taken care of! 

3. Put everyone at ease by clearly identifying through menu cards or signage what each item is. 

Partner for an exceptional experience. 

1. For so long, vegetarians had been served a simple pasta dish as an alternative entree because it was easy. But there are so many creative options for substantive, protein-rich, delicious dishes out there! Express your guests’ needs (restrictions and preferences) and your caterer will help you find solutions to elevate menu items, your vegetarians no longer just get a plate of roasted vegetables, but an option even carnivores will salivate over!

2. Design Cuisine often dedicates team members specifically for the purpose of managing those considerations onsite. By staffing appropriately, the caterer can add another level of organization and assistance to create an exceptional experience – one well worth the investment! 

3. Make it easy for the caterer to know who needs the special meals. As much work as they can be, placecards set at each individual setting to indicate the special meals will help service go so much more smoothly.  The next best thing is to color code your escort cards and ask the guests to set them at their place setting. At the very minimum, share with the caterer the guests’ names and what tables they are seated at. 

At Rex & Regina Events, we are so passionate about food and believe that the culinary experience at an event should be exceptional for all guests. By keeping some of these tips in mind, we can be sure that will happen every time!

Common Misconceptions about Wedding Planners

Photo: Michelle LindsAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Planners can partner with couples in so many ways and offer value and expertise to help the planning process feel less overwhelming, but there are sometimes misconceptions about what working with a planner will be like. Here are a few we sometimes hear: 

​​“They are going to take over my wedding.”

• As the couple, you are in control every step of the way. You tell us your destination and we serve as your guide to get you there in an efficient, seamless, and stress-free way.

• We equip you with the information you need to make wise decisions and keep you on pace with the planning process. 

• We often hear, “Oh, I never would have thought of that!” By sharing our expertise and professional insights, you can have the confidence that we have covered everything and no detail will be overlooked. 

“They are not going to really listen to or  “get” my vision.”

• A good planner will listen to you, want to know your vision, and partner with you to design a  wedding that is a true reflection of you. 

• One of the first questions we ask our clients is what's most important to them as a couple. By knowing their priorities, we can ensure that every decision made throughout the planning process is made through that lens.

• None of the weddings we work on look the same, and that is because no couple is the same. 

“They are going to make me spend more than I want to.”

• A good planner will help you save, invest wisely, and be your advocate in the process.

• We know when and how to negotiate the vendor terms. 

• We want you to be happy with every decision and comfortable with the investments you are making.

It is so important to trust and have good chemistry with your wedding planner. When you know you have found the right fit, you can rest easy that any concerns you may have about them taking over, not listening, or busting your budget can be allayed.

The Quest for the Best Classic Margarita Recipe

CLassic Margarita Recipe

I’ve been on a quest to make the perfect classic margarita, and after some extensive R&D, I think I’ve gotten one step closer with this recipe. It’s not too sour and not too sweet. In lieu of the traditional Triple Sec, I chose Cointreau, and for the sweetener, a natural agave nectar.

• 2 ounces Patron Silver tequila

• 1 ounce Cointreau

• 1 ounce fresh lime juice

• 1/4 ounce agave nectar

Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into chilled margarita glass.

I am a “with salt” margarita gal, but you can omit the salted rim if it is not your thing.

Cheers!

Reasons to Consider doing an Engagement Photo Shoot

Photo: Astrid Photography

When guiding couples through the process of selecting their wedding photographer, we help them evaluate what features and services they may want to include in their photography package. One service we always recommend including is an engagement shoot.

 If you think of it, what is it that you will really take away from your wedding? Your spouse. Your memories. And your photos. 

We recently spoke with Astrid Woltering, a DC-based and destination wedding photographer, about the benefits of doing an engagement shoot with your wedding photographer. Here’s what we chatted about:  

1. Get comfortable in front of the camera. Even in our social-media-dominated world, many couples still don’t love having their photos taken. An engagement shoot gives both you and your partner an opportunity to become more comfortable interacting in front of the camera together.

2. Use the photos for multiple purposes. You’ll certainly want to hang a few of your engagement shots around your home, but consider other ways you may utilize them: by sending some to your family, including one in your wedding save-the-date, or for your holiday cards. 

3. Break the ice! Besides your wedding planner, your photographer is the vendor you will spend the most time with on your wedding day. It’s important to have good chemistry with them, and an engagement shoot will allow you to meet in person and get to know one another better.

1. Your photographer will get to learn your angles, height differences, and overall preferences for photography. They will pick up on your unique mannerisms and quirks, therefore be more attuned to them on your wedding day – all of which will enhance your wedding day photos and experience. 

2. You’ll have an opportunity to get to know your photographer and learn their style behind the camera—getting familiar with their process, personality, and cues. You’ll learn how they work in the moment, so you’ll know exactly what to expect on your wedding day. 

Check back soon for more tips coming out of our conversation with Astrid, including how to prepare for your engagement photo shoot! 

Four Tips to Prevent Long Lines at the Bar at an Event

Catering: Design Cuisine; Photo: Sarah Bradshaw

Is there anything worse than long lines at the bar at an event?! That is one of the biggest concerns almost all of our clients have and we work hard to ensure that never happens. 

A critical piece to ensure smooth beverage service is first to choose a great caterer! We talked recently with our friends at the fabulous DC-based caterer, Design Cuisine, about tried-and-true as well as new-and-trending ways to make sure everyone always has a beverage in their hand. Here’s what we chatted about: 

Catering: Design Cuisine; Photo: Katelyn James

1. Whether it is just wine or wine and a signature cocktail, always have servers tray pass pre-poured beverages as guests arrive. And be sure to include sparkling water or another non-alcoholic beverage in the offerings. This will eliminate a big rush on the bar. 

2. We love Design Cuisine’s suggestion to then have servers float around with bottles of water and wine to top off guests' glasses. Not only does it reduce the lines at the bar, but it makes for a hospitable guest experience. 

3. Have fun with a beverage station! If it is a summer wedding, have a lemonade station with spiked and non-alcoholic lemonade options as guests arrive. For a cocktail hour, get creative with something like a sangria dispenser, DIY doctored-up prosecco, or pre-batched cocktails.

4. Create whimsical hors d’oeuvres and sip pairings. Everyone has seen the adorable mini Patron bottle and taco pairing (pioneered by the fabulous Peter Callahan). Put your own twist on that idea with pairings that are special to you. An oyster and mini coupe of bubbles? Pickled cucumbers and sake sip? Mini burger and tiny beer pint? Let your creativity flow! 

Three Wedding Planning Tips for Newly Engaged Couples

Photo: Abby Grace Photography

1. Don't blow all of your budget on your venue.

Let’s talk about that dirty word: budget. As a planner, even I am aghast at how much weddings cost. But the reality is, weddings are expensive and so it is wise to establish your expectations and priorities at the very start.

A common mistake we see couples make is investing all of their money into their venue before they truly understand all of the costs that lie ahead in the planning process. Then they find themselves in a position of not having enough money for the rest of the wedding. 

When we work with our clients we undertake a budget planning exercise to identify every potential line item for the wedding, including ones that aren’t as obvious as things like florals or photography.  It’s tempting to book that dream venue, but just make sure you have the resources for all of the other expenses that are coming down the line. And remember: things (sadly) always cost more than you think.

2. Don’t feel tied to the traditional wedding “formula.”

When thinking about your wedding celebration, don’t feel bound by what is traditionally done or what weddings “typically” look like. Instead, design something that feels reflective of you as a couple. It is your wedding, not anyone else's. Start by prioritizing what is important to both of you, then set a vision and remind each other (and those around you) what your wedding day means to you. 

One of our favorite things to do is to listen to the priorities of the couple and then help them “deconstruct” the traditional formula and rebuild it into something that is true to them. We help them reimagine, ideate, think out of the box, so their day tells their unique story in a way they are excited about.  

So, do things differently (or keep it traditional) – you have the freedom to decide!

3. Bring in the pros. 

Your engagement and wedding planning should be a memorable and enjoyable journey, not a stressful one. Surround yourself with a talented, seasoned, an experienced team of vendors, so you and your partner don't need to worry about anything except each other on your wedding day. 

Your vendors are your allies, and your planner can help you build a powerhouse vendor team that will implement your specific vision. And I promise you, expertise will serve you in the long run. Remember to enjoy your engagement and let your wedding planner work with your vendor team to take care of all the details! 

Still not convinced? Check back in a few weeks for my posts on misperceptions about wedding planners and how to select a wedding planner. 

Insights on Hospitality from Will Guidara's book, Unreasonable Hospitality

The entrance to Eleven Madison Park

I’ve been fortunate to dine at restaurants all over the world and not one has made more of an impact on me and my views on hospitality than Eleven Madison Park in New York City.  I started going there in 2015 and lost track of how many times I’ve been since. I’ve gone only once for the full experience in the dining room; the other times I’ve sat at the bar, and almost always intentionally solo.

Going to EMP became a personal ritual each time I went to New York City. Because it is usually impossible to get a reservation there, I would stand outside the locked revolving door until they opened it for service, just so I could secure one of the few seats at the bar.  There’s something indescribable about the experiences I had there.  It was equal parts ballet, creativity, education, and connection, rounded out with some sort of elusive voodoo magic. And many times that magical experience had nothing at all to do with the food — rather, it was about how they made me feel. 

When I saw that Will Guidara (former co-owner of EMP) was writing a book, I immediately pre-ordered it. In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Guidara describes his personal and professional journey in the hospitality industry and shares insights and lessons from his time at Eleven Madison Park in partnership then with Chef Daniel Humm. 

Guidara teases out principles of hospitality that can be applied across any field or profession. But as an events industry professional, the stories and lessons he shared resonated deeply with me. His book also gave me a glimpse into the complexity, planning, commitment to excellence, and precision that went into creating that mysterious magic I felt at EMP. The hospitality (different from service, as he eloquently points out) extended to me at each visit was clearly intentional and, as he puts it, unreasonable.

When I founded Rex & Regina Events I wanted to choose a name for the company that reflected my philosophy on events: creating a seamless, memorable, and intentional guest experience from invitation to exit. So many of the principles Guidara outlined reflect our commitment to that philosophy, starting with: 

My first visit to EMP.. and my first cocktail there. (2015)

“Intention means every decision, from the most obviously significant to the seemingly mundane, matters. To do something with intentionality means to do it thoughtfully, with clear purpose and an eye on the results.”  

We received the greatest compliment recently when a client wrote a review saying, “On our first phone call, Teresa asked me about what I wanted and who we were as a couple. From then on, she was always paying extreme attention to our vision.” Reading that was a confirmation that our approach to partnering with our clients is working — first, we listen, then we view every decision throughout the planning process through the lens of what we heard them say. We keep our client’s vision in the forefront and make intentional choices about each detail of the event. And details matter. As Guidaria points out:

“Many people don’t notice every single detail, but in aggregate, they are powerful.”

I’ve never worked with a client who says they want a cookie-cutter event. Who would? Each event should be personal—an authentic reflection of the host. That personalization comes from thoughtful consideration of each detail and touchpoint that the guest will experience. No, not every guest will notice the branded cocktail napkins on the bar or the fact that the signature cocktail was the one the couple drank on their first date, but they will absolutely leave with an overall impression that this was your event—not something formulaic that they’d been to a thousand times before.

My kitchen tour at Eleven Madison Park (2018)

Identifying and selecting those details does not happen on its own; it must be done with an intentional process, and the first step is looking at the budget and identifying the client’s priorities. Like any other investment, the budget for an event should be allocated according to the client’s priorities and the elements of the event that will make the most impact on their guests. For some, the priority might be an incredible menu, for others, it might be great music and a packed dance floor or watching their guests’ jaws drop when they walk into the room.

My clients that have even the healthiest of budgets often do not want their investment in the event to appear lavish or over the top. It doesn’t need to be, and in fact, I believe that throwing money at event details is often a sign that the process lacks intentionality, thoughtfulness, and creativity. And I could not agree more with Guidara when he says,

“Luxury means just giving more; hospitality means being more thoughtful.”

Thoughtful hospitality means always keeping in mind what the guests need, want, and appreciate. It reflects a genuine desire to care for each person that walks through the door. You can serve the impossible-to-find Pappy Van Winkle 25 but if your guests don’t like bourbon, you’ve failed.

I still dream of the Bread course at EMP! (2018)

Guidara’s book is not just for the hospitality industry. Instead, he points out that:

“Opportunities for hospitality exist in every business.”

Whether you are in finance, healthcare, real estate, or retail, every job has opportunities to care for and serve and surprise and delight your customers and clients. It just takes intention, and a focus on them, not on ourselves.

Guidara’s lessons and reflections reminded me of the privilege I have of impacting the lives of the people I work and partner with. And they challenged me to consider the ways in which I can extend hospitality to them in unreasonable ways.

As I was about to push that heavy revolving door to leave EMP one night, Will was standing nearby and asked me how my evening was. I briefly explained my EMP ritual and how I had gotten to know some of his team over the years. His question didn’t feel obligatory or formulaic. And I know now after reading Unreasonable Hospitality, that it was genuine — that he cared about my experience and how the team at the restaurant made me feel. And that is hospitality.

Four Tips for the "Last Mile" of Wedding Planning

When your wedding day approaches, no matter how much advance preparation has been done, there are always details that need to be covered at the very end. Click on the link in our bio to learn about four common “last mile” items that we help couples navigate in the final weeks leading up to their big day to keep things as stress-free as possible. ⁠

1. Recheck your transportation contracts. Likely, you booked the shuttles early on in the planning process when you were only guessing at your final guest count. Be sure to look at your room blocks and match that with the capacity of the transportation you ordered to make sure there are enough seats! ⁠

2. While you are at it…. recheck all of your contracts! Did you originally tell the florist you needed two corsages but now Grandma Sue is actually going to be able to attend (yay!) and now you need three? Did you anticipate 20 tables but now only need 18 and therefore fewer tables, chairs, linens, and centerpieces? ⁠

3. Design your escort cards in such a way that it creates the least amount of stress and work when someone drops out and you have to reshuffle all of the seating assignments. I love a gorgeous hand-lettered table assignment installation as much as the next person, but just make sure it is easy to swap the table numbers around when Aunt Sally, Uncle Bob, and Cousin Fred can no longer attend. ⁠

4. Save yourself time the week of the wedding by sorting out your vendor gratuities far in advance. Get cash from the bank, buy some envelopes, and divide it all up accordingly so that you don’t have to rush around the day before to do it all. ⁠
   ⁠ Planning ahead for these items can help you go into your wedding week calm as a cucumber! ⁠

Fall Bourbon Cider Cocktail

Fall is here which means the leaves are turning, the air is becoming crisp, and apples are ready to be picked!

Apple cider is a perfect beverage for the season. I love making homemade apple cider... and cider cocktails, too!

I found this recipe over ten years ago on Saveur Magazine and it has been a fall go-to and crowd-pleaser ever since.

I've made it at cocktail and dinner parties and pre-batched it to make it easy for guests to serve themselves.

Summer Picnic Playlist

No gathering is complete without good music. And because each gathering has its own unique vibe, the music should be specially curated for that particular event.

My friends at Lucy Black Entertainment are incredible music curators and are my go-to experts when sourcing great music for client events. For personal entertaining, playlist-creating is one of my favorite things to do! I love music and always enjoy designing playlists that would be not only appealing to me but also to my guests.

So, if you are hosting a picnic or gathering this summer, check out my picnic playlist (which will continue to evolve, I am sure!) on Spotify and enjoy some fun, easy summer tunes with your friends and family!

Setting up a picnic in Puerto Rico! Photo: Anna Kerns

Best Pumpkin Pie Ever!

Image: Bon Appetit Magazine

Today is National Pumpkin Day! In celebration, I am sharing one of my favorite pumpkin-based desserts: Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.

A couple of years after college, my roommate and I drove down to North Carolina to stay with a good friend of her’s and have Thanksgiving together. I was so impressed by our host’s hospitality — she had all of the meals planned out for the entire weekend and had given thoughtful attention to details that would make our stay comfortable and enjoyable.

For Thanksgiving Day she made pumpkin chiffon pie. I’ve never been a huge fan of traditional pumpkin pie, so this alternative was a welcome treat. It was so incredibly delicious that I asked for the recipe and, I have made it every single Thanksgiving since then. It’s always a crowd-pleaser, but I also selfishly always crave it!

I don’t have a photo of one of the pies I made (perhaps because it gets gobbled up so quickly!), but it looks very similar to this one from Bon Appetit.  

It’s a super simple pie to make. And you may want to make two — there are never leftovers!

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Ingredients

¾ cup brown sugar
1 envelope Knox gelatin
½ t salt
1 t cinnamon
½ t nutmeg
¼ t ginger
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
¾ cup milk
1 ¼ cups canned pumpkin
3 egg whites
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 9” graham cracker pie crust (store-bought is easiest, but I prefer to make my own homemade crust (recipe below) which is simple and doesn’t take long to make. 

Instructions

In a saucepan, combine the first six ingredients.

Combine egg yolks and milk; stir into brown sugar mixture. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in pumpkin. Chill until mixture mounds slightly. Don’t let it get too stiff. 

Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar, beating to stiff peaks. 

Fold pumpkin mixture into egg whites. Pour into crust. Chill until firm. Garnish with whipped cream (fresh whipped cream, of course!). 

Homemade Graham Cracker Crust

Ingredients

12 graham crackers (full sheets) (I tend to buy Nabisco graham crackers, but I am sure other brands would be fine)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter

Instructions

Pulse graham crackers in a food processor until the crumbs are fine.  Add sugar and pulse just to combine. Add butter and pulse until the mixture is combined.

Pack mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan and press firmly to bottom and sides, bringing crumbs evenly up to the rim. Using the bottom of a measuring cup is a helpful way to even it out.

Bake at 350 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes. Watch the edges as you don’t want them to get too browned. 

Cool on a wire rack.