When stationer Mrs. John L Strong decided to expand beyond Manhattan, Charleston, with its strong sense of tradition and love of entertaining, was an obvious choice. To celebrate the their launch in design store Fritz Porter, the next step was also obvious for the century-old brand, which counts Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe among its storied clientele: they had to throw a party.
Enlisting the help of local wedding and event planner Calder Clark, the stationer gathered a crowd at the stately home of Fritz Porter founder Sarah-Hamlin Hastings.The tablecloth, made from a fiddle leaf fabric by Kentucky brand Ferrick Mason, was adorned with calligraphed place cards, menus and whimsical coasters from Mrs. John L Strong's latest collection. The dinner, catered by local favorite Cru Catering, featured Southern staples like miniature cornbread whoopie pies and Crab Louis stack.
"Classic and traditional - even with a twist - never goes out of style," says Calder. "Breaking out your best tabletop and layering a garden party with touches reminiscent of your interiors is a surefire way to invoke your style and welcome your guests."
Read on for tips from both Clark and Mrs. John L Strong for hosting a unique and stylish affair.
"Consider your backdrop," says Calder. "Sarah has an exquisite garden, so I couldn't resist centering our table on her wall of climbing fig so that the ladies would be buffeted by that beautiful view… and it makes for great photography!"
Jacqueline Kotts, owner and creative director of Mrs. John L Strong, advises using place cards if you have 8 or more guests. "It helps to avoid the moment when everyone stands around wondering where to sit, and it also allows the host to mix up couples and people that know each other to keep the conversation interesting," she says. "When you're inviting people for dinner you always think about who would get along, and you should plan the seating accordingly. You can also make them fun - we have some place cards that say "You Are Seated Next To" so that you never forget anyone's name!"
When dining outdoors, Calder recommends going for natural layers. "I chose a stunning horticultural linen with hand-drawn palm fronds and greenery as a playful riff on the surrounding landscape. The linen made for a great foundation for layering in mixed media; ceramic plates, brushed gold flatware, delicate crystal glasses, and handmade wooden escort card holders rounded out the textures."
"Menus are a simple way to elevate a dinner party without a ton of expense," says Jacqueline. "It is so chic to sit down to a written list of what you will be eating. If you're a cook who has spent a lot of time on the meal, it's nice to outline the special ingredients used, and if you're someone who made it in 30 minutes, it makes it feel like it took more effort."
"Bring the inside out! We're always dragging the outside in, but it's just as chic and unexpected to take your gorgeous upholstered chairs outdoors," says Calder. "There's simply no harm in letting your best linen dining chairs flourish on the green grass for a bit- and the level of comfort far exceeds rental chairs."
More is always more when it comes to flowers, according to Calder. "Find and make best friends with a local florist who uses hothouse wholesalers around the world. Then, pick their brains for what's best, in season, and really fresh for your table."
"When dining al fresco, start the party early," suggests Calder. "Call for cocktails at 4pm to enjoy the light and to avoid dining in pure darkness. Load the table up with open flame, because everyone looks great by candlelight."
When it comes to hostess gifts, Jacqueline recommends bringing a token that reminds you of the host. "Whether it's a special bottle of wine you've shared together, or a set of linen napkins in a color you know they love, make it special and personal."
As a gift to guests, Jacqueline loves placing Mrs. John L Strong's cheeky "Regrets His/Her Behavior At" cards next to the place settings.
