If you’ve ever caught yourself scrolling Pinterest or Instagram and wishing you had the kind of life where you could dine “almost-al-fresco,” sheltered in a glowing greenhouse, in the quiet, cozy company of friends, then this update is for you.
When it comes to events, Amos Gott and Vincent Dreffs have seen trends come and go — and waste pile up along the way. Amos, founder of Amos Events, is one of Nashville’s most sought-after social event planners. And Vincent, whose company Dreffs for Success has produced everything from the 20…
Gone are the days of cookie-cutter weddings. Experiential celebrations are in — and here to stay. Wedding industry pros, like Nashville-based event planner Bruce Pittman, have observed a shift away from the traditional and toward the immersive, where every element of a couple’s day is expert…
Sometimes, the more things change, the more they change. At its heart, the dinner party remains a time for friends and neighbors to gather for an evening of fun and fellowship. But the decades have brought an array of changes — to attire, drinks, cuisine and etiquette — causing entertaining …
In This Issue
Nothing can transport you into the world of a gathering quite like music. Regardless of lavish table settings, glamorous décor and tasty food and drinks, a party is simply incomplete without a soundtrack. Viva La Strings, Nashville’s prime string ensemble, recognizes this essential fact and …
The right party music is transportive. Melodies seep into our fondest memories. Ear-catching arrangements warmly welcome guests to an event — and capture the heart behind it. “We’re merchants of happiness,” says DJ Josh Ray. “We work so that people can enjoy themselves and create a memory.”
Tea parties were always an intimate family affair for Nashville native Jasmine Williamson and her daughter, Jaila. Jasmine got Jaila a custom tea set when she was just 4 years old, and their at-home tea parties became a precious mother-daughter ritual. After celebrating Jaila’s seventh birth…
Good news: Nashville is warming up, and locals everywhere are flocking to outdoor gathering spaces. One spot in particular has become a new staple for humans and dogs alike — Urban Dog Bar.
While Nashville boasts many fine restaurants like those found in cities such as New York or Los Angeles, it’s still very much the South — and we Southerners love to entertain at home. Whether it’s an intimate family dinner or a backyard bash for 50, nothing says Southern hospitality like an …
Chef Sean Brock, the culinary entrepreneur behind Audrey, June, Bar Continental, and Joyland restaurants, has launched Events By Sean Brock, to provide customized private events in his restaurants and off site in private venues.
Michael W. Smith’s Freedom album has filled my home with soaring instrumentals since its release in 2000, and it was a true honor to meet the man himself — and see the legacy he’s built — at the stunning home of Betty and Marty Dickens. The inaugural Rocketown Patrons Party was full of music…
Hosting a party at home — whether you’re entertaining five or 50 — takes serious skill. From the invitations to the menu, prep work to party flow, there are tons of considerations to take and decisions to make from brainstorming through clean-up.
Looking back on 30 years of Nfocus, we have seen a lot of parties. A lot of parties. We have been honored to be in the room to witness the creativity of themes that have been the foundation for both intimate private parties and large-scale galas — and we have enjoyed them all.
With a quintessential Southern hostess as her mother, fourth-generation Nashville native Anne Elizabeth McIntosh has always loved bringing people together for one-of-a-kind experiences. However, the idea for Host & Toast really came to life after a girls’ trip to Austin, Texas. Anne Eliz…
For decades, Nashville has been a home to icons, a beacon of hope for creatives and a destination to relax and enjoy time with friends. Over the past decade, Nashville has distinguished itself as a vibrant meeting point for girlfriends to get away and celebrate their friendships.
As we begin 2023, our friends and readers have gently asked for details on even more upcoming events. Seriously. Thus, the Nfocus Nsider column has been rejuvenated as a fresh look at not-to-be-missed events taking place in and around Music City, the region and the world.
Hop into some new events for the Year of the Rabbit! This Sunday, Jan. 22, begins the new lunar calendar, and Nashville has some exciting offerings to help celebrate.
In his recently released book, The Movie in My Mind, Swan Ball designer Ken Fulk says, “If you’re gonna make up a life, make up a good one.” And in the first few minutes of talking with him, it’s clear that he is genuinely grateful for the big, crazy, wonderful world that he’s created. Ken i…
In the summer of 2020, the co-chairs of the 60th annual Swan Ball reached out to Ken Fulk, who is renowned for creating unforgettable experiences and parties, to help bring a dose of the unexpected to the event, which was slated for 2021. Although the gala was postponed due to the pandemic, …
When Dana Windrow moved here from California with her husband, Nashville native Robert, she was considering exploring new avenues after years in the event planning business. Fortunately, she met Libby Page soon after and helped her with a large, multievent wedding weekend. It showed her how …
Widely recognized for being an incredible hostess, Libby Page learned all there was to know about the art of entertaining from two of Nashville’s finest: her mother, Margaret Ann Robinson, and her grandmother, Elizabeth Craig. Libby was first exposed to the elements of a great party when she…
Christmastime is here, and Nashville's hotels and restaurants are getting into the holiday spirit with fun and festive themed bars. From décor inspired by your favorite holiday films to immersive experiences designed to delight all your senses, there's something for everyone at these eight d…
Ben Caldwell silver ice scoop (AshBlue); Estate French art deco cocktail shaker, Gorham Sterling Stoplight jigger, Match pewter bottle coaster with wood inset, Match wine coaster, Salisbury pewter coin jigger (Corzine & Co.); Sheridan Champagne bucket (Draper Jewelry Co.); Blue Pheasant …
On a Saturday afternoon in a secluded corner of a Brentwood city park, white paper lanterns dangle from a wrought iron stand flanking a wooden table. Its surface is covered with strategically placed tulle and greenery, along with hurricane lamps with a rich patina and colorful, fresh flowers…
Weddings are always monumental affairs, but the events of the last year added even more obstacles for brides, grooms and planners to surmount and made the unforgettable day even more memorable for couples and guests. In a year rife with challenges and hardships, love was still blossoming and…
Downtown Nashville just got a little sleeker and more exclusive, thanks to the arrival of The Register, an upscale private social club boasting top-notch amenities and unparalleled service to members. The brainchild of Tillman Holloway and Barron Solomon, The Register’s mission is “to redefi…
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? My most favorite holiday tradition is making apple turkeys at Thanksgiving. I brought home an “apple turkey” from school back in kindergarten and my family has been making them ever since — 38 years of apple turkey making! Picture an apple for the body…
The holiday season is upon us, and although things might look different this year, there is still much to celebrate. We chatted with 10 entertaining experts to get their advice on planning a safe and memorable Thanksgiving. From event planners to florists to chefs, these hosts with the most …
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Making and sharing family recipes and adding your new special dish that will make a new tradition.
“Are you behavin’?” is the phrase often asked when Bill Forrester greets you at the door of any fundraiser, private party or wedding. It’s also the question that lets you know the evening will be perfect. For decades, Bill has been indispensable in coordinating an untold number of family cel…
Need some Thanksgiving inspiration? We’ve got you covered. We asked a few of our party planner friends to design their ideal holiday table and tell us, in their own words, what makes it so special. Whether you’re hosting an intimate or lavish Thanksgiving celebration, these tablescapes will …
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Setting the table. I'm not the most helpful in the kitchen, but I look forward to styling a pretty table for us all to enjoy our Thanksgiving meal together. I love finding new tabletop items every year to add to our heirloom pieces — tradition with a twist.
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Growing up, my grandparents came over on both Thanksgiving and Christmas with my grandmother’s homemade custard. It was always my reason for eating dinner too quickly — to get a glass of her annual treat. Now that she’s gone, my sister-in-law took on t…
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? I’m not sure if I have a favorite tradition as much as I just enjoy the ambiance of the holidays — the weather, whether it be rain or snow; the smells of foods we only prepare during the holidays; and being surrounded by family and friends. I think tha…
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? The entire day of Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. It actually starts on Wednesday for lunch as I head to Arnold’s Country Kitchen for the traditional turkey and dressing meal. It just gets me in such a holiday mood. On Thursday, I …
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Boulevard Bolt! A little bit of exercise before all that good food with great family.
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Cooking! And then seeing everyone so happy being together as a family and enjoying what you cooked.
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? On the winter solstice, we like to take a walk outside right before sunset and gather up evergreen foliage and use it to decorate. It’s our way of honoring the change of season and shifting into the Christmas spirit. Our daughter loves this tradition!
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? I love Christmas Eve with the family. I love the excitement the night before the big day!
Leigh Watson, who co-owns The Cordelle downtown and the newly opened Saint Elle in Wedgewood-Houston, says the two event spaces are like siblings.
As entertaining gurus, Lauren Cermak and I love any excuse to don a fabulous hat and dress and share a cocktail with friends. Thus, the Iroquois Steeplechase is always a highlight for us every spring. For our Derby-inspired table, we drew inspiration from My Fair Lady and focused on black-an…
Pimento cheese party gougères (goo-ZHEHR) are our Southern version of the classic French cheese puff hors d’œuvre. Typically made with Gruyère cheese, these decadent—and very easy to make—puffy mounds are the customary accompaniment to Old World Champagne. Everyone loves a warm, cheesy bite …
Spring is the perfect time to get outside with good friends, a delicious meal and a bottle of wine. Amos Gott kept things simple yet stunning for this spring soirée. He recommends starting with one piece that you love, whether it be a china pattern or a napkin color, and building the tablesc…
Celebrate the arrival of spring with bright and beautiful hues! For this spring break brunch, Molly Sohr utilized a classic palette of black, white and gold and added powerful pops of color with magnificent florals arranged in modern, geometric vessels.
There’s no better display of Southern hospitality than gathering your loved ones around the dinner table and enjoying a supper under the stars! Bruce Pittman drew inspiration from his deep Southern roots for this farm-to-table alfresco dinner. Designed with community and conversation in mind…
You are so Nashville if you can’t remember a holiday without peppermint ice cream and chocolate sauce. The cultural shift toward this pillar of holiday desserts can be traced back to the 1980s when Nashville’s Purity Dairies first opened its ice cream manufacturing plant and soon after intro…
Thanksgiving is only a week away, and if you're stressed about hosting friends and family this year, we've got some tips to lighten the burden and make this your most successful (and easy) holiday gathering yet.
With blazing temperatures and unforgiving humidity, the dog days of summer can get the best of all of us. A schedule packed with activities is a surefire way to beat the heat. Whether you pencil in time to host a dinner party with friends, cool off by lounging at the pool, sneak away for a r…
Early editions of Joy of Cooking included something called a Pinch Pie, a straightforward baked meringue shell filled with ice cream and/or whipped cream and sweetened summer fruit. Sure it’s got some age on it, but it’s a delicious and unexpected summer dessert recipe just in time for the p…
After the winter we had, chances are your grilling deck is looking a little weary. With Memorial Day and summer just ahead, let’s run down the Cheater Chef checklist—complete with a great sauce recipe—and get that grill station up and running.
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