Coming off the busiest spring/summer wedding season in Kari Rider Events history, a late-summer 50th birthday bash was just what we needed to re-energize before the fall wedding stretch. And what a celebration this was! Rachel came to us looking to throw a laid-back waterfront soiree for her husband Todd’s milestone birthday, complete with a few special touches aimed especially at the man of the hour. Starting with a neutral palette—think gray basketweave linens from DC Rental, soft-hued floral arrangements by Monterey Farms, and a darling white and gray sofa from XOXO Vintage—we worked in some masculine touches, such as dark wood tones in the barrel-legged accent tables and a crowd-pleasing cigar rolling station. Meanwhile, simple nautical details like knot-patterned cocktail linens and rope-wrapped vases gave a nod to the waterfront setting at Point Pleasant outside St. Michaels. The perfect mix of soft and bold, this 50th birthday was something to talk about!
Vendors:
Venue: Point Pleasant
Photography: Jennifer Madino Photography
Planning & Design: Kari Rider Events
Catering: Mason’s
Ice Cream Bar: Scottish Highland Creamery
Florist: Monteray Farms
Linens: DC Rental, Latavola Linen
Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents and Events
Vintage Sofa: “Willow” from XOXO Vintage
Cigars and Rolling: The Cigar Box
Signature Drink: Lyon Distilling
Drink Stirrer: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
Band: Highway Star
Ever since this whole paint and wine night craze exploded, we’ve been total skeptics. Who wants a horrifically toned painting of a giant flower or the likeness of a scene from a Tim Burton film hanging on their wall? The answer is nobody—we don’t care how much wine they serve! But then it dawned on us: we’re in the business of making things pretty. So why not design our own paint night full of gorgeous hues, adorable details and, of course, plenty of wine. The result—captured by the fabulous Caitlin Kellagher of CJK Visuals—was a summer citrus dream inspired by the night’s painting and enhanced with gorgeous flowers from Monteray Farms and a sparkling citrus sangria from Hair O’ The Dog.
Vendors:
Photograper: Cairlin Kellagher of CJK Visuals
Planning & Styling: Kari Rider Events
Venue: Kari Rider Events Studio
Catering: Gourmet by the Bay
Florist: Monteray Farms
Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents and Events
Calligraphy: Poppy & Scooter
Invitation Design: Cara Smith Designs
Wine and Signature Drink: Hair O’ The Dog
Instructor: Sarah Hutchison Focht of Color My Canvas
Aprons: Joann Fabric
Welcome Bags: Paper Mart
Dip-dyed Candles: Martha Stewart Tutorial
It’s official: Summer is nearing its end (sigh!). After a fun-filled season on the water, we were in need of one last boating bash to send summer off in true Eastern Shore style. Just in time for Labor Day weekend, we gathered a few friends, stocked a cooler with our all-time favorite summer cocktails, boarded Rachel and Todd Vecchio’s jaw-dropping 29-foot Hinckley, and set out for a happy hour on some of Talbot County’s most scenic waters. The mood was light, the laughs were hearty—the sting of another summer come and gone too soon lifted by the promise of one last sip and sail.
Vendors:
Photographer: Karena Dixon Photography
Planning and Styling: Kari Rider Events
Catering: Gourmet by the Bay
Décor: Dwelling & Design
Flowers: Seaberry Farm
Invitation and Food Flags: Cara Smith Designs
Boat: “Andiamo,” a 2005 Hinckley 29R owned by Todd and Rachel Vecchio
Kari Rider Events is a boutique event planning and design company crafting elegant, individually styled celebrations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and beyond. Our blog features real weddings designed by our team, shoots we've styled for magazines and other blogs, and lots of wedding tips and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by and we look forward to hearing from you!
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