We love cooking but preparing dinner for 20 people was admittedly a bit daunting. We had heard great things about Salthouse Catering and wanted to try them out. We kept the dinner menu simple with some of our favorites, like Mustard Roasted Cauliflower, Local Bean Salad, Sorghum Glazed Chicken, and fresh Garlic Shrimp. Toasted Coconut was sprinkled on Chocolate Sorbet for dessert, and we toasted and thanked our guests again with Prosecco.”

“The dinner being in the yard of the beach house gave it a casual, cool feel that fit the family style serving.”

This party wasn’t the first time the friends had collaborated. Jane says, “We have worked together on many projects and parties and in different spaces over the years.  Lauren and I had three pop-up-shops on King Street in Charleston, where Way Way’s art was featured.  We’ve also shared studio spaces.”

“We dressed the table with a little treat from the three of us. Way Way and Lauren worked together on a sarong/beach wrap/throw/shawl.  The sarong was screen printed and served as a bit of color on the table.  Each was hand embroidered with the first initial of each guest’s name to note their seat. I gifted each guest a pair of JPJ Mini Sapphire Baguette Studs, in color with the blues on the table.”

“We wanted a casual coastal, cool set up for the al fresco dinner under the trees.  We worked with OOH Events and pulled farm tables, dishes in gray/blue hues, and antiqued flatware.”

“Way Way is a master with flowers.  She pulled greenery and hydrangeas from her yard and mixed them with ranunculus, white roses, and eucalyptus.”

“I always like to start with a signature cocktail.  We went with a custom cocktail of Hat Trick Gin by local High Wire Distillery, a local botanical gin with fresh grapefruit juice and soda, garnished with rosemary and grapefruit.”

“There had been a three-day downpour and we debated rescheduling, but hours before the dinner the cloud parted and it was the perfect evening. Besides waiting on the mess of a storm, the days leading up to the dinner, everything felt quite easy.”

Jane’s jewelry made an excellent party gift.

“The space lent itself to the party perfectly.  We wanted to be under the trees to create an indoor space outdoors.  Hanging lights in the trees coupled with moon light made for the perfect backdrop.”

Local musician Calvin Taylor is a local musician provided live music during the meal. He began with some Otis Redding and ended with Journey.