An outdoor garden party and dinner is a beautiful way to celebrate a special occasion! Cheri Leavy, co-founder of The Southern C, took this candlelight garden party to the next level with all of the details and delicious food! I was honored to be a part of it!

garden party dinner celebration sallie holder flowers in vase on table

This dinner party was in honor of Sallie Holder, who is a dynamic lady that I have been fortunate to get to know through The Southern C. Sallie is a special person with a way of connecting the dots between your innate skills and your goals. As Cheri says, she helps you take flight like a butterfly.

garden party table setting with chavari chairs

Images of butterflies were used throughout the party details and added a perfect and thoughtful touch. Thankfully, Danielle Hulsey was there to photograph the party to share all of the fun of the night. She captured the night beautifully…

garden party celebrating sallie holder long table

Cheri was thoughtful to include fellow TSC members in every aspect of setting the table- from the plates by R. Wood to the napkins by Lisa Ellis. Flowers were sourced locally from Three Porch Farms.

garden-party-dinner-celebration-sallie-holder-butterfly on chair

Butterflies were placed in discreet places around the party table- from the occasional butterfly on a chair to each glass having an edible butterfly perched on the rim.

garden party dinner celebrating sallie holder with butterfly decorations and flowers

And, the place settings were topped off with butterfly place cards handwritten with each guest’s name~ you can see them below on top of the napkins…

garden-party-dinner-celebration-napkin-place-card-favor

Butterflies in all colors were scattered down the center of the table to continue the vibe. What a gorgeous way to incorporate a thread of a detail- it feels both subtle and straightforward at the same time.

garden party dinner celebration majolica pitcher with flowers

Cheri even decorated her bike with flowers and butterflies. It adds a sense of whimsy and light-hearted fun and makes for a great conversation piece and photo opportunity!

garden party dinner celebration with bicycle and flower basket

The guests arrived before sunset and we were able to enjoy the lovely weather and gorgeous view of the table that had been so perfectly prepared.

garden party butterfly dinner celebration wine

Cheri has wonderful helpers that were there to help keep the party running smoothly. Maggie Jordan and Becca Gemes were so attentive and helpful. Don’t you love their matching lavender aprons? Another TSC member, Libbie Summers, designed these classic and stylish aprons. The aprons offer a polished and cohesive look which I love!

garden party dinner hosts cheri becca maggie
garden party dinner celebration long table being set by helper
garden party dinner celebration becca the wouthern c

Below is the hostess and the guest of honor! Cheri and Sallie had a second to take it all in before everyone was seated around the fabulous table.

garden party dinner party honoring sallie with cheri hosting

While Becca and Maggie (and Cheri’s husband, Vance) were taking care of all of the finishing touches, we were all invited inside for cocktails and appetizers.

garden party dinner celebration appetizer charcuterie grazing board

It was such a nice way to have a chance to chat with everyone and to catch up with those that we don’t get to see often enough.

garden party dinner celebration amanda eldridge lydia menzies sallie holder
garden party dinner celebration guests lisa kitty jenny
garden party dinner charcuterie board gather
garden party dinner celebration guests lacy apryl
garden party guests with cheri leavy
garden party dinner celebration appetizers

As the sun set and the candles were lit, Cheri and Vance were ready to serve a fabulous dinner catered by Peter Dale of The National.

garden party dinner celebration cheri leavy

I can honestly tell you, it doesn’t get much better than being served dinner prepared by Peter Dale! šŸ™‚ The meal was served family style and added to the warmth and family-feel of the group gathered around the table.

garden party dinner celebration candlelight

There was lots of chatter and lots of laughter around the table. Cheri is an impeccable hostess who knows how to create a community of sharing and interacting.

garden party night dinner celebration candlelight

Cheri so kindly honored Sallie Holder for her talents and time (Sallie spent the day offering classes on business building) and then took the time to have each of us connect around the table.

garden party dinner celebration sallie holder table dog

It was such a beautiful party filled with meaning and motivation- so reflective of the host and the guest of honor!

garden party dinner celebration guests at table with candlelight

The delicious meal was capped off with a stunning cake created by a local Athenian, Emilee Hain of Keelime Culinary. Cheri entrusted me with this part of the night, and I was honored to be in charge of dessert! šŸ™‚

garden party dinner celebration cake with flowers and butterflies

Emilee is an incredible chef and baker and has made many cakes for me. I ordered caramel cake with a lavender buttercream frosting, and I am pretty sure we all would have happily had seconds and thirds!

garden party flower and butterfly cake

It was delicious! Emilee covered the cake in food-safe flowers, and I added butterflies flitting around it.

garden party dinner celebration dessert lavender cake with flowers

The photo below sums up the feel of the entire night. Cheers to a beautiful gathering full of thoughtfulness, creativity, delight, and warmth. It was a perfect way to celebrate a special moment!

garden party dinner celebration toast with wine

I am grateful to be a part of The Southern C and a friend of Sallie Holder. I highly recommend both and I am always happy to chat further if you have questions for me about either!

Cheers xo,

Lydia

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