How to Host a Garden Party Like Sofia Richie Grainge

The style icon’s event planner shares her top tips for hosting a sophisticated soirée.

Of all the personal styles we continually dote over and save to that ‘outfit inspo’ Pinterest board, it’s that of Sofia Richie Grainge’s. Laidback, luxurious, and oh-so-chic, the queen of elegance’s understated style has not only informed our own wardrobe decisions, but also signalled an entire aesthetic shift.

One area of influence is her ability to host memorable events, most recently on display at her newborn daughter Eloise’s baby shower. Reminiscent of a European summer garden soirée, Sofia’s event planner Liberty Woodman of Lady Liberty Events brought her vision to life, making for an elegant and unforgettable afternoon celebrating her daughter's introduction to the world.

We were lucky enough to speak with Liberty to chat about all things event planning, and find out her top tips for hosting a garden party – just like Sofia Richie Grainge’s.

1. Select a theme (and stick to it)

More than just a fun way to mark the day, themes play a crucial role in informing how an event will be run. From assisting guests with the dress code, to acting as a guide for the chef and waitstaff, themes allow events to run cohesively. Liberty was given the brief of a “European summer garden soirée, that felt organic and chic with pops of vibrant colors”. Using scalloped umbrellas, Sofia’s specific request of “a long kings table (In this case a Queens table!)”, and vibrant blooms, Liberty was able to bring Sofia’s vision to life in the lavishly verdant surroundings.

2. Personalize your tablescape

While elements like designer crockery set the scene, it’s the personal touches will make your event one to remember. “Dior kindly provided some of the China and glassware so we immediately had killer base elements that we had available to incorporate into our overall table design,” said Liberty. The yellow and amber tones of the plates and tumblers steered Liberty toward introducing hints of green “so that the base colors were neutralized allowing for the colorful blooms to make a strong impact”. Along with playing around with various colors and textures, Liberty introduced a personal element to each guest’s place setting, “we had adorable menus that showcased the Eloise monogram with a tag that was perfectly adorned to each menu with each guest's name”.

3. Keep movement in mind

“It is always important to consider the food service and plan on a service style that works best for your crowd and setting,” said Liberty. Due to the nature of the meals served, Liberty had to account for elements of the tablescape moving to make way for Sofia’s request of a family style farm-to-table lunch. “The setting must be designed in a way that the platters can be dropped while still looking visually appealing and easy to maneuvre – while a full table visually looks incredible, you want guests to feel comfortable.”

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4. Never underestimate the power of a napkin

What many consider the ‘cherry on top’ to a tablescape, napkins are a great way to functionally accessorize a table, while also complementing the surrounding items. Seeking different colors and textures to layer the setting, Bed Threads Sage & Olive Scalloped Napkins caught Liberty’s eye as the perfect addition to Sofia’s table. “When I saw the Sage & Olive Scalloped Napkins I knew that these would be perfect for our scape but didn’t want to hide the scalloped border as I was obsessed with the contrasting colors and the trim itself”. To ensure the scalloped borders were showcased, Liberty opted for a wicker napkin ring for styling, which also suited the European summer theme perfectly.

5. Prepare for the elements

Like all good events, ensuring the comfort of guests is paramount to the overall experience. Liberty ensured there was adequate shaded areas for guests to retreat to when the sun was at its brightest, but also has stand heaters at the ready in case anyone began to feel cold. Another invaluable tip we learnt from Liberty on hosting outdoor events – specifically on grass – are heel protectors. “They are one of our secret weapons. With a few different sizes, we display them in bowls for ladies to grab before hitting the grass. They simply place them over the heels and the base prevents you from sinking in the grass… no ruined stilettos or funny moments of guests getting stuck”.