A Launch Party to Remember

A Launch Party to Remember: How to Entertain Polo Style

By Susan Victor Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions

In October of 2014, a launch party was held to celebrate the release of the second edition of New Bridge Polo & Country Club’s magazine. Highly regarded for its creativity and beauty, this magazine is unlike any other polo club publication. To mark the occasion, it seemed only fitting to host an event as spectacular as the magazine itself.

Achieving such an ambitious goal needn’t be as intimidating as one might expect. All it takes is some conscientious planning - and a great team. The magazine launch party combined the considerable professional skills of Cote Design, The Willcox Hotel, Nandina Home & Design, Oh Schmidt Productions, and such talented individuals as Katie Roth, Katy Harnett of Morgan Stanley, and Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt of Meybohm Realty. The results were outstanding.

In preparation for the launch party, there were three key areas that were not left to chance.

The venue and staging.

As an interior designer, I am not an event planner, but I am often called on to stage spaces for large events. Staging is similar to space planning, which is an integral part of an interior designer’s job. But, unlike space planning, which has longterm implications on how a home or office may function, staging has a temporary purpose.

In the initial walkthrough of a potential venue for an event, it must be decided how the party will flow through and best utilize the available space. The event planner or designer is typically tasked to then transform that space into the desired atmosphere and effectiveness – without altering or damaging surfaces, such as walls and floors – and often within a tight time framework for setup and takedown. In addition to determining how the venue itself might interface with the style of the party, the planner must also be able to make the biggest impact with the least amount of additional materials brought in. Before

Choosing the New Bridge clubhouse as the location for the magazine launch party was the ideal fit for the casually elegant event. The impressive rough-hewn wood structure became the perfect backdrop for everything from the furniture and artwork to the menu selection. The high-ceilinged, very open floor space was converted into a series of warm intimate seating areas by Nandina Home & Design, while this floor plan further guided the flow of attendees throughout the space as desired during the event.

The entrance to the clubhouse introduced the guests to the “modern equestrian” theme of the event – welcoming them upon their arrival, as well as providing a comfortable conversation area throughout the evening. Contemporary seating, a hide rug to anchor the furniture grouping, the juxtaposition of sleek steel-framed seating against an abundance of rough wood, and the addition of fresh green color contrasts, all worked together to achieve the desired effect.

As added impact and focal point, a large-scale polothemed photographic diptych was hung in the seating area – which also drew the attendee’s eye up and out to fully appreciate the scale of the room.

As guests moved from the entrance area into the main dining room, they were greeted with a single, large, central buffet table. The existing seating and tables from that room had been moved outside – not only freeing up the floor space inside, but transforming the exterior grounds into an alfresco eating and conversation area.

Throughout the entire clubhouse, large-format equine-themed photography from Oh Schmidt Productions transformed the walls and enhanced the special event decor. Actual pages of the magazine were enlarged into display art that graced the clubhouse walls. As guests saw the photography for the first time, and recognized their New Bridge friends and polo players, their delight was audible.

The menu and beverage service.

The quality and display of the food and beverage service at an event is often the one thing that the service at an event is often the one thing that the guests remember and talk guests remember and talk about long after the party is over. And a truly great menu isn’t necessarily extensive or isn’t necessarily Step Up Your Game Thursday October 16, 2014 Menu Served from the Food Truck Go-Go Shrimp with spicy sauce expensive. For the magazine launch party, Chef Regan Browell, Executive Chef from the Willcox, provided a simple menu that was delicious, interesting, and generous. For the magazine launch party, Chef Regan Browell, Executive Chef from the Willcox, provided a simple menu that was delicious, interesting, and generous. Shawarma Chicken Skewers (African marinated chicken w/yogurt cooked on an open fire) Parmesan, Garlic, and Parsley Fries Lo Mein Noodle Salad (served in Asian Box) Inside Platters / Stations Display of fig and nut cake, cave aged cheddar, blue cheese & walnut spread, nuts, fresh fruits, crudités with hummus platter Homemade Lox Platters –Cured salmon with traditional garnishes smoked or poached Throughout the Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed evening, guests enjoyed a lovely presentation a lovely presentation within the clubhouse - and soon discovered they were also able to wander out to the lawn and sample even more delicacies from The Willcox food truck.

A signature cocktail is always a fun addition to a beer and wine bar. For this event, a Malbec sangria served with orange slices in wine glasses, and renamed a “tail shot,” brought a refreshing, festive, Argentine-inspired flavor to the occasion.

The details that make a difference.

Often, the details of an event are what make it memorable. Such was the case for the New Bridge magazine launch party.

Invitations that are truly inviting Whether sending formal invitations by mail or using an email invitation service, an invitation that is creative and in keeping with the style of the party is worth the effort.

For the launch party, a formal invitation was designed utilizing photography by Shelly Marshall Schmidt. The title, “Step up your Game,” was a perfect play on words.

Floral display and food presentation Beautiful floral design does not have to be over the top to have impact; its artful composition is much more important. Food display also depends on the right balance of presentation materials and the food selection itself.

Join us on Thursday, October 16, 2014 from 6-8 pm at the New Bridge Clubhouse Celebrate fall polo and the launch of New Bridge Polo’s Annual Magazine Enjoy beer, wine and our signature “tail shot” cocktail Delicious eats provided by The Willcox Food Truck 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken, SC 29805 RSVP to Jennie Raborn jraborn@nandinahome.com Join us on Thursday, October 16, 2014 from 6-8 pm at the New Bridge Clubhouse Celebrate fall polo and the launch of New Bridge Polo’s Annual Magazine Enjoy cocktails and our signature “tail shot” Delicious eats provided by The Willcox Food Truck RSVP to Jennie Raborn by October 10 jraborn@nandinahome.com 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken, SC 29805 ep up your Game ep up your Game

Morgan Stanley Meybohm Katy Hartnett Rick Hartnett Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt

The floral design for the launch party by Karin Jeffcoat of Cote Designs was a simple combination of berries, vegetables, and flowers in simple containers – perfectly matching the rustic backdrop of the venue and the casual elegance of theme for the evening. In addition, the food was displayed on large wooden platters, burlap runners, and multiple glass cloches and containers. The outdoor tables were also covered in burlap and navy tablecloths to coordinate with the overall design.

Lighting and art staging The use of candlelight always adds a festive dimension to any party décor, and can be as simple as glass votives on the food table or large lanterns scattered throughout the setting.

For the magazine launch party, small lights were strung from the clubhouse balcony to give a “twinkle” to the general party atmosphere. The large format photographs hung inside the clubhouse and on the porch punctuated the wooden walls as highly appropriate and compelling visual elements.

No matter how intimidating a guest list may be, or how challenging an event space, a coordinated plan and a talented support team can make any party a technical success. In the end, however, the real success of an event is in the eyes of the guests that attend.

The guests of the 2014 New Bridge magazine launch party where awed by the transformation of the space, enjoyed incredible food and libations, and were inspired by the introduction of a publication that represented them with such a high level of originality and sophistication. As a result, they lingered late into the evening, enjoying both old and new acquaintances. We can’t think of a better way to judge a successful event than that.