Intentional Planning with Guest-Centered Design

At Ambrosia & Nectar Events, we plan with both care and purpose—crafting celebrations that honor your vision while elevating the guest experience. We believe that a beautiful event is not only well-designed, but thoughtfully hosted. From immersive tablescapes to meaningful touchpoints like handwritten notes or signature drink moments, every element is curated to reflect your values and ensure your guests feel considered and celebrated.We care deeply for our clients—and we help them care deeply for their guests.

For me, intentional planning is about taking the extra time to think about who you're hosting and what you're hoping to achieve. Whether you want your guests to feel loved, surprised, seen, or simply charmed—it starts with pausing to consider their experience. Every choice becomes an opportunity to guide how your guests will move through the day, what they’ll notice, and how they’ll remember it.

Photographer: Mark Ray Films

As someone whose love language is acts of service, I believe we should always host from a place of care. When your guests choose to spend their time with you, they could be anywhere—but they chose to show up. That decision deserves thoughtfulness in return. The best memories are made when you honor your guests with warmth, clarity, and intention.

I’ve always loved the details—especially the ones that delight, surprise, or make someone feel seen. When I go out to dinner or attend an event, what stays with me isn’t just the menu or the decor—it’s how I was treated. It’s the way the experience unfolded. That feeling of being considered is what I strive to recreate for every guest who steps into an Ambrosia & Nectar celebration.

Photographer: Kelly Hornberger

But thoughtful planning goes beyond just ambiance or aesthetics. It’s about design decisions that serve the people you’ve invited.Some of the most overlooked guest-centered details include:

• Seating and cocktail hour pacing: Long cocktail hours without proper seating often lead to discomfort and early departures. Your guests should never be left standing hungry or thirsty. Comfortable lounge areas, passed hors d’oeuvres, and signature drinks go a long way—but so does entertainment, whether it’s a live musician, interactive photo op, or tasteful game.

  
  

• Bar placement and quantity: Guests shouldn’t have to leave the dance floor to find a drink. Bottlenecks and long lines can interrupt the energy of the event. We consider bar staffing, placement, and flow early in the layout design to avoid this.

  
  

• Timing of speeches: Thoughtful timing matters. A long block of speeches can feel like a delay when guests are ready to celebrate. We often recommend placing toasts toward the end of dinner service, when the room is settled and the moment can truly be appreciated.

  
  

My role is to guide couples through these decisions—helping them see the cause and effect of each moment, and offering options that elevate both design and comfort. I ask what matters most to them, then pair that with what we’ve learned from real wedding-day experience. My goal is always to marry function and aesthetics. We’ve all seen the “silly” designs that look good in photos but don’t work in real life. Your event should feel both beautiful and intuitive.

Ultimately, I want guests to walk away saying: “That was seamless. I felt cared for. I didn’t want to leave.”I want them to be surprised, warmed, and welcomed—awed not just by the beauty, but by how the experience flowed.

If you’re planning your own celebration, my advice is this: Start with the end in mind.Before you choose your colors or venue, sit with the question, “How do I want my guests to feel?”—and let the answers guide you. Plan with pace and taste in mind. Give people space to take it in. That’s how you host with grace and intention.

Because when your guests feel cared for, your event becomes unforgettable.