Sea Island Life Magazine Fall/Winter 2014 | Page 56

JESSE LEAKE

A central color scheme can add flair to any event.

Author of “Downton Abbey” companion books, Jessica Fellowes, with series actor Allen Leech

Historical Inspiration

the words of Mae West, an icon of the glitz and
glamour of the era. “There [was] a little custom
chocolate on [each] pillow that said, ‘Too much
of a good thing can be wonderful.’ ”
Sea Island guests also fancied a “Downton

In addition to locales and hobbies, history
often serves as festive inspiration. For the
100th anniversary of the Titanic in 2012,
Sea Island presented “A Titanic Night” with
guest speaker Bob Ballard, the oceanographer
who discovered the shipwrecked oceanliner.
The Cloister Colonial Lounge was converted
into the ship’s foyer, where actors portraying
aristocratic families of the era—the Astors,
the Guggenheims—mingled with guests
tie attire. After guests received “boarding
passes” (seat assignments), an actor playing
Capt. John Smith emerged on the balcony to
grant them “permission to come aboard.”
Once in the ballroom, attendees had a meal
inspired by the original Titanic menu, then
danced to a symphony orchestra playing songs

who plays Tom Branson on the series, and
Jessica Fellowes, author of companion books,
“The World of Downton Abbey” and “The
pub was the backdrop for show trivia. The
pub’s British station was adorned with old
books, the Union Jack and various containers
of popular British foods, while an American bar

period costumes,” says Marcie Maddox, mem
bership manager at Sea Island. “They really got
into the theme.”
Rinderknecht also knows the ins and outs

neled the gilded details of the 1920s. “That
castle really set itself up easily for that kind of a
theme,” she explains.
Drawing from the literary and cultural styles
of the time period also helps Rinderknecht
transport guests back in time. “We took some
quotes from the writers and poets of that era
and incorporated them into the paper materi
als,” she says. The guests ended the event on
down beds, a customized message thanked
everyone for being a part of the special day with

cheeseburgers. Sunday evening saw guests
formal dinner and dancing in the ballroom.
Whether a party transports attendees
back to the Roaring Twenties or a wedding is
inspired by an exotic locale, themed events
turn imagination into reality. “Sea Island
will always have a sense of childlike play,”
Ippensen says. “You arrive and immediately
feel like you are on vacation. I think that is
[important to] the art of what we do. People
come relaxed and open to whatever experi
ence we lay out for them.”

THE BILL OF THE BALL

While elaborate themes and lavish decorations can be exciting for guests, the experts at
Sea Island know that an event doesn’t have to have an extravagant concept to be showstopping. Lifestyle expert Danielle Rollins, author of “Soirée: Entertaining with Style,” agrees:
“For an everyday party, whether it’s for eight or 80, I always tell people to choose two or
three things—a color, a food, a flavor—and work around that.”
It doesn’t have to be expensive or excessive. “I am a big fan of Cost Plus World Market,”
she says. “Sometimes the most formal things in your house feel stilted.” She suggests turning to the Internet for inspiration as well, citing Pinterest as a resource for themed ideas.
Alison Rinderknecht, owner and creative director of Alison Event Planning and Design
explains, “You can have a very pretty [event] without covering everything and putting flowers everywhere. It’s OK to be simple.” Table linens are components that are relatively inexpensive but completely customizable and help set the tone.
“Lighting is the number one thing … that people forget to focus on,” she adds. “String
lights, hurricanes, votive candles and lanterns ... are an easy fix for a festive feel.”
No matter the budget, theme or setting, the most important part of planning a successful shindig is anticipating how to best make guests feel happy and at home. “I think it’s
about people recognizing that it’s more fun to go to a party where you’re comfortable,”
Rinderknecht says, and comfort doesn’t come at any set cost.
For even more images from Sea Island’s events and themed inspiration for your own,
visit Sea Island’s Pinterest page at pinterest.com/seaislandresort.

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