On Thursday September 12th, The Social Society officially opened our doors to Ponte Vedra Beach community. We hosted a VIP Grand Opening Party and damnnnnn it was good. If you know me, you know I throw epic parties so given the fact that I was opening my first brick & mortar store, this party was bound to be a good one!

To put together a great party you need to plan! For this party, I had to be available to speak with my guests, the press and of course take a ton of photos! So I made sure to hire the best of the best so I could be a guest at my own party. Starting with food + bev…

I stumbled online to Regards Libations. Owner, Audrey is a living DOLL. I just love her. She’s so sweet and her business is so chic and fabulous! Audrey and her team were a joy to work with and the food was gorgeous, delicious and the perfect amount of light bites for a cocktail party.

For the bar, I went all out and worked with Betty Boujee to bring in her insanely cool Cocktail Car! Look at HER! GAH! What a hit. Sadly, the rain wouldn’t let up so we tented our dear Betty but so what?! We still had the space outside and it was all perfect. At Betty the cocktail bar, we served beer, wine, bubbly and a signature drink - the Social Society Spritz. Of course we served the drinks out of our signature, custom designed Party People Cups and cocktail napkins from our Socially Seri product line.

Food + Bev are very important but you know what else is important? The music! As I’m still finding my vendors here in Florida, I have yet to find a DJ who I really connect with. So I brought DJ June to the sunshine state to ensure I had a fun, upbeat, good vibes party. There were no words for DJ June. She was incredible. Everyone was asking who she was.

How about decor? That’s what we are all about! We have worked with Bridget from Hennessey events now for years. She’s such a doll and so talented! She came in and decked our ceiling with balloon garlands and she made us a stunning and striking balloon installation to go outside our shop and cause a buzz. Bridget is our partner in balloon installations so if we have customers who come in looking for more than just a balloon bundle or grab-and-go garland we will pass them along to her!

Last but not least, the single most important vendor that you hire for a party is your photographer because at the end of your party all that you are left with are: your photos. Dave Robbins Photography is simply the best and I cannot imagine doing this all without his gorgeous photographs.

The turn out for this party was above and beyond. Even though it was raining, so many different, wonderful people came out to celebrate. That was partly because they were curious to see the store and of course party but mostly because of my cut throat director of marketing, Heather. She’s so stinking good at her job and I’m so grateful to have worked with such a dear friend on such an important project of launching the Social Society.

That leads me to my team. Over the years, I have always been able to find dedicated, loyal, hard working team members some who are still with me. For the Social Society, I was worried about finding great people but alas, I built an incredibly solid team of smart, talented young people who have helped me bring this dream to life. I’m so thankful to each and every one of The Social Society dream team and would not be here without you all!

In closing, I would not be here without my family. I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have such a loving and supportive husband and my two boys who believe in me and all that I do. And Mom….I know you made an appearance at the end of the evening with that sunset. You show off! Thank you for coming. I love you all so much.

Now come on in and SHOP at the Social Society! It’s SO.MUCH.FUN in there!